1 Corinthians 13 for Mothers

This was written by Jean Fleming, author of "A Mother's Heart."

If I keep my house immaculately clean and am envied by all for my interior decorating but do not show love in my family - I'm just another housewife.

If I'm always producing lovely things - sewing, art; if I always look attractive and speak intelligently, but am not loving to my family - I am nothing.

If I'm busy in community affairs, teach Sunday school and drive in the carpool but fail to give adequate love to my family - I gain nothing.

Love changes diapers, cleanse up messes and ties shoes - over and over again.

Love is kind, though tired and frazzled.

Love doesn't envy another wife - one whose children are "spaced" better or in school so she has time to pursue her own interests.

Love doesn't try to impress others with my abilities or knowledge as a mother.

Love doesn't scream at the kids.

Love doesn't feel cheated because I didn't get to do what I wanted to do today - sew, read, soak in a hot tub ...

Love doesn't lose my temper easily.

Love doesn't assume that my children are being naughty just because their noise level is irritating.

Love doesn't rejoice when other people's children misbehave and make mine look good. Love is genuinely happy when others are honored by their children.

Rain - Rain - Rain

I can't believe just how much it is raining here! We never get this much rain - or this many cloudy days. I love the sound of thunder and the smell of rain! It's another great day in the arid land of Colorado! =)

God also rained in my heart today! We went to church in Monument today to hear a friend, Andy Landers, lead worship. Andy is a truly gifted and anointed worship leader. Everytime - I am ministered to. It was an amazing morning.

And the teaching.. I've never heard this pastor before - but really enjoyed his teaching. "To live is Christ and to die is gain" was the main point. He wanted us to think on our main reason for living ... and immediately the first thought that came to my mind was, "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever" (The Westminister Catchetism). Above all - this is truly my desire and my prayer... that everything that I do and say will bring glory to my Father. And I so long to enjoy Him - through studying His word, times of worship, reading books, developing myself and soaking in friendships He has blessed me with.

Oh - to live a life that "glorifies God and enjoys Him forever."

Dreamer

I am a dreamer.
I like to dream of places I have been and places I might go.
I often dream about Montana.
It's the one place that I've lived that truly felt like home.
















I lived in Flathead valley for 6 years - with Youth With a Mission.
Most of my spiritual growth took place in that amazing place.
Every day I could, I was out hiking, skiing, biking, running -
enjoying the outdoors and some good alone time with God.
He truly spoke deeply to my soul during those years.

I was a student for a year in a Bible school..
I was then on staff for 5 years - 2 of those years on staff for the same Bible school.
Three years in Montana studying the Bible and it radically transformed my life.

Then I lived in Bozeman for a year with Steve - during our second year of marriage.
It was a great year - just what we needed after a difficult first year of marriage.
We made a ton of great memories there and lifelong friends!

Now, we're living in Colorado Springs and have been here for 5 years.
These past 5 years have been mostly difficult and challenging...
not to mention lonely.
Many times during these 5 years, I have found myself dreaming of Montana.
I dream of the "good years", as I have longed to get out of these difficult years.
Yet amist many challenges and hardships, God has blessed us with our kids.
Two beautiful gifts from God that have also transformed my life.

As Steve and I are faced with some major decisions,
I find myself dreaming of Montana again - my promised land.
But I sense God telling me that He may not give me that again.
He just may have something else beautiful in store for me.
Montana is a beautiful memory - but not a perfect place.
Nothing on this earth is perfect.

I pray that I will be open to God's leading and not hold too tightly to my dreams.
They are after all, only dreams.

Another great day!

I got to go hiking again today in the rain!
Now that truly brings life to my soul.
Just what the doctor ordered.
As I said before, we're in the midst of a challenging time...
making some major decisions. (will share after they are made)
So can I just say that I love it when good things happen amist challenges.

And my hike followed a morning sitting at Starbucks ...
all by myself. =)
I was able to read - which I haven't done in awhile.

I'm reading Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll.
If you haven't read it - it's a great read.
I really like his thought process and he challenges the way I view evangelism.
Good stuff.

Now, dinner at home and a night of playing with my kiddos.
What could be better than a day like today? =)

More rain - Yipee!

Clouds
Thunder
Lightening
RAIN!

Now that makes me happy! =)

What a great day!

1) Steve is home!
2) Took the kids to the park -
hung out with some other moms
3) Cloudy day - followed by a bit of rain!
4) Went hiking at the Academy - in the rain!!!
It smelled amazing! And the sun never came out .. yipee!
5) Went shopping for some new summer shirts
6) BBQ chicken for dinner
7) Ice cream for desert
8) Now, a movie night at home with Steve.

Now that's a great day!

The ugly "S" word

Submission is something I struggle with on a daily basis... submission to God and submission to Steve. Right now, Steve and I are in the midst of making some major decisions. I want to trust God and Steve, but I struggle to do so. I want to remain in control and have everything work out just the way I think is best. I know in my heart this isn’t right, but I just can’t seem to let go of the desire to be in control.

So, I’ve been reading Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline and this morning, I decided to jump ahead to the chapter on submission. Foster said a few things that really hit home for me. He says, “The obsession to demand that things go the way we want to go is one of the greatest bondages in human society today.” Ouch! How painfully right he is. I find myself in bondage far too often b/c I demand that things go my way. This is true with my kids and with Steve. I want my life to be just right – ordered the way I think it should be (that’s the 1st born perfectionist in me).

Later on he says, “The real issue is the spirit of consideration and respect we have for each other. In submission we are at last free to value other people. Their dreams and plans become important to us. We have entered into a new, wonderful, glorious freedom – the freedom to give up our own rights for the good of others. For the first time we can love people unconditionally. We have given up the right to demand that they return our love. No longer do we feel that we have to be treated in a certain way. We rejoice in their successes. We feel genuine sorrow in their failures. It is of little consequence that our plans are frustrated if their plans succeed.”

Now, my childhood experience was filled with some really horrible things that have made it difficult for me to trust. Difficult to trust God – that He really does have my best interest in mind – also difficult to trust Steve. But it’s no excuse for the fact that I really suck at loving people unconditionally and I suck even more at giving up my rights. Nothing short of an act of the Holy Spirit working in my life will transform me in this area. And so I pray – and ask the Holy Spirit to have His way, regardless of how painful or difficult the journey.

Submission is something that Jesus did every day on this earth and continues to do all the time – submitting Himself to the will of His Father. If I want to be more like Jesus, than submission needs to be a part of my character. So I continue to work on being submissive…

Desperately missing Steve

This picture of Steve and I was taken in Keystone in October 2005. It's the most recent picture I have of the 2 of us... and since I'm missing him today - this post is for him!

I don't have anything profound to say today. I find that when Steve is gone, I don't get any reading done ... and I don't get much time to myself. (I'm sure you mom's understand!) So, I have no quotes or deep thoughts. My thoughts have been about feeding the kids, keeping them busy and happy and not getting too frustrated with them. Nap time is short and bed time, I'm too tired to do much more than watch a movie.

I always appreciate Steve on a deeper level when he's away. Managing the house and the kids w/o his help is just no fun. Thank goodness God designed the family to work the way it does. Without Steve, I'd be a mess.

So Steve - I hope you know just how much I love and appreciate you. I hate it when you're gone and cherish every moment you're here. I'm glad you've had fun playing in the emerald city... I just wish I could have been there to share it with you. Come home soon! We miss you!

Father's Day

Steve is in Seattle - so there will be no celebrating around here. Although it's important that I say how fortunate I am to have Steve in my life and the father of our children. He is truly a great father who loves his children deeply and would do anything for them!

On a more somber note, today I am thinking of my friends, Chuck and LaNell. They have recently lost a son. Sam was in his 20s. His life was taken in a fatal car accident with a moose while driving in Alaska. I just saw LaNell on Thursday and was truly greived for them and their loss. I can't imagine losing a child. That is not the way it was meant to be! On this Father's day, they are grieving - and still celebrating the lives of their 2 other children.

May I truly appreciate the gift of my children, knowing that they are dearly precious. May I savor every moment with them. May I enjoy every day so that the years don't go by so quickly. Today I also pray that I soak in the love of my Heavenly Father. Without Him, I am nothing.

Birthday bash

We had a fun day celebrating Shiloh's birthday - and she had fun being the center of attention. The weather did not cooperate for our outing to the pool ... no it was raining most of the day and only in the 70s. I LOVED it ... clouds and all (I think I was created to live in the northwest!) but Shiloh was a bit disappointed.

Nevertheless, we had a fun day. Sometimes I just stare at Shiloh in awe of who she is becoming. She's such a beautiful girl, outside and inside. But there are times I just don't recognize her. She is no longer a baby but a girl. She has changed so much. I love who she is becoming and look forward to seeing just what God will do in and through her.

Steve is in Seattle for four days. Yes, Laura, tonight he and Dave were sitting on the pier, watching the sunset over the water ... eating calamari. No, I'm not jealous. Afterall, I got to go to Phoenix instead! =( Ha!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Shiloh

My baby girl will be 3 tomorrow! Can it be???

A prayer for you, Shiloh, my little girl -

Shiloh, as you turn three, I pray for you that your heart will be passionate for Jesus. May He and He alone be your one true love. I pray that your life may be filled with great friends and good memories.

You are a special girl, special because you are created in the image of our Father, special because you are Shiloh Joy Stucky. Your daddy and I love you very much and always will, no matter the choices you make.

I pray that you will be teachable, have a love for good books and an intense passion for the Word of God. I pray that you love God's creation - the mountains and especially His people. I pray that you will rise above the disappointments in life and always make the best of every experience that God brings your way.

You bring more joy to our lives than you will ever know. May daddy and I be good parents who raise you with patience, love and understanding.

We love you, Shiloh! Happy Birthday!

Goodbye 115 degrees - hello 99 degrees

I think that any temperature above 90 degrees is just too hot! Phoenix - yes, it's hot and dry! We're home now ... to more hot and dry! I'm not too fond of Phoenix, which is now the 5th largest city, a city of 4.4 million people. But I'm not too thrilled with how our Colorado summer is shaping up either! Guess I need to go somewhere northwest again - where it doesn't get much above 85 degrees and it actually rains! =)

Sorry for the complaining ... I need get a perspective check.

Mr. Common Sense

I got this from my friend, Joan. Thanks for sharing, Joan!

We mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense. Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).

His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. - Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge financial settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Double Standards

Please hear my heart on this! I do not post this quote from this book to upset or offend. Afterall, you know I have come out of a strong feminist background. There are very complex reasons that have led me to embark on this study. One in particular (and most important) is my marriage to Steve. The early years of our marriage were quite difficult as we both sought out the position of leadership (or headship) in our marriage. We found out early on that it just was NOT going to work ... this idea called "egalitarianism." So, this is my personal journey ... seeking out God's original design and plan for women.

Some books I have read include - Rocking the Roles, What Our Mothers Never Told Us, Five Aspects of Woman, Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth. I have also read book by Mary Kassian, Lillian Barger, and Diane Passno of which the titles I don't remember off the top of my head. So O'Beirne's book is only part of an ongoing study.

I find myself thinking that as Christian women, we need to embrace God's perfect design of both us and our male counterparts. His design is perfect. If He intended that man be the provider and the protector ... we should rejoice and embrace that plan. Why fight against it and insist on running along side of them? We need to ask ourselves what it really means to operate in accord with God's original plan.

Here's more from Kate O'Beirne's "Women who make the world worse"

"I quickly learned that the demand for equal opportunity was a typically dishonest feminist ruse. Advocates for women in combat were really seeking special rights for women in uniform. They argued that women should be allowed in combat if they felt like it, although men are involuntarily assigned to combat duties. And feminists weren't demanding an equal right for women to compete to meet the services' physical standards. They were demanding a new separate physical standard for women because the great majority can't meet a male standard.

Definitive studies show that the top 5 percent of women perform at the male medium. The average twenty- to thirty-year-old woman has the aerobic capacity of a fifty-year-old man. There's a reason why fifty-year-old men in uniform are not expected to do what twenty-year-old men do. To mask these real differences between the sexes, with their real consequences in the real world of combat - under pressure to integrate the ranks - the services have modified their training.

Since it was integrated, in a typial example of how the military copes with the fact that women are weaker and slower than men, West Point has developed a formula of "equilavent effort" that has male cadets obliged to complete an obstacle course in 3:20 minutes, while female cadets are allowed 5:30. Men receive the same grade for doing seventy-two push-ups in two minutes as women do for performing forty-eight. Scores on fitness tests throughout the military are now similarly "gender-normed."

The physical qualifications for specific jobs have also had to be changed to accomodate the lesser physical strength of women. A 1985 Navy study found that large majorities of women were unable to perform any of the eight critical shipboard tasks that virtually all men could handle. To keep things shipshape on the gender front, the job of stretcher carrier in the Navy, once a two-man job (that 100 percent but only 12 percent of women could perform) was redefined as a four-person task.

Proponents of women in combat are tiresome in their dishonest insistence that women should only serve on the front lines "if they can meet all the physical requirements." Experience with integrating the service academies and the great majority of specialities has shown that women can't and don't meet the male standard. The force is slower and weaker as a result."

Women Who Make the World Worse

This book by Kate O'Beirne is fascinating. Rush Limbaugh's endorsement says, "With wit and smarts she drives a stake through the heart of radical feminism, naming names, and takes down the modern sisterhood in a fearless, funny, and factual way. And it's long overdue. Know your enemy. Buy this gutsy book!"

Most of the time, feminism is such a part of our culture, woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, that we don't see it or know it's there. It's subtle but it's fierce, waiting to destroy every woman and every marriage. Satan knows - attack the family, attack the created order - soon women will be leading men. Abortion, homosexual marriage ... where will it end? Here's a couple of quotes from her book.

"When the number of women who died in Iraq reached two dozen, sixteen as the result of enemy action, feminists welcomed the gruesome milestone. Retired Air Force brigadier general Wilma L. Vaught explained, "There's been an acceptance of the fact that women ... are in harm's way and they are being killed. That is defining to me." A woman being brutally killed alongside men is a long-awaited feminist dream of equality."

"In a celebratory story featured on its Web site, the U.S Army patted itself on the back for giving Army Reserve Sergeant Julia Fadell the opportunity to drive a forty-ton heavy equipment transporter throughout Iraq rather than be stuck in a dreaded "routine job." By October 2003, Sergeant Fadell had been fired on and separated from the unit's convoy at night in Baghdad, but was extending for another year's duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. "What I'm doing is important," declared the forty-one-year-old mother of SIX children who range in age from nine to tewnty-two. In keeping with the apparent family tradition of women doing men's dangerous work, her eldest daughter, an Air Forcec reservist, had recently served in Baghdad. Mother and daughter are a tribute to the feminists who have waged a relentless campaign against the quintessentially male obligation to fight our nation's wars. Feminist ideology has won when it doesn't matter which sex does the mothering or the soldering."

"The 213,059 women on active duty include over 24,000 single mothers, and there are 29,000 married women with children on active duty in the Army alone."

Is this something of which we as a nation should be proud? Would this make our Father delighted in us? Oh the shame! We are so far from God's original intentions in the created order of male and female. My heart breaks!

Just gettin' by

Yes, I'm still trying to come up for air. Have had not time for reading or bloging. Just cleaning, shopping, laundry and playing with the kiddos. Will have a day to myself tomorrow - alas! Will get some time to read while sipping coffee at Starbucks ... just might have a good quote when I get home.

I'm currently reading a VERY interesting book entitled, "Women who make the world worse : and how their radical feminist assault is ruining our families, military, schools, and sports". She has some good insight and some info that is new to me. Fun!

Montana Highlights

Here are some highlights from our trip -

1) The kids did awesome!
2) Family time in the car!
3) MacKenzie River Pizza Company
4) Montana Coffee Traders
5) A night in downtown Whitefish
6) The weather - it was perfect!
7) The beauty of Montana - it was soooo GREEN!
8) Spending time with dear friends -
The Ketchums, The Wilkes, The Bays, The Formans, The Bissells
9) A full day with one of our favorite families, the Balians, in Bozeman
(they have 10 children that bring sheer joy to our lives)
10) Being home again

The kids might add a few things to that list -
1) New friends (most of the families we were with had kiddos)
2) 3 houses with trampolines to jump on
3) Being somewhere new - they both love to go places
4) Sharing a room with each other and sometimes w/ mom and dad too!
(Although mom and dad weren't always thrilled to be awakened at the crack of dawn!)

All in all, it was a great trip! We had tons of fun. It's always good to come home, although our "things to do" list is quite long, ranging from mowing the lawn to washing the car to doing laundry and grocery shopping.

Will be home for a few days until we're off to Phoenix again - yes in June's 100 degree weather. Will only be there for 3 days this time. Then Steve's off to Seattle after that. June is shaping up to be a busy month for us!

Whitefish lake beach!

Oh - I love this place! I'm sure you can tell why!

Playing in God's country! =)

Daddy and Landon watching a train in Whitefish.

Shiloh standing on the dock by Flathead lake - waiting for dinner.

Lisa and Kristen Bay - a dear friend

Friends, Coffee, Food, Mountains ... what could be better?

I'm at Montana coffee traders, one of my favorite coffee shops of all time, sipping a french press of "golden aged sumatra". The sun is out (which is not as common up here in the Flathead) and I am alone! =) I sent Steve off for a morning by himself yesterday and this is my morning. Thought I'd buddy up with coffee, my laptop and my Bible. Now that's a good morning if you ask me!

We have had a grand time .. reconnecting with old friends, making new ones. Playing in the beauty of Flathead valley. We even ate dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Mackenzie River Pizza ... and with two dear friends. Cruised around downtown Whitefish at a farmers market and have spent some time walking down by the lake. Sheer bliss! For me, this is about as close to heaven as I can get - those of you who know me well would know this.

Tomorrow we head off to Bozeman to stay with one of our favorite families, the Balians. Their family of 10 children bring sheer joy to our lives!!! Will be there for a couple of days before making the trek back to Colorado Springs.

The cadets have graduated now! Yesterday it was official - all the seniors became 2nd Lt. If you didn't know, that is why we are on this trip - our house is being enjoyed by a cadet family who is in the Springs for graduation. It gives us a good excuse to take a vacation. =)

So, until I return home, have a glorious day ... weekend.