The Church Wants Social Justice Back

There are two things I really don't like talking about. 1) Money. Oh man. I really don't have a clue where our money is, how much we spend each month or what we invest in. It's not that I don't care, it's just that I REALLY don't care. I give you permission the next time you see my husband to give him a sympathetic look or a pat on the back. That man is a good one. 2) Politics. The current rantings on facebook from both my liberal and conservative friends makes me well, sad. Not because I don't think they have the right to express their opinions or to disagree with each other (keep it civil people) but because I'm pretty sure Jesus desired for us to live in peace.

The 2012 election and some conversations with some of my friends has me fired up however. Then Beth Moore has to echo what has been rolling around in my head the past six months. (For the record, I love it when someone I respect is thinking the same thing.) So here it is; my political rant for this morning.

We, the Church, want social justice back! I don't know how you politicians stole it away from us but it's ours. Hand.It.Over. You use it to earn votes and to appear like a caring candidate. We do it to honor God and live out Matthew 22:39, "Love your neighbor as yourself." How did the Republican party get viewed as a rich, church-going eliteist group that doesn't care about the poor, the minority or the marginalized in our society? How come the Democrats are viewed as the party that cares about and for these groups? I don't see politics in the Bible when Jesus tells us to care for the poor, widowed and orphan. I don't see a donkey or elephant pinned on any disciples tunic as they shared their money with one another and then gave it away to others. Now I know some political experts and historians are shaking their heads right now and saying, "she is so naive and silly." I understand that both political parties have helped create their storied histories. I just wonder why we look to them for direction on social justice when we should be looking to the Church?

I want social justice back. I don't want it used for political gain. I want to live it. I want my heart to break for what breaks God's heart. Oh Lord; please break my heart for what breaks yours.

Parenting is Hard if You're Doing it Correctly

Alternate title: Good gravy; where did summer go?

It seems like everywhere you look you can find resources on how to parent better. In fact, there are so many great blogs about parenting that I hesitate to even write about it. But parenting is my #1 job. O.K. truthfully, it's really my only job right now unless you count working on my summer tan. I've been a mom for 13 years and these years have taught me a lot but really have left me with just three big desires for my kids.

1. Know that Jesus loves you more than me and your dad ever could. He chose you before you were born and he chose you as he hung on the cross. Don't rely on your parents' faith to be saved. It has to get real. It must be personal. It has to be yours.
2. Be grateful. Oh please be grateful for all the many blessings you have and all the amazing people that are in your life. Don't be discontent or think you deserve any sort of special treatment.
3. You don't have to be the best at anything but you have to try your best at everything. Yep kids, even piano. When I see you not bring your instrument home or dog it on a windsprint at practice I just want to holler, DO YOUR BEST! If mediocre violin playing is your best, then I will proudly listen to you squeak through any song. If a "B" is the best you could do on that language arts exam, great job. And if you never score another goal but are sprinting after the ball giving it your best then this mama is one happy fan.

Here's to a great school year and a year of doing our best.

Always Learning

Here are the top ten things I learned by going to Detroit Tigers Game yesterday. Here we go.

1. When passing the sunblock to your kids, remember to hit your own forehead with a little SPF 30. Oh, and your nose too.
2. Arrive early for batting practice so you can catch your favorite Tiger warming up.
3. Tell middle child that chili cheese fries will include faux cheese. "I didn't know it would come with fake cheese, mom." This isn't some tricky advertising babe; cheese is in it's name.
4. Go get all of the snacks yourself or your new teenager will miss two home runs while getting Dippin' Dots and complain about it. For way.too.long.
5. Have everyone use the bathroom before leaving the park because you will get stuck in the parking garage & traffic and now you've got a problem on your hands.
6. There is a reason Eminem turned out the way he did. Have you seen 8 Mile Road? 'Cause we did on an emergency bathroom stop for one of our kids and let me tell you, there were bullet proof glass windows at every gas station and restaurant. Oh, and no public restrooms thank you very much.
7. Take the grandparents with you. They have infinitely more patience for your kids than you do. Well, until one of the kids farts in the back of the mini-van.
8. Consult the hubby about what beverage he is getting at the other food station before you stand in line at another one. Otherwise you will end up with two giant souvenir cups of Mountain Dew. Or what my kids like to call, "Mountain Burp".
9. Play Family Feud (app on the iPod Touch) with well, your family. It's a hoot to hear the answers that they think will be on the board.
10. Remind the guys behind you that even though they are enginerds (engineer nerds) they can still cheer and talk to one another at the game. Quietest bunch of men I've ever encountered and when I told them that they said, "well, we're not really baseball fans." Alrighty then. Welcome to Comerica Park!

Confessions of a Former Athlete

I was an athlete. I guess technically I still am since I play in a co-ed soccer league and love sports however my days of training for a sport are long gone. I grew up in a house with four older sisters and a mom and dad who encouraged (not pushed) us to try out for different sports. Some sisters played tennis, basketball and softball and we all played volleyball. I went to sports camps at Calvin College every summer because they were free (thanks Dad/Professor Pettinga) and it was close enough for me and my sisters to ride our bike there every morning.

The first team I played on was in 5th grade and it was a rec. softball team. We were called "The Monarchs" and our toughness matched our name that season. I played with all of my good friends from school and a couple of years later even made a pact with them that at our last game we would all wear our training bras. I realized quickly that was a miserable decision as I itched and squirmed the entire game. I played three sports in high school and two in college and loved nearly every athletic experience I've ever had.

Flash forward to the year 2012. I'm now a mom of three. I have three different kids who are talented in different ways. And I have a confession, I really don't care if they are the best one on the team. Did you just gasp? :) I'm as competitive as they come and sometimes get frustrated watching beginner sports but you know what, I really just want my kids to like team sports. I refuse to buy into the notion that my kids had to start sport training while still wearing diapers. I refuse to spend a ridiculous amount of money or time on one kid in one sport. I refuse to believe that they have to pick a sport right now and specialize in it to make a team in high school. Why would I limit them in athletics when I don't limit their potential in anything else? Why do we as parents walk around and say, "my kid isn't athletic." It's like saying, "my kid isn't a student or a musician or a good person." Stop. Your kid may not have even tried "their sport" yet. Your kid may still be growing, developing muscles and learning all the necessary skill sets for each sport. Athletics is such an outward way for others to measure your child. No one stands over your child as they take a math test and cheers, "Yes! You got that one right too!" But maybe they should ...

Spring forward to this spring. Our soon to be teenager decided to try softball again after taking several years off from it. She got dressed for practice and was so excited to go play. When she arrived she quickly realized she was the only one not carrying a bat bag with her own bat and helmet inside. And as she played she also realized that the talent gap had widened since she last played softball for the Y. Her team is composed of eleven girls but eight of them are on two teams and have a special coach. So there were three girls who met with their coach and kind of practiced with this "elite 8". As she drove home with her dad, there were tears shed. And as a former athlete but more importantly, as her mom, that breaks my heart. So we'll regroup and decide if we jumped into the major leagues before practicing first at the minors. And we'll remind her just how talented she is at volleyball, singing, making friends, getting good grades, playing piano, playing the violin, reading, following Jesus and being our daughter.

 (Behold my perm. I know. I stand amazed at it's bigness too.)

New Year, Same Randomness

1. If my hair could talk this is what it would say to my straightener, "Alright. You win today but tomorrow I'm going to come back bigger and curlier than ever!"
2. I sometimes like to wear my husband's slippers because it makes me feel petite.
3. When the gym instructor says "inhale" I almost always exhale. It's like I'm dyslexic in my breathing.
4. If I could teach a class to young female athletes it would be entitled, "How to be aggressive in every sport." I'm still working on marketing this.
5. I think if every husband helped cook dinner his sex life would suddenly become much more active. Forget the old adage that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach it should go; if you want hot sex make a hot meal once in awhile. I like it. Who works in marketing?
6. Hmmm ... what to write for number six after talking about sex?
7. Sometimes I just feel off and then realize it's because I haven't read a book recently. Reading nourishes my soul and quiets it too.
8. I'm hoping my mom can soon say goodbye to me after talking on the phone without crying. It's hard to hear her broken.
9. I think every woman needs a sister and if you don't have one, go find one!
10. Mexico. One month. Consider yourself forewarned stomach!

Nostalgia

You're Better

I've always been a confident girl. In fact, I was called "Gary" in college by a group of guys who thought I was as cocky as the NBA Seattle SuperSonics guard, Gary Payton. This cracks me up for two reasons. #1 -  I had no idea who Gary Payton was at the time and #2 -  I think this was the first time these boys ever met a confident girl. And I have my parents, especially my dad to thank for that. He quietly, mostly without words, reminded me every day that I was better. When you hear that word better it immediately draws a comparison. Who am I better than? Did I walk around school trying to prove to everyone that I was better than them? Nope. This wasn't how he used it. He told me I was better than:

• talking behind my friend's backs.
• talking negatively about a teacher or coach.
• being silly or playing dumb so boys would think I was cute.
• dressing in a way to attract attention to my body.
• not trying my best at everything I did. School, athletics, music, plays. His attitude was, give it your all, all the time.
• fighting with my sisters.
• not respecting my grandparents.
• not including someone because my feelings had been hurt before by him or her.

So for all you grandpas, dads, husbands and uncles, remind your girls that they're better. They're better than accepting anything less than the best treatment from the world, the media and their relationships.

Overwhelmed by a Loving God

overwhelm: to cover over completely, to overpower in thought or feeling


I love the word overwhelm. It's just so big and well, overwhelming. There are times when I am so overwhelmed with love for my kids and husband that my eyes fill up with tears and I thank God right then and there for these gifts he so generously has given me. This usually happens at the beach under the bright Michigan sun with the sounds of waves and giggles lapping up to my feet. I had one of those days this week and let me tell you, this refreshment of my soul can carry me through many long weeks of winter or parenting challenges or minor arguments with my husband. I'm also just so grateful that God has entered my life's story so clearly and often. Wait, that makes him sound like an unexpected house guest who enters in and out of my life but really he's always there. It's my job to see that he's with me all the time. 


With my mom in the hospital for most of the month of July, our family's normal summer routine was interrupted and we all slowed down, prayed more and played the role of care taker to the one who so lovingly took care of us throughout our childhood. This was a humbling experience for us all but I'm so grateful for it. Grateful that God took this really painful time and brought us closer together. Almost eight years ago, I spent six weeks in the hospital on bed rest awaiting the birth of our fifth child. (We have two baby girls in heaven who Jesus is waiting to introduce us to.) I've shared my story ... a lot. And I often feel embarrassed when asked when did you last feel God's overwhelming presence and this experience is always, always my first thought. I did feel God's presence and his peace but I also felt overwhelming fear and worry and distrust and guilt. But back to my mom's story. She really needed us to be with her in the hospital so our family set up a schedule where two sisters and my dad went to spend time with her every day. I was happy to help and hoped that I could give my mom some practical ways to help her get through her hospitalization. One day as I chatted with my mom she stopped mid-conversation and changed the subject to say, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you more when you were on bed rest. I understand now." And God healed that nagging hurt that I had been carrying around with me. I told her I understood how hard it was for her to see me laying in a hospital bed overcome with anxious thoughts. I understand now too.

My Mom & Camping

I'm going to begin by saying that I'm intentionally trying to keep this post light-hearted. You can accuse me of either not being serious or playing the role of the littlest sister to a tee. But just maybe you graciously understand that if I were to write about my mom right now (who this past week suffered a stroke, underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor - thankfully benign - and is currently in the hospital receiving intensive care and therapy) I would weep until I was out of tears. I'm sad. I'm scared. I'm feeling helpless but not hopeless.

So here is my Jeff Foxworthy inspired list of "You might be a (red-neck) camper if you ..."

• You might be a camper if you pack an outfit for each day and end up wearing the same shirt all week.
• You might be a camper if you wet wipe your feet clean before bed.
• You might be a camper if deodorant is considered a shower. (Which in this case, it's too bad that your wife forgot to pack yours and you now smell like cucumber and melon.)
• You might be a camper if you sleep in a sandy bed.
• You might be a camper if you have a great tan but bad hair.
• You might be a camper if you brush your teeth at the fire pit. (Some may use this as their nighttime urinal too but I'm not telling you who (Jeff).
• You might be a camper if while you're driving down the highway your camper door pops open and the crank that is used to pop up your pop up falls out. Thankfully you remember you are surrounded by fellow campers who have cranks.
• You might be a camper if you know how to make more than three different kinds of fire treats.
• And finally, you might be a camper if you drive home from the campground in your pajamas.

Love & love to you all and if you're a praying person, heck, even if you're not - please say a prayer for my mom.

Because it's been awhile since I used the word RANDOM in a blog title.

1. I go to bed way too late when the hubby is out of town.
2. I am seriously and hopelessly addicted to the show, "Sports Night". If you've never seen it, get Netflix and start watching it now. And if for some reason you don't like it or think their witty banter is too fast or frustrating, please don't tell me because I may never look at you quite the same way again.
3. I think relationships are more important than religion.
4. I cry nearly every time my son cries. Like tonight for instance when he came to me with his bottom lip quivering and told me that he couldn't last three days without daddy because daddy is his best friend. That little statement alone will keep me faithful to my husband for well, my whole life.
5. I read books and want to help others in really desperate need (like hide Jews in my secret room during WWII) and yet neglect to see that there is a hurting world around me.
6. I expect grace from others and yet am slow to extend it.
7. I think of how others can bless me instead of how I can bless them. I'm working on this.
8. I think Josh Charles has a big nose but still is incredibly handsome. (If you don't know who this is, please read #2 again.)
9. I raise my hands sometimes while running and listening to praise music. And I smile a lot lately while I run. It makes you run faster. Try it; I dare you.
10. I'm starting to think I may becoming less of a campy girl and more of a cottage girl. It could just be the weather lately. Either that or I like clean feet.

Heroes

Heroes. They come in all shapes and sizes. The mom on bed rest who prays hourly for her little baby. The high schooler who leaves a party when the alcohol comes out. The little girl who shares a seat on the bus with a kid with special needs. The spouse who forgives and extends grace immediately. I'm humbled and honored to know all of you heroes.

A couple months ago we studied the chapter in Jonah where he prays in the belly of the whale. (Yes, you can start singing the Veggie Tales song here.) I was so struck that this stubborn man was praising God for saving him. Wait. Isn't he still in the fish/whale? And he's thanking God for bringing "my life up from the pit"? Jonah 2:6 After thanking God he promises to make good on his vows. Jonah doesn't try and bargain his way out of that fish. He doesn't say well God, if you do this then I'll do that. So often I thank God for "getting me through" trials once they are clearly in the rearview mirror. Jonah is a great example to me of how to praise God in the midst of them. Can I be thankful in the belly of the whale?

Now Jonah proves he's less than perfect in the following chapter when he sits back and waits to see if Nineveh will be destroyed. I mean really Jonah. God has just rescued you out of a fish and you're complaining about your shade being taken away? And you look like you're waiting to watch a horror movie up on that hill. (Really, don't you expect him at any moment to say, pass the popcorn?)

But maybe that's the beauty of heroes. Heroes of faith or life. They humble us and they are us. They make bold moves and yet still sometimes complain about the weather. This new song, "This is the Stuff" by Francesca Battistelli is one of my new favorites and I pray that my little messes don't ever stop me from seeing how much I'm blessed.


This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I’m blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

Endearing

Definition of endear: To make dear or precious.

1. My mom, whose voice catches every time she says goodbye to me on the phone. Every time. It doesn't matter if she is in town or on vacation.
2. My daughter Paige being the activities director on a snow day. Everyone needs a Paige. The extent of my parenting so far today has been making pancakes. That's it. 
3. My kids choosing to watch, "Worst Cooks in America" over all other shows. They may be budding kitchen stars or really mean food critics someday. It's a coin toss. 
4. Watching my daughter Zoey throw some elbows around on the soccer field. That may not be endearing to you but boy do I get a kick out of it!
5. Recorder concerts. I'm a sucker for a good rendition of Hot Cross Buns.
6. Zach blushing and still running into my arms when he is embarrassed. Yesterday he tripped over a huge playground ball in front of his cousins and I opened up my arms to the sprinting, red-faced little man.
7. Teachers who love what they do & make your kids eager to go to school every day.
8. Nephews and nieces who still want to hang out with their old aunt.
9. My little Sunday school kids. They're a little rowdy in the winter months but they sure are cute.
10. Waking up to hand written notes from my husband.

Guest Blogger

So I'm supposed to be blogging in 2011 & really shouldn't have a guest blogger write for me but this post by Sonny was just too good not to share. I don't know how she got inside my head but I am grateful for friends who are sharing a similar journey and who are trusting God to meet them in the quiet and wait for His leading. Enjoy this post & even her reference to Vanilla Ice. (For you youngsters, he was a white male rapper who now apparently does home renovations and can be seen on HGTV.)

2011. The Year of the Blog?

Alright folks. Here is our Christmas and a bit of our year in review. The song is "Joy Is In Our Hearts" by Sara Groves and really the only reason I made this slideshow is because I love this song so much! :) I should have kept adding pictures so you could hear it all and I should have faded out the last few notes so it sounds more professional but I have to get to Target. 


Hope 2011 is a year of blessings for your family.

Recent Pics

 Making a sign for Daddy's triumphant return from Guatemala.

 Windy night = Lots of tape.

 The breakfast in bed promised if Zach slept in. 9:00 a.m. - woo-hoo!

 Have an old window? You have a cute Christmas decoration.

The table I decorated for our ladies dessert gala at church. Cheesecake, friends and lots of laughter.

A Few of my Favorite Things

Going to ArtPrize with my man.

The view out my bedroom window.

A perfect dahlia.

Home Alone

(Honestly, this is the only time he was quiet this summer.)

All three kids are in school full-time this year. Weird. I've discovered some things I love about it and some things I don't and have made a few funny discoveries along the way.

1. The clock above my computer ticks. Loudly. Who knew?
2. If all your kids are at school, you're stuck on the toilet if you run out of t.p. (Luckily I'm a quick thinker and resourceful. 'Nuff said?) 
3. You find yourself saying "yes" to just about every volunteer position and then start second guessing your sanity.
4. I can read a book in the middle of the day if I want. Now on to read worthwhile and edifying material!
5. You don't need the childcare at the gym anymore. Sigh.
6. The laundry is no longer your nemesis but rather, your daily companion.
7. You can meet your husband for lunch. Most days. Fun!
8. You have time for prayer. You + God = some pretty great quiet time spent together.
9. Your hair is done and your workout is in by noon.
10. After school becomes your favorite time of day.

This Boy Needs a Brother

I don't know why Paige made him be the girl partner in this dance but I'm glad I got the camera out for this show. Sorry Zach!

Tired

Prepare yourself. In our fun filled, packed out, extraordinary summer I'm going to complain about a few things I'm tired of. Don't worry; it'll be fun!

1. Washing bathing suits and towels and hanging them up over every available kitchen chair and outdoor chair to dry. If we smell like a lake next time you see us in our suits, you'll know I put my foot down.
2. Lady Gaga (that just has to be said, right?)
3. Katy Perry (ditto to that California girl.)
4. Gaining weight over the summer. Hello? How come the season where I wear the least amount of clothes I decide to gain weight in? Oh yeah, ice cream. I guess I answered my own question.
5. Packing picnic lunches. In June it's so exciting and new again but by late August I just tell my friends, I'll meet you after lunch.
6. Putting sunscreen on the kids. I have the most moisturized hands in West Michigan. I should just stop being so cheap and buy the spray but that stuff lasts about one week with three kids.
7. Mosquitos and bees.
8. Kids in and out of my house all.day.long. I'm not ready to see my baby enter 1st grade this fall however.
9. Burgers and hotdogs.
10. And finally, I'm tired of not doing my hair. I've been riding the wave (and ponytails) for so long that I actually look forward to fussing with it again. I guess this proves that I have some girly in my tomboy.

Sisters

I have four older sisters. Yep. You read that correctly. My mom and dad had five girls in six years & three months time. Yep. You read that right too. So when I asked my girls how their life would look different after going to a Christian summer camp and they answered that they felt like they had grown closer as sisters, you can understand how that made my heart sing.

I love my sisters. I love that God gave me two girls who I could watch grow up together as sisters. And even though I tease my sisters that they are the reason I hung out with boys all through high school, (they set the bar way too high for other adolescent girls) I feel so blessed that they modeled to me how to be in relationship with other women.

So love up your sisters. And if you don't have one, you can borrow one of mine. :)