Choosing to be Filled. . .

Hi, this is my first time to be a part of this book club, but how could I refuse sweet Gretchen ~ especially when she suggested such a wonderful book!! My name is Erin, and I am the mother of four very fun little redheaded boys (8,6,3, and 2 years old) and one more baby on the way (due May 2nd)!!

I'm not sure what chapter we are supposed to be discussing at present, but I wanted to make a very general statement about this book so far (I'm on Chapter 5). I have been charmed into noticing the details of my life as if in slow motion, and I am thoroughly taking life in and loving it!! I am so much more aware of the blessings of the simple and ordinary in my life, and for that I am so grateful!!

In Chapter One I love the way she describes the fall in the garden. . .

"We are hungry. We eat. We are filled. . . . and emptied. And, still we look at the fruit and see only the material means to fill our emptiness. We don't see the material world for what it is meant to be: as the means to communion with God."

And, then later in this chapter she talks about how God means to fill us with His glory and grace. . .

"It is one thing to choose to take the grace offered at the cross. But to choose to live as one filling with His grace? Choosing to fill with all that He freely gives and fully live. . ."

How I would love to live with this clarity every moment of every day!!! To live as Brother Lawrence ~ practicing the presence of God moment by moment, breath by breath. To be in communication, conversation with Him all throughout the day ~ praying more and thinking less ~ eyes opened wide to God in each moment of each day ~ the way we were meant to live!

And, I love the way she refers to God at the end of the first chapter as "the God who we endlessly crave."

Amen!!

Hello

I feel a need to introduce myself. I wish we were at Starbucks chatting, but, since we come from 7 states and since I am iced in my house right now, I guess the old blog will have to do.

I am Jennifer. Gretchen and I are childhood friends, and I am LOVING that we are reconnected now that we are mommies. My husband has been a youth minister for 12 years and just this year became a prison chaplain in the federal prison. I have been a stay at home mom since before our oldest (Isaac, 10) was born, with the exception of some temporary teaching jobs here and there. However, just this year I started teaching part-time, just in the mornings. Our middle son (Ezra, 5) started kindergarten this year, and we also have a really funny youngest son (Simon, 2 1/2). So, I probably don't have to point out that this year has been one of huge transition for us, but one during which we have seen God's perfect provision and plan, his ability to go before us to make a path even while we are completely unaware!!

So, on to the book. I can't put it down. We have been out of school for 2 days in a row because of an ice storm, and I am seriously neglecting my children to read this book. Well, I have fed them and we did play a game of Apples to Apples tonight, but beyond that, they've been on their own. :)

I can see in my own life that I have had clearer glimpses of God in times of pain and loss. In the midst of it, I have hated the pain and loss, but on the other side, I see incredible moments of grace and growth.

I completely resonated with the discussion she had with her brother-in-law. When he said "Just that maybe...maybe you don't want to change the story, because you don't know what a different ending holds" and related it to the story of Hezekiah I was so intrigued. I had never thought to relate that concept to the story of Hezekiah, although the concept is one I have often thought about. I wrote about it in this blog a couple of years ago. My dad died when I was in college. I am an only child. I missed him (and still do) like crazy. However, I can't bring myself to want to change that part in my story. As much as I'd love to have my dad back, if I changed that detail, it might change the whole story. I was planning to transfer to a different college but I didn't because my dad died and I decided to stay in a familiar place. A year later I met my husband at college. Had I transferred I would never have met him. The whole story would have been different.

Pain and loss can change who we are. I want them to be used in my life to make me see God more clearly, but I'm afraid this doesn't always happen. I am very excited to keep reading.

Let's Get Started!

Thank you to all of my precious friends that are joining together for the book club.  Of those who said they would like to participate, together we represent seven different states and have twenty-two children!  This book club can become whatever each of needs as we read and learn together.  Please feel free to post your thoughts about the chapter, questions for others to answer, or anything else you need or want to post.  We can plan on discussing one chapter a week, but can change the pace as needed.  Please comment if you have ideas and thoughts to share!
Love you precious Mommies!

Anyone Up for Revitalizing the Book Club?

I am very excited to start a new book that I have had on pre-order for some time.  My book shipped this week, and hopefully I will have it in my hands soon.  I would love to read it along with you if you are interested. Just email me or leave a comment if you would like to join in!

One Thousand Gifts  by Ann Voskamp

Chapter 10

The creative mother "opens windows to God's artistry and greatness." We recently took a family camping trip to the mountains. My husband loves the mountains, caves, rocks, forests, and most everything outdoors. I always preferred "anytown USA" with its restaurants and shops. Until meeting him and going on camping adventures together, I did not appreciate the outdoors. We traveled to the Grand Canyon and explored Utah on several different trips early in our marriage. God revealed himself to me in his creation in ways I will never forget during these times. "And while I believe that human creations can indeed be indirect expressions of God's creativity, I also believe that the farther we move from nature the more out of touch we can get with God's power and reality." (p.186) It was just wonderful to see our three children experience God's creation...hiking, camping, caving, climbing. We saw beautiful waterfalls, mountains and trees. The kids were sitting on a rock in a creek and said, "look at the big worm daddy!" My husband said, "where is the big worm?" They replied, "between those two rocks." (I love God's creation, but snakes still give me chills). I did not see the "big worm" thankfully. I must admit that there were times when I missed my comfy bed and my ceiling fan. (While I was trying to sleep while sweating with three kids, two adults, and a golden retriever all in the tent) But we were making memories, stretching ourselves, and enjoying God's creation. "So many of us in our plastic industrial world spend the bulk of our lives apart from any true natural beauty. We travel inside protected cars and feel the wind, rain, and snow on our faces only as we move from one enclosure to another. So many children in our industrial society grow up surrounded by glass, plastic, steel and asphalt. The spend most of their time with machines, televisions and stereos, game consoles and computers, and cars. They are rarely exposed to the natural elements that were meant to daily confront our soul with the greatness of God." (p.186)
So, looking back on this chapter confirms that we need many more camping trips together. We need to explore and reflect even in our own backyard.
I keep reading the "keeping perspective" (p.194-195) section of this chapter. Sally puts into words here just how great our role as mothers is and yet reminds me that we are not alone and all we need comes from the "Master Designer" himself.
I would love to hear about ways you and your family enjoy and experience God's creation and the ways God is making you a creative mother.
(Two more chapters to discuss...please email or post a comment about what you would like to read next!)

Chapter 9

I found this chapter very encouraging and motivating. "My attitude is ultimately what makes our house a peaceful haven. And because I can only accomplish this by leaning on the Lord, it is my relationship with him that ultimately will provide a nurturing environment for the people I love." (p.167) This is a big reminder for me. I tend to get frustrated and emotional quite easily. Motherhood has really brought this to the surface for me. I must rely on my daily walk with God and surrender myself to Him...this is the only way that my home will be peaceful.
I love organization and the process of organizing. I love my label maker and my files. As I mentioned in my "cleaning 101" post, I love a clean house but don't love the cleaning process. Well my new cleaning system has given me much freedom from stress and I have to admit that I am actually enjoying it a little. I made a list of all of my daily, weekly, monthly, bi-monthly tasks. My daily tasks I do every day, my weekly tasks are divided amongst six days (Sunday is my day off). My monthly and bi-monthly are assigned to days that have a lighter weekly task. I have been doing this for the past month and it is working quite well. I typically do my chores either first thing in the morning or after the kids are in bed. The daily tasks get done throughout the day. I have much less frustration about things because when I see the bathroom mirror needs cleaning on Thursday, I remember that it will get done on Saturday and I don't need to think about it today. Yes, I could just take the few minutes right then to clean the mirror, but then I would just find something else and then something else and there you go, I am frustrated about how there is no way I can clean this house and take care of three kids etc. etc. I know that through the course of the month everything will get done and that it will be easier the next time I do it. I am also learning which things may not need to be done every week and some things need to be done more than once a month. I am less stressed because each day has a manageable goal and it is not the end of the world if I miss a day. I am quite an emotional person and this system is taking a lot of the emotional swings of all that needs to be done out of the equation. Things are also cleaned the way I want them to be done. (Okay, maybe I have a little OCD/control issues, but that is for another day, right?) The other nice thing is that my husband knows the schedule (as it is posted below the family calendar) and I have been nicely surprised when coming home from a trip to the grocery after the kids are in bed that the chores have been done by him! (I could go on and on about how selfless and helpful and giving and never complaining he is, but again, that is for another day, right?)
I love all of the practical ideas and examples Sally gives us throughout this chapter. I won't quote and list them all, since you are reading the book too, but I find that reading this chapter is refreshing for me and motivating me. What a joy to read from someone who has been there, knows what we are going through and can give us practical wisdom from her experience and walk with God.
"Learning to live with the tension of never getting all of our work done and still being content is a worthwhile attitudinal goal as we serve our children." (p.169)
"The strong and secure future we help to build for our children is laid by the hundreds of small deeds we do every day as we serve faithfully in our homes. Yet the great value of our service will be felt for generations to come and throughout eternity." (p.176)

Part 3: Chapters 7 and 8

Wow has it been a long time! Have you all been busy with end of year parties, recitals, performances etc.? We are beginning our summer schedule/routine today and I am ready. (I hope). I hope you are continuing to enjoy the book...but most of all I hope you new moms (for the third time!) are soaking up those baby moments...soft skin, fuzzy hair, tiny toes! I am going to post about two chapters today since I haven't posted in over a month! Okay, I have to admit when I began reading chapter 7 and she was talking about gluing her teapot and alluding to how she had done this a lot, my mind went straight to that Brady Bunch episode when they broke the vase..."mom always said, 'don't play ball in the house.'" I know it is sad that 70s and 80s sitcoms still take up space in my brain! I do love all of her relationship principles in chapter 7. My husband and I have spent much time in late night conversation and prayer about these principles and our goals. We have started doing one on one outings with the kids too. (see "something to try..." in chapter 7) We have always planned on doing this and through the years have done so periodically. But I am realizing that if you don't plan it and make it a priority the days, weeks and months go by and it just doesn't happen. My #1 and I went to the paint your own pottery studio together. I was planning on painting something too, but am so glad I didn't. I just watched her paint, was 100% focused on her, listening to her chat away about her painting and what she wants to be when she grows up. After painting she wanted to go the bookstore and share hot chocolate and a cookie. She talked so openly and freely and gave me suggestions for what she would like to be different at home. (Her main request was to be able to help me cook more!...I never would have thought this is something she wanted) It was a wonderful night. I am looking forward to having this time with our other children too.
I enjoyed chapter eight too. Interestingly, my husband excels in the cultivating areas. He has always read beautiful poetry to our children, listened to classical music with them and taken them on adventures to the mountains, art museums, and gardens. We have always taken them out to dinner with us and the majority of the time they have great manners and behave better than most adults in the restaurant. :)
We will begin discussing Part 4: A Mother's Heart for Her Home in the coming weeks.
I would love to hear from you...what did you think of part 3? has reading this book changed you? changed what you do? I look forward to reading your posts and comments!