Fabulous Book - “The Shack”

The Shack

Last week we were blessed with an opportunity to go to the beach.  So I did the appropriate amount of laundry, packed up the kids and we headed East to Topsail Island.  It is a gorgeous beach and was a much needed reconnecting time for our family.

My sweet husband, knowing that one of the only times I can read uninterrupted for long periods of time is at the beach, (because he is there all day to help deflect the demands of the kids) bought me the book, The Shack, by William Paul Young.  I had been wanting to read it for a few months now and had not spent the money to buy it.

Wow!  It is amazing.  It is really an almost unbelievably good book.  It is a modern day parable, similar to Pilgrim’s Progress. I have cried at least 3 or 4 times while reading this book and I am not even done yet.  I would like to say it is one of the best books I have read in a long time, but I have not read that many lately because of the kids. As an English teacher and lit lover, I used to read all the time, pre-children, but the constant interruption was causing me to lose it with my kids, so I decided to read less for now.  But this book is really, really good. Don’t take my word for it, it has been on several best sellers lists for a while now.

If you pick it up, let me know what you think of it.  If you have read it already, tell me about that too!

Tags: The Shack

This Halloween we allowed our eldest, Noah, to pick out a scary mask for Halloween.  Usually we just encourage getting dressed up in a fun costume, last year he was a hippie, or whatever.  But this year he turned 10 and insists that he is a “pre-teen,” even though I am trying to convince him that is not until 11 or 12, but who’s counting, right?  Anyway, he was very scary and creepy this year.

My daughter, who not so long ago was wearing pink Disney princess dresses and cow girl costumes decided she would like to go as a skeleton.  Who knew the little blond girl in a fairy princess dress would want to be a bag of bones for Halloween?  Oh well!

My second son opted for the Dark Knight and made a formidable pint sized Batman.  He hippity, hoppitied around to all the houses while his mother tried to keep him from hopping out into the road and getting hit by a car.  And finally, the baby. He alone was a sweet character this year.  He was a little orange pumpkin.  It is the same suit that they have all worn on their second Halloween.  I remember specifically purchasing it with the thoughts that all the kids could eventually wear to their early Halloweens.  Four kids later, I’d say it got some good use!

We don't look quite this hot fighting.

God has such a sense of humor.  Very appropriately, I suppose, Dave and I have been in a bit of a fight for the last week.  Mainly it has occurred because of conflicting schedules and things that absolutely had to be done and all of the time for “us” being squeezed out by obligations and “good” things.

Then someone’s feelings get hurt and they don’t say anything about it, but they do respond with shortness and more of an edge.  The other person then gets their feelings hurt and addresses the issue as soon as they see it, but alas, the other party is so hurt by the initial thing that they did not mention, that now the first party can’t deal with the second party’s issue.  He’s not respected and she’s not loved.  Soon full tilt arguing and fighting ensue.  Toe to toe, full blown crazy cycle.  Sound confusing?  Sound familiar?` Yeah, me too!

I am so excited about the “Fight Club” series that we are beginning at church this month.  Our small group did the “Love and Respect” study this series is based on about two years ago.  It completely revolutionized the way Dave and I processed things and I know it had a tremendous impact on the other members of our group as well.

You may be wondering, as I was at first, who’s job it is to stop the crazy cycle and start giving first?  Dr. Emerson Eggerich, who wrote the book, states that it is whomever is the most mature.  Ouch!  I certainly didn’t like to hear that.  He goes on to explain more.  Stay tuned this month and find out how to get off the crazy cycle, stay off, and build a marriage that honors God and will impact not only your children, but your children’s children, even unto a thousand generations!

Deuteronomy 7:9
9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Tags: Fight club

This recipe is a great one to keep on hand in case you ever need to feed a lot of people a good meal on a budget.  I have used this one so much in the last 11 years of ministry, whether feeding 70 or 80 teenagers or just preparing a meal for friends. 

Baked Spaghetti:

1 box of thin spaghetti (16 oz)

1 can of Hunts Traditional spaghetti sauce (or whatever you like)

1 can mushroom soup

1 can diced tomatoes (small or large can, depending on how much you love tomatoes)

3 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook spaghetti according to box, “al dente”.  Then mix in sauce, soup, tomatoes and place in a 9×13 or two 9×9’s (a great way to feed your family and take a meal to someone or you can freeze your extra pan for later use) and top with cheese.  Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes until cheese is bubbly.  You may want to tent the pan with foil for the first 30 minutes and then let it cook without the foil for the last 10 or 15 minutes.  Pair with a salad and garlic bread or a fresh loaf of bread from Harris Teeter and dip in olive oil sprinkled with salt and pepper. Ciao!

Tags: Hunt's

Wow Kinetic!  You just keep amazing us! Last night we had an incredible meal of red beans and rice, corn bread and pumpkin bars delivered to our door.  I didn’t even have to give birth to a baby to get it!  The food was delicious and the kids were asking me to get the recipe of the beans and rice.

Then this morning, while I was changing Gideon’s diaper, the doorbell rang and when I came down there was a huge basket filled with all sorts of breakfast goodies.  Donuts, cereal, cream cheeses and bagels, jellies and muffins!  Wow!

Last week we received a “pasta and movie night” basket from another small group!

Thanks so much Kinetic!

Tags: Kinetic Church

I arrived about 15 minutes before the polls opened at 11AM, at the CPCC North Campus in Huntersville.  My source for these things said it was one of the least busy locations in Charlotte.  Initially, I could not find a place to park so I asked a policewoman if there were any other parking spaces and she said she was leaving and I could have her space.

There was no line outside the building though, a promising site.   Upon entering the building I realized the line wrapped all the way down the hall and back up it again.  So I went to the end of the line and waited the hour and thirty.

As I considered complaining, I quickly checked myself noting there were no armed military personnel making sure I was safe while voting or threatening me to vote a certain way.  There was no fear of bombing or shootings around or near the polling site.  The biggest thing I had to give up was time and a little comfort.  My 18 month old even fell asleep and didn’t wake up until I put him in his car seat.

I am struck again at how blessed we are as a nation.  As I drove peacefully home through the fall countryside, I thanked God for the blessing of living in a country that honors Him.  May we always continue to do so.

Is it possible to eat out and feed a family of 6 for under $10?  It’s pretty rough keeping it under $20 most times and that is not including the tip. However, if you are willing to lay down your “healthy food” guidelines and throw caution to the wind on occasion, have I got a deal for you!

I discovered it one Saturday shopping at Sam’s Club (they should pay me for the constant advertisement).  I had four hungry, grumpy children and one husband headed in that same direction.  We sauntered up to the snack bar and there was the deal of the century: 1 foot long hot dog and a large drink for $1.50!  I was desperate, so I ordered 4 hot dog meal deals and waited.

Now how do I feed 6 from 4 meals you wonder?  Share, share, share!  Dave and I each had our own hot dog and drink. Then we split the foot longs in two and the kids shared their drinks.  The kids had ketchup as a vegatable, Dave had onions and relish and I had some mustard and saurkraut.  To top it all off we usually hit the sample isle before or after lunch.

The kids loved it!  They beg me now to buy the “good hot dogs” to make at home. It did take me a while to figure out what kind of dogs they were.  The first few cafe workers I asked didn’t seem to know.

I’m not sure how much longer we can keep it under $10 though.  Sam’s recently raised the prices to $1.70 for the meal deal and Noah is getting pretty close to eating his own hot dog.  But even if we all needed our own dog, that would still put us at $10.20.  I can live with that.

Tags: Sam's Club

This October has been amazing for our family.  The people of Kinetic have showered us with love and gifts all because Dave is a pastor and this is Pastor Appreciation Month.  These perks sure make me glad I’m sleeping with the minister!

First we were “forked” by some crazy group at church.  In case you did not know, being “forked” involves waking up to find your front lawn strewn with plastic forks stuck in the ground.  They also had encouraging posters attached to some of the forks and taped to the front door.  Noah and Chloe had a competition to see who could get the most forks.  They were all so excited to see the posters on the door as well. Thanks for that encouragement.

Someone also brought each staff member a huge tupperware bin filled with cookies.  Our whole family loved them, especially Gideon, as you can tell from the picture.  One morning while I was getting breakfast ready, Gideon found the tub of cookies, opened it and started scarfing them down.

Yet another person brought a beautiful candy bouquet and someone else brought a bag of candy suckers and “boogers.”  The kids thought those gummy “boogers” were really great.

So thanks Kinetic for thinking of us, you are an amazing church!

Tags: Kinetic

I am a room mom for Noah’s 4th grade class.  This month, the 4th grade room parents are in charge of getting a snack together for the monthly faculty meeting.  So I collected some money from the other 4th grade room moms and headed to Sam’s Club to see what wonders I could afford.  The last couple of months they have had granola bars, and although those were in my budget, I wanted to try something a little different.

I headed to the bakery section and found a beautifully prepared tray of mixed cookies. 74 for under $20!  Sounds like a good deal to me!  I picked up another smaller package too, just in case they needed a few extra.  Thanks Sam’s for making this room mom’s job a little easier!

Tags: Sam's Club

I like to think I am usually pretty up on what is going on in politics.  I like to think I keep abreast of the debates and the candidates and listen to some of the commentators on both CNN and FOX News.  But after the debate tonight, I am really getting tired of all of it. I can’t wait to wake up November 5 and have it all be over.

I am also so weary of the sick family secrets that continue to leak out of an abused Wall Street.  I almost wish we had not bailed them out and let the chips fall where they may.  The leaks about big conferences and big spending even after the bailout just makes me nauseous.

Anyway, sick and tired of all the crap and no great options.  I thank God that He is in control and I am not.

Tags: CNN, FOX News, Wall Street