Monthly Archives: May 2015

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A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.  Ecclesiastes 3:4

 

I remember the first time you were whisked away from me.

You were approximately thirty minutes old; ten wrinkled, tiny toes and a head full of fine baby hair.

I'd got to hold you in my arms for a few minutes, but before I knew it, your dad had scooped you up and exited the room along with the nurses.

I knew where they'd taken you. A crowd of merrymakers were waiting in the hall to see you in all your newness.

Your debut consisted of an onslaught of aggressive camera flashes and fawning family members.

Your dad held you up like a young king who would someday rule the world. I can imagine it was something like Rafiki did when he presented Simba to the pride. I'm only guessing.

I wouldn't know.

You see, I was still stuck in the delivery room, by myself. After minutes that seemed like hours of being left alone; you taken from me, I had decided to join the party. But there was a problem.

I put my weight on my hands and scooted to the edge of the bed. Something didn't feel right. My legs weren't working. Still I tried until the nurses came in reminding me that I was immobile due to the epidural I had gotten to help me through the thirty-second hour of labor (had to throw that in).

I was the one who carried you for eight months and three weeks. I was the one who labored to get you here. And now it seemed I was the ONLY one who wasn't bursting with excitement in the hallway. 

For a moment I felt left behind and quite unable to position myself in that happy place with those people in the hall.

I had the same feeling rush over me earlier this week in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby. I'd just experienced an unsuccessful attempt at buying party supplies for your graduation party and decorations for your senior table. I sat in the car bummed at the lack of shopping bags and bummed still, that you're graduating in the first place.


I thought about who I could text:

1. that would be by their phone to provide instant comfort because they understand where I'm coming from

2. and that I haven't already exhausted with "I'm so sad he's graduating" texts.

It pretty much excluded everybody, because here's the thing-

Everybody else is already in the "celebration hall". You're there with them. You're all more than fine with this thing. Your dad is doing his "Rafiki bit" thinking about what bright things lie ahead and I'm still trying (unsuccessfully) to join in.

THAT'S the thought I had earlier this week, but...

I'm making a choice to work myself out of my grief-stricken immmobility, because under the layers of "the last this, the last that" and the slew of tear-inducing pictures of Hay Hay (as we used to call you)......I'm happy.

I'm happy that we made it through Algebra II and the parent portion of driver's ed. I'm proud that I see a guy who's developed a great work ethic and a bright outlook for his future. Standing before me is a boy who solemnly swore "that it would never be uncool to hug his mom". You've kept that promise.

I'm going to turn my sadness into gratitude and get happy with the rest of those who are excited at the new chapter ahead. I'm getting ready for the parties.

I'm choosing gratitude.........even though I've already made this decision about twenty times this year.

I'll choose gladness when I find a tear in my eye when I hear you playing "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac, and when I think about the milk jug that will probably be lonely in our fridge next August without all its fellow milk jugs that are usually beside it to fill your insatiable thirst. I'll make my sentimentality a reminder to do so. Because this graduation thing is a good thing, even if it makes me sappy.

So congratulations! Let's do this thing.

I'll meet you in the hallway to celebrate. 



Meeting in the Landscaping 

By Terri Brentlinger

This morning I was looking in the landscaping and I saw this.  

  
As I stood there and stared at it I was amazed.  The first thought I had was how we all need the cross.  The plant is weak and needed something to hold it up.  

Then it hit me. So do I.  

I looked at the vine and I noticed it did not only wrap around in one place, but that it had wrapped several times around the cross.   The more the plant wraps around the cross the stronger it will be.  The more we wrap our self around God the stronger we will be.  

I do not believe we will be strong enough if we only go to church. That would be like wrapping our self only once around.  The more we do the stronger we will be also.  

We need to daily wrap our self in God’s word, in being a servant and in Godly friendships. There are many ways to wrap our self in God.  

Thank you Jesus for the little meeting in the landscaping!!

About Terri

Terri is soft spoken and one of the most gentle-natured, beautiful souls I've ever met. She has a warm smile that makes her approachable trusting that kindness guides her in her interactions. These were my first observations about Terri. Having gotten to know her even better, the spirit is evident within her-even loud. Anyone who meets her will know she loves people....and she loves Jesus. 
Read other guest posts by clicking on "A Thursday for Your Thoughts" in the menu. 


Don't forget that you too have an invitation to write a guest post for "A Thursday for Your Thoughts".  I take great delight in your sharing knowing we share many of the dames struggles and joys. And so often I find a common bond between us I hadn't known existed. Write about an experience that you've had or a lesson you've encountered. Shoot me an email if you're interested. 

kristiburden@gmail.com

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Jason and I visited the Redwine's food trolly today in Winnie. This was a high mark in our "Foodie Fridays".  Jason is sharing about the perfect paninis, the tomato basil soup and the too-good-to-pass-up ice cream drinks we had. I volunteered to talk about dessert(s).  

 Jason:  You know I can't pass up a food truck when Kristi and I are out and about. Same is true for a food trailer. And you can include food carts, food buggies, and food tents. 

But now you can add a more exotic food purveyor to your list of things I can't pass up: A Food Trolly! 

 I've never seen a food trolly until today. 

Kristi and I went to Winnie to shop around at Larry's Old Time Trade Days. You can find just about anything under the sun there. We loved walking among the vendors, sifting through mounds of antiques and chatting with folks from all over this part of the country. 

The biggest attraction for us, though, was stumbling across this beauty of a Food Trolly. 

She's called The Green Molly. 

The Redwines of Nederland bought her some time back and equipped her to deliver deliciousness.  

 Pat and Trisha Redwine invited us in to see their setup and let us watch as they crafted our feast. 

The Green Molly had an eclectic feel. She started out on the streets of San Fransico years ago. She made her way by stages to South East Texas. 

The heart of their menu is the panini sandwich. 

Now let me be honest with you. When I hear of a shop selling paninis, I usually pass on by. I like paninis, but they usually leave me hungry for more. What is it with panini shops that serve undersized sandwiches? 

Put any misgivings about paninis aside when you cross paths with The Green Molly. Pat was putting together the sandwiches today. I ordered a ham and turkey on whole wheat and Kristi got the same, but on sourdough. Pat started with THICK cut bread. The sourdough was pre-cut and the whole wheat she cut herself. I could have made a meal of just the bread she put together for our sandwiches. 

My eyes really got big when she started putting together the insides of the panini. Pat piles on layers of American and Mozzarella cheese. Then came generous portions of turkey and ham. The panini grill was begging for mercy when she placed those two sandwiches in the cooker.  

 When Pat served up the paninis, the cheese was soft and warm, but not runny. The meat steamed just a little as I pried the halves apart. The panini grill puts a nice crust on the bread. 

Did I mention that they were serving these magnificent paninis with fresh made tomato basil soup? 

These paninis were perfect for dipping. The bread was sunstantial enough to soak in great draughts of creamy awesomeness. This was comfort food on steroids. 

After eating 90% of my sandwich and 25% of Kristi's, I was about to pop. 

I forgot to mention one other little detail: Trisha was working the smoothie machine today. She served us up cups of Strawberry, Piña Colada, and Vanilla Ice Cream Smooties. We tried some of all of them in addition to a Chocolate Ice Cream smoothie you can see in the picture. 

My turn

Jason has blog-hogged, leaving only the desserts to be talked about, but I can TALK about the desserts. He got a head start while I changed into my elastic shorts to be comfortable enough to write. Our lunch experience was that serious.

Key Lime Pie 

 I've accused Jason of loving coconut pie the best because the rest of the family doesn't.....which means that even if there's a whole pie, he doesn't have to share.

That's the way I feel about key lime pie. I had a slice today. It was smooth and creamy and perfectly tart served with fresh blueberries and strawberries. I sigh just thinking about it.

I was good and shared with Jason. It was easy because Trisha was standing in front of me with a slice of chocolate explosion. (Excuse my nails).

Chocolate Explosion 

 This slice of love is a crushed Oreo crust topped high with cool chocolate mousse with surprise bites of MORE chocolate. My words are inadequate. Just trust me. The chocolate explosion was an experience.

S'mores Panini 

 I've saved the best for last. When they mentioned "a chocolate sandwich" I was skeptical. But as soon as the scent of warm cinnamon bread wafted my way, I was a believer. The S'mores Panini is two slices of crusty cinnamon bread sheltering a delicious chocolate spread, crushed Oreos and melted marshmallows. I would come closest by describing it as a designer brownie, but I've never had anything like it.

I know what you're thinking. We had three desserts today.  It's really much worse if you count the ice cream drinks we had. But the heart wants what the heart wants.....and my elastic shorts are forgiving.

Jason and I write a food blog on Fridays when we're able. Send us some suggestions of local good-eats. Check out Jason's blog for these and other great posts.

www.pastorburden.com

 

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Inspiration came this morning in the form of a poorly placed "Justice" clothing sticker .  I noticed its curled edge sticking out from Rylie's drawers as I sat on her bed wishing that the peacefulness on her still sleeping face could rise up and come settle on me. 

The sticker simply said "Layer me". 

  

It had come off of one of several lacy bright-colored tank tops I'd bought for her to wear. They're long and provide needed length underneath some of the too short tshirts she wears. That's why I bought them anyway. She didn't want to wear them. I've given up trying. The tanks are a slender fit which is another way of saying that they're extremely confining.  The lace on them itches Rylie like the dickens.  She squirms, uncomfortable in her own skin.  The Justice store thought these tanks were must haves. Rylie and I have decided to ditch them. 

I feel a little too layered sometimes too. 

Life becomes confined trying to fit into all the roles the world and I have created for myself. I've shared the list before. I won't bore you with it in its exhaustive form, but here are a few layers, specifically speaking, of recently constructed roles. 

I've got to make sure that my son is college prepared. "This whole year is a dress rehearsal," I tell him. And then I help him in areas where he's really too old to need my help "getting dressed". I walk him around life bumps making suggestions, when really, stumbling on some of those bumps will be the very thing he's going to learn from. I'm also trying to figure out how to keep my daughter from being ridiculed anymore for her weight. I wear her pain.  Why can't I fix that for her? And my other daughter? What can I do when her independent streak keeps her from wanting to spend extra time with me when I know it's important at her age?  (Just a sliver of the mom role). 

How do I provide a restful atmosphere at home for my exhausted husband when I have so much to say?  

How do I become a better friend when there's so little time and energy to invest in friendship? How do I encourage someone in need of hope when I'm discouraged with them at the moment?  How do I praise God genuinely when my soul is tired and my mouth is full of complaint?

Sometimes we have to shed the layers. 

Last night in overly dramatic fashion I uttered...

"When I find myself stinking at my mom job, barking at the kids 

and I'm behaving like much less than a stellar wife adding to the list of things that fatigue my husband

 and I'm hardly what you'd call a good friend right now, distant and overwhelmed 

much less a Christian that you'd want to come into contact with when you just need a kind face and word

then who am I?"  

It was a whiny rhetorical question. And I was in such a mood, I neither expected nor wanted an answer. But I got one. I felt a gentle answer meant to settle my heart. "You're a child of God. Your value doesn't come from filling roles. Your value isn't found in who you are, but whose you are."

God is aware of my children's needs and Jason's needs too. He's all knowing. HIS grace is sufficient for all those I love and for the stranger, who with a little more energy I'd help in the name of Jesus. God has designed each of us to be used for his glory, but sometimes His glory is revealed when we shed the layers, the responsibilities (if just for a moment), and find comfort in simply being His child. 

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. (Matthew 6, The Message)

Being his child is our highest calling. Any added layer should only come after our awareness that we're his. Simply being his child gives rest to our souls. A soul at rest can better remember that God is the one who is control of our marriages and families, our friendships and encounters.  At life at rest in being his child is a life  unbound from the weight we place on ourselves to do it all and be it all. 

 34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

The Justice clothing store urges that the ultimate girl wears layers. But a late night answer, a poorly placed sticker and some ill-fitting tank tops reminded me that sometimes we have to shed the layers that hold us back from the free and full living found in the gracious covering of Christ. 

God, I stink at ordering my life. Layer me.