Wednesday, October 31, 2007

One Little, Two Little...


Indians!!! Yes, in a shocking turn of events for the Lowery household, this year my children were not super heroes and princesses. If you know my kids, you know that this truly is a miracle. They are always a superhero and a princess, and actually up until 2:00 today, I thought that tradition would continue. I was suprised this afternoon by Lana actually stating that she was going to be an Indian, which in turn sparked Logan wanting to do the same. Lucky for me we have Indian shirts that were made in Logans K5 year. We did a last minute headdress for Logan out of a brown paper bag, brown eyelash fringe, and a popcycle stick! Lana did some jewelry, braids, and some eyelash trim tied into the braids to add some flare.
My Indians had apparently already been trading with the white man, as they both wore cowboy boots! Logans black and Lanas red. Logan wore a case with a bow and some handmade arrows fashioned from sticks. He carried another arrow case to put his candy in, which I thought was very ingenious.
When we got to the Fall Festival, Logan got stripes painted on his face and Lana got a sparkly heart of course. We had a good time, until Logan started having diarhea, they ran out of hot dogs and starving Mommy didn't get to eat, and Lana temporarily lost sight of me and had a melt down. Other than that,we had a good time seeing some friends we don't get to see very often.
So that is that. One little, two little, Indians! Never thought I'd see the day!

Logan and his buddy Brant!

Lana and her "special friend", Wyatt!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Reformation Day; What it means to me

I have found it interesting these past few days to uncover some of God's chain of events concerning Christian history. Obviously we can go back to the beginning, but I have kind of parked myself in the 16th century, and more specifically around Martin Luther and Reformation day which is October 31st.

Luther was born in 1483 in Eisleben Germany. The son of an ambitious father, who desperately wanted to see his son become a lawyer. Luther was baptized as a catholic in the Holy Roman Empire, and was raised with education being of high priority. In 1505 while experiencing a lighting bolt strike near him, he declared to "Saint Anna", that he would become a monk. Because of his extreme fear of death and judgement he saw this vow as a decision he would never break.
Luther was known for often punishing his body for sin. He spent many hours fasting and in confession. His recognition of his sin put him in a state of deep spiritual despair.

In an effort to distract him from his very introspective self, his superior ordered him to study more academics. After receiving his Doctor of Theology, Luther was giving the position of Doctor in Bible at the University of Wittenburg. He lectured in the Psalms, Hebrews, Romans, and Galatians. Through his studying and lecturing of the N.T books, he was struck by the Biblical teachings of righteousness and justification, salvation through faith. Through his discovery of justification he began studying that Salvation was the gift of Gods grace to be saved, only attainable through His son Jesus, and received through Faith. With his new found acceptance of true salvation came a healing of a soul that had been in deep despair. Luther said of his old life, " I lost hold of Christ the Saviour and comforter and made Him a stock master & hangman over my poor soul."

Obviously Luthers doctrinal stance on justification flew right in the face of that of the Catholic Church that was steeped deeply in the sale of indulgences or basically purchasing for yourself from a priest, absolution from your sin. This was a practice that was seriously abused and obviously anti-gospel.
Luther, in an effort to see the catholic church freed from this practice, wrote what is known as the 95 thesis. These 95 statements were nailed to a wall at the Whittenburg church, which was a traditional way back then of making an announcement. This was not a defiant move, but rather one of deep concern for the state of the church. This sparked the period of Reformation and brought about a case for the true gospel that had been warped and belittled by the Catholic Church of that day.

Luther was passionate about the doctrine of justification by faith, and his writing of the thesis to "correct" the papal abuses accuring within the church. However he stated that he would happily yield every point of dispute to the Pope, if only the Pope would affirm the Gospel. You can hear the concern for the heart of the Pope to change in Thesis # 48..." Christians are to be taught that the pope, in granting pardons, needs, and therefore desires, their devout prayer for him more than the money they bring."
In Thesis # 55 Luthers states " It must be the intention of the Pope, that if pardons, which are a very small thing, are celebrated with one bell, with single processions and ceremonies, then the Gospel, which is the very greatest thing, should be preached with a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies."
His sincere reverence for the true Gospel rang out loud and clear by that statement.
Luther was a true "evangelion", which is the Greek term for Evangelical, that translates.."Return to the true gospel."

So I submit today that whether you are Baptist, Presbyterian, Free Will, Calvinist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Non denominational, whatever, you have to appreciate these facts.
That almost 500 years ago, a man who was overwhelmed with his sin, who saw himself as a wretched sinner uncapable of earning the Love of God, read the inspired words of God and understood for the first time what it meant to be fully justified by faith, to have Christs righteousness imputed to him for his belief on those grounds alone.
That he did not keep this knowledge to himself, but instead urged others to be transformed by the true Gospel.
I believe that Reformation day is not just a day that should be celebrated by those of the quote un quote, reformed faith, but by all those that through God's grace have come to the saving knowledge of salvation by God alone through Faith alone.

Because of movements like Luthers Reformation, other critical periods of Christian History were spawned.
I believe that God used men like Martin Luther to spark a true evangelical movement (in the literal meaning of the word!) that in turn set up a series of events leading to a group of Separatist embarking on a ship some 100 years later, which as we all know, was a search for religious freedom that WE now have.
I wonder,without the Reformation movement, how long the arrival of the first Separatist to the shores of America would have been postponed.
The observance of Reformation day should inspire us all to return to a true protestant movement.
A true declaration that we are praying and seeking a return to true evangelicalism in this country and especially in our own lives.
The true Gospel, that we must daily remind ourselves of, not too earn merit in the eyes of God, but to bestow our deepest gratitude to the God that has fully justified us through His Son. That because of the gospel, we are triumphant, even when we fail.
In the words of Martin Luthers powerful hymn "A Might Fortress is our God"...
"And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear for God hath willed, His truth to triumph through us."
That is what I will be celebrating this Reformation day!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Things I'm Thankful for Today

1. Tasting- My Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frapp light-
MMM good!
2. Feeling- The cool weather-
Love Fall!
3. Relaxing- In my house-
I decorated for fall and it feels nice and cozy :)
4. Smelling- The Pumpkin Spice candle that hubby bought for me-
I light it every day!
5. Looking- At getting a new computer-(or new to us!)
Haven't had a new one in 7 years!
6. Planning- For Christmas-
I love thinking about what goodies and crafts to make!
7. Rearranging- Furniture and accesories-
It's amazing how just changing a few small things makes a big difference!
8. Watching- Logan out in the yard with a bow and arrow-
The arrows have no point and he thinks he is going to shoot a bird or squirrel to sell to a museum as a way to make money!
9. Listening- To Lana pray-
She prays with the most child like faith, sincerity,and intensity. She truly prays, believing! ( I could learn a lot from her!)
10. Seeing- My husband coming up the stairs when he gets home-
It's such a welcome sight to see him at the end of the day and to realize how much I missed him and how much more I have fallen in love with him while he was at work!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Weird!

This has got to be one of the craziest things I have ever seen?
Anybody got 50 grand laying around?

Monday, October 22, 2007

AGHHH!

OK...so I just looked out my kitchen window to the side of my house, and there is a DEAD CAT laying there! I don't know how long it has been dead, but there are flies all over it. I called Animal Control, and they won't pick it up. I called the City maintenance blah blah,and they won't pick it up because its not right off the side of the road. Good grief...what am I to do with a deat cat?
Just another reason for me not to like them.
They curl up in die wherever they please.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Easy as Pie

Saturday nights are family night. So tonight we are having a nice hot bowl of Chilli, crackers or fritos, and some nice cheesy crescents. We're going to watch an old movie called Noahs Ark. It has Rick Schroeder as a child! While we watch that we'll partake of our dessert that Logan made all by himself! I thought I would share with you the step by step so you can see how easy it would be for your little guy to make this delicious pie for your family...

Step #1
Pour milk into a bowl, and dip Chips AHoy, chocolate chip cookies in milk. Place into bottom of Graham Cracker Crust. ( the extra 2 serving size)


Step #2
Spread half a 8 oz tub of Cool Whip over cookies (thawed of course!)



Step #3
Another layer of cookies and Milk



Step #4
Spread the remaining Cool Whip over top

Step #5
Crumble up 3 or 4 cookies and sprinkle over top



Step #6
Place in Fridge 6-8 hours

Step #7

Watch Son beam with pride because he made dessert all by himself.
Know that in the future his wife will thank you for taking the time to teach him how to do stuff in the kitchen!


Thursday, October 18, 2007

How Bizarre!

Kim called today and asked me to be part of a craft bizarre. I was for warned since I had read her blog this morning about how she was in charge of getting people to do booths. Now I have that song going through my brain (how bizarre, doo doo dot do, how bizarre, how bizarre!)
Anyways, I've been sitting here contemplating the whole craft bizarre thing.

The Missy of 3 years ago would have jumped all over this.
The Missy of today is tired and can't keep up with her housework.

The Missy of old would have known exactly what to do and got to work immediately.
The Missy of today feels overwhelmed when she goes to the bathroom and sees that she has to change the roll of toilet paper.

The Missy of old would currently be at Michaels looking for the latest and greatest project to get started on.
The Missy of today looks around her house at all of the unfinished projects and wonders when she will ever get them done.

The Missy of old would not be blogging about these things because the Missy of old wouldn't know what to say.
The Missy of today knows better how to put down her thoughts and would rather work on herself, her marriage, her family, her relationship with God, than work on some other project.

Sometimes I miss the Missy of old. The more creative, hands on productive Missy.
But I like the Missy of today too. I like more and more what I am becoming. A grown woman, a better Mom, a better Wife, a better child of God. I think right now this is what God wants out of me.
The Missy that doesn't try to do it all.
The Missy that is learning to set better boundaries for herself.

I'm sure that the time will come when the old Missy and the Missy of today will be able to work together again. My creativity still comes out now, its just in different ways.

I have to learn to embrace those ways and fit them into my life as it is now, not the way it used to be. I have to learn to let God teach me about balance and priorities. About productivity that is actually productive, and not just time filled to look productive.

So I guess while I am learning these things, I'll have to just wait for the Old Missy too catch up with the Missy of today. I can't wait to see what that looks like!

Monday, October 15, 2007

A Good Day


Sunday was a good day. I woke up happy. I haven't woke up happy on a Sunday in a long time. Last week I resigned my position at the church. It was a mixed feelings kind of decision, but a good one nonetheless. So this Sunday when I woke up, I felt anticipation for the day ahead! I got to go to ADULT Sunday School class. I got to go to Worhsip Service. I got to sit under my pastor for both of those things and let the words of the Lord minister to my soul. My soul that has been wilting away doing other things. It was so refreshing to sit under the word of the Lord. To sing praise songs with others around. To hear others pray. To actually have fellowship with Adults. All things that I have missed during my stint in the preschool dept.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad. I do think the Lord has given me certain gifts and abilities and I was able to use those gifts to serve in that way. It's just that people and life got in the way and it made the job, work, instead of service. It is nice to sit back now and let the Lord minister to me through corporate worship again. I am thankful for the time that I served as Preschool Director. I learned alot about others and myself. I did enjoy aspects of the job. But now, I am free!
After Church we grabbed some lunch at Subway, (As part of our new healthy living!) Came home for some rest time, then went out to the Pumpkin Patch. It was so great to spend a beautiful fall day together as a family! We needed that. The weather was perfect and even though the place was busy, I felt kind of like we were in our own little world. The kids had a good time picking pumpkins. Dad not so much! Logan is our anal child and had to go down every row and examine every pumpkin until he could find the perfect one. Lana pretty much picks what she deams is pretty and then goes about her day. Lana is the most laid back and silly child. So it's like she just flitters through life at her own sweet pace. I really love that about her. It reminds me sometimes to just sit back and enjoy.
Stacy was having a hard time letting Logan go through his anal decision making process, but I figured...what the heck...usually I rush him into decision, why not see were this process ends up today. It was fun to watch him. It was refreshing for me. Sometimes I get so frustrated with him taking so long to make decisions, but its just because I'm impatient. I pray that he grows up taking his time. Working things out in his mind like he likes it. Of course I pray that he seeks the Lord in all of his decisions. Logan has such a tender heart and is so sensitive to the things of God. I am convinced that the Lord has amazing things in store for him. He is very unique, just like the not so perfect pumpkin that he wound up picking!
We came home and I made Stacy biscuits and gravy. His favorite. (No, not really a part of the healthy lifestyle, but Sunday is splurge day!). I love my husband. We have grown so much closer over the last few weeks. God has really taken some things in our lives and marriage and is turning them into something aweseome! Where we used to end everyday in seperate rooms, doing our own thing...We are now ending our days together, reading a book together and cuddling. Yes cuddling! Amazing huh?!
But I am so thankful for the work the Lord is doing in our lives and in our marriage. It's a lot of work, but well worth the results.
So thank you God for a good day. A day to worship, relax, and spend time with my sweet famiy.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Weekend Getaway




So last Friday the kids and went to my parents house in the mountains of NC. It is a beautiful place to visit. They live back in the woods and it is very peaceful. So peaceful as a matter of fact, that I almost always get sick while I am there. I guess I just feel so at peace, that my body says, well lets just be sick! Actually this time I was already sick when I went up there and it just got worse. It was the dreaded bladder infection! By Monday, when Mom and I left to take the kids over to the Pigeon Forge TN area for a couple days worth of field trips, I was really miserable. I'm quite sure that I was not alot of fun or of much use. Don't you hate when you sooo look forward to a fun outing and then get to it and it's just not all you want it to be? Thats how I felt. I think my kids still had fun though. We went to Wonder Works on Tuesday, whcih the kids enjoyed. ( I think...again I was miserable!) It was all very hands on and learning stuff. I would like to go back again when I am "normal"!
But on Monday we went to Cades Cove. We love Cades Cove. If you've never been, I highly reccomend it. I wish I could live there. It's so tranquill. We had a picnic in a field, and the kids got to run around and be kids. I also learned something new (and a bit disturbing!) about my mother while we were there. She is (gulp) a stalker! OK...we pull up to a parking lot in Cades Cove. She says, "Lets just sit here for a minute and have a drink." Ok, fine with me, I'm in a crappy mood and feel like my bladder will fall out at any second. Why not just sit. We sit, I drink my Mountain Dew. The kids have a snack, Mom is drinking her water, when suddently I hear this statment..."I don't see how those kids are related. They don't look anything alike."
WHAT?????? Oh my gosh. The poor unsespecting family that is picnicing in front of our car. Do they know they are being watched? Do they know that a crazy mountain woman is sitting in her automobile evaluating there every move? And I do mean every move. Suddenly, I am sucked into this world of "the family", and I start interjecting my own opinions. Good grief, what is happening to me. It must be the pain in my bladder. It has caused me to lose all propriety. I mean, sure it's fun to watch people, but to sit and say from whom they get there big snoz from, or that they have nice legs. This has gone too far! Maybe they suspected that they were under scrutiny, for it wasn't long before they got up to leave. Which of course was the source of more of our peeping.
With "the family" now gone, we had nothing to do but get out of the car and actually do what your supposed to do at Cades Cove. Learn about nature and old times.
How lucky for us that "the family" was doing the same thing. I was able to pose my self as if taking a picture and snapped a little pic of "the family" as they walked by. I'm sure they were not fooled. I'm pretty sure I heard comments like, "what the heck is that stupid girl doing, can she not aim her camera. What kind of freeky family are they?" I'm sure that we are not the only ones that watch people. They could have actually had their eyes on us the whole time. So what are people seeing when they watch me? That day nothing good, just a crabby old mother. Oh well, better luck next time!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

The World of Blogging

I have been out of the blog loop for several days now and it has felt like a smoker being without cigarettes. I felt edgy,like I was missing out on something very important, not peering into the lives of my old and new friends for those few days. It was a huge relief this evening when I finally had the time to sit and catch up with you all. I love the community of blogging. Its almost like being our own little world of Amish people. Yes, I am very intriuged by the amish. But seriously, there is a sense of community. A feeling of belonging. A desire to come upon side of another and lift them up in prayer when they've blogged about a bad day. A release of laughter when they share a funny story or antecdote. A moment of encouragment when an insight of how our Great God is offered. A quick walk down memory lane when an old friend post your name and it makes you feel greatful for such wonderful friendships. A sense that you can actually hear the person with whom your reading about, speaking, hearing their voice as you read. A feeling of adventure when you want to just hop in your car and meet all of your fellow bloggers at the local Starbucks, or better yet...road trip!!!! Most of all it is a feeling that I'm not alone in this world with all of these plates of mine. I have my friends out there in blog world. Friends that through their postings and comments have encouraged me during this last month. Friends that I enjoy continually learning more about. But mostly, friends that love our Lord, and are constantly pointing me to Him.
So to all of my fellow bloggers...thanks for being my friends! I love you all!