Jeremy, our worship minister at church, introduced a new song a few weeks ago during service, that really spoke to my heart. All I could remember was 'Holy Lord' which didn't get me very far in finding the lyrics, title, or author and then he & Kami left on vacation. We sang it again today and I wrote down 'We chase your Heart' and guess what? I found it on youtube! I'm not about watching other people's clips on blogs, usually, but if you haven't heard this song, take a few minutes to listen to this one, it even has the words in case you need them.
I can only speak for myself, but think about your life for a minute. What gives you pleasure, where do you hurt? What gives you happiness or joy? Where do you turn during times of struggle? I think you'll find that whether you realize it or not, you have a place in your life you are trying to fill with things or stuff or people and really only God will ever fit there.
How's your God-Spot?
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Book Review
Since the last book review I've finished the second book in the Liz Curtis Higgs, Lowlands of Scotlands series, 'Fair is the Rose'
and third book, 'Whence came a Prince'.
After the first book in this series, I was truly hooked. I'm such a romantic at heart and I love how this series is giving me a different perspective on an old, old story. I've read the Bible story about Jacob, Leah and Rachel so many times and each time I'm always rooting for Rachel. In this series, I found myself looking at things through Leana's (Leah's) eyes and rooting for her.
I'm so excited because I thought there were only three books in the series, but while creating this post, I discovered there is a fourth book, 'Grace in Thine Eyes' already published. I really hope the church or city library already has it! =)
In the meantime, I'm already on to reading 'Blue Like Jazz'.
I'm just about finished with chapter 2 -- so far so good.
Thought for the day:
'The devil tries so hard to get Christians to be religious. If he can sink a man's mind into habit, he will prevent his heart from engaging God.' Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz
and third book, 'Whence came a Prince'.
After the first book in this series, I was truly hooked. I'm such a romantic at heart and I love how this series is giving me a different perspective on an old, old story. I've read the Bible story about Jacob, Leah and Rachel so many times and each time I'm always rooting for Rachel. In this series, I found myself looking at things through Leana's (Leah's) eyes and rooting for her.
I'm so excited because I thought there were only three books in the series, but while creating this post, I discovered there is a fourth book, 'Grace in Thine Eyes' already published. I really hope the church or city library already has it! =)
In the meantime, I'm already on to reading 'Blue Like Jazz'.
I'm just about finished with chapter 2 -- so far so good.
Thought for the day:
'The devil tries so hard to get Christians to be religious. If he can sink a man's mind into habit, he will prevent his heart from engaging God.' Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz
I'm getting there....
I feel like I owe an apology for the lack of attention I've shown to the blog. The last game of the baseball season was played last night (yeah!) and we're continuing with swimming lessons. The game was a really good game, and although it was a loss, it was a really good to see how well the team played together and how much they've learned throughout the season. They played a tough team and could have easily gotten discouraged, but they got out there and played like a team and did their best. Go Roofing Dogs!
Now that the season is over my mornings won't be quite as crazy trying to keep up with whether to pack a swimming bag, a baseball bag or both! I've been working on updating some pictures and will get them posted soon. I hope you're all getting out & enjoying summer.
Now that the season is over my mornings won't be quite as crazy trying to keep up with whether to pack a swimming bag, a baseball bag or both! I've been working on updating some pictures and will get them posted soon. I hope you're all getting out & enjoying summer.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
You know it's summer when...
Baseball is almost over - it's time for tournament play. Every day when we come home the street is full of kids - most of whom live on our street although we're just this summer realizing it. As soon as we get in the drive, if Kabe doesn't go outside to play right away, the boys are ringing our doorbell to see if he can ride his bike or swim. Kabe is so dark he doesn't look like he couldn't possibly be genetically related his father. Swimming lessons are in full swing. It's almost time for Vacation Bible School. Kids are headed to church camp every week. Mosquitoes are out. It smells like charcoal and cut grass a lot of the time in our neighborhood. Two of my favorite smells.
Tuesday night Kabe I got a few pics at Kabe's baseball game. He's a pretty good hitter, but as the year has progressed, so have the catching and throwing skills of the opponents. He actually got to run with this hit.
And even made it home.
Take a look at this determined run to the dugout. It doesn't even look like my boy!
Here he is waiting in the outfield.
Kabe is also in swimming lessons twice a week. Here he is with his instructor, Lisa. She's going over proper arm movement with him.
At the end of lessons each session the kids get to jump off the board as long as they swim to the side using the proper skills they've just worked on. Kabe opted to do a cannon ball, just like Muncher taught him.
He's going to be eight soon. He really is growing up!
Tuesday night Kabe I got a few pics at Kabe's baseball game. He's a pretty good hitter, but as the year has progressed, so have the catching and throwing skills of the opponents. He actually got to run with this hit.
And even made it home.
Take a look at this determined run to the dugout. It doesn't even look like my boy!
Here he is waiting in the outfield.
Kabe is also in swimming lessons twice a week. Here he is with his instructor, Lisa. She's going over proper arm movement with him.
At the end of lessons each session the kids get to jump off the board as long as they swim to the side using the proper skills they've just worked on. Kabe opted to do a cannon ball, just like Muncher taught him.
He's going to be eight soon. He really is growing up!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Friends
It's been busy here at the Schuster house! Baseball is winding down and swim lessons have begun. Kabe's summer is in full swing and he is thoroughly enjoying it hanging out with his buddy Keanen, who's mom has a day care in the summer. Kabe says "It's like summer camp every day!" They have a pool and there are three boys, all in the same age. Kabe comes home exhausted every day. It's great!
Earlier this week our friends came to watch Kabe play baseball and then hung out with us for a bit after the game. Here's a neat picture of all the kids, thanks to Adria.
Kabe, Braylon, Brianna, and Brooklin
Last night was the last game of official season play for baseball. Pictures will be up soon!
Earlier this week our friends came to watch Kabe play baseball and then hung out with us for a bit after the game. Here's a neat picture of all the kids, thanks to Adria.
Kabe, Braylon, Brianna, and Brooklin
Last night was the last game of official season play for baseball. Pictures will be up soon!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Book Review
I just finished reading Thorn in my Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs. I walked by this book several times at Sam's Club when it came out and then the next book came out and I kept walking by it and then it was featured at the church library. Then a fellow blogger put up a review of them and I knew I had a to read them... Thanks Rebecca! I really like Liz in person & have liked her non-fiction books so thought I'd give this a try.
I ended up really liking this book, although I will say it took me about one-third of the book to really get into it. This book is set in about 1789 Scotland and is meant to sort of parallel the Bible story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel....although there is much poetic license. Now that I've read the first book, I can hardly wait to read the second one.
I also just purchase Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. This book has been around a while, I just haven't taken the time to read it. I'm excited to dig in to this one too. Kabe started swimming lessons today so I have a lot of time sitting on the side of the pool and I'm hoping to spend some of that time with a few quality books. Any thoughts on either of these books or have another one I should add to my list?
I ended up really liking this book, although I will say it took me about one-third of the book to really get into it. This book is set in about 1789 Scotland and is meant to sort of parallel the Bible story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel....although there is much poetic license. Now that I've read the first book, I can hardly wait to read the second one.
I also just purchase Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. This book has been around a while, I just haven't taken the time to read it. I'm excited to dig in to this one too. Kabe started swimming lessons today so I have a lot of time sitting on the side of the pool and I'm hoping to spend some of that time with a few quality books. Any thoughts on either of these books or have another one I should add to my list?
Sunday, June 8, 2008
We thought we had it bad...
I've been amazed at the amount of rain we had around here. Although it has rained a lot, it hasn't seemed like it's rained enough to leave all the water standing and flood so many places. We went for a short drive today and although we aren't farmers from the looks of it there appears to be many fields that won't be planted this year.
We received a call from my mother-in-law Sunday. She lives in Northern Iowa where much rain was received in a very short amount of time. The beauty shop she rents doesn't have a sump pump. The basement in the shop is completely flooded - one more step and it will reach the main floor. The sewage plant flooded in the town where Adam's aunt lives so there is no sewer available and no potable running water. Fun, huh?
It does give perspective.
We received a call from my mother-in-law Sunday. She lives in Northern Iowa where much rain was received in a very short amount of time. The beauty shop she rents doesn't have a sump pump. The basement in the shop is completely flooded - one more step and it will reach the main floor. The sewage plant flooded in the town where Adam's aunt lives so there is no sewer available and no potable running water. Fun, huh?
It does give perspective.
Random Questions #9
This round is starting at the beginning again... just plain old random.
1. Are you a snapshot or portrait person? Let's see your current favorite pic!
2. What's the craziest thing you did last month? (You define crazy for yourself.)
3. What is your current must-have food or drink?
4. What is the last movie you saw and what did you think? Give us a review and rating.
********************************************
1) Definitely a snapshop person. Here's a shot of Kabe, taken this afternoon, playing in the yard.
2) Crazy, me? I'm such a stick in the mud....as I'm typing this I'm realizing I need a little crazy and a LOT of fun in my life. How 'bout some help girls?
3) How about a food and a drink? Food....Schwan's Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream. YUM. Drink ... Starbucks Brand Coffee -- Pike's Place Roast, made at my house - really strong. Mmmm - it's a good way to start my day. =)
4) We saw 'Kung Fu Panda' over the weekend. The movie ratings guy on the local Christian radio station gave it a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars for family friendliness, which would usually mean kids love it, but not a lot of content for adults/slow-moving. I'm glad to say, this movie deserved 4 1/2 stars! We enjoyed the movie, good content, funny, and great life lessons for any age about character, honesty, integrity, and perseverance. You can't beat that....I'd definitely recommend it to you ... and anyone else who'd like to know about it!
Kabe loved it too - he's practicing his Panda moves in the shot above.
It's your turn! If you'd like to play along, but don't have a blog, feel free to leave your answers in the comments section of this blog. If you do have a blog feel free to post them on your blog -- just leave a comment here so we can all check out your random answers!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Statistical Musings
Check out this World Clock, compliments of Carole at Fractured Thoughts (Braska's Grandma).
I like numbers. I'm pretty good at working with them. It's what I do. I multi-task and problem solve with the best of 'em. But these numbers? They are frightening. They aren't problems I can solve. This clock scares me so much so that I can't quite put into words the fear I have in the pit of my stomach. I'm coming to realize that the older I get, the more I live life in a tiny little cocoon ...a mere circle of existence barely stretching beyond what I know -- the comfort zone. And although I have lives to influence within that realm, this clock shows me there's a lot more lives I need to start looking and reaching for - many right here within my grasp, right in my neighborhood, at my work, Kabe's school....maybe even our church.
"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13
The message is pretty clear.
I like numbers. I'm pretty good at working with them. It's what I do. I multi-task and problem solve with the best of 'em. But these numbers? They are frightening. They aren't problems I can solve. This clock scares me so much so that I can't quite put into words the fear I have in the pit of my stomach. I'm coming to realize that the older I get, the more I live life in a tiny little cocoon ...a mere circle of existence barely stretching beyond what I know -- the comfort zone. And although I have lives to influence within that realm, this clock shows me there's a lot more lives I need to start looking and reaching for - many right here within my grasp, right in my neighborhood, at my work, Kabe's school....maybe even our church.
"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13
The message is pretty clear.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Singin' in the Rain
Friday night when we got home from work, Adam had just started the grill when the rains started. Not just soft, gently falling rain, but the falling like cats & dogs (who came up with that anyway....). Our deck isn't covered & we opted to wait a few extra minutes, letting the grill warm before we put burgers on. Of course, after the major rain had passed, Kabe thought it would be fun to run on the side walk in front of our house.
Not sure if you can tell or not from this picture, but the water on the sidewalk is over the curb from the street. Really hard rain.
This was the view of the back yard. this is our fourth summer in this house & although we've seen bits of pooled water previously, this is the worst we've seen. Of course, several hours later all water had drained away in the street and in the yard.
Once Kabe had finished playing in the water he came in to change and wanted to put on his newest jammies. He is totally into Transformers right now. He was so excited when I brought these home and asked me to take a picture. He's so going to regret this someday!
Dad picked up mac & cheese for Kabe on his way home and since we were having burgers on the grill, it worked out as a great side. Once he finished modeling, Kabe helped me make it. What a great family Friday nite!
Not sure if you can tell or not from this picture, but the water on the sidewalk is over the curb from the street. Really hard rain.
This was the view of the back yard. this is our fourth summer in this house & although we've seen bits of pooled water previously, this is the worst we've seen. Of course, several hours later all water had drained away in the street and in the yard.
Once Kabe had finished playing in the water he came in to change and wanted to put on his newest jammies. He is totally into Transformers right now. He was so excited when I brought these home and asked me to take a picture. He's so going to regret this someday!
Dad picked up mac & cheese for Kabe on his way home and since we were having burgers on the grill, it worked out as a great side. Once he finished modeling, Kabe helped me make it. What a great family Friday nite!
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