I am From Topic: People/Family stories
Some friends I know are doing the I am From poetry on a forum I go to. This is mine....I kinda got into it! lol Here is the template if you want to do one too. Let me know if you do and I'll come read yours!
Where do crickls come from?
I am from orange popsicles, dripping down my chin and elbow, from hula hoops, roller skates with keys and a purple Huffy ten speed From the influence of hippies and the 60’s and 70’s, The Beattles, Monkees, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel. From air raid drills and the Viet Nam War. Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan.
I am from the suburbs of a growing desert city, loving homes and big families, neighbors talking and borrowing, playing hide and seek, football and kickball under the streetlight. From a friend dying in the night in her bed. From go-go boots, peasant tops and bell bottom jeans.
I am from the dust storms and cactus and grit in hair and teeth, from toasting in the sun, floating on the Salt River, neighborhood swimming pools, Dr. Pepper and fresh blue skies. From Bonanza, the Beaver, the Brady Bunch and Charlie’s Angels.
I am from camping in the mountains and brown hair, from Bob and Jackie, From far off grandparents and relations, And the reputations of 4 older siblings. A wayward sister, a far off brother in the navy.
I am from spoons balanced on noses at holiday dinners and loud laughter. Inside jokes and practical jokes. What are nose pants?
From don’t talk to strangers, do unto others and stand up straight.
I am from a small Baptist church full of love and mercy. From a large Baptist church that drew people in with love and mercy. From FSBC, big G, youth group, choir tours and busses full of kids. The tunnels, the pink sidewalk and Slide Rock.
I'm from Scots and Kilts and bagpipes in my imagination, from the South and the Northwest and the Southwest. Beef stew and chimichangas, biscuits and tortillas.
From the death of a brother in an airplane crash, the silence of grieving parents. Looking at old photos and slides, trying to remember. From the disillusions of older siblings’ divorces. And the 60 year marriage of my parents.
I am from looking through the cedar chest at memories, sitting in a dark, cool closet and imagining. I could never have imagined all that God has brought me through And all that life has put me through …..but I am thankful for it all.
Crime doesn't pay....unless you do car repairs for a living..... Topic: People/Family stories
Victim: an aggrieved or disadvantaged party in a crime or disaster.
Living in a big city after life in Small town, USA is a learning experience....to put it mildly. To put it honestly: I want my mommy!!!!
Two weeks ago, I was pulling out of the driveway to take the girls to school when I noticed our other vehicle, a Ford F150 pickup, no longer had a tailgate. We finally reasoned that it was either stolen in our driveway during the night, or it was taken while my daughter was working at the mall the night before until 10pm. We filed a police report and priced the replacement......EEEgads! Even with our car insurance, the deductible would be $500. A used one is several hundred too. So we are currently tailgate-less. I don't know what we'll do during football season...beg off of someone else's tailgate I guess. It was infuriating that someone would just take a part off our car for their own benefit. It's evil...it's selfish and criminal. I wanted to hurt someone. *blush*
Crime tip number one: If you have a pickup truck, please lock the tailgate. It makes it much harder to steal....so we have since been told.
Last night I was picking up our daughter from the mall, about 10pm. We no longer let her take the truck and park it there if she is working evenings. She was waiting there, two of the other employees waiting with her until she was safely picked up. (I really appreciate that!) She plopped into the car and I circled around between rows of empty parking spaces. *CRUNCH pop pop pop pop* (It seems that even if you don't let the teenager take the car to work, you can still be a victim of vandals.) She got out of the car and looked at the tire, thinking we'd run over glass. But there were domino-looking plastic things stuck into the tire. They were security tags off of stolen clothing! Four of them, poked into my back tire.
She pulled them off and exclaimed, "OH, I'm bleeding....am I bleeding? ....is that blood?....What IS that? ewwwww, it's all over me!"
It was then that we realized, while listening to that hissing sound of air escaping a tire, that the were ink tags. Yeah, my daughter is now at school with ink stained fingers, probably causing lots of suspicion among peers and teachers. And I reeeeeally want to hurt someone. I'm getting extremely vivid mental pictures of ways to punish vandals. =( I guess the shoplifters were angry about the ink, which ruins the stolen merchandise, so they left the tags sharp side up, in the parking lot among some paper trash from a fast food place.
Crime tip number two: never, EVER run over trash in a parking lot. More often than you may think (or not be thinking much at all) it is disguising all sorts of tire popping devices.
So the car repair place is getting some business today, patching holes in our tire. At least someone benefits from this.
I'm disgusted with humanity today. (including my own)
Ultimate Blog Party Topic: Blogging Click the button to go over to 5 Minutes from Mom, where twin sisters, Susan and Janice, are hosting a week long party. The purpose of the 'party' is to build more of a community feeling among Christian bloggers. Playing along will get your blog more traffic, help you to get to know other bloggers and explore blogs that you may not have noticed before! I have been exploring already from the links on the party sight and will continue as I have time this week. ***Remember to leave comments on the blogs you visit to encourage the owner of the blog. Just say hello or write some comment about something on their blog.*** Mine is a 2 step comment process, so make sure you confirm your comment!
If you are new to the nest here, WELCOME! (and if you have been before welcome too of course!) I am a 40something pastor's wife, with 4 daughters, a wonderful husband and am learning to live in a big city again, after living in a small mountain town for 9 years. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona, my hometown, a year ago and we are all finding our niche' here in this huge desert city. Our church is in an urban area, filled with apartments, international immigrants and any segment of today's society that you could name....it's all in our church neighborhood. We have often described it as coming to a mission field. We have many opportunities to reach out to our community and become part of it, so pray for and with us that we will continue to follow God's leading in reaching out to the people here.
On the home front, we have one fourth grade home schooled daughter who is 9, 2 teens who are in public high school after years of homeschooled life, and our oldest is 19 and attends a state university in another city, 2 hours away. The past year has been a learning experience also for us in helping to care for my father, who had severe dementia and then passed away in August. Then with major surgery for me in October, it really looked like a stress filled year for us.
On a stress indicator test I took last Fall, my stress level lookedto be very high and in fact, I should have been receiving mental health care by now. ;) But God has given us peace that is beyond comprehension every step of the way and we are doing very well, feeling at home here, loved, supported and needed.
I've been blogging now for a little over 2 years and enjoy practicing a story-telling type of writing. I love to tell stories of people and events that I experience or see experienced along the way. I see humor in everything and I also see God's hand at work, showing me His truths and teaching me a lot through mentally and tangibly processing what is going on in my life or in the world around me. Come to think of it, writing this blog is probably one of the tools God has given me to help me to deal with the stress of this past year. I usually quickly process things in a very simple way in my head, then move on. Writing helps me to look deeper and learn more from this journey I'm on. Kinda cool....
I also love photography, humor and cooking, so you will see a lot of those things here too. I hope you'll be back. =)
And now, let's jam, and turn our hearts toward the main thing:
Modern abolition Topic: God things
I ran across this amazing interview on CNN with Zach Hunter, a modern day abolitionist today while visiting Crystal's blog. God gave this young man a mission and it is no small thing.
We also went to see Bridge to Terabithia today. It is not what you expect, but it IS a powerful movie....so many good themes running through it to talk about with your kids. I recommend it.
And yes, expect my summary of our women's retreat coming soon. We had a great time....which may be why I am struggling to get my brain in gear. =)
Friday's Feast #132 Topic: Humor/memes Appetizer Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it? On my face I have a 2 centimeter scar from when I was 5 years old. I was sitting on the edge of my neighbor's driveway, eating popcorn. (no microwaves back then...it was actually popped on the stove top then drizzled with real butter and salt) My neighbor's dachshund, Molly, was sitting next to me watching every kernel from the bowl to my mouth *crunch*, bowl to mouth *crunch*, bowl to mouth *crunch*.
I noticed her intensity in watching me, so I hammed it up.
Bowl, waving it in front of the doggie's face, to my mouth, *crunch*
**BITE** "yeeeeeooooowwwwwwww waaaaah"
I was rushed into neighbor's house and set on the kitchen counter. I remember screaming my head off, the unchewed popcorn still sitting in my mouth. It was very traumatic. No stitches, just a big bandaid and put to bed. From then on, whenever I was at their house and Molly would come prancing in, I would jump on the furniture and scream. I must have been very annoying!
Soup What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle? When Jesus drew me to Himself and took me as His own. Spiritual rebirth is a huge miracle.
Salad Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves. Oh I could name a lot! I'll have to say a certain, unnamed news show anchor who talks over the people he is interviewing and doesn't let them finish their thoughts. grrrrrrrr My husband likes to watch his show and if I"m in the room, he drives me crazy going 'blahblahblah' louder than anyone else on the show!
Main Course What was a funny word you said as a child (such as "pasketti" for "spaghetti")? Whatever I may have mispronounced was at once humiliated out of me by my older siblings. They were all teens when I was little. You didn't get away with things you could be made fun of around our house! So I have no memory of saying cute things like that....I feel robbed! ;)
Dessert Fill in the blank: I have always thought ______ was ______. I have always thought making people laugh was a great talent to posess. (it's too bad dachshond's don't have a better sense of humor....sheesh)
Let's give it up.......for Lent! Topic: Holidays/Vacations
This is a reprint from 2 years ago...I can't believe I can measure my blog in years now! I love this holiday season.....I hope you make the most of it this year! Our church is doing a prayer emphasis, complete with booklets!...this year. We're praying for the entire world in 40 days. We're going through a daily prayer guide called Seek God for the City 2007, put out by WayMakers organization. Day one is today and we are seeking God on behalf of the Americas and the Caribbean.
So I guess this year, instead of giving up something, we are doing something extra....making time each day to pray for our world. However you remember the Lenten season, just make sure it's about Him and not about you giving something up.....I know that is always a struggle for balance for me when I do it!
Here were my thoughts from Ash Wednesday 2005:
Lent....something which a lifetime Baptist is a little ignorant about. I remember growing up in suburbia with Catholic friends coming home on Ash Wednesday with smudges on their foreheads....curious. Then the thought that they had to eat fish on Fridays.....horrid! None of them could reasonably explain these mysteries and so I didn't think much about it until the past few years. Now when I see the ashes smudged on foreheads, I think of sackcloth and ashes...of grief over one's sin in preparation of the Easter season.....remembering a Savior's suffering for my guilt. It is a good thing, the Lenten season. It's good to set aside 40 days of reflection, prayer, fasting to prepare for Easter.
As a mom and teacher, I've been searching for years on how to make Easter a truly spiritual celebration instead of just a fluffy Springtime holiday. The past few years I have been studying Passover and the rich theological comparisons and prophecies about the perfect Lamb of God. If you've never done that, I recommend it. =) Although the Passover studies have been really enriching and meaningful, Lent causes great personal reflection and action...it's a time of growth and sacrifice....and things that cause change.
So at the school we are observing Lent and preparing ourselves for a celebration of the most amazing event in history....the Ressurection of Christ. I would absolutely love it and be really really, if not eternally, grateful for any suggestions you may have on observing the Lenten season....especially if they are for kids' activities or devotions for kids.
So repent and be baptized, prepare ye the way of the Lord, behold the Lamb of God and let's all give it up for Lent! =)
Brown rice and black bean salad Topic: Crickl's Recipes
I am trying to include more whole grains in my diet, as well as my family's (yes, husband, that's you). So here is a really good recipe which uses brown rice. Since I'm not a big fan of brown rice (I grew up on Minute Rice and Rice-a-Roni), I love finding ways to make it more tasty. And this is truly a yummy salad!
This is from my friend Sally. It is a vegetarian main course as well as a good side dish or a filling for tortillas. (cold or warm!)
Brown Rice and Black Bean Salad
2 cups cooked brown rice (I use long grain), room temperature 1 15-oz can of black beans, drained 1 11-oz can of corn, drained 1 medium red onion, diced 1 medium green bell pepper (I prefer yellow) 1/3 cup cilantro (or parsley or even spinach)
Combine all of these ingredients. Then prepare dressing:
Dressing 1/2 cup tomato salsa 1 tsp olive or canola oil 3/4 tsp ground cumin 1 orange, juiced (about 1/2 cup) 1 lime, juiced (about 1/4 cup) Salt and pepper to taste
Combine dressing ingredients in small bowl and whisk until blended.
Both Sally and I have found that for the best taste, dress the salad just before serving.
Serve as a salad or in a pita bread, cold or in a tortilla with shredded cheese, warmed up.
Makes 4 servings. Each serving counts as: 1 1/2 vegetable 1 whole grain/bread 1 bean/protein
Each serving has: 325 calories 12 g. protein 3 g. fat 10 g. fiber
Additional information that was included in the recipe from a health magazine...the name of which, I am sorry, I do not have.
Most of the ingredients are rich in fiber, folate, antioxidants, and other phytochemicals that are thought to protect against cancer. The onion is a rich source of allium compounds, which may decrease the production of tumor cells and block the action of cancer causing chemicals, and the citrus juices contain a host of protective phytochemicals. And most importantly, this powerful combination of nutrients delivers a salad that is bursting with flavor.
Hello east coast! Topic: Blogging
And the Chris Tomlin concert tour keeps moving along. They are on the eastern leg of the tour right now, as evidenced by the hits on my sitemeter.
It is cracking me up how people go home from that concert and do what I did after the concert: immediately get on the internet to find all that information for themselves. Here's the post they are looking at when they search:
Good movies Topic: People/Family stories
We are enjoying President's Day. Thank you to all you presidents who gave us a day off! My 2 teenagers invited a group of kids over to watch a movie and I made a big pot of pinto beans, along with tortillas for them to munch on....brownies will be ready in a few minutes. I love days like this and I don't mind the extra work (usually) while my teens have company. I like to know their friends and I like to know exactly where they are and what they are doing on days like this. So they have the living room, watching Radio, while I am hunkered down in Maggie's room finally adding a post here after almost a week!!
Many times this week, I've thought about posting something, but couldn't get inspired. It's feast or famine in my brain!
The Blogging Chicks have a carnival of blogs every Sunday, so I was browsing there yesterday, when I found some useful information! Michele, who runs the Blogging Chicks sight, has a movie review of Bridge to Terabithia, a new movie that began in theaters last weekend. Now I can't wait to see it! The story is about a boy and girl who begin to write a fantasy story together, which is why you see fantasy scenes when you see the previews. It is mostly about relationships and friendship though, and that is why it interests me.
Does it seem to you that kids these days are different (scary different) than they were just a few years back? I want to see a movie that depicts the innocence and wonder of childhood without the kids becoming rock stars or over-glamourized symbols. So I will let you know what I think in a few days....or a week. We are planning on seeing Amazing Grace when it comes out next weekend too! *can't wait...it looks very good*
In a world where you can't turn on a television without seeing the minute by minute reports on what misled, very sad superstars are doing to themselves or others, it's exciting to have some good things to view....to take your kids to and just enjoy a good movie.
And remember, just go to Plugged in online to see Christian movie or television reviews on any little thing that may be offensive in today's entertainment industry. They really do write about every little thing that could offend someone, so you can decide for yourself if it is worth paying to see!
Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29-31"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
32-33"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
To be a liberator Topic: God things
A week ago I wrote an entry on feeling kind of helpless when I see a homeless person asking for help on street corners. My friend Kim, who I went to college with and is a very wise and intuitive person, wrote a comment which I wanted to share with you. She graciously agreed. The following is her comment. She offers very practical advice about how to handle the street corner situation as well as actually making a difference in the lives of these people if they choose to take a step to getting on their feet.
From Kim:
Your Q: But what can you do for a man with a sign at a busy intersection?
Good to pray for God to work. But, is it a situation that only falls in God's bailiwick? Could Christians take it one step further and dedicate time in their busy lives to pray and think critically about developing a personal approach and doing whatever their part is? Save a miracle, these problems will continue to be here 2 years, 5 years, 10 years from now, with Jesus' return as a caviete. So why not prayerfully plan a meaningful response that includes both faith and works? I am not downgrading the prayer approach blessing our friend on the street- but asking to go farther.
Getting out of guilt and developing a thoughtful approach is more equipping. As a former chaplain on skid row in LA- I have ideas. Read if you are interested, if I go on too long, please forgive. Biblical times, which Christians use as a yardstick in our faith - were both somewhat kinder and somewhat crueler to the disenfranchised than our era. At least in the Old Testament there was thought to leaving grain in the field at harvest for poor people to gather with the dignity of their own effort. There was the Year of Jubilee to help people get out of any financial bind they were in (just 2 examples). But, there were many injustices in biblical times as well.
What we face in our large, anonymous American culture is almost no active thinking, no developed social constructs to support disenfranchised people through family, church or law. No prayer for personal direction that is ongoing and thoughtful. Most families and churches do not want to really think about it OR have these people around- I suspect that is one of the first things that Christ might want to chat with our faith-professing people about. As a result we have eliminated any personal, civic or corporate reality to assist them that ever was in place on this continent. As an example: mental institutions no longer received government funding to care for many of these souls in the 70's, I think. We have lost a personal and corporate sense of community care. I knew a woman who would bum change, with her child at her side, and was making about $60 an hour. AND she was higher than a kite while doing it. And she loved Sundays near the mega-church, as they poured out of the service...
This is our generation's shame. Most have not had the collective will to think hard and long and do anything large and bold. Or small and steady. I don't see guilt as a motivator here, there is plenty of it floating around and it actually does not really help these people. If it did we might have seen plenty of results by now. It does make for good fund-raising for homeless shelters, but it is a demoralizing milieu to further subject these people to. I don't know too many people who, after handing change to the disenfranchised feel good.
You cannot blame the disenfranchised - when I worked with them closely, I found that many of them had a greater faith that had been more tested than my own. Many of them had developed belief systems that they could articulate - not a ruse. They had biological problems, runs of bad luck, cruel addictions, lack of cunning or abusive situations that they were trying to escape. It rains on the just and the unjust- and there by the grace of God we all go. Most of us in America are about 3 months away from financial fragility. A run of bad luck or a triggering event or physical or mental illness. This is what we should think about it when we see them - because we can see a version of ourselves in a harder situation, not because they are so "other". Do onto others....
I have found that having a 2 pronged approach - personal and civic- that I have prayed over and chosen to be worked out in my life is equipping. It is a way to be present and courageous in the face of this horrible situation in our country. Dignity and no guilt. I have prayerfully provided in my daily life a certain budgeted approach that I can afford toward this problem through a local agency. I take active interested in seeing our laws change and urging an increase of grants through government given to independent social service agencies that can contextually address specific community shortfalls. In my neighborhood I make a point to know where the social services are located so that I can direct people there. If they ask for change, I will say that I give my money through this particular organization and how to reach them. I keep literature in my car on the agency. Some don't respond nicely- but I have had some speak a blessing over me because of this. And, I receive it gratefully.
If we pray for direction on what our part is- and yours might look different than mine - then we are liberators. There will be moments when a unique situation requires ingenuity and a spiritual power encounter, but truth be told, most of these are generally the same type of scenarios week after week. The guys peering into your car on many off ramps from the freeways. I actually feel more hopeless when I look at LA women driving Escalades or I see previews of the "Real House Wives of Orange County”. Sorry to go on and on- but there is truly no reason for people to be stuck on this issue. And if you pray to get yourself past it into whatever you are going to do, you will do your part. Knowing you, Christie, you will become more and more liberating. We can all grow as liberators.
***Thank you to Kim for allowing me to post this and thank you for reading it. I urge you to pray and think about what you could do to be a liberator! (SUCH a cool word!)
I was going to post the verse she referred to in James chapter 2, but the entire chapter is about this subject. So if you took the time to read this post, you should really take a few more minutes and read what God's Word says about it.
Banana Pancakes Topic: Crickl's Recipes
My 3 oldest daughters love to listen to Jack Johnson's music. And last week Emma was playing one song over and over....Banana pancakes. It's a silly song about being lazy, but I've had banana pancakes on my mind ever since. I've never had them before, but we made them this morning and YUM....they are worth writing a song about. =)
Banana Pancakes
INGREDIENTS 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon white sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg, beaten 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 ripe bananas, mashed
DIRECTIONS Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil and bananas.
Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until pancakes are golden brown on both sides; serve hot.
****I tripled the recipe because Emma had some friends spending the night. And I used brown sugar instead of white and used about a teaspoon of vanilla. Next time I may try using my whole grain pancake mix from Sprouts with mashed bananas in it.
I am from spoons balanced on noses at holiday dinners and loud laughter.
Two weeks ago, I was pulling out of the driveway to take the girls to school when I noticed our other vehicle, a Ford F150 pickup, no longer had a tailgate. We finally reasoned that it was either stolen in our driveway during the night, or it was taken while my daughter was working at the mall the night before until 10pm. We filed a police report and priced the replacement......EEEgads! Even with our car insurance, the deductible would be $500. A used one is several hundred too. So we are currently tailgate-less. I don't know what we'll do during football season...beg off of someone else's tailgate I guess. It was infuriating that someone would just take a part off our car for their own benefit. It's evil...it's selfish and criminal. I wanted to hurt someone. *blush* 
Last night I was picking up our daughter from the mall, about 10pm. We no longer let her take the truck and park it there if she is working evenings. She was waiting there, two of the other employees waiting with her until she was safely picked up. (I really appreciate that!) She plopped into the car and I circled around between rows of empty parking spaces. *CRUNCH pop pop pop pop* (It seems that even if you don't let the teenager take the car to work, you can still be a victim of vandals.) She got out of the car and looked at the tire, thinking we'd run over glass. But there were domino-looking plastic things stuck into the tire. They were security tags off of stolen clothing! Four of them, poked into my back tire. 
This is Emma, then 2, reading to Baby and Bear. And now, 15, sweet as can be!
Appetizer
