Coming Full Circle

“I am shedding pride . . . I shall ask into my shell only those friends with whom I can be completely honest. I find I am shedding hypocrisy in human relationships. What a rest that will be! The most exhausting thing in life, I have discovered, is being insincere. That is why so much of social life is exhausting; one is wearing a mask. I have to shed my mask.” From Gift From the Sea by Lindbergh.

I came across this a few years ago now, and loved it. (The author is a bit of a feminist, but as in all things, I take the good and leave the rest.) I have put this in to practice ever since.

A year or so later I shared it with a friend who was in need of a thought about letting people into her shell. This evening she called and read back to me the words with which I had encouraged her.

. . . Sigh . . .

This shedding of one’s mask, though, comes with a price. One charged by those who are not in ‘your shell’. It’s not an easy price to pay.

However ~ the long term blessing of being who you are, regardless of audience, regardless of cost, is peace.

I am coming full circle.
Fighting hurt.
Fighting defensiveness.
Looking for what the Lord has to teach me.

It’s time to reinforce my shell.
Pray for those who don’t get it.
Rise above the evil.
Be open to growth.

Thank you, Lord, for new mercies . . .

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window ~ blue skies, wispy clouds, light breeze.

I am thinking ~ I’d really like a nap right about now!

I am thankful for ~ my perfect husband.

I am wearing ~ jeans, red top, red foo-foo flips.

I am remembering ~ Christmases past.

I am creating ~ a clean house.

I am going ~ to Colorado on Wednesday!

I am reading ~ Duty and Desire, again.

I am hoping ~ for a fabulous trip.

On my mind ~ my mother, Colorado.

We are studying ~ drawing.

Noticing that ~ 2 steps forward, 3 steps back is still progress.

Pondering these words ~ “I’m completely unfit for human companionship.”

From the kitchen ~ roasted turkey!

Around the house ~ cleaning, prepping, productivity.

One of my favorite things ~ friends who cheerfully help in a pinch. Thank you Kim G!

A few plans for the rest of the week ~ chatting about home education this afternoon, final prep and pack Tuesday, depart for Colorado Wednesday!

From my picture journal ~ next week, Colorado picture, I promise!

Wanna Daybook?

Clarifications

I am learning, more and more . . .

There are a lot of people

who know who I am . . .

but who don’t KNOW me.

So, I thought I’d offer a little insight for anyone interested.

I have been told to my face that I am anti-social.

Am I not flitting here and there being the social butterfly and butting into conversations during various occasions? Rarely! Unless there is something I need to communicate, I’m not going to interrupt the conversation in which you’ve been previously engaged. I am not going to be so impertinent as to invite myself in to what may be a personal conversation. Forgive me, but for me that feels the same as petting a cat against the fur. Does that make me right and the social butterfly wrong? Certainly not. That’s just the way I am.

I LOVE getting together with a lovely group of ladies and having a wonderful time talking, praying, laughing, crying, be it over a margarita or a cup of coffee.

However ~

I have a husband who works 1 full time job and 3 part time jobs. We have four children, two of whom are recent international adoptees and desperately needs their parents home as much as possible. We have one vehicle. I must be selectively social.

I’m sorry that we don’t go to many gatherings or are able to accept many invitations. First, we need more than 3 days notice so that Mr. Perfect can rig his work load around your invitation and so we can coordinate his driving north of the valley to pick the rest of us up before heading to your shin-dig. Is it a ladies gathering? I’m sorry. If it lands during a week where I have two opportunities to see my husband, and the night of your party is one of those precious opportunities, I’m going to stay home and spend time with my husband.

My husband has been told that I am mean-spirited and hurtful.

I can honestly say that it absolutely slays me to hurt anyone, either intentionally or unintentionally. Anyone who really knows me can testify to this. Even when sinned against, I would rather lick my wounds and/or believe the best about something or someone than to risk the possibility of hurting them in admonishment.

It has been strongly hinted at that I am judgmental of other parents.

Yes. I have very specific thoughts on how I want my children raised. And no, I may not understand what you’re doing with your children. But just because I don’t understand what you’re doing, (or if I do and I just don’t personally agree) doesn’t necessarily mean that what you’re doing is wrong. If you’re children were to be raised by someone with my ways and means, then your children would have been born to me. However, they weren’t. YOUR decisions for your children are what are best for your family. If you’re worried about what I think about your ways and means, then I can only pray that you’ll raise your children as if for the Lord and NOT this mortal woman.

I don’t like teenagers.

At last, an arrow that hits its target. However ~ may I share my definition?

Teenagers (anyone between the ages of 13 and 19) are worldly; peer oriented; more worried about how they look while executing this hair toss/giggle combination. More time is invested in foolishness than in productivity. They are chasing the world and its standards and expectations.

Young Adults (anyone between the ages of 13 and 19) are godly; adult-oriented; more concerned about being a blessing. More time is invested in serving the body than in foolish idleness. They are chasing after a biblical life and the Lord’s standards and expectations.

So – given these definitions (that I’ve personally used for years) it would be a correct assessment to say that I am not impressed with teenagers. However – just because you may have a teenager in your family, doesn’t mean that I think you have a teenager in your family.

And for the record, I have a daughter who is 13 - and there are times when she is a teenager and times when she is a young adult!

Those who know who you are and those who know you . . . they are two different groups of people. Please, please be very careful as to what you share with those who only know who you are. They can take you from zero to Pandora’s Box in a matter of seconds, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Appreciating the Little Things

Finishing my 3 mile walk in less than 40 min.

A SPECTACULAR magenta on steel-gray sunrise, custom made only for those of us out during that 10 minute span of time.

A lovely rosebud of a daughter who makes fabulous coffee and serves it too.

It's going to be a fabulous day!

Thanksgiving Day

Being a guest in someone’s home for Thanksgiving puts a different spin on the day.

For me, Thanksgiving is about the process – a family working together for a lovely common cause. The hustle and bustle starts early in the day, and goodness but we’re tired and ready to sit by the time dinner is served. Yes, of course we enjoy that too, and the clean up together, and dessert . . . the whole day.

This year we are going to be guests at the home of lovely friends. While I have things to do and a chunk of the menu to contribute, it is just different. The pace is much slower.

My morning walk was enjoyed, and every moment of the almost non-existent traffic was appreciated. It was just the bunnies, the quail, and I. Even the usual walkers were not out, and even better, the blinding sun remained low until I changed direction.

Why am I writing this? I don’t know – I’m just enjoying the morning, the slower pace, the perfect walk.

I know where my family is, that they’re all well, that a dear young friend is home (just yesterday afternoon) from Iraq and with his family, that God is on His throne, that for this moment . . . all is right with the world.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window ~ dusk creeping in. Yes, a late daybook entry!

I am thinking ~ that my sons are pretty fabulous.

I am thankful for ~ the opportunity to help dear friends today!

I am wearing ~ black pj’s.

I am remembering ~ that His ways are perfect.

I am creating ~ a peaceful heart.

I am going ~ nowhere until Wednesday – what bliss!

I am reading ~ An Assembly Such As This. Yes, again.

I am hoping ~ for a blessed 10th year for my sons.

On my mind ~ I’m so pleased to have someone understand where I’m coming from.

We are studying ~ Job.

Noticing that ~ my sons have such servant hearts and are so appreciative of little things, like being able to vacuum with a friend.

Pondering these words ~ “I’m just biding my time . . .”

From the kitchen ~ home made macaroni and cheese with hot dogs. I know – ew. However, it’s the boys’ birthday and they get to pick the menu!

Around the house ~ all is quiet. Boys are resting, girls are recouping, Mr Perfect and I getting a grip before dinner. It’s been a busy day.

One of my favorite things ~ helping someone I love.

A few plans for the rest of the week ~ World Tour Wednesday, Thanksgiving with lovely friends, and then getting ready for another try at Colorado!

From my picture journal ~ I really will get back to this. Getting a grip, however, takes time.

Care to Join Us?

Why Are We Surprised?

Regardless of what you think of Chuck Norris or Mike Huckabee, THIS is interesting.

But I wonder - why are we surprised that the government wants to raise our children? We've been letting them do it for a very long time. We sleep, they sneak in, and we don't bother enough to even raise an eyelid.

Isn't it time to wake up?