On Lent and Cravings

 

Pressing in and pressing on is pushing against the tide of sin and disbelief, and pushing towards what you've made a habit of clinging to in calmer waters: that Jesus is enough.

Ruth Chou Simons

 

 

***

We are in the final days of Lent.  Four more days of meatless meals.  As I type my mouth is watering for a morsel of steak.  Within the last two weeks commercials featuring beefy sandwiches have prompted us to switch channels.  Recently, whilst ordering an Americano I was visually assaulted by an advertisement for BBQ Beef Brisket on Sourdough, which apparently Starbucks is now offering.  I have ceased scouring the Internet for "fun-family-friendly-vegetarian-recipes-that-satisfy." I have hit my black-bean-as-an-alternative limit.  In fact, we ordered take out twice over the weekend to avoid the final "Delicious Black Bean Burrito" recipe that promises they are "soooo good you'll want to have them every night."  I'm sure they are.  But. We. Just. Can't.  Days ago, I told Jeff that I actually feel the absence of iron in my blood.  Perhaps I should have considered iron supplements.

 

The more I have considered my sudden obsession with meat consumption, the more significant the act of giving something up has meant to me.  Previously I have given up, among other things, bread (a sixth love language), potatoes (a comfort), television (a favorite pastime), and secular music (a source of entertainment).  While I have missed each of those things throughout the forty days, I do not recall feeling the absence of them so distinctly.  These cravings have illuminated what it means for me to long for something.  While being confronted with my ever increasing desire to consume a triple cheeseburger, which in all honestly seems embarrassingly trivial, an even greater realization has taken shape in my heart and mind.  So often, what it is I'm longing for is temporal. 

The season of Lent is about anticipation, remembrance, slowing one's pace, engaging, embracing the ache, awaiting the promise of all things renewed.  We give up in order that we might be filled - filled with His Spirit that stirs our souls, filled with His love that satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts, filled with the knowledge that He is making all things new, filled with hope for that which is unseen and yet to come. 

This past Sunday, as the lyrics for "Hosanna" were projected and I sang the following I was overcome with an ache to live out my days with greater clarity and purpose.

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

May my eyes look beyond the many temporal cravings and temptations before me, may my heart break for that which breaks His, may I catch a vision for that which is greater than what my eyes alone can see, and may I savor the flavor of the perfectly grilled burger that awaits me Sunday.




 

Lent 2016

Psalm 51:16-19

The Passion Translation

 

For the source of your pleasure is not in my performance or the sacrifices I might offer you.

The fountain of your pleasure is found in the sacrifice of my shattered heart before you.  You will not despise my tenderness as I humbly bow down at your feet!

Because your favor Zion, do what is good for her.  Be the protecting wall around Jerusalem.

And, when we are fully restored, you will rejoice and take delight in every offering of our lives as we bring our every sacrifice of righteousness before you in love!

 

 

 

This is the first year we are participating in the Lenten season as a family.  After several family discussions, we decided to give up meat for Lent.  We are now half way through the forty days and the family discussions continue.  Why are we choosing to eat vegetarian?  Is it okay to eat meat if it is served for us at someone's home?  Daddy, did you know this is chicken?  What is grace? We have tried countless new recipes, rated them, broken down their ingredients, highlighted favorites and decided that is okay not to love every new dish that is presented at the table. There have been honest emotions, tears shed (over the fact that Chick-fil-A would not be an option for forty days), and vulnerable hearts.  The act of giving up a favorite food (we are raising little carnivores) has resulted in many opportunities to reflect on what has {already} been done on our behalf.  "...but God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

 

A few NEW family favorites to savor:

 

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2015/02/spaghetti-pangrattato-with-fried-eggs/

 

 

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/09/corn-cheddar-and-scallion-strata/

 

 

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/03/broccoli-cheddar-and-wild-rice-casserole/

 

 

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2013/10/crispy-kale-brussels-sprouts-potato-hash.html

 

 

http://cupofjo.com/2016/02/mediterranean-soup-with-white-beans-kale-and-pasta/



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Valentine's Day Book Picks 2K16

Halloween: Episode 2014

I love a theme.  And, this year's choice of Halloween costumes was easy as our family has been committed to the idea of embracing both sides of the force since, oh about...mid-summer.  The real question was which Star Wars character the little man would decide to dress up as.  For months we listened on as he debated Darth, Luke, Obi-Wan...when at last he finally landed on Qui Gon Jinn.

 

 

 

Cast of characters:

 

The bump as the Death Star

Jeff as Obi Wan Kenobi

The littlest lady as Yoda

The little lady as Queen Amidala

and

The little man as Qui Gon Jinn





Hand-picked

Valentine's Day came a little early this year as we made our fourth annual trip to Barnes and Noble to make our book selections.  This trip continues to bring me such joy as I watch our children peruse the children's section in search of their Valentine's pick.  This year, both the little lady and man were inspired by very specific characters and quickly settled on Fancy Nancy and Star Wars themed early reader book bundles.  Leslie Patricelli's Quiet Loud was gifted to us during our time in Cleveland, and our children loved the simple illustrations with contrasting content, so I selected another Patricelli board book for the littlest.  Yummy Yucky seemed an appropriate choice as teething has her shoving all things (yummy and yucky) into her mouth.  Having an Amazon literary wish list a mile long, I was curious to see which book Jeff would walk away with.  His selection, Born To Run, is one I will surely never be tempted to read, as I'm fully aware I was born to walk (or dance) my way through life.  As for me, I was torn having just received so many lovely new books, but couldn't bear to leave the store empty handed.  I meandered to the cookbook section with the intention of picking up Keepers, but was drawn to Ruth Reichl's Tender to the Bone having so enjoyed her laugh-out-loud Garlic and Sapphires.  Here's to many hours of reading quietly in front of the fire!

 



Cheers to Tradition, and a New Year

The year was 2007.  It was then, just he and I, a couple of love birds with a baby on the way.  The city was Chicago.  And, we rang in the New Year with dear friends.  We indulged on fine food prepared in a small city kitchen, a meal so rich and memorable we still talk about it today.  We lounged lazily waiting for the ball to drop, friends sardined on an oversized couch, watching local news coverage.  It was fantastic.

 

We said good-bye to 2013 in a similar fashion.  Friends gathered, a fine piece of meat was prepared, wine for some, virgin cocktails for others, and plenty of milk for the babes.  Four children and counting.  Inevitably, we will be outnumbered (in the not too distant future).  And, the time may come to consider a destination gathering, trading champagne for margaritas on the sandy beaches of Mexico. 

 

But, until that day we will continue to gather as growing families, ringing in the New Year with horns, good food, laughter, local new coverage, red wine and sippy cups.

 



"Insta" Christmas

 

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas programs, last minute shopping, baking, and various other "to-do" lists behind us, we spent the majority of Christmas break together as a family enjoying the sights and sounds of the season, fellowship with loved ones, and the mostly slow and steady pace of a vacation spent in a state that is consistently cold, often with the chance of snow.  We were reminiscent of a year ago and the chaos of leaving Cleveland just before Christmas, fresh babe in tow, U-Haul boxes lining the halls of our rental property.  We were caught up in the wonder of watching our little lady and man, one year older, fully embracing the magic of the season, appreciating each strand of light, carol played and present beautifully wrapped under tree. We were amused by the littlest, a marvel to behold as she toddled to and fro, no longer an infant but curious bundle of pure joy.  But, mostly we were grateful, celebrating the birth of a Savior born to redeem His people, love coming down. 

 

 

Tickets please... a fantastic evening with friends recreating the Polar Express.

 

Enjoying a matinee performance of The Nutcracker at Madison's Overture Center.

 

 Bundling up for errands around town.

 

Christmas Eve snow forts with Papa.

 

My favorite present. Every. Year.

 

Waking to the wonder of Christmas morning. 

 

Matching jams and Christmas cuddles.

 

 

 Savoring time with Daddy.

 

Sharing with the ones we love.

 



 Getting dolled up for dinner.

 



Capturing Christmas sass.

 





 

Creating secret places to play.

Enjoying a second viewing of The Nutcracker at Milwaukee's Performing Arts Center.

 



 

Sharing a love of ballet.

Quiet days spent in pj's.

 



Making good use of Christmas boxes.

 





A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Ho. Ho. Huh?

The little lady and little ninja (?) were pleased to hear they made Santa's "good list."  While, the littlest could of cared less...

 

Fa la la la la.

One of the highlights of the season thus far has been attending the little lady and man's Christmas programs and festive classroom parties.  It is impossible for me to sit through any sort of children's program without shedding a few tears, and now that I am privileged to be watching my own children participate in sharing the great news of the Gospel through merry song and playful finger plays, the tears came the moment they hit the stage, standing tall, bright-eyed, and doing their very best to be ever so still. How beautiful it is to hear the voices of children, strong and pure, as they sing the great carols of old. 

 

 ***

 

 True to form, the little man belted out the words he knew, refrained from performing any hand motions or simple choreography, smiled bashfully, and very subtly unbuttoned his Christmas plaid to reveal his favorite undershirt just before the performance was over. 

 

 

The little lady, the consummate performer, beamed as she sang each note, keeping her eyes fixed upon her teacher, head held high, appreciating the magic of the moment, as her family members looked on, captivated.



Merry Days

As we count down the days until Christmas...

 

we lay track beneath tree, only to move train and track to the cold concrete floor of the basement, where it has a prayer of surviving the holiday season, free from the clutches of baby hands,

we bundle and boldly face the elements, rosy cheeked and wide-eyed,

 

we lay beneath lights white, turning page after page while fire warms,

 



 

we wave a white flag to winter, enticed by afternoons indoors, Christmas pj's and festive dance parties,

we crack open favorite cookbooks, covering counters in flour, sugar and spice, the aromas of Christmas filling our home

 



we plot and plan, as we prepare gifts of cheer, humming favorite carols

 

 

'Tis the season.



Advent: Day 12

 

 

from The Greatest Gift Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas

by Ann Voskamp

 

 

Every little thing is going to be okay because God is working good through every little thing.

 

All that's happening is happening to make miracles.  The mundane is what's making miracles.

 

God comes through mangers.  The mundane holds miracles.  Every little thing is going to be okay - you have a Kinsman-Redeemer who takes you and is redeeming everything.  The miracle of gifts is always unfolding under the impossibles.

 

"Joys are always on their way to us," assures Amy Carmichael.  "They are always traveling to us through the darkness of night.  there is never a night when they are not coming."

 

The miracle of gifts...is never not coming.

 

When your Father's hand isn't readily apparent, it's only because He's readying gifts.  Gifts always come out of the unseen and hidden places.

 

It's a miracle itself - how you don't have to order a Christmas miracle.  The miracle of Love is happening all around you.

 

Christ coming freely, willingly, now - coming unseen into everything.

T-gives 2013

Decades of tradition,

 favorite dishes prepared in love and presented in pretty bowls,

laughter and listening,

 tiny plump hands held by those wrinkled and aging,

 beautiful moments one after the other,

family gathered in celebration,

hearts full of gratitude.

 



Preparing for Advent

 

One of our favorite family resources for engaging our children in conversations about faith, is The Jesus Storybook Bible.  Simply put, every Bible story featured in the uniquely illustrated storybook points back to the person of Jesus, and the gospel.  Sadly, the same cannot be said of all children's Bibles.  Once again the season of advent is almost upon us.  Once again, I am amazed how quickly another year has passed.  Life with little ones is a blur; I do not want this season to pass without pointing our hearts and minds towards Christ, and the significance of the season.  Our advent calendar is in place, and next to it our copy of The Jesus Storybook Bible.  I was so pleased to come across the following reading plan, and wanted to share.  

 

Jeff and I will be reading this during our early morning quiet time together, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to unwrap all that is sure to stir my heart in Ann Voskamp's latest.

 



Lake Enterprise Instagrammed

 A little R and R.  

 

 

Explosive entertainment

 

 

Sunshine and Swimming

 

Precious moments together

 

 

Introducing June to lake fun

 

 Bonding over their shared love of food and the floor