As I was perusing through one of my pregnancy books, I came across this odd little section called Old Wives' Tales. Some of these I've heard before and some just made me laugh out loud. I thought maybe some of my darling readers might get a kick out of reading some of these.
* You may need calcium if you crave ice cream.
*Cold feet indicate a boy.
*A lot of heartburn means your baby will be born with a full head of hair.
*Refusing to eat the heel on a loaf of bread means you're going to have a girl.
*Dangling a wedding ring over your tummy indicates the sex of the baby. (Not sure how this one even works.)
*Your baby will be born with a hairy birthmark if you see a mouse while you're pregnant.
*If you carry out in front, it's a boy---carrying around your middle means it's a girl.
*Eating berries causes red splotches on your baby's skin.
*If you perspire a lot, it's a girl. (Or you live in Houston where it's still in the 90's in Oct.)
*Taking a bath can drown the baby.
*It's a girl if you crave orange juice.
*Stretching your arms over your head can cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby's neck.
*If you carry high, it's a girl---carrying low means it's a boy.
*Dry hands means you're going to have a boy.
*Craving greasy foods means your labor will be short. (And so will your life.) (Sorry, bad joke...but I couldn't resist.)
*Craving spinach means you need iron.
*Your baby will be cross-eyed if you wear high heels.
*Your moods during pregnancy affects your baby's during pregnancy.
*Using various techniques or substances will start labor.
Have you heard any good ones?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Question and Answer Time
WOW! Has it really been over a month since my last post? I could lie to you and say that I've had a million different things to post, but no time at all to post them. But like I said, that would be a lie. You want the truth? Here it is:
I may or may not have spent all my time and thoughts being completely and utterly consumed with this little one. Do you blame me?
For those of you who may not know...this is MY very own (and my husband's, of course) tiny little one currently growing in my belly. We are beyond ecstatic to get to be Mommy and Daddy to this little miracle baby we affectionately call "Hooglet."
I thought I'd just go right ahead and answer some questions you may already have swimming around in your noggin about this baby/pregnancy.
1. How far along are you? I am currently at the end of week 13, moving right along into week 14. This essentially means that I've been pregnant since the middle/end of July. It also means that you can expect to get to meet Hooglet sometime towards the end of April.
2. Was this planned? Here's the reader's digest version: My husband and I had been wanting to get pregnant for almost 2 years now. There were plenty of ups and downs for both of us, but mostly just a steadfast trust in the LORD and in HIS timing for our family. There was a long period of time where we actively pursuing pregnancy (whatever that means), but kinda just got distracted and SUPER busy for awhile there. It truly just became something we really didn't think much about for a couple months. Then, all of sudden...it happened. So, yes...this was kinda planned. But no, we were not ever in control of it. Thank the LORD for His goodness to us!
3. How did you know you were pregnant? Well, I was actually already 2 months pregnant when I started really having symptoms. And I mean SYMPTOMS! I was nauseous ALL day EVERY day. I didn't want to eat anything sweet (*gasp*). And other things that I will spare you. As much as I really didn't want to take another pregnancy test and see yet another negative, I kept feeling this urging from the LORD to just pee on the stick. So, I did...not really expecting anything different. And it turned up immediately positive! YAY!
4. How are you feeling these days? In a word...rotten. It's starting to get better a little every day, but it was pretty ugly for awhile there. And please don't get me wrong. I prayed for 2 years that the LORD would make it obvious for me when I became pregnant...and I'm truly thankful for every wave of nausea and every food aversion and every soreness or tightness in my body. These all mean to me that the baby is actually there and still growing. I may not be thoroughly enjoying the sickness, but I'm incredibly grateful for it.
5. Speaking of cravings and aversions...got any? Umm...YES! This baby LOVES, loves, loves pickles. I seriously eat pickles every day. Hooglet's also been known to beg for Chik-fil-a and Honey BBQ boneless wings from Buffalo Wild Wings. But mostly I just eat fruit and crackers...and pickles. I cannot stand even the smell of coffee. And sweets are not often eaten...which is very odd for me. And after a wicked case of heartburn last week, greasy and fried foods are absolutely off-limits.
6. Do you want a boy or a girl? I want a healthy human baby. I really am genuinely torn about what gender I want. I'm not at all being modest so you won't think badly of me, I just really keep going back and forth. I will say, however, that if I were a bettin' woman, my money would go on boy, for sure. That doesn't mean that's what I want, it just means that's what I think it is. We'll find out soon enough, and I'll be sure to let you know.
7. Have you thought of names? When Matt and I got engaged three and a half years ago we (really, I) started talking about names. Needless to say, they've changed and morphed since then, but i think we've finally agreed on both girls and boys names. I'm not totally sure I'm ready make them completely public just yet. But let's just say this: With a last name like Hoogendoorn, it's slim pickins for good names.
8. How did your parents react? Eh, they were kinda happy. FALSE! They (the moms) freaked out! They were wanting a grandbaby more than we were wanting a baby. They weren't the only ones who freaked out, though. Just about everybody either cried or jumped up and down or screamed or couldn't stop hugging or a combination of all. This was one long-awaited baby and the longer we all waited, the more joyous our reactions upon hearing the good news. It's one of the coolest feelings in the world to know just how loved this baby already is.
I've answered all I can think to answer right now. Please feel free to ask me any more and I will most definitely try to answer as soon as I can. We're excited and can't wait to get to meet this little miracle baby.
Until then, I leave you with Hooglet's very first picture ever, taken when he/she was a mere 7 weeks old. Doesn't he/she look like an alien Teddy Graham? Such a cute little Teddy Graham. :)
I may or may not have spent all my time and thoughts being completely and utterly consumed with this little one. Do you blame me?
For those of you who may not know...this is MY very own (and my husband's, of course) tiny little one currently growing in my belly. We are beyond ecstatic to get to be Mommy and Daddy to this little miracle baby we affectionately call "Hooglet."I thought I'd just go right ahead and answer some questions you may already have swimming around in your noggin about this baby/pregnancy.
1. How far along are you? I am currently at the end of week 13, moving right along into week 14. This essentially means that I've been pregnant since the middle/end of July. It also means that you can expect to get to meet Hooglet sometime towards the end of April.
2. Was this planned? Here's the reader's digest version: My husband and I had been wanting to get pregnant for almost 2 years now. There were plenty of ups and downs for both of us, but mostly just a steadfast trust in the LORD and in HIS timing for our family. There was a long period of time where we actively pursuing pregnancy (whatever that means), but kinda just got distracted and SUPER busy for awhile there. It truly just became something we really didn't think much about for a couple months. Then, all of sudden...it happened. So, yes...this was kinda planned. But no, we were not ever in control of it. Thank the LORD for His goodness to us!
3. How did you know you were pregnant? Well, I was actually already 2 months pregnant when I started really having symptoms. And I mean SYMPTOMS! I was nauseous ALL day EVERY day. I didn't want to eat anything sweet (*gasp*). And other things that I will spare you. As much as I really didn't want to take another pregnancy test and see yet another negative, I kept feeling this urging from the LORD to just pee on the stick. So, I did...not really expecting anything different. And it turned up immediately positive! YAY!
4. How are you feeling these days? In a word...rotten. It's starting to get better a little every day, but it was pretty ugly for awhile there. And please don't get me wrong. I prayed for 2 years that the LORD would make it obvious for me when I became pregnant...and I'm truly thankful for every wave of nausea and every food aversion and every soreness or tightness in my body. These all mean to me that the baby is actually there and still growing. I may not be thoroughly enjoying the sickness, but I'm incredibly grateful for it.
5. Speaking of cravings and aversions...got any? Umm...YES! This baby LOVES, loves, loves pickles. I seriously eat pickles every day. Hooglet's also been known to beg for Chik-fil-a and Honey BBQ boneless wings from Buffalo Wild Wings. But mostly I just eat fruit and crackers...and pickles. I cannot stand even the smell of coffee. And sweets are not often eaten...which is very odd for me. And after a wicked case of heartburn last week, greasy and fried foods are absolutely off-limits.
6. Do you want a boy or a girl? I want a healthy human baby. I really am genuinely torn about what gender I want. I'm not at all being modest so you won't think badly of me, I just really keep going back and forth. I will say, however, that if I were a bettin' woman, my money would go on boy, for sure. That doesn't mean that's what I want, it just means that's what I think it is. We'll find out soon enough, and I'll be sure to let you know.
7. Have you thought of names? When Matt and I got engaged three and a half years ago we (really, I) started talking about names. Needless to say, they've changed and morphed since then, but i think we've finally agreed on both girls and boys names. I'm not totally sure I'm ready make them completely public just yet. But let's just say this: With a last name like Hoogendoorn, it's slim pickins for good names.
8. How did your parents react? Eh, they were kinda happy. FALSE! They (the moms) freaked out! They were wanting a grandbaby more than we were wanting a baby. They weren't the only ones who freaked out, though. Just about everybody either cried or jumped up and down or screamed or couldn't stop hugging or a combination of all. This was one long-awaited baby and the longer we all waited, the more joyous our reactions upon hearing the good news. It's one of the coolest feelings in the world to know just how loved this baby already is.
I've answered all I can think to answer right now. Please feel free to ask me any more and I will most definitely try to answer as soon as I can. We're excited and can't wait to get to meet this little miracle baby.
Until then, I leave you with Hooglet's very first picture ever, taken when he/she was a mere 7 weeks old. Doesn't he/she look like an alien Teddy Graham? Such a cute little Teddy Graham. :)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The BIG Dipper
No, this blog post is not about stars. Or constellations. It's also not at all about tobacco-usage of any kind.
This blog post is actually about my obsession with dipping my foods. I'm not really sure when I discovered this idiosyncrasy, but I definitely accept it as the truth. You see, I love to dip my foods. I don't just put ketchup on my hamburger. No, I have to dip the burger into ketchup a cup/puddle as well. But it's not just my burgers that get dipped. Anything I can possibly get away with dipping into something...I dip. Here are a few of my very favorite things to dip.
This blog post is actually about my obsession with dipping my foods. I'm not really sure when I discovered this idiosyncrasy, but I definitely accept it as the truth. You see, I love to dip my foods. I don't just put ketchup on my hamburger. No, I have to dip the burger into ketchup a cup/puddle as well. But it's not just my burgers that get dipped. Anything I can possibly get away with dipping into something...I dip. Here are a few of my very favorite things to dip.
1. Arby's Sauce
This is probably the sauce that began my obsession with dipping. I love this stuff and of course, my roast beef sandwiches (and maybe a curly fry or potato cake) are no good without lots of it. (If the mean Arby's lady will give me more than 1 packet...Mom knows what I'm talking about.)
2. Frito Lay Bean Dip
I'm typically not a huge fan of Frito's Corn Chips, but somehow they are magically transformed by this incredibly unhealthy, amazingly delicious stuff.
3. Chuy's Jalepeno Ranch Dip
Again, I'm just gonna be up-front and honest with you. I cannot stand ranch anything in any form. I gag at just the smell of jalapenos. So, why in the world am I so hopelessly addicted to this tiny little bowl of goodness??? Just please do me one favor...do not ever tell me what goes in this stuff. As they say, ignorance is bliss, my friend.
4. My Husband's Green Salsa and Famous Cheese Dip
Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of either of these insanely delicious dips, but get a load of this delicious dip. ;) But seriously, is there anything in the world that I would not slam dunk into his incredible green salsa or his cheese dip? Chips, breakfast tacos, regular tacos, quesadillas, my fingers.I mean really, the list could go on.
5. Cookies and Milk
What would life be like without this little taste of heaven on Earth? Of course, oreos might be my favorite to dip into a really cold glass of milk, but no chocolate chip cookie is free from dunkage. I think I feel a craving comin' on.
This is probably the sauce that began my obsession with dipping. I love this stuff and of course, my roast beef sandwiches (and maybe a curly fry or potato cake) are no good without lots of it. (If the mean Arby's lady will give me more than 1 packet...Mom knows what I'm talking about.)2. Frito Lay Bean Dip
I'm typically not a huge fan of Frito's Corn Chips, but somehow they are magically transformed by this incredibly unhealthy, amazingly delicious stuff.3. Chuy's Jalepeno Ranch Dip
Again, I'm just gonna be up-front and honest with you. I cannot stand ranch anything in any form. I gag at just the smell of jalapenos. So, why in the world am I so hopelessly addicted to this tiny little bowl of goodness??? Just please do me one favor...do not ever tell me what goes in this stuff. As they say, ignorance is bliss, my friend.4. My Husband's Green Salsa and Famous Cheese Dip
Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of either of these insanely delicious dips, but get a load of this delicious dip. ;) But seriously, is there anything in the world that I would not slam dunk into his incredible green salsa or his cheese dip? Chips, breakfast tacos, regular tacos, quesadillas, my fingers.I mean really, the list could go on.5. Cookies and Milk
What would life be like without this little taste of heaven on Earth? Of course, oreos might be my favorite to dip into a really cold glass of milk, but no chocolate chip cookie is free from dunkage. I think I feel a craving comin' on.Like I said before, these are really just a few of my favorite dipping components. I mean, dipping really does make food more fun!
What do you dip?
What do you dip?
Friday, September 10, 2010
"Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
It's past noon and I still have not brushed my teeth or put on "real" clothes.
I've pretty much been on Facebook and have been reading various blogs all morning long.
Other than take a shower and straighten my hair (which is actually a HUGE undertaking), I haven't really done anything else very productive.
I have also spent time with JESUS. I'm so thankful that He chose to spend time with me.
Call me lazy, if you will. And I'm sure a few of you may even be groaning and rolling your eyes at my lack of activity today. I gotta be honest, it wasn't that long ago that I would be miserable with myself for taking such a lazy approach to a free day.
But in just the last year or so (more honestly, the last few months), I've really had to train myself to not just take a Sabbath day, but to also enjoy it as well. This is such a tough lesson to be learned when you've grown up in a fast-paced, too-busy-for-life, fill-every-waking-moment-with-something type of lifestyle we generally lead here in America.
Was it just me or when you were younger, did you also have school 5 days a week, with a part-time job or maybe athletics in the evenings and then mounds of homework on the weekends? And then did it also get worse for you once you entered the "real world" filled with "real life" and absolutely never have any moment of real rest, except maybe when you took a 3-hour nap on Sunday afternoons, just to wake back up to clean the house or go grocery shopping or do the budget?
Have you ever really thought about why "Keeping the Sabbath" is such a big deal in the 10 Commandments? I mean, just go to Exodus 20 and take a look at what the LORD says about it. Not only is it the 4th most important of all the commands, but it seems like there's more explanation for it than any of the others.
"Oh, that's Old Testament Law," you say? Let's flip on over to the book of Hebrews and try to figure out why there's almost an entire chapter (4) dedicated to this very same topic. The author of the book of Hebrews even seems to say that if you don't abide by this command, then you are being disobedient and are in danger of not entering into His rest.
I'm sure some of you might have heard before that "GOD's laws are a description of reality." Meaning, He knows, from an infinite mind and a loving heart, that if you do not take time to rest, then you shall surely burn out, mentally snap and go bonkers. So, He made this one of His top and most important laws (even more important than not murdering someone!) because He loves you and knows what's best for you. And at least 1 day of rest is best.
What exactly does He mean by "rest"? Whatever is restful to you. Reading people's blogs and going for a run is restful to me. Gardening and cooking is restful to my husband. Do you enjoy sleeping in and playing games with family? Or do you enjoy going on a hike by yourself? Some people find endless hours of shopping restful for them. I do not.
The Bible doesn't really seem to say what your rest should specifically look like for you, but it does say to make time for rest. And I think we're in danger of something pretty awful if we choose to neglect this (or any other) commandment.
Today is the day I have set aside as my Sabbath. So, what am I going to do with it? I'm going to continue to read people's blogs, then I'm going to pack up and head out to the lake to enjoy the company of some dear friends.
What will your Sabbath look like?
I've pretty much been on Facebook and have been reading various blogs all morning long.
Other than take a shower and straighten my hair (which is actually a HUGE undertaking), I haven't really done anything else very productive.
I have also spent time with JESUS. I'm so thankful that He chose to spend time with me.
Call me lazy, if you will. And I'm sure a few of you may even be groaning and rolling your eyes at my lack of activity today. I gotta be honest, it wasn't that long ago that I would be miserable with myself for taking such a lazy approach to a free day.
But in just the last year or so (more honestly, the last few months), I've really had to train myself to not just take a Sabbath day, but to also enjoy it as well. This is such a tough lesson to be learned when you've grown up in a fast-paced, too-busy-for-life, fill-every-waking-moment-with-something type of lifestyle we generally lead here in America.
Was it just me or when you were younger, did you also have school 5 days a week, with a part-time job or maybe athletics in the evenings and then mounds of homework on the weekends? And then did it also get worse for you once you entered the "real world" filled with "real life" and absolutely never have any moment of real rest, except maybe when you took a 3-hour nap on Sunday afternoons, just to wake back up to clean the house or go grocery shopping or do the budget?
Have you ever really thought about why "Keeping the Sabbath" is such a big deal in the 10 Commandments? I mean, just go to Exodus 20 and take a look at what the LORD says about it. Not only is it the 4th most important of all the commands, but it seems like there's more explanation for it than any of the others.
"Oh, that's Old Testament Law," you say? Let's flip on over to the book of Hebrews and try to figure out why there's almost an entire chapter (4) dedicated to this very same topic. The author of the book of Hebrews even seems to say that if you don't abide by this command, then you are being disobedient and are in danger of not entering into His rest.
I'm sure some of you might have heard before that "GOD's laws are a description of reality." Meaning, He knows, from an infinite mind and a loving heart, that if you do not take time to rest, then you shall surely burn out, mentally snap and go bonkers. So, He made this one of His top and most important laws (even more important than not murdering someone!) because He loves you and knows what's best for you. And at least 1 day of rest is best.
What exactly does He mean by "rest"? Whatever is restful to you. Reading people's blogs and going for a run is restful to me. Gardening and cooking is restful to my husband. Do you enjoy sleeping in and playing games with family? Or do you enjoy going on a hike by yourself? Some people find endless hours of shopping restful for them. I do not.
The Bible doesn't really seem to say what your rest should specifically look like for you, but it does say to make time for rest. And I think we're in danger of something pretty awful if we choose to neglect this (or any other) commandment.
Today is the day I have set aside as my Sabbath. So, what am I going to do with it? I'm going to continue to read people's blogs, then I'm going to pack up and head out to the lake to enjoy the company of some dear friends.
What will your Sabbath look like?
Friday, August 27, 2010
A Trip Down Memeory Lane...
...or rather, Heights Blvd.
We've already started to joke about how we'll take our kids for drives down the Blvd. and say things like, "That's where Mommy and Daddy first lived right after they got married." And, "That was our favorite little cafe to go to for lunch." And, "That's where Mommy ran many, many, many miles on that awesome jogging trail."
Today is our very last full day in this house and really, I should be packing like a mad-woman on speed. But as I've been going through closets and drawers, I keep being reminded of some sweet times we had here. And I just know I'll regret it in the future if I don't take time to record some of my thoughts.
I know my last blog post was less than stellar concerning this beat-up, old house, but despite all it's flaws and frustrations, it holds 3 years worth of some wonderful memories for us. Do you mind if I share a few of our favorite?
1. We were beyond excited about this amazing space the LORD gave us, right on the beautiful and highly sought-after Heights Blvd. Here we are checking it out, before we (well, Matt) moved in.
2. We came right home after our Wedding Day. I will spare you any elaboration on this memory. ;)
3. We used to pack this place out with UH students before we became an official student group and could meet in a room on campus. We were so proud to have a place where they could all come.
4. We've LOVED the fact that our dear friends Beth and Kyle Volkmer always choose to come stay with us when they're in town. We love them so much and have really had lots of great times together in this house eating food and playing games and talking about the LORD. We are even more grateful to finally be able to give them a door to the guest bedroom and their own bathroom when they continue to come visit.
5. I have been overwhelmed with joy at the many thoughts of what the LORD has done in this living room every Monday night of last year. I had our girls' small group here and the LORD always seemed to meet us here. Every one of us there really grew in the LORD and just fell in love with each other. When we think back on those times, we'll picture this living room.
I could go on and on, but I really should get back to packing before my husband comes home and finds that I've done nothing since he left to take a load to the new house.
LORD, I'm so grateful for the last three years in this house and for every single one of the memories that are etched in the floors and on the walls. Thank you for bringing your peace to rest here so often and for each person that ever walked through the front door and into our lives. We really do cherish every bit of it and will hold it dear in our hearts. Please forgive me for when I've been ungrateful for this house. For when I've whined and complained and been out-right angry about having to live here. You are so good and you gave us such a jewel of a very first place to call home. Father, please continue to bring your peace to this house. Lord, I pray that whomever would live here next would feel your Presence like we have and would cherish the memories they'll make.
We've already started to joke about how we'll take our kids for drives down the Blvd. and say things like, "That's where Mommy and Daddy first lived right after they got married." And, "That was our favorite little cafe to go to for lunch." And, "That's where Mommy ran many, many, many miles on that awesome jogging trail."
Today is our very last full day in this house and really, I should be packing like a mad-woman on speed. But as I've been going through closets and drawers, I keep being reminded of some sweet times we had here. And I just know I'll regret it in the future if I don't take time to record some of my thoughts.
I know my last blog post was less than stellar concerning this beat-up, old house, but despite all it's flaws and frustrations, it holds 3 years worth of some wonderful memories for us. Do you mind if I share a few of our favorite?
1. We were beyond excited about this amazing space the LORD gave us, right on the beautiful and highly sought-after Heights Blvd. Here we are checking it out, before we (well, Matt) moved in.
2. We came right home after our Wedding Day. I will spare you any elaboration on this memory. ;)
3. We used to pack this place out with UH students before we became an official student group and could meet in a room on campus. We were so proud to have a place where they could all come.
4. We've LOVED the fact that our dear friends Beth and Kyle Volkmer always choose to come stay with us when they're in town. We love them so much and have really had lots of great times together in this house eating food and playing games and talking about the LORD. We are even more grateful to finally be able to give them a door to the guest bedroom and their own bathroom when they continue to come visit.
5. I have been overwhelmed with joy at the many thoughts of what the LORD has done in this living room every Monday night of last year. I had our girls' small group here and the LORD always seemed to meet us here. Every one of us there really grew in the LORD and just fell in love with each other. When we think back on those times, we'll picture this living room.
I could go on and on, but I really should get back to packing before my husband comes home and finds that I've done nothing since he left to take a load to the new house.
LORD, I'm so grateful for the last three years in this house and for every single one of the memories that are etched in the floors and on the walls. Thank you for bringing your peace to rest here so often and for each person that ever walked through the front door and into our lives. We really do cherish every bit of it and will hold it dear in our hearts. Please forgive me for when I've been ungrateful for this house. For when I've whined and complained and been out-right angry about having to live here. You are so good and you gave us such a jewel of a very first place to call home. Father, please continue to bring your peace to this house. Lord, I pray that whomever would live here next would feel your Presence like we have and would cherish the memories they'll make.
Friday, August 20, 2010
As if We Needed More Reason
It seems as if every single day since we signed a lease to move into our wonderful, beautiful, brand new house something occurs in this house that reminds us and further solidifies our deep longings to get the heck away...and fast!
Examples of these awful and annoying occurrences include, but are not limited to:
1. Tiny little bugs crawling out from behind the molded shower walls.
2. No parking spaces left because of the constant parties going on at the firehouse behind our house.
3. The constant (loud) parties going on at the firehouse behind our house. Who has a party til 2am on a Tuesday night, anyway???
4. Our mailman deciding when it's convenient for him to come to our house. So what if we don't have any mail to receive that day? Shouldn't it occur to him that we may have outgoing mail...like, maybe an important bill to pay?
5. The GIANT roach that basically crawled up the blanket draped across my legs and all around the bookshelf until he finally made himself comfortable in my shoe. (I tried not to cuss him out.)
6. The A/C that chose to stop working in the middle of August, leaving my husband and I to sweat it out all night and well into the blistering, record-high afternoon. What makes it worse is that because the house is so old, the windows are all painted shut, giving us absolutely zero ventilation. Apparently, I get REALLY angry when I get hot. Poor husband.
I know this sounds like I'm complaining a lot. And maybe I am. But what I haven't told you is just how overwhelmingly thankful each of these situations make me. Every time I step into the shower in the morning and see the yucky moldy walls, I'm spontaneously sent into a praise session to the LORD. He gave us this house that we still live in 3 years ago and it's been so perfect for us (almost) this whole time. We've been ready to move on up for a while now, and He's made it possible for us.
In the changing seasons of our lives, we're so ready for something different and something better. It really was the orchestrations of the LORD that made it possible to get this new house. It's perfect! And I can't wait to move in. Until we do, I'm making it a point to count all these little annoyances as reminders from the LORD to give thanks in all circumstances.
And how easy is it to give thanks for this!
Examples of these awful and annoying occurrences include, but are not limited to:
1. Tiny little bugs crawling out from behind the molded shower walls.
2. No parking spaces left because of the constant parties going on at the firehouse behind our house.
3. The constant (loud) parties going on at the firehouse behind our house. Who has a party til 2am on a Tuesday night, anyway???
4. Our mailman deciding when it's convenient for him to come to our house. So what if we don't have any mail to receive that day? Shouldn't it occur to him that we may have outgoing mail...like, maybe an important bill to pay?
5. The GIANT roach that basically crawled up the blanket draped across my legs and all around the bookshelf until he finally made himself comfortable in my shoe. (I tried not to cuss him out.)
6. The A/C that chose to stop working in the middle of August, leaving my husband and I to sweat it out all night and well into the blistering, record-high afternoon. What makes it worse is that because the house is so old, the windows are all painted shut, giving us absolutely zero ventilation. Apparently, I get REALLY angry when I get hot. Poor husband.
I know this sounds like I'm complaining a lot. And maybe I am. But what I haven't told you is just how overwhelmingly thankful each of these situations make me. Every time I step into the shower in the morning and see the yucky moldy walls, I'm spontaneously sent into a praise session to the LORD. He gave us this house that we still live in 3 years ago and it's been so perfect for us (almost) this whole time. We've been ready to move on up for a while now, and He's made it possible for us.
In the changing seasons of our lives, we're so ready for something different and something better. It really was the orchestrations of the LORD that made it possible to get this new house. It's perfect! And I can't wait to move in. Until we do, I'm making it a point to count all these little annoyances as reminders from the LORD to give thanks in all circumstances.
And how easy is it to give thanks for this!
Friday, August 13, 2010
"To Save A Life"
Friday nights mean Pizza nights in the Hoogendoorn household. Sometimes we go out for pizza and sometimes we just curl up on the couch with either frozen pizza or delivery of some sort and a Redbox movie.
Lately, we've been fairly disappointed in the lack of good, quality movies to watch these days. They're either all very and unnecessarily sexual and trashy or have absolutely no decent plot. But tonight, when my husband came home with "To Save a Life," I thought it might be well worth the watch. I was right. Oh, so right.
We had seen a preview for this quite awhile ago and were really interested in seeing it, but somehow we completely missed it when it was in theaters.
Y'all, this is such a powerful film. If you haven't seen it, you really, really need to. Did you like "The Blind Side"? This movie is very similar, only a lot more Christian emphasis.
I think Matt and I both were really affected by it (tears may have been shed) because it really is a picture of what we do. There are so many people (specifically, students) who really are hurting and feel alone and like nobody in the world cares a lick about them. All it takes to make a difference is to just simply become friends...just one at a time. Love them like they've never been loved before. Tell them how significant their life really is and that they're not an accident.
If you haven't seen this...pick it up soon.
If you haven't made a new friend lately...pick one out. There are so many to choose from.
Lately, we've been fairly disappointed in the lack of good, quality movies to watch these days. They're either all very and unnecessarily sexual and trashy or have absolutely no decent plot. But tonight, when my husband came home with "To Save a Life," I thought it might be well worth the watch. I was right. Oh, so right.
We had seen a preview for this quite awhile ago and were really interested in seeing it, but somehow we completely missed it when it was in theaters.Y'all, this is such a powerful film. If you haven't seen it, you really, really need to. Did you like "The Blind Side"? This movie is very similar, only a lot more Christian emphasis.
I think Matt and I both were really affected by it (tears may have been shed) because it really is a picture of what we do. There are so many people (specifically, students) who really are hurting and feel alone and like nobody in the world cares a lick about them. All it takes to make a difference is to just simply become friends...just one at a time. Love them like they've never been loved before. Tell them how significant their life really is and that they're not an accident.
If you haven't seen this...pick it up soon.
If you haven't made a new friend lately...pick one out. There are so many to choose from.
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