Happy Birthday Elias!

Elias was born a year ago today! I was recollecting his easy nature, even as a new born. His first night we (Tim, my mom and I) all planned on a typical rough newborn night, so we planned on taking 3 hour shifts. I took the first at 11 pm, nursed him, sat up in the rocking chair praying he would at least give me a few hours rest. Soon, his plump little cheeks were asleep on my shoulder. I dosed in the chair for an hour and figured since he was sleeping so good I would move to the couch. Two hours later, still snoring away, so I moved up to the bed, were he slept until 4 am, nursed and slept until 7 am! We were all dumbfounded and wonderfully well-rested. That's how it has been with Elias. He is a happy, cheerful, yet wiggly baby boy! He smiles with is WHOLE face and never denies anyone a smile. We are blessed beyond ourselves to have been given such a precious boy to know and raise. Thank you Lord!

Oishii (Delicious) Sushi Squares

Here is my very own sushi alternative. It is easier than rolling, but tastes just as good! Also, below is a recipe for sushi rice, but I use it for most Asian rice I make as it tastes so good. Enjoy!

3 cups sushi rice cooked
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
½ avocado, thinly sliced
1 cup cooked filleted shrimp or shredded teriyaki chicken
3 sheets nori
2 tablespoons wasabi


1. Cook rice and let cool to room temperature.
2. Prepare a 9x9 square cake pan or one just slightly bigger by covering the bottom with saran wrap.
3. In bottom of the pan place a single layer of cucumbers. Then cover the cucumbers with a layer of rice. Press rice down with wet fingers.
4. Cover 1st layer of rice with a layer of nori.
5. Mix softened cream cheese with wasabi and mix well. Cover nori with cream cheese.
6. Place pieces of shrimp or meat of choice and the sliced avocados all over cream cheese.
7. Cover filling with a final and thicker layer of rice, using wet fingers to press into place.
8. Cover final layer with more saran wrap and press rice down firmly all over to pack it into place.
9. Refrigerate for 1-hour minimum or over night. When ready to serve remove top layer of saran wrap from pan, invert “sushi cake” on a cutting board. With a wet sharp knife cut into squares or rectangles that are the same size. You may have to clean knife between each cut and re-wet it.
10. Serve with ginger, wasabi and soy sauce. Enjoy!!!


Sushi Rice

Ingredients
3 cups sushi rice
3-4 cups water
4 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt

Directions
- Ignore the directions on the bag that the rice came from and rinse the rice only 3-5 times. The water does NOT have to run clear.
- Place rice to drain in a strainer.
Drain for one hour in the winter, 30 min in the summer. (Sounds strange, but is true).
- While rice is draining, combine water, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a big pot and mix well.
- Bring quickly to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
Cover the pot and DON'T touch it until the end, NO PEEKING!!!
Cook for 15 minutes before removing the pot from the heat but keep the lid CLOSED.
- Let rice rest for 10-15 min and then remove the cover.
- Mix rice gently, careful not to break it. Sushi rice is best used at body temperature.

Sabbath's Rest

I wrote earlier about a book I was reading about time, "Receiving the Day." One thing it discusses is the Sabbath; what was it in Biblical times, why God gave it to us, why we are to keep it holy and unto the Lord, how it has changed in Christianity, and how it is still relevant today. It got me to thinking that I am not good at all at keeping the Sabbath, sure I go to church every Sunday, I worship and serve the Lord through out my week, but I do not keep a day set aside for rest (neither Saturday or Sunday). The author is quick to note that we don't need to feel burden by the Sabbath in rules and regulations, Jesus himself said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
However, I feel like we tend to abuse this and don't allow ourselves to receive the full measure of blessing that a Sabbath's rest can have for us and more importantly what God intended for the Sabbath. Out of the Ten Commandments the longest most specific command is that of keeping the Sabbath. It tells us a few things: 1. to remember the Sabbath, 2. to keep it holy, 3. that we work 6 days, but the 7th is to be kept for the Lord, 4. no one in our house or in our employment is to work on the Sabbath, 5. that the Lord modeled the Sabbath in creation, 6. we are reminded again that the Lord blessed the Sabbath and made it holy. It also amazes me how seriously God takes this command in the old testament. Much of the reason the Lord sent Israel into bondage was because of their failure to keep this simple blessed command. In the book of Nehemiah he realized this and after re-building the walls and leaving for some time he returns to find work being done on the Sabbath this is his response, "I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day? Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath." (Neh. 13:17)
It got me to thinking that in many ways we aren't trained as children to keep the Sabbath, just like it had been in Israel for several generations. We don't know what a day of rest even looks like. Is it a day watching TV or playing sports all day? Is it worshiping the Lord and sitting in candle light twiddling our thumbs? This is a question that Judaism has pondered since well, probably before Nehemiah's time, but the general consensus is that any thing considered work isn't to be done for sundown of one day to sundown of the next day. Work is most commonly defined as commerce (any buying or selling), changing of the natural course of nature, and doing anything that is tiring of the mind or body. Somethings are actually encouraged on the Sabbath in Judaism tradition: light exercise (like walking), enjoy the fruit of the marriage bed :), games and fun as a family, fellowship with others, and worship of God. Still, the Sabbath isn't easy to keep.
Just today I tried to keep the Sabbath as a day of total rest, yet two things kept nagging at me, first all the work around me that needed to be done, and second that straying from my normal routine to rest isn't at all in my nature. I felt lazy or unproductive not being able to do my normal daily routine of work. One quote in the book, really struck me, "Show me a person that can't get their work done in six days and I will show you a person that can't get their work done in seven." It is true, it must be a priority and something that is intentionally set aside to the Lord. Also, the author noted that it is a common Jewish thought that the Sabbath is one of God's ways of reminding us to hand our burdens to the Lord; that the one day we cease to work the work of nature and of the Lord is taking our place. Fields still grow, rain still comes, the Lord never slumber or sleeps and in that we must place our trust and be humble enough to lay down the tools of our trade in faith of a God who works for us. What an encouraging promise!
The author closes her discussion on the Sabbath with these words, "Beyond the weekly refreshment it provides, this kind of time also nourishes an alternative vision of how things could be. It sows seeds of resistance to the unjust arrangements the deny freedom both to those who must work with out respite and to those who chose to do so. It lets us see that things could be otherwise than they are. Just as society challenges Sabbath, so Sabbath challenges society." I had never thought of the benefits that the Sabbath brings to all in our society. All are even some what effected by it, even if they don't fully observe it.
So, here is to another week of work, another Sabbath to enjoy and to practice resting in the fullness of the Lord's blessings and promises!

Buckets, Sheets and The Gift of Time

So, on Sunday I looked ahead at the week ahead of me and realized we had something planned very single night this week. I even had to decline a ladies night out with some friends because we were so booked up! Some of the obligations were enjoyable, some not so much. I looked ahead with mixed overwhelmedness (yeah I know it isn't a word, but it works) and with awe that we could be so busy. Such a far cry from our Crossville days!
However, I have been reading a book for my book club (one of those scheduled events) called "Receiving the Day." It is about the Christian practices that help us understand time and enjoy the fullness of the time God has given us. I thought this was a bit ironic to read during a week where time seemed to be taking over my life and dictating what I was to do. However, God sought to teach me a lesson in His sovereignty in my life and over time.
Monday I got up, did my normal things, grocery shopping, made a meal for a friend, took a shower and then enjoyed a scheduled dinner with friends that are moving. It was nice, but the whole time I was trying to not think about the days of busyness ahead. Tuesday I woke up, planning to go to a MOPS park play date that afternoon and my book club that night. I fretted because I had to read 3 more chapters and didn't see how I could get it all done. That is when the buckets and sheets came in... Addie threw up! Buckets came out, sheets spread to catch what I missed. Nothing stops life like the good ole' stomach flu. She continued through out the day and into the night. I still couldn't leave my planning alone. I began planning who would get sick next, what Tim and I would have to do to make it through this with sick kids and sick ourselves...and so on!
Again, God teaches me, we haven't gotten sick yet, but poor Addie just got worse and worse. A crazy high fever, not eating, more horrid throwing up! She ended up in the ER by noon and is spending the night for observation tonight (that is why I am up). She is ok, nothing too serious, just really dehydrated and some side effect of this flu. Poor girl!
Any way, the rest of my week is now clear. Nothing is planned now. God is in complete control of all our days and just when we start to think we have it all planned out we discover that we don't have the first clue. In more ways than one I have learned the importance of surrendered time unto the Lord. I was reflecting that time is like money; as I know that all I have in assets is the Lord's to be given and taken as he pleases, so too is time. It is a gift, each day, each hour, each moment is the Lord's gift to me to be used so carefully. How incredibly presumptuous it is to schedule out a week, to expect the Lord to do as I plan. How wonderful it is that the Lord knows my "schedule" sees it is a wreck and intervenes on my behalf. However, I hope that he can leave out the buckets and sheets next time!
Psa. 139:16 "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Prov. 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Psa. 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Book Review - Passionate Housewives Desperate For God

For the most part I don’t read many books on being a wife. They tend to make me plummet into an abyss of perfectionism and in turn make my marriage worse. That said, I loved Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. It is a book that unashamedly challenges the standard cultural perceptions of homemaking, encourages and gives hope in the role of homemaker and it examines the roles of wife and mother in the light of God’s perfect plan.

The author’s start off by dispelling common cultural myths about what a housewife is: a mindless maid for an tyrannical husband, the “desperate” housewife living a double life, or more commonly a woman that feels obligated to do her duty at home while leaving her dreams at the door. Though these myths may be founded on some reality the author’s seek to, “lay aside the stereotypes and glamorized myths and discover the rare jewel of godly womanhood—to rediscover what it means to be a passionate housewife ‘desperate’ for God alone!” They challenged many presumptions I have as a wife and mother; the need for “me time”, my personal needs vs. serving others, the advice of self-help gurus, and the subtle messages that we ingest through living in a self-centered society. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God.” This challenge really helped me to look at the things that were influencing me and ultimately stealing the joy I have for my position as a wife and mother.

More than anything I loved the encouragement and perspective this book provided on the unique and special role of homemaker. I think the thing that makes me most unsatisfied as a wife is the feeling that my job is futile and never ending. Laundry is always dirty no matter how much I wash, the work seems never ending and that I must be wasting my God-given talents by “slaving away” in my home. I gained new perspective on the work of home making through these words by Martin Luther, “What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did them up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God...” The authors also point out that homemaking is one of the only jobs that the worker will see the direct results of their work, will experience immediate benefits from and that that the worker at home is truly their own manager. The combination of these two insights has changed how I feel about working in my home and for my family. I now see that what I do every day does have eternal importance, if done with a heart of service to the Lord, and that I have so much more freedom working in my home than I would working as an employee to someone else.

Lastly, I loved how the author’s unfolded the role of wife and mother in light of the plan God has put in his Word. Though God’s plan is a far cry from the realities of homemaking in our society and even in my life, it encouraged me to change my perceptions, my selfishness and to stop being influenced by the shallow role that the world has made being a wife and mother into. It encouraged me to find greater satisfaction and passion in life through the only one that can provide true and lasting satisfacation, “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I shall give to him will never thirst. But the water I give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14).

To Do Lists

One quirky thing about me is that I really love to make To Do Lists. I make one nearly every day, in fact. I guess it helps me organize my thoughts and not have to keep thinking and thinking about what I need to do. Sometimes I don't have clarity of thought and making a list just lets me put things down and leave my jumbled thoughts in one place were they won't continually bother me. Tim likes to make fun of this habit, but oh well. So, here is my To Do List for what I want to accomplish before this next baby arrives:
- make a new ring sling.
- make a nursing cover.
- make a new diaper bag... maybe.
- organized baby clothes. DONE!!!
- get Addie and Elias better and first time obedience (first time - every time). Working on it!!!
- read 4 books (Blue Like Jazz, There is No Me Without You, Shepherding a Child's Heart, One for book club, forget the title).
- get spare room made into a bedroom for Addie and find a new dresser for her.
- get big boy bedding for Elias.
- knit 2 booties for each boy and girls in different sizes (they only take me about 2 nights to make.)
- knit a brown baby sweater (I've never done this).
- knit a hat for both boy and girl (will take maybe a night to do).
- set up our office/nursery by our bedroom better for the baby.
- get Elias' scrapbook done up to his 1st b-day.
- get Addie's scrapbook done up to her 3rd b-day.
That is about it! We will see how I do with that! Fun projects :)

Our "Best Man"

About 2 months ago Tim and I lost one of our very best friends.  I am now just feeling like I can write with clarity what I want to about him.  Jason Young was the kind of person you could first meet and think you would never be really good friends with, but it didn't take me any time at all to realize that he was exactly the kind of friend I would like and need.  I met Jason my first day of my sophmore year of college.  He was my resident assistant and was checking me and my best friend into our room.  He went through everything very thoroughly and was just about to leave as we were signing the contract and he farted really loudly. It cracked us up and he just laughed it off.  However, I will never forget meeting him because of it.  

Through out that year Jason was not only a good RA, but he really helped me grow as a person, confronting me when I was wrong, helping me when I was heart broken and sad, and helping me navigate my way through the struggles of college life.  He was always someone I knew I could talk to and that his advice would be godly and biblical.  At the same time he was mentoring his roommate, a kid from California, a punk of sorts, that later became my husband.  I owe so much to Jason, just in this; that he helped lead my husband into a deep life impacting relationship with God!  I never got to thank him for this, but I think he knew.  

One time in college a bunch of us went out to eat at a deli together. They served huge baked potatoes and I got one. Jason, the jokester that he was, challenged me saying, "There is NO way you can eat all of that! I'll pay you $10 if you do!" I wasn't one to take a dare, but didn't exactly like Jason's lack of faith in my eating ability, so I ate it all and got a check from him that was made out to "Marci 'Big Eater' Watters."  Jason also aided an unruly group of guys in giving me a swirly, but wrote a note saying, "Please forgive us!" and hung it on my door after I took a good thorough shower!  He was a funny guy!  

Later Jason and Tim and I continued our friendship, we found things as a group to do, as common friends even though Tim and I were dating. I never felt like the "girl friend" or third wheel with them, as Jason was my friend too.  After a time in Tennessee Jason came back and taught Tim and I how to kayak.  He was a bigger guy, but he could roll his kayak effortlessly and after many session the two of them taught me too. Thanks to Jason, I have a "bomb proof roll!" 

 Jason had a few personality quirks, but the one that I noticed first was that Jason could talk just about anyone into anything, he always did this with godliness, but still could do it none the less.  Jason was a really hard worker, almost to his detriment.  He would work so hard, serving, ministering that he would get stressed out and neglect his needs. It always made my worry for him.  He was also a really great cook and was very creative in the kitchen. I learned a lot from him.  More than anything Jason loved the Lord and sought to serve Him.  He was never too busy to be a friend to ANYONE.  

That is what took him to Tennessee to serve at Confrontation Point Ministries, despite the not so appealing location and no social network for a young bachelor.  While there, Jason served faithfully and made the best of being "alone".  During this time he came back for our wedding to be "our best man" as we called him with affection.  He really was such a wonderful support during our wedding.  Of course, not long after our wedding vows were said, Jason called to try to talk us into coming and working in Tennessee.  He succeeded, and it was the best thing that happened to us. We got to see Jason fall in love with Joy, his wife, and experience serving God along side them.  As couples we got together for dinner often, would let our dogs play and would sit and gripe about Crossville, our lack of spiritual challenge, and the quirks of living in the south. Good times!  

I could write forever about those days, but when looking back they were really made great by the people around us, with out Jason, Joy, and others, they would have just been days to fill. But with them, they were full, fun, exciting and growth producing.  I think the hardest part of our friendship with Jason was leaving Tennessee and leaving him and Joy. We felt like we were abandoning them. Despite that we all moved on and it was always refreshing to know that any time day or night a call could be made and it was like no time had past and no miles were between us.  It was hard being friends from a distance, but also so fun to see Joy and Jason grow, continue to be faithful at CP even when it was so hard and to see them become parents and hear first hand about the joy and excitement their daughter brought him!  The last few months Tim and Jason talked often, about life, about dreams and about struggles. It was good and a gift from God.

I think that is what also makes his death hard for us.  In many ways it feels like he is still just out in Tennessee, and that we haven't gotten to talk in awhile, but when we really think about it, we know that their won't be any more calls and that the plans we made to visit will have to wait a bit longer.  Tim told me after Jason's death, "I just want my friend back. I want to hang out and talk about things that really matter, and I know he is really the only person that I could do that with."  We just miss him!

The above photo is of Jason (in the back ground, Tim is in front) on our wedding day. I love how happy he is for his friend! That is so typical of Jason!