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A life changing letter
Posted on: August 2, 2010
- In: Life
- 2 Comments
In June our family started sponsoring a girl, Momita, from India through Compassion International. There were two motivating factors for sponsorship: 1) to help a child in need; 2) to teach our children. For the last two months, I’ve been putting a lot of emphasis on the latter. We talk to Julia a lot about Momita. We explain that Momita doesn’t live with her family {she’s at a boarding school}, that she doesn’t have the luxuries we have, that she doesn’t get to eat “bananies” {bananas} everyday, that she needs our prayers.
I’ve written to Momita twice. Just this last week, I received my first letter back. There was nothing profound in the letter. Momita’s writing is exactly what you’d expect from a young girl. Everything was short and to the point. In her letter she asked us to pray for her. And that touched me. It made me realize just how important our sponsorship is to her. Aside from monetary benefits, knowing that a family is praying for her means a lot to her. But what really rocked me to my core {and quite nearly made me cry} was when she signed the letter:
“Your loving daughter, Momita”
I don’t know Momita. I’m not certain I could pick her out in a crowd {for sure not if I didn’t have her picture in hand}. I don’t know all the things she likes or dislikes. But standing in the driveway last week reading her letter I realized: I am the mother to three girls. I don’t have words to explain just what that has meant to me; just how much her letter has changed me and my attitude toward supporting her. I’m no longer supporting a girl from India. I’m supporting my daughter who lives in India.
For Momita’s protection and privacy, I won’t share her photo with you online {but if you’re ever at my house I will gladly show you!}. However, I thought I’d pass along pictures of her city:
Momita’s village is comprised of mostly Buddhist and there have been many conflicts between them and Christians. There weren’t many photos of homes in her village, mostly just temples and caves that are tourist attractions. It’s amazing being able to see the area Momita lives in; it allows me to feel even more attached to her.
- In: Life
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Amy!
Amy, I sent you an email, so please check your inbox. As always, thank you to everyone for entering the contest! I greatly appreciate your support and enthusiasm!
- In: Life
- 8 Comments
Five years ago today, Jonathan and I committed our lives to one another. It has been an amazing whirlwind adventure. In five years we have lived in three different homes {not included the ones we lived with “in transition”}, we have had two dogs and most importantly, two beautiful daughters. Jonathan, I love you. You make me laugh, you make me smile. I am truly blessed to be your wife.
July has been one crazy month. We started off with a visit from my brother and his family. After that, Jonathan has pretty much worked 50-70 hours a week preparing for the launch on West Music’s website. He and his teammates did an excellent job and I commend him for all his hard work and effort. He has earned himself a much needed break.
For the last week, we’ve had some friends staying with us as they move into a new home {which is actually behind our house – sort of}. They are some dear friends, and while it’s stressful at times to have four kids and two moms in a tiny kitchen, it’s been a lot of fun. Our girls could get use to having playmates instantly at hand. Julia especially. From the moment she wakes up she’s asking “Go play with my friends? My friends not sleep. Go play with them.” Good thing they like her, otherwise I think she’d wear them out! Hannah has been really taking off with her walking – literally. I have to watch her with hawk eyes or she’ll be halfway down the block before I know what’s happen. Keeps me on my toes!
As for me, I’m glad the month is drawing to an end. With Jon’s crazy schedule, it means I’ve had a crazy schedule. But God has been really gracious, especially being able to end the month with our anniversary and less than one week till our anniversary trip. I can’t wait. Makes me kinda giddy just thinking about it.
- In: Life
- 13 Comments
When we bought our home, we knew we were going to be without a dishwasher. And while I been totally okay with hand washing dishes, I’ve been less than okay with my dish soap options. I don’t think my standards are too high: must be earth friendly, must last through a full washing. Yet, I’ve gone through countless products to no avail. But then, like a clear {earth friendly} ray of light, I found Green Works. A-maz-ing.
Why do I love Green Works?
1. It stays bubbly. For what ever reason, all the soaps I try don’t stay bubbly, making it impossible to clean a sink full of dishes without always adding more soap {can you say money waster?!}
2. It actually removes grease. A certain soap product {that shall remain nameless} that I recently used left my oily pans still very, very oily. Yuck. Green Works? Never had a problem. Plus it stays bubbly.
3. It’s plant derived and lists ingredients. If I’m using a non-homemade cleaner, I want to know what’s in it. Especially if it’s possible that residue could be left and it’s ingested. Plus it uses essential oils that make it smell really, really good. Oh, and it’s stays bubbly {clearly, I like bubbly soap}.
Because I love Green Works so much, I thought I’d do a giveaway!
Here’s how you enter:
1. Leave a comment.
2. Blog about it, linking back to this post (then leave me a comment letting me know you did).
3. Facebook or Tweet it (then leave me a comment letting me know you did).
4. Refer a friend who leaves a comment.
Even my UK and other international friends can enter.
You have until Sunday, July 31 at 11:59PM CST to enter!
You can get up to 4 entries to increase your chances of winning! Good luck!
*I have received no money or endorsements from Green Works for this giveaway, I just really love their product and want to share!
Top Ten Anniversary gifts
Posted on: July 27, 2010
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
This Friday is my five year anniversary {woot woot} and I thought as a very obvious subtle hint to my husband, I’d suggest what I think make great gifts:
1. A getaway weekend – Perhaps this is already a given since we are going away next weekend, but in my little crazy-busy-mom-of-two-toddlers-under-two world, planning a weekend alone with my husband has made me as excited as planning for my wedding.
2. Sunflowers – Thanks to Southern Living and Midwest Living, I have been day dreaming about big, beautiful sunflowers all month long. I’ve never gotten any and think they’d be the perfect rose substitute.
3. Pearl necklace – I really don’t have a reason for this other than, what girl does want a new necklace?
4. Ukulele – I’ve always had a hidden desire to be a musician and since Jonathan is a guitar playing guy, I thought it would be nice to have a ukulele along side.
5. Massage – Really, do I need a reason?
6. Pedicure – See above note.
7. Dinner at a French restaurant – I figure, if we can’t go to Paris, Paris can come to us. Or at least the food can.
8. Build me a mother’s room – I once read about having a mother’s corner. The thought of having my own personal area sounds wonderful. However, the only room in the house that is large enough for that is the laundry room {which I find rather ironic}.
9. Piano lessons – Because whether you want to admit it or not, Christmas is coming and I still need to learn 3 carols.
10. A leg lamp – This might be the hardest one to ever convince Jon of. But with living room windows overlooking the neighborhood – that just begs for a major award.
Visit Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
Julia has hit an amazing point in life. She’s more out-going, more inquisitive, more talkative, more capable of engaging with me.
She’s also demanding {quite literally} her independence. She’s talking back, she’s telling me “no”, and becoming more possessive of her things. At times it’s overwhelming and more than I care to deal with.
But I caught myself this last week overlooking the not-crazy-2 times. In the middle of the living room, Julia was dancing and laughing. And I found myself not paying attention. I was in Sarahworld, not mamaworld. And it hit me: I need to focus on the amazing parts of Julia not just the parts that need “fixing”.
It seems easy enough, but it really does require that much more. When Julia isn’t acting out, I can get things done. When she’s behaving, I can clean, cook, run errands {and well, check Twitter}. Yet, this last weekend, while Jon was putting in overtime {which means I was putting in overtime} I tried focusing on the amazing parts of my children. And it was good.
I decided to make a goal for myself this week: Stop being just “mom” and focus on playing with my children. Get overly excited with them and for them. Enjoy the parts of being a mom that aren’t all work but are play.
- In: Life
- 6 Comments
Last year we celebrated Christmas in July as a family {you know, because I’m obsessed with Christmas}. This year, we’ve taken it a step further and celebrated with our church. Well, the church might not have known we were celebrating, but I did.
Our house church meets on Sunday mornings. Before the actual meeting, we have a time of fellowship over coffee and muffins/bread. Today was our family’s turn to provide the food. So, I made pumpkin bread with a cream cheese glaze and gave all the kids a “stocking” with goodies.
The kids were pretty pleased with their stocking {or at least the treats inside}. We didn’t sing any carols, because Jon wasn’t around this morning {been working crazy busy hours for a site launch}. But, I have been playing Christmas carols around the house and we’re having roasted chicken and all the fixins’ for dinner. Yum-O!
Saturday Stumbles – The truth about moms, Seinfeld thriller and pancake breakfast
Posted on: July 24, 2010
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
I’ve fallen really, really behind on my blog reading lately. I blame it on my iPad. I can’t see my whole RSS reader, meaning I can’t scroll through the blog lists. However, I did come across some pretty funny posts this week that I just had to share:
– For all us moms: “You know you’re a parent when…” by Keri Speidel
– Because I love Seinfeld: Serenity Now by Stuff Christians Like
This one isn’t so much funny as just plain ole fun!
– Hosting large crowds: Pancake Breakfast recap by Alicia’s Homemaking
For more Saturday Stumbles, visit Mandi at It’s Come 2 This.
- In: Life
- 10 Comments
I really, really love television. I’m a little concerned that you can’t say that and be a Christian. But nevertheless it’s true. There is something nice in ending a long, hard day with mindless tv {like “I didn’t know I was pregnant” – seriously, how can you not know?!}
But I think what I love more than having television is not having television. We just got cable last night for the first time in over a year*. The last time we had cable, we got it while my brother lived with us – as a way to make our home a place where he would invite friends over and watch football games. We had it for about 9 months. Until that point, we’d been without it for 2.5 years.
Sounds strange to go so long without cable. Especially for a self declared telephilia like me. But what I love about being without cable is that it makes you not need cable. I’ve been content the last year without it; was content the 2.5 years before that. And now that it’s installed and at my finger tips? I have no overwhelming desire to watch it. Don’t get me wrong, I will watch it {after all I hear there’s a You’ve Got Mail marathon on WE}, but I don’t feel some attachment to it like I did years ago. Not having cable has shown me I don’t need cable and quite frankly has made me love it all the more because it’s become a treat and not a necessity.
*If you’re wondering why we got cable; Jonathan’s grandmother is moving in with us soon and enjoys her “shows”. I have a post all about the family change coming soon{ish}.
For more TILT visit Jill at Diaper Diaries.
Yeast rolls 101
Posted on: July 21, 2010
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
After spending time off and on all day yesterday making my yeast rolls, I’d say they were a success {for my first time at least}.
They didn’t turn out as soft as I imagined. Once I got to the point of punching down the risen dough, it was really, really gooey so I added more flour to make it easier to handle. Perhaps I added too much? Or let it rise too long? Or even baked them too much? Not completely sure what happened, but the outside was harder and more dense, the inside was a little softer but not exactly what I like in my dinner rolls.
In the end, it was a good first try. I’m giving it another go today in hopes of learning something new. Wish me luck!
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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