Studying with the O.M.

I think we have reached that critical phase of life.

It's that phase that starts when someone else hands you a pair of glasses and says, "See? I think you need these.."

And I'm like, "No, I'm just fine." Except I'm not. Not only is there not enough light in this world (seasonal lack of light disorder), but I'm having a time seeing what is out there.

And I have to see because I'm teaching others how to study. Yes, it is that time of year again--the study skills time of year!!

It's that time of year where I am supposed to make learning fun and lively and impart some great wisdom about studying. Yes, the annual winter semester study skills class has ensued. And I have 10 bright, willing, eager and studious pupils ready for me to change their paradigms.. I mean.. GPAs.. into a bright future.

So, I asked the kids why studying was important. Among the many answers, the most hilarious one was this.

You need to study and get good grades so you can go to college and then law school and make a lot of money because you'll need a nice car and girls like nice cars and money. (sic)

really.

Perhaps, he was just voicing what all the other guys were thinking.

With high and lofty goals like that, what's holding us back? And then, I gently reminded him that this was a Christian co-op, and we were going to try and be slightly less materialistic in our goals. Not that those other things do not have merit. They do, but I would like to think there are a few other reasons why studying is important for young people.

So, why IS studying important anyway? Is it just so you can wear glasses and look studious once in a while?

If I get any high-brow thoughts on this topic, I may end up tossing them your way. If not, I'm just going to wear my glasses while I'm correcting critical essays and think high brow thoughts here and there...

So, it's not about the hair, but..

It's been a while since the hedgehog support group has met, so we need a meeting of the local chapter.

And I just got a cut this evening, from a handsome barber.
--who doesn't charge me a thing to cut, layer and trim my hair in the convenience of my own home.
But I do wash, fold and put away his underwear, so I think we'll call it even.

In honor of the Algiers Accords..

This weekend I received an envelope from Starbucks with my name addressed to it. Greedily and hungrily I opened it up. Sure enough, a giftcard for my birthday, or at least that's what I thought.

It was from my high-brow, college-student-of-a-son, who had it shipped directly to me-- no doubt from his online shopping hobby that he has acquired. But there was something curious about the note inside of it.

No where in the envelope did it say "Happy Birthday, Mom--you're the greatest" or anything like that. In fact, there was no birthday greeting at all.

It just said: January 19--in honor of the Algiers Accords..

So, what are the Algiers Accords? Well, do you remember that big Iran-hostage scandal back in the 80's? Yeah, well, me neither. Well, I sort of do because I think I had to have an opinion on such things in order to write critical essays for Mrs. Charter's English class. But it isn't something I thought about a lot then or even now, except for the fact that we have an official holiday commemorating it on January 19th.

So, I hope you all got giftcards for Starbucks to celebrate this grand event in history. What?? Are you saying that you didn't get one? Well, if I were to be honest, this is my first time celebrating that occasion also (at least with a gift card).. Usually, I celebrate it with a dinner out or balloons or some other sort of frivolity. Not this year. It's just coffee for me. Serious coffee and serious peace talks. I'm all grown up now.

Speaking of grown up. My crazy little clone of a daughter pounced out of her older sister's room all decked out in something. The expression on her face was the same as it would be if she had just snatched a cookie or something. And she was all giggles. So what was she wearing? On the outside of her dress, she had on what normally would be worn underneath the dress.. on the upper half. And she flew out of the room like a canon ball saying "pretty bra.. pretty bra.."

And I scooped her right back into my room and suggested that under normal circumstances, these items are worn under the clothes and not until one is atleast at the ripe old age of 12!

She thought 13 might be a good age. And No, I did not get upset with her. How could I when she looked so cute? I was just glad that our normal house-full of guests had already departed for the day. And I do not have the heart to tell her that, if she is anything like her mother, she will be beyond the ripe old age of 13 when she actually needs to wear that item...

Until then, I'll be celebrating some of the forgotten holidays and hiding my underwear during dress-up time.

The year in review..

It's impossible to have a birthday without taking a critical look at the past year and evaluate life.

So, where should I start?

How about my favorite things of the past year?

(warning--this post is all about me, and I apologize for that)

1) Best song of this year: "In Christ Alone" by almost any artist.

2) Best trip of the year: Berlin, Germany.

3) Funniest Youtube discovery: On the Wild Side advertisements.

4) Best sermon/inspiration of the year: Paul Washer, Gospel message. (Thank you Mrs. P for introducing me to him via blogging)

5) New food love: Indian food.

6) New drink: Grapefruit Izze.

7) cooking rah rah: cooking contest/ Green Smoothie.

8) favorite hobby this year: blogging, pilates teaching.

9) educational pursuits: pursuing advanced pilates training at Inner Elements in Batavia.

and 10) favorite ministry: hospitality and Bible study

Now that is all fine and all, but don't you really just want to hear about some of my favorite blunders of the year?

1) Death by fire-Mexican food to the little old ladies: This is probably the worst blunder of the year. Let's see... you know those chipotle peppers in adobo sauce? Well, I thought 5 cans of these would be a nice thing to add to 10 pound bag of beef. And I gathered up anyone who would come for lunch, which happened to be two little old ladies and a family with young children.. yeah.

2) Asking a pilates student when her due date was... except.. there was no baby coming.

3) Telling a different pilates student that she was a "weak and skinny" one.

4) Running out of gas when my blogging friend, Jenny, came to visit. And when we filled up the gas can and walked to the gas station and then put it in the car, and the gas ran out a second time before we were actually able to "fill up" at the station.

5) "Stealing" Mrs. Beck's pie plate for an astronomical length of time, without even realizing it until I found it 5 months later.

And that is all I can think of at the moment, but I'm sure I'm just scratching the surface!

Actually, I have this friend, Becky, who tells me, "You are serious trouble, and it's a miracle that your children have turned out so well" And that pretty much sums my life at things at this stage of my life.

Nevertheless, the Lord has chosen to keep me around for one more year. So, nobody gives surprise parties for someone turning 42!! so we'll pull this crazy video up again.. just in case you forget!

so...

An old journal found.

As I was cleaning out my dungeon, I came across a box of old journals. And around the same time, I've been needing to hear from a friend, an old friend. Not anyone specific, mind you. I just needed to hear from the voice of reason. the voice of stability. common sense.

Do you guys get that way, or is it just me? I have got to have the most wandering brain in the entire universe. The best thing about heaven is that I am going to collect my thoughts, and none of them are going to be wayward. Rah! Until then, it's this crazy battle.

My fear is not that I will never the conquer the battle, is that one day I'll just give up and forget there is one. Perhaps, I am too tired today.. or just not interested in walking with the Lord.

But that is why my good buddy, Kathy, and I always exhort each other to stay in God's word. And she made me a deal. It was 2007. She said that if I read my Bible EVERY day AND wrote about it in my journal as I was reading for 7 consecutive days, she would get me a prize.

Oh goodie, a prize. So, I did it, and she did it. She sent me a beautiful bound, blank book with a lovely poem affixed artistically to the inside. I was thrilled to find out that I hadn't filled every page, and decided to pick it up and continue where I left off. My last journal was a mass of Emily scribbles and random notes. But this one that I found is only half filled, so there's more thoughts on the horizon, I guess.

This is the poem that my good friend wrote to me. I hope you enjoy it.

The Lord would meet with you today,

His word to you is clear

A letter of love for you to read

His Spirit draws you near.

Then in the quiet of your room

Before the day's begun,

You find that passage He has planned

You know it is the one.

It fits the need, your heart reacts

In joy and sweet submission--

A settling of your wayward thoughts

A source for meditation.

And as your day unfolds you find

The reason for that word.

the battle lies before you now

But you have honed your Sword.

--K.L. Morell

After I read the poem, I called my friend this morning. I thanked her again for her kindness. We prayed for each other and decided to continue on another day.. serving him.

Note #8

note

Back to the busy life..

Vacation is officially over. Here is how I know that: Jamie went back to college, Hallstrom starts tomorrow, and I'm back to teaching pilates Mondays at lunchtime.

But, wow! Has it been a great vacation--probably our best ever. And we did.. basically.. nothing.

As I was driving Jamie to his pickup spot for his ride back, I asked him if he was disappointed that we didn't "do anything" while he was home. He assured me that me planning all of his activities for him would not have been "special" in his mind.

He enjoyed playing interactive IPOD games with his brothers, shopping and going out to lunch with Hud (without any adults), and just sleeping in or staying up late.

I did manage to make him his favorite food while he was home: pasties. As I was making them, I got a high-brow notion that I could make a video on how to make pasties! But then I noticed that my husband did not even eat the crust. And it's all about the crust. So, I asked him about the crust. "It's a little tough"..

Crust is supposed to be flaky, not tough. On second thought, I do not think I will inflict the general population with a video on how to make a tough-crusted pasty. Although, Jamie said they were awesome, and that is all that matters, eh?

Another thing we did over break is de-clutter and organize. And normally, I would be down there, taking before and after pictures of all of this. But this time, I just didn't feel like it. What I still can not get my head around is this: why does it KEEP getting messy? When is it going to stop and stay clean for a while??

Oh, I can tell you why. We all know why. It is STUFF. More and more and more STUFF keeps creeping into the house like a bacteria.(bacterium? )

So, this past Saturday there was a ladies' lunch and gift exchange. I filled up 5 bags full of "stuff" from my collections, and made them "white elephant" gifts.

I'm not sure what my friend Valerie is going to do with her Buddha lady wearing a g-string bikini (a gift for my 40th from a Buddhist-thinking friend), but it was definitely worth the laugh!!

The next day at church I asked her husband, Scott, what they planned to do with the Buddha lady. "Oh, it's hanging from my mirror in my car" ROAR!

In Buddhist theory, the fat buddha represents prosperity and happy life. I think I've had a double dose of prosperity (just look at my dungeon!) and I'd like to pass that on to someone else now.

So, to a less "prosperous" new year! Go forth and get rid of some of that prosperity! Share the wealth, OK?

Moms the Word link up

proud mom says..

These are supposed to sound cheezy, but here it is.

This is the New Year's letter that I am sending out to "everyone I know" who wants one. Generally, it tends to be people that send us cards for Christmas. As my blog readers, you guys already know everything on here, but it may be fun to have it with a current spin??

I always feel like these are cheezy, but everybody does it, and it's not a whole lot different than a blog post. The photo shown is what I am sending out. (50 free when you sign up with Shutterfly)

So, print this out (if you like paper) and sit by your fireplace with a cup of tea. Eat a Christmas cookie (if you haven't started your diet yet) and think of us. And then send me a link to your letter, OK?

Love you guys! (Letter follows)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Happy New Year! 2011

I hope this letter finds each of you in good health both physically and spiritually. We are rejoicing in our health and the joy God has given us to serve him for another year.

This year we embarked on the first phase of launching the fleet. The fleet, being our family; and the first plane to launch was oldest son, Jamie graduating from high school and leaving for college in another state. There were 30 homeschooled graduates who joined him in a graduation ceremony in May. Jamie did not receive an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, as his original desire was. But he did receive a “category 7” ROTC scholarship (four year, full tuition, full room/ board + stipend) to Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Michigan. Despite his initial disappointments, he enjoys his college program so much that he opted to not apply for USAFA for next year. His first semester went well with a 4.0 G.P.A. , many new friends and experiences and a position on the color guard. I keep up with his happenings when he posts pics on his facebook account. I thought it was very funny that the freshman cadets went to perform for an elementary school on veterans day, and the kids handed out cards that said, “thank you for serving our country”.. for an entire semester! LOL.

Speaking of which, thank you for serving our country, if you are currently doing so. It’s been over 12 years that we’ve lived in cushy civilian surroundings, but we are ever mindful of our beginning years of military life and the treacherous lifestyle it brings! Speaking of milestones, this spring will commence Will’s 10th year at Hamilton Sundstrand, AND our 20th anniversary. And probably equally noteworthy is that.. we’ve actually lived in the same house for over 9 years.. and some walls have been painted three times over, but who’s counting?

We still have no pets, but we did have a garden for the past three years. Actually, it should be a crime NOT to have a garden here with this bionic soil. Perhaps being built over a cow pasture could have something to do with it? My favorite crop is, as always, pumpkins. Every year we make pumpkin butter--sort of a spreadable pumpkin-pie.

So, our oldest daughter, Joanna, is currently a junior in high school. She is taking a break from her viola lessons to explore photography and historical costume making and dress design/ alterations. Her big purchase of a Canon Rebel T1i this year has transformed our lives into a fishbowl. Don’t make a funny face--it will get on camera.. just sayin. Seriously, she is an awesome photographer. But what does she want to explore after high school? I think we have it narrowed down to either: studies in linguistics, fashion design, photography, or helping out in an orphanage in India. As of now, all boys are purely brothers and helpful for lifting stuff. At this rate, I’ll be a grandmother when I’m 110. Seriously, our kids’ desires to focus on their development/ education at this phase of their lives is a decision we wholeheartedly approve of!

And then there’s the Hud. A strapping 6’1” freshman in high school, has gone from being a shy, blushing kid to the.. (dare I say it?) outgoing “MC” of the annual Christmas program and live busking for the Y cafe with his cello playing? Whose kid is this anyway? He loves to cook and wants to study Italian for his foreign language. So far, his cello fan-club includes our family plus a few close friends. This new year will bring him to the advanced groups in our music academy--Measure 5 and Cello Choir. Yeah for Hud!

Nathanael started the 7th grade this year and wasted no time taking a full load of classes--including art. To call him a generalist sounds rather boring, so I’ll just say that he appears to be “good in everything” including public speaking and debating. He tells me every so often that he’s NOT going to law school some day. In fact, he argues vehemently with convincing evidence that he’s NOT going to do that.. Hhmmm…

Emily is officially “in school” this year as a homeschooled kindergartener. Her favorite class is “Literature”--where she “travels” to various countries and gets her ”passport “signed. In her spare time, she “writes” a newsletter for anyone who is willing to buy a subscription (for a penny, no less). She calls it “The Pet Shop Newsletter”. A friend remarked that she would love to see what sort of news a five year old without pets would be putting in her newsletter..? One issue featured “Chance” the service dog for a friend who has seizures. There is no lack for creativity around here, as you can imagine--even without pets.

Will is doing a lot of cool things these days. After getting bitten by the “Bible School Bug”, he is officially half way through his degree at Moody Seminary. His last class was Greek II, which was not only another A on his transcript, but a real boost to his Wednesday night Bible teaching on hermeneutics. Work had him traveling a little this year. I was able to go with to the A-340 Symposium in Berlin! Sweet! I will say that if you love history, Berlin is fabulous--Egyptian artifacts in abundance--I thought they were all in London? And of course the whole Cold War history/ Berlin Wall is fascinating.

As far as other travels, Will went to France a few times and Moscow. He went with a co-worker of his who (apparently) has lived his entire life wanting to visit Moscow. And those of you who know how much Will loves sight-seeing… “If I see one more matrishka doll, I’m going to barf..” he did quite well. Much better than his Siberia voyage in ’09.
The photo is a family trip to Caribbean for the Webber grandparents (Jon and Marilyn) to celebrate 50 years of marriage for them. What a generous gift they gave back to their own family--not only demonstrating such faithfulness for 50 years but the cruise to celebrate it as well --with 22 of us total.
As for me, Jena, my life is filled to the brim with fun: being a wife and mother continues to be the most challenging, fulfilling and interesting occupation I could hope for. When I’m not doing all of that, I teach a few pilates classes at the Y and at Hamilton Sundstrand; English and study skills at the homeschool co-op; a Bible study of ladies on Mondays; and write my blog a little here and there..
http://organizedeveryday.blogspot.com/
May the Lord draw your hearts closer to him. May repentance be a real part of your life. May Jesus be your closest friend this year. And pray for us that we may do the same. Sometimes the simplest things can be the hardest to achieve--a peaceful heart, a quiet spirit, a content soul, and a generous hand. But what richness we would have! May you have these kind of blessings. Forget about the sinking economy. Find true riches where moth and rust can not touch them.
And most of you know where we live, so don’t let me hear that you “went through Rockford” without stopping by. That is a crime for which there is no forgiveness. Until then..

May your crockpot always be on, and your guest bathroom full of toilet paper..

Lovingly and In Him,

(imagine my signature) LOL!

God-given voice and rescue

And he gives God much credit on this news interview. Amazing what God can do when you come to him. Remind me of this when we are working with homeless people or anyone who feels like their lives are side-tracked. The news interview (embedding disabled) so you have to click on the link--is really worth watching. I wish you all the best Ted Williams! I'll meet you in heaven!

Last year's planner

I was cleaning up my room this morning, and I stumbled on last year's planner. It was missing its bright green cover, the pages were strewn, sort of half in, half out of the stretched-out wire binding. There were coffee, water and chocolate stains on various pages. The dates were in blue, red, black and purple in neat, messy and scribbled entries.

I was reminded when my entire water bottle soaked through the planner on my way home from Berlin.. what a fun trip!

I was reminded that I had tried to do a Bible study with a young gal who was wed, pregnant and separated at the ripe old age of 19..

And I almost forgot that my blogging friend, Jenny, came to visit us in April of last year..

Or how many events we had to attend for Jamie's senior year and military scholarship pursuits.

Or I went to Moody with Will last year to learn about counseling!

But..

If I were to judge the year on the condition of my planner, I would say--now, that was a wash.. hopefully, this year will be better. neater. less haphazard. more controlled.

But it won't happen.

You know why? Because I'm the one planning, living out, and changing plans.

So, if success can be defined by merely making a plan and sticking to it, I'm not joining that success club. If fact, I'm running for president of the opposite club. The people who like to make plans and see how it goes--club.

In fact, routine makes me nervous. Well, too much routine does. I like a few things to be planned, but if every detail of every day gets planned, then I get nervous.

I need creative time. Free time. Sunset time. coffee time. snuggle time. I think it is a missing element in our culture. Nobody eats and enjoys the food anymore. We gobble. burp and get ready for the next thing.

The calendar says I'm getting older this month, but I don't believe it. I'm going to train myself to stay young--young in spirit and in heart. I'm not going to let other people's hang-ups prevent me from really living.

I've had more than one person say, "Don't laugh so loudly. People are looking.."

Let them look. Nobody has ever died by looking at someone laugh. or cry. or ask a question.

It's fine already. You aren't hurting someone else by being a human being. In fact, many people are helped by it.

So, getting back to the planner.. am I going to make plans? Of course I am. I teaching this and that pilates class here and there. I'm doing all sorts of stuff for this long or that duration. But really. Life is what happens while you are making plans. Plans are just a highway. Sometimes the car of life needs to take a side road. The side roads are often just the thing we need.

So, while plans, resolutions, commitments and activities usually adorn our New Year's schedule, may I not forget to take the side road once in a while.

May the Lord give each one of you guidance as you plan your highways, and special discernment for when it's time to give the car a stop and look for scenery.

To another year of sightseeing!

Why? I'm not even sure.

I seem take sweeping pendulum swings between the completely serious and fabulously insane.

Is this the mark of a schitzophrenic? or just a desperate housewife? not sure.

Last week my husband announced that he was buying me a new cell phone.

"But what's wrong with this one?"

Him: "You never answer it.."

Me: "Well, I never hear it. It doesn't ring loud enough or something."

Him: "So, we're going to get one with better reception. And would you text me if I got you one with texting?"

Me: "Huh? I thought you didn't want me to text."

Him: "When did I say that?"

Me: " A few years ago, the kids texted me when we were at Disneyworld, and you said, that costs money, you know. So, I figured you didn't want me to text.

Him: "Well, I don't remember that, and do you think you could learn to text?"

Me: "I guess I could try.. but I don't even know people who text, except for like.. Debbie and Beth.. and there's Carey and Charlotte.."

Him: "I wasn't asking you to develop an entire social network of texting friends. All I want you to do is answer my texts.."

Why do I make everything so complicated??

Me: "Oh, yeah.. sure. I could try. Have someone give me a lesson"

So, Jamie sits down and explains T-9. T-9 is a language for people who do not speak English.

After fiddling around with this thing for a long time, I just wanted to write this: "This is a test" and send it.

Some how managed to get "This" and then "hr" for "is".. There is no way to write "is"..

So, what am I supposed to do send "This hr." ??

So, I turned off T-9, the language for martians who have a loose understanding of the English language, and managed to manually write something and send it to my husband. I'm pretty sure it was something profound like, "Heading to Walmart".

And so he replies, "Thanks Jo."

Jo? This is not Jo. Jo is your 16 year old daughter. This is your very hip, texting, hot-chic of a wife... (I didn't write all of that..) But really.

"Jo is driving. It is I." is what I actually sent.

But really. Do you guys like texting? I have BIG thumbs. Why would I want to squash them around a non-keyboard, anyway? This is not literature. This is not communication. What is it?

And no, I do not emit or receive endorphins by texting. That is for other activities and chocolate. Dark chocolate, for example. If you do not have other activities (like cleaning the lint out of the dryer--which happens to be personal fave) or chocolate, you should watch Rhett and Link. It's always good for endorphins.

And why another RHETT and LINK video anyway? not sure. This one in particular makes me giggle.

Hospitality 101: new thoughts for the new year

I have been reminded recently about hospitality, since a close friend of mine has expressed some interest in increasing their ministry to include more hospitality. I'm always encouraged when someone "gets the hospitality vision", and it makes a bunch of thoughts on this topic come into focus.

In the United States, we are bent on impressing people. It's just part of our culture. It's part of the church culture also. It can be the way we make class distinctions, show allegiance to certain causes or people, and demonstrate our good taste or lack of bad taste.

Rarely, if ever, is hospitality what it should be--even in Christian circles. I know, because everything listed above I've tried to do or am currently struggling with, even to this day. So, it's not like I have it all together, and that is why I feel the need to educate the world.

I wish I did have it all together, but then I'd be too busy being perfect and have no time to blog. So, this is where we are.
So, what should hospitality be? I'd like to think of it as any type of ministry--it's about getting yourself out of the way enough to minister to people's spiritual needs.

How do you know what their spiritual needs are? You get them over and start asking questions-- questions about who they are, and what is bothering them. You try to find out what is going on in their lives and how Christ has been working with them and through them in various ways. You have a Bible open, and you pray while they are talking.

You listen. with your heart..

Can God use me to minister to this person? Do I cry with them? Do I exhort them? Do I do the dishes and let someone else minister to them? Do they need practical help or spiritual help?

You listen to God.

You seek to unloose the bondages that sin has on them. You seek to confess your own sins, as God is using them to talk to you. (this happens often to me) and..

You enjoy them.

No one wants to be a project. Laugh with them. Tell them stories and listen to theirs. Create a friendship. Enjoy their little ones. Just love them. People just want to be loved, you know?

So, what about food? Don't you have to feed people? Yes, of course, you have to feed people. You feed them because it is time to eat--just like you would feed your own family. You feed them because they have hunger needs. You feed them what is healthy and going to make them strong. You don't feed them junk--just like you wouldn't give your own family junk.

Why do people make such a deal over the food, anyway? This is my rule of thumb--if I can not eat it, then why would I want my guests to eat it? I guess it helps that I am a food snob, so most people like the food.

Do I have food disasters? all the time. I just gather up the disaster and serve something else and make a joke about it. Pasta. It's hard to kill pasta, and we have it a lot.

And before you know it, the night is over. All too soon, they go home. And by serving, you were served. By loving, you were loved. By listening, you felt understood. And you never wonder why God says, "Show hospitality.."

May your New Year be filled with guests.

And may your crockpot always be on and your guest bathroom full of toilet paper..