New Blog(s)

So...

Reflections of a Princess has moved to www.reflectionsofaprincess.com and is taking a much slower pace these days.

In the last few months I've started two new blogs one about books and one about our Montessori homeschooling journey:

Mountains of Books is where you can see what I'm reading, book reviews, and other random bookish stuff. Stop by http://mountainsofbooks.wordpress.com

Our Montessori Home is where you can see what we're doing with Joey for "school" and learn more about Montessori. Stop by www.ourmontessorihome.com

Ultimate Blog Party!

The Ultimate Blog Party is here...along with the new website. Reflections of a Princess has moved to

www.reflectionsofaprincess.com

The family "stuff" will stay here until I get the family blog up and running.

Celebrating our Anniversary

Joe took Monday and Tuesday off from work so we had an extended weekend, which was nice. We spent much of it lounging in our pajamas, watching movies, and enjoying our time together.

Monday, as we were cooking breakfast, Joey sat down at the piano and started playing away! It surprised us all! Well...he was sitting on my lap, but he did his own banging and had fun!

Monday afternoon we went to the beach for the first time since Joey was born. He touched the sand (and even the frigid Pacific!) for the first time!

Our attempt at a family picture. There were quite a few tries. These were just the best three.

On Tuesday, the 17th, we went to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. Joe and I went there last year on our anniversary too. It was pretty much the same, but still fun. And no white shoes this year, just sandals...which pretty much got my feet dirty. What was fun about this is that last year at the Flower Fields is when we had a hint of suspicion there was a little bun in the oven...and there was!

In the evening, we put Joey to bed and Chuck "watched" him so that Joe and I could go out to dinner. We felt very cosmopolitan with a reservation at 8:30pm. (We wanted to make sure that Joey would be settled and have time for the unexpected.)

We went to Jake's at Del Mar where we went for my birthday a few years ago. It was fun and very tasty. And to our surprise we weren't as distracted about leaving our baby boy as we thought! I think mostly due to the fact that he was already asleep. But, of course, within minutes of us arriving him the little boy woke up!

It was a fun anniversary all in all and thank you for all your calls and greetings. Oh! And sorry if we hung up on you. We kept getting call after call while we were at the Flower Fields and in trying to turn off the volume on the cell phone we hung up (or almost hung up) on a few people. Oops!

Our Anniversary!

Two years ago today
we said,
"I do"!

A Good Reminder for Us All

A Marriage Advice Moment with John Piper

A staff member at Bethlehem asked Pastor John what one or two main things he wants to say to an engaged couple in premarital counseling. His answer is relevant for marriages new and old:

Be joyfully, brokenheartedly, shaped by the death of Christ for you.

Do you both feel the fearfulness of how the death of Christ witnesses to your unspeakable unworthiness to be loved—that it took this much suffering and indignity to the Son of God for you to be saved. And do you both feel the wonder of being forgiven owing to nothing in you?

If you do, it will profoundly shape your patience with each other’s shortcomings (which you will find to be more than you ever dreamed).

Get really clear the meaning of headship and submission.

Husband, tremble at the implications of Ephesians 5:25-30.

Wife, tremble at the implications of Ephesians 5:21-24.

Understand this and glory in the greatness of the calling to be married for the sake of showing the world the covenant faithfulness between Christ and his church.

Grieved to the Point of Death

And He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved to the
point of death; remain here and keep watch."

Mark 14:34

How quickly do we read this verse? It has just become part of the story for us. A means to an end. Do we ever sit and ponder the humanity of Jesus at this point? Do we think of him more as God than man? Able to handle the sorrow and pain to come, I mean, he is God after all.

Grieved to the point of death. What does that even feel like?

The hour is late. Stillness settles like an eerie cloud over Jerusalem. As He enters the gate in the wall around Gethsemane, Jesus motions to Peter, James, and John to come with Him...

Jesus moves slowly, perhaps stopping to lean against a gnarled tree trunk. White knuckles protrude from tightened fists and His head hangs in weariness. The men glance at one another, wondering what to do. Their Teacher has never been like this before. They saw Him cry when His friend Lazarus died; and only a week ago, as He entered Jerusalem, He sobbed out loud over the neediness there. Yet that was a strong cry--laced with sadness perhaps, but not despair.

This is different. Overwhelming sorrow consumes Him. Teeth clenched, Jesus utters: "My soul is grieved to the point of death"...a beleaguered bellow from the depths of His being.

from Contemplating the Cross by Tricia Rhodes, p. 6

Obediently Humbled

Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

"Obediently humbled." What does that say? It suggests that humility wasn't easy for Jesus, and we know it's not easy for us.

To be obediently humbled alludes to a battle of the wills, a choice. A deliberate choice to obey God. Christ's example is the ultimate humility. It was humility to the point of death--death on a cross, the ultimate embarrassment and shame (Php. 2:8). When I think of this I remember there is nothing too lowly for me to do.

I thought of this verse often in my first two years of teaching preschool, because one of my after-school duties was cleaning. Cleaning everything--even the bathrooms. And do you know how bad preschool bathroom's smell? You don't want to know. My human response was to say, "I don't need to be doing this. This is disgusting. Why don't they just hire someone to do this?" When the truth is there's nothing too lowly for me.

If the Perfect Son & God of the universe can bear the burden of humanity's sin on his shoulders and be humiliated by dying a sinner's death,* then what it too lowly for me?

Humility isn't easy. It's a lowering of yourself for the sake of another. It's saying "no" to you and "yes" to someone else. It's not easy, but it's better. Just think of the freedom humility brings. If I'm not so concerned and wrapped up in my needs, my time, and my pursuits, then living for God and serving others would be so simple. I wouldn't be holding onto anything, so others wouldn't be taking anything away. Isn't that what entitlements really are? Holding onto something we feel others are trying to take?


*This is huge in and of itself. Christ died. His ministry had proclaimed him to be the Son of God, the Messiah. He was a man of miracles. At the cross, the people thought him to be a fool and a fraud. If the "self-proclaimed" Son of God couldn't get himself down off the cross, then, was he really anything special? In their eyes, he had been humiliated--made low. But, then, they didn't know the low would be lifted high (Php. 2:9-11).

New Blog: Mountains of Books

I started a new blog, Mountains of Books. It's about books, authors, reviews, and reading.

Stop on by and have a look.

Noel Piper on Lent

"It is a time for turning away from anything that has kept us from God and for turning or returning to him. It is a time to pray that God will renew our love for him and our dependence on him."

from Treasuring God in our Traditions, p. 93

Pictures of Joey

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Spaghetti

Tuesday - Chicken, veggies, roasted potatoes

Wednesday - Lentil & Rice Casserole w/ veggies

Thursday - Nacho Casserole w/ corn & salad

Friday - Hummus Pizza

Saturday - Pasta w/ Broccoli Pesto Sauce or Leftovers (I haven't made this in awhile!)

Sunday - family dinner

The Practicality of Knowing God

The basic premise of Practical Theology for Women is to live your life based on the truth of who God is. It's simply stated, but so profound.

Who God is and how we respond to life circumstances are in direct correlation with each other. If we know God to be faithful, then even in the most dire of circumstances we have hope. If we know God to be just, then we can be assured wrongs will be righted. If we know God to be loving, then we will have no fear in confessing our sins. If we know God to be Father, then we can trust his guidance.

The problem, as the author Wendy Alsup puts it, is "some of us don't know the truth of the character of God" (p.99). We know of God. We know about God. We know stories of God. But, oftentimes, we don't live as if we truly know God and he is real. This reminds me of a quote by Dallas Willard, "Namely, we believe something not when we say we or even when we believe we do, but when we act as if we do."

Wendy continues,

"How often are we devastated, disappointed, or frustrated by problems that cloud our day and hang over our head? It may be as simple as getting a flat tire, more serious like losing a job, or the most serious issue of losing a loved one in death.

What issue has put you in a bad mood? What situation is hanging over your head right now like a thunderous rain cloud? What thought patterns are governing your attitude? And are you going to allow those thought patterns to be your master, or are you going to take those thoughts captive and make them submit to what you know to be true about God? (emphasis mine)

This is why knowing theology--knowing God--is so important. It's practical.

Change is Coming: An {Important} Announcement

Some of you already know this {important} announcement. But here it is: We're moving.

It's never been our plan to stay in California unless the Lord directed us to. Before we got married we had two directions we felt we were to take: the mission field or seminary.

Well, Lord willing--we'll be moving to Louisville, Kentucky this summer where Joe will be attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I say "Lord willing" because he hasn't yet heard back from the admissions office. Joe forgot to mail the fees with the application, so we had a bit of delay in the application process...we're expecting to hear back from them within a week or two.

We're definitely excited about this decision, the prospect of a new town, and the proximity to my family (6-7 hours to SC!). I'm looking forward to four seasons, green scenery, having our own place again, and the newness of it all. What's also exciting is that the school has a Seminary Wives Institute, where I can meet other wives of seminary students and to prepare for whatever God has for us in the future as Joe prepares with his degree.

(He's going to get an M.Div, isn't that kind of funny? He'll be a Master of Divinity!)

As for now, we're planning (we're in the thinking of planning stage right now) to move sometime in the end of June/beginning of July. We have a wedding to go to in Virginia July 11th and 2nd Annual Oxendine/Patterson/Closterman Family Vacation the first week of July.

We're excited. If Joe gets accepted there will be much to do and research in the coming months. Can you believe it's already March? Crazy! If he doesn't get accepted we still might be moving back east...maybe. We'll see what God has. It'll be good whatever it is.

Perceived Rights

Don't we all have them? Or at least we think we do. We perceive to have the right

• to our parking space
• to have exactly what we ordered in a restaurant--no mistakes
• to be respected in the workplace (based on our age, experience, etc.)
• to be acknowledged for our hard work
• to not have our plans changed
• to not be inconvenienced
  
• to be thanked for our services/ministry in the home and elsewhere
• the right to an easy life, within reason of course.

The reality is that's all wrong. None of these are our rights. They are "perceived" rights. They are rarely, if ever, based on object truth. They're our perception. What we want, feel, desire.

perceive - v. become aware of through the senses; regard as

rights - n. an entitlement to have or do something

When we compare this attitude of "rights" against the attitude of Christ we notice something glaringly different. Christ, very God himself, asserted no rights except to follow the will of his Father.

He did not protest death. He did not display His power or authority. He did not make demands or promises of revenge. He simply went to die giving up every right he had.

He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:8

In light of the cross, our perceived rights are small, fruitless, and self-exalting. Let us strive to give up these "rights," surrendering our attitudes and will to Christ, hoping

"As our grasp on our perceived rights weakens, our needs fade into the background, and we become little images of Christ--consumed with the needs of others to the forgetfulness of our own."

from Practical theology for Women by Wendy Horger Alsup

Practicing Hospitality: Chapter 4

Here we are on chapter 4 already--halfway through the book! I'm still enjoying it and it's really encouraging me to practice hospitality in my life and family, while still broadening my view. For the book discussion visit Passionate Homemaking.

The standout point for me was that orderliness is the goal, not perfection. Also, I thought it was a good point in having a guest ready home and a right perspective of our possessions--they're to be used.

Now, on to the discussion questions:

1. How can you become a planner of generosity?
For me, I've been thinking (and am now planning) to invite people over to our house twice a month--a group event and then one-on-one with another couple or family. For the group event maybe a game or movie night and invite 3-4 people (possibly have them invite a friend too as a way to meet new people and get to know acquaintances better).

2. How can you begin to change you perspective to view household management with an eternal purpose?
It's not just about my desire for a neat and orderly home, but preparation for sharing in God's kingdom. Being an open door, a safe haven, and refuge. Chaos and disorder rarely, if ever, feel safe and can make a guest--especially an unexpected one--feel like a burden and inconvenience.

3. What tips might you have to help maintain a more orderly and prepared home?
My tips would be:

• have a couple of "go-to" meals that have been tried and tested with the ingredients stocked in your kitchen
• have a cleaning schedule--having one has helped keep me sane even though I don't follow it religiously
• daily or weekly schedule--I don't do this every day or week, but I do for days that there is a lot going on. It helps me not to forget something and breaks things into segments so I can see how I'm spending my time. Sometimes I feel like my schedule is jam packed but when I write it down I see I have more open time than I thought...usually.
  

Menu Plan Monday

For some reason, I've had this Spinach Minestrone on my menu for two weeks and have yet to cook it. What's holding me back? I don't know. Maybe I'll actually get to it this week.

Monday - Red Beans & Rice w/ cornbread

Tuesday - Spinach Minestrone w/ rolls

Wednesday - Sloppy Lentils w/ veggies & home fries

Thursday - Nacho Casserole w/ corn & salad

Friday - 10 Bean Soup w/ drop biscuits

Saturday -Beefy Asian Rice or Leftovers

Sunday - family dinner TBA

quote from Practical Theolgoy for Women

I read this the other day and felt it was a good word to ponder during this Lenten season.

"Rather than grasping all of his [Jesus'] rights and power as sovereign God, Christ made himself nothing for our sake. It is not that he thought badly of himself. The point is that he did not think of himself at all. He opened his hands and willingly let go of his rights, forgetting about himself completely. He allowed himself to be maligned, spat upon, treated as a bastard, liar, and traitor, and ultimately allowed himself to be murdered...

We are called to willingly give up our rights and welcome sacrifices that accompany being a servant to others. We are not called to think badly of ourselves. People who think badly of themselves are as self-centered as those who think highly of themselves. Instead, we are called not to think of ourselves at all. As our grasp on our perceived rights weakens, our needs fade into the background, and we become little images of Christ--consumed with the needs of others to the forgetfulness of our own."

from Practical theology for Women by Wendy Horger Alsup, p. 87

Lent

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit!
Psalm 32:1-2

Today marks the first day of the Lenten season. Lent is a time of prayer and preparation for Easter. It's 40 days, not including Sunday's, set apart for reflection and repentance. What better time to reflect on the graveness of sin and the beauty of grace than the weeks prior to the resurrection of our Lord.

I'd encourage you to use these weeks to focus on Christ and the cross. As I've grown older, I've realized how quickly we rush by the cross and Christ's sufferings. It's painful to look at. Seeing our own sin at his expense. At first glance, there's not much joy in the cross. It's a uncomely, bloody death marking the sins of all humanity. Who takes joy in reflecting on their own weaknesses?

But without the cross, there is no joy. Without Christ's suffering, there is no life. Without his despair and sorrow, there is no hope.

We need to spend time before the cross, kneeling in retrospection at the sacrifice that was made on our behalf. For if we do not, then do we really know what we've been saved from? Do we really know how deep our sins and misery are apart from Christ? Reflect with me on the passion of Christ, so that we might to take part in His joys.


Resources for Lent:

Contemplating the Cross: a 40-day Pilgrimage of Prayer by Tricia Rhodes is a great devotional for Lent. The author is my pastor's wife, a truly gifted writer and speaker who has a heart for God and helping others know him personally. You can find the devotions on her website (click here). I read this last year during Lent and am planning to read portions of it again this year. On her website Tricia has different ways you can observe Lent (click here).

The Passion of Jesus Christ by John Piper is another good devotional for Lent. Piper shares 50 reasons why Jesus came to die.

CRI/Voice Institute: The Season of Lent - Gives a brief history of lent, practices, and lenten readings.

What's on your nightstand?

Recently I discovered that 5 Minutes for Mom has a 5 Minutes for Books site, which is right up my ally! The fourth Tuesday of every month is "What's on your nightstand?" sharing what you've bben reading and plan to read the next month.

Let's just say this, I've been a reading madman...rather mad "woman" lately. In the last two weeks I've finished three books from my booklist for the year!

This month I finished reading:

• Jane Austen (a biography) by Claire Tomalin
• Through the Shadowlands: The Love Story of C.S. Lewis & Joy Davidman, Brian Sibley
  
• Daisy Miller, by Henry James (short and sweet)
  
• Prisoner of Tehran, by Marina Nemat (I read this one in two days!)
  

I'm still reading:

• Practicing Hospitality, by Pat Ennis & Lisa Tatlock
  
• Practical Theology for Women, by Wendy Horger Alsup (I'm a little over half way through this one.)
  
• Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, From Birth to Age 3, by Paula Polk Lillard & Lynn Lillard Jessen (I just started it today!)
  
• Mi primera mirada a Los Tamanos/Colores/Formas/Numeros (These are Spanish kids books on size, color, shapes, and numbers. I'm reading them to Joe, but more for my benefit than his. I'm trying to get my Spanish back.)
  

Next month I plan to read:

• Lady Windermere's Fan, by Oscar Wilde
• Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World, by Carolyn McCulley
• Story, by Robert McGee
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, by Barbara Kingsolver

I really enjoyed reading the biographies/memoir. Prisoner of Tehran wasn't originally on my list for this year, but I saw it in the library a few weeks ago and on my most recent trip I picked it up. I read it in two days. It was really good, but sad. I'm really interested in Middle Eastern culture and literature, especially in regards to Iran. The book is the story of a woman who became a political prisoner during the Islamic Cultural Revolution. It follows her time in prisoner and how she got out.

It makes me want to go back and reread Lipstick Jihad, which I never actucally finished. It'd be interesting to see the difference of Iran from a woman who was coming of age during the revolution and a woman who goes back to Iran as a young adult 20 years after the revolution.

Just a note...

Practicing Hospitality is in conjunction with the book discussion over at Passionate Homemaking with Lindsay. The discussion and questions are posted on Mondays, although I usually post on Thursdays. You can join the discussion here.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life is the next book in Simple Mom's Sound Mind, Sound Mom Book Club. The reading dates are March 19 - May 21, 2009.

Menu Plan Monday

Last week our meals got rearranged a bit, my brother-in-law brought dinner over Monday, so Monday's dinner was moved to Tuesday. Then Tuesday's dinner moved to Saturday, but then got canceled because we had so many leftovers to eat.

I also made some homemade granola and chocolate chip granola bars--yummy!

So...there's some repeats from last week:

Monday - Veggie Stir Fry

Tuesday - Spinach Minestrone

Wednesday - Lentil & Rice Casserole w/ veggies

Thursday - Lentil & Rice Veggie Bake

Friday - Rubio's for MOPS fundraiser

Saturday - Leftovers (OR Sloppy Lentils w/ home fries if there's not enough)

Sunday - Body Brunch at church