What I am perusing, reading, loving right now:
This year, David has led us into the New Testament to study/read together the Sermon the Mount. To help with this we are reading D. Martyn Lloyd Jones' 'Studies in the Sermon on the Mount.'
The first two chapters are intro stuff and already I am challenged, amazed, and expectant of the good ways the Father will use this study to grow me. To be any kind of follower of Jesus, Jones says, you have 'to face the Sermon on the Mount'. He dismisses those whose theology says you can't actually live it, and prods: 'It is a very terrible sermon, this Sermon on the Mount. Be very careful as you read it, and especially as you talk about it. If you criticize this Sermon at any point you are really saying a great deal about yourself. Let, us, therefore, in the words of James, 'be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath'.
These words, this teaching of Jesus, this Sermon is the living out of the Christian life...Jones: "Here is the life to which we are called, and I maintain again that if only every Christian in Church today were living the Sermon on the Mount, the great revival for which we are praying and longing would have already started. Amazing and astounding things would happen; the world would be shocked, and men and women would be drawn to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Before we decided to read the above, I picked up THIS book from David's table and laughed out loud. I had already read 'The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment' by Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs about ten years ago. My notes were all over the pages. I laughed because I knew I didn't have it, the contentment he was talking about. And to prove it I flipped the page and read his summary out loud to David: 'Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.' The first four adjectives just did me in from the beginning. I knew I would read this book this year and I am very slowly gathering the nuggets. It may take me the whole year to actually digest and read it. And I am hopeful: 'the mingling of joy and sorrow' the 'mystery' of the contentment while a 'rare jewel' is not so elusive, it is a real thing, able to be had in Jesus, and Jeremiah Burroughs is going to propel me into the depths of my heart to see it all more clearly. It will be a 'work out' for sure, I will get 'beat up' and feel sore quite a bit, but it will be worth it!
Fun Read: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
This is a long book, but it is so well written. It really makes me want to go run or work out or get stronger (like after watching a Rocky movie). And more than truly analyzing the sport of crew, it details one man's life and the various tragedies and triumphs that pull him along with 'crew' at the center. I am thoroughly enjoying it and am only about 40% done!
The one other thing I am reading this year is Keller's little devo on psalms, it is short and gets me intentionally prayerful at the beginning of my devotions.
Read Aloud with kiddos: We just finished 'The Sign of the Beaver' (with all). I just finished with Tobin (who listens to both) Mother West Wind's Children and started Winnie-the-Pooh. Up next for all is Johnny Tremain, I think. David is into 'My Side of the Mountain' for their night time reads.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Prize Money and Quotables
The Local Rec center called me twice and told me to come get my prize. I literally laughed in their face the first time, said I would be there tomorrow, and promptly forgot! They called me again and I obliged, taking Gabrielle with me to get a little certificate or something. But no, I got myself a whopping 50 RMB, that is about $7.50 for making it in the top 20! Hilarious, I got paid for running just under 10 minute miles.
Ironically, I spent a little bit of it on a chocolate bar later that same day.
Maybe less chocolate would have resulted in my not being able to enjoy the hilarious conversation I had with Bella while eating 'Over the Bridge Noodles'.
Bella: Mama, you could wear the jeans that lady has on...I saw her bottom and it is big.
Me: (Laughing): Oh, you mean my bottom is big?
Bella: (smiling) No, not really.
And we all start cracking up. Sophia had been waiting to see my reaction as she held in her belly laugh. This was sitting outside eating after Tobin had knocked over 3 bowls of noodles in a span of about 8 minutes, G tried to eat salt from a neighboring table, and we were all finally sizing up the lady next to us with the big jeans on. Meanwhile a grandpa in the corner was smiling from ear to ear and giving me a thumbs up sign. I then asked David if someone was hiding in the bushes with a camera because this has got to be a joke.
Two days later. Bella again (love her honest look at life): Daddy, that shirt makes you look stronger than you are. After we re-grouped from laughing (a-gain), she said she meant it made him look stronger than his other shirts do....hmm.....nice recovery girl.
Ironically, I spent a little bit of it on a chocolate bar later that same day.
Maybe less chocolate would have resulted in my not being able to enjoy the hilarious conversation I had with Bella while eating 'Over the Bridge Noodles'.
Bella: Mama, you could wear the jeans that lady has on...I saw her bottom and it is big.
Me: (Laughing): Oh, you mean my bottom is big?
Bella: (smiling) No, not really.
And we all start cracking up. Sophia had been waiting to see my reaction as she held in her belly laugh. This was sitting outside eating after Tobin had knocked over 3 bowls of noodles in a span of about 8 minutes, G tried to eat salt from a neighboring table, and we were all finally sizing up the lady next to us with the big jeans on. Meanwhile a grandpa in the corner was smiling from ear to ear and giving me a thumbs up sign. I then asked David if someone was hiding in the bushes with a camera because this has got to be a joke.
Two days later. Bella again (love her honest look at life): Daddy, that shirt makes you look stronger than you are. After we re-grouped from laughing (a-gain), she said she meant it made him look stronger than his other shirts do....hmm.....nice recovery girl.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
New Year's Day 5k
If you recall, October 24th I ran a half-marathon and exactly 2 days later got sick. The sickness went into pneumonia and lasted weeks. Weakness lingered, and then it was December. We traveled, we had guests, we celebrated Christmas.
And then I signed up for the New Year's Day 5k. We really wanted the kids to race too (a 3k) but they were too young and had to be selected by their school to participate. I don't think they were too disappointed. But I decided I would follow through, though I hadn't laced up for a run since the Half. Actually, 2 days before this race I went out and ran a very slow 5k. I just wanted to make sure that I could actually do it. Honestly, it was the LAST thing I felt like doing Jan 1.
A friend of ours, Dr. Wu, signed me up to run with his group from the hospital. Ut-oh, was I supposed to be representing them? NOT a good idea. But it wasn't like that. I got there early, found the group and knew no one (we usually always know at least one person in a crowd in this town). Dr. Wu had something come up and wasn't running.
I chit-chatted a bit, tried to stay warm, and assured folks I was a slow runner. There were the ones who looked the part, regular runners with all the gear. Stay away from them. There was a slightly overweight lady in a pink chenille jogging suit and fanny pack---I can beat her, I thought. She was my goal, an easy goal.
My serious goal was to start, not stop, and not be last.
Finally my fans showed up! And still they staggered the races so much that we had to wait. (army first, then men, then us)
Sophia was angry at the other people lined up behind David taking this same photo
The start. I think there were about 40-45 women (anyone above high school age).
The finish.
I started, I did not stop, I was not last. And I kid you not, the lady with the fanny pack was no joke, I didn't pass her until about 4km and laughed at myself for my misjudgments.
I came in 16th. I have no idea what my time was. It was no PR.
This race was my first in China and a fun experience, I am so glad I did it
Now, please ask, where is Gabrielle? We left her home with our helper as it was cold, very crowded, and would have been way crazy with a two year old.
David went home and got to work (yes on New Year's Day he did!) We stayed to watch the other races including the kids' school and our fave runner, Caleb S!
It started to rain a bit, so we quickly went home and drank hot chocolate with marshmallows.I was still freezing, and turned the heater on for our first and only time so far this winter. I only turned it on for my shower because there was no sunshine, and no hot water!
Happy New Year Everyone!
And then I signed up for the New Year's Day 5k. We really wanted the kids to race too (a 3k) but they were too young and had to be selected by their school to participate. I don't think they were too disappointed. But I decided I would follow through, though I hadn't laced up for a run since the Half. Actually, 2 days before this race I went out and ran a very slow 5k. I just wanted to make sure that I could actually do it. Honestly, it was the LAST thing I felt like doing Jan 1.
A friend of ours, Dr. Wu, signed me up to run with his group from the hospital. Ut-oh, was I supposed to be representing them? NOT a good idea. But it wasn't like that. I got there early, found the group and knew no one (we usually always know at least one person in a crowd in this town). Dr. Wu had something come up and wasn't running.
I chit-chatted a bit, tried to stay warm, and assured folks I was a slow runner. There were the ones who looked the part, regular runners with all the gear. Stay away from them. There was a slightly overweight lady in a pink chenille jogging suit and fanny pack---I can beat her, I thought. She was my goal, an easy goal.
My serious goal was to start, not stop, and not be last.
Finally my fans showed up! And still they staggered the races so much that we had to wait. (army first, then men, then us)
Sophia was angry at the other people lined up behind David taking this same photo
The start. I think there were about 40-45 women (anyone above high school age).
The finish.
I started, I did not stop, I was not last. And I kid you not, the lady with the fanny pack was no joke, I didn't pass her until about 4km and laughed at myself for my misjudgments.
I came in 16th. I have no idea what my time was. It was no PR.
Now, please ask, where is Gabrielle? We left her home with our helper as it was cold, very crowded, and would have been way crazy with a two year old.
It started to rain a bit, so we quickly went home and drank hot chocolate with marshmallows.I was still freezing, and turned the heater on for our first and only time so far this winter. I only turned it on for my shower because there was no sunshine, and no hot water!
Happy New Year Everyone!
2015 Books
I don't really do 'book lists' anymore, though I still try to keep to my plan to be reading in various areas (spiritual growth, marriage/fam, historical/biographical).
And..I actually did read more books than I thought in 2015. About 10 of them were just prep to see if they would be read-alouds for the kids this year, so they were fast and fun reads (and some were re-reads from my childhood).
For example I re-read 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond', and we added it to our read-aloud. The kids loved the story and hung with it. But I will make them re-read it later to get some of the amazing literary nuggets out of it. It was definitely a more mature book for them, and I stopped to explain some of the historical aspects, etc. which is the time period we are studying in history so it worked well. I opted out of reading aloud 'Alone, yet not alone', while quite a story of redemption and faith, is probably too much in regards to murder, and kidnapping, and would probably give our girls nightmares.
I narrowed my favorites of 2015 down to FOUR!
1. Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child: I have commented about this book already but again, it was an eye-opening cultural critique that had me laughing a lot, getting angry some, and really ready to re-evaluate my own style of raising/teaching my kids.
2. The Awakening of Miss Prim: This really was delightful and actually not too 'light' at the same time. An intriguing, well-written novel about the life of a lady who moves to a French Village and finds things very unexpected. Lots of references to ancient Lit and ancient languages, lots of references to Mr. Darcy and intrigue about this spiritual life we live. Here is a quote: “No, of course not. The Redemption is nothing like a fairy tale, Miss Prim. Fairy tales and ancient legends are like the Redemption. Haven’t you ever noticed? It’s like when you copy a tree from the garden on a piece of paper. The tree from the garden doesn’t look like the drawing, does it? It’s the drawing that’s a bit, just a little bit, like the real tree.”
3. Do More Better, this helped me rearrange my system for getting things done. David really helped me set up this system and about 2 weeks in I love it. Things are not getting left by the wayside (my brain fog). Postponed some, yes, but not forgotten. And the plan has removed the pressure of all my to-dos!
4. Stepping Heavenward (a-gain): Always encourages my walk with God.
And..I actually did read more books than I thought in 2015. About 10 of them were just prep to see if they would be read-alouds for the kids this year, so they were fast and fun reads (and some were re-reads from my childhood).
For example I re-read 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond', and we added it to our read-aloud. The kids loved the story and hung with it. But I will make them re-read it later to get some of the amazing literary nuggets out of it. It was definitely a more mature book for them, and I stopped to explain some of the historical aspects, etc. which is the time period we are studying in history so it worked well. I opted out of reading aloud 'Alone, yet not alone', while quite a story of redemption and faith, is probably too much in regards to murder, and kidnapping, and would probably give our girls nightmares.
I narrowed my favorites of 2015 down to FOUR!
1. Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child: I have commented about this book already but again, it was an eye-opening cultural critique that had me laughing a lot, getting angry some, and really ready to re-evaluate my own style of raising/teaching my kids.
2. The Awakening of Miss Prim: This really was delightful and actually not too 'light' at the same time. An intriguing, well-written novel about the life of a lady who moves to a French Village and finds things very unexpected. Lots of references to ancient Lit and ancient languages, lots of references to Mr. Darcy and intrigue about this spiritual life we live. Here is a quote: “No, of course not. The Redemption is nothing like a fairy tale, Miss Prim. Fairy tales and ancient legends are like the Redemption. Haven’t you ever noticed? It’s like when you copy a tree from the garden on a piece of paper. The tree from the garden doesn’t look like the drawing, does it? It’s the drawing that’s a bit, just a little bit, like the real tree.”
3. Do More Better, this helped me rearrange my system for getting things done. David really helped me set up this system and about 2 weeks in I love it. Things are not getting left by the wayside (my brain fog). Postponed some, yes, but not forgotten. And the plan has removed the pressure of all my to-dos!
4. Stepping Heavenward (a-gain): Always encourages my walk with God.
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