I bite off more than I can chew on a daily basis.
What do you do to keep the to-do list from getting too long?
Thankful Thursday: Truth
Thankful that amidst the whirl of feelings and thoughts and hormones (yes, big girls have those too!), Truth is steadfast.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)–and “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8).
He is Truth, and He is unchanging. Steadfast, immovable, a rock on which to build my life.
Many a time in the past several weeks, I’ve been reminded of Proverbs 14:1 “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.” I so long to be a wise woman, one who builds my house–but I am reminded even today of how that house is to be built.
In Matthew 7:24, Jesus said “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” It is only if my house is founded on the rock, the foundation of obedience to Christ, that I can build a house that will stand.
So, Lord, give me grace to fix my eyes on You beyond the many things I would be tempted to focus my gaze upon. Give me grace to hear Your word above the word of my own mind or my own heart. Give me grace to be obedient to Your direction, whether my heart and will agree or not.
I recognize that unless You build my house, all my housebuilding labor is in vain (Ps 127:1). So, Lord, I ask that you would work in me to will and to do Your good pleasure, building my home on the truth of who You are and what You have spoken.
Thank You for the wise friends and counselors who continue to remind me to turn my eyes towards You, You who are Truth.
Reflections on 2009
2009 has been a year of completions and of new beginnings (as perhaps every year is, when all is said and done.)
This year, I completed my six year quest to become a Registered Dietitian. After my long years of undergraduate school, overgraduate school :-), internship, and test anxiety, I am finally Rebekah Menter, RD, LMNT.
This year, two of my best friends completed their PA training and moved from my house to their own respective houses hours away. My sister is no longer my roommate, for (almost) the first time since I was born. She’s moving on, into the things God has prepared for her.
This year, after years of watching Dan and Debbie move from childhood crushes to friends to girlfriend and boyfriend, my dreams (and theirs) are coming to a culmination: we will welcome Debbie into the Menter family in June of 2010.
This year, after years of anxiously tugging on God’s shirt, begging for a chance to pursue a relationship with a man, God has said that the time is right. And so I venture into the unknown world of courtship myself.
But one thing has not changed this year. He who began the good work in me continues to be faithful. When I reach the bottom, He lifts my head. When I almost reach the sky, He is the tether that lets me fly. When I am at the end of myself, He is all-sufficient. He who began the good work in me is faithful to complete it. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on (by His grace), that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has already laid hold of me…Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The Christmas Haul
Allow me to be the first to affirm that Christmas is NOT all about presents. But I have found myself amazed in recent years by the gifts I’ve received. Not because the gifts were absolutely spectacular in their own right, or because I’m all about getting new things–but because of the way the gifts I’ve received reflect the love and care of my family.
This year, I got…
- A funnel, a filter wrench, and a oil pan from John
The oil pan is probably the coolest thing ever. It’s ginormous, but it collects all the oil INSIDE of it, and can be sealed so it won’t spill while waiting to be disposed of. Then, when it’s time to dispose of the oil? The pan has a convenient spout for disposal. Say goodbye to messy oil changes–I’ve got all the tools to make it easy as pie! - Camelpack
Time to start training for that big bike ride across Nebraska! And for me, hydration is key. Now I can do it in style. - Two puzzles
Payback, I’m sure, for the many years I’ve bought “the fam” puzzles for Christmas. Now it’s time to get some of my own done! - A trash can for my recycling
I’ve had a bucket in my kitchen for collecting recyclables. Now I can upgrade to a trash can thanks to John–who generally ridicules recycling but cares about me enough to get me what I care about. - Double 15 dominoes
Every household should have a set, and since Anna moved out, my household’s been without. Thanks, Mom and Dad! - A utensil tray
I’ve been keeping my silverware in a little cardboard box since Anna moved out. Now I have a proper utensil tray so I can keep everything divided. What’s more, my mom found it at the used store! (I appreciate my mom’s thriftiness and care. While all of us received new gifts from Mom and Dad, we also received gifts Mom found at used stores. The used gifts were far from second-rate. They were exactly what we needed/wanted–and were obtained in a way that doesn’t break my parent’s bank. My dad’s compliment is true: My mother is like a merchant ship, bringing her gifts from afar.) - Shampoo and barrettes
Funny gift, you might think. But for me, not at all. I ask for “practical gifts” every year, and am supremely thankful when somebody takes up the call and gets them. You see, I HATE buying shampoo, deodorant, and the like. They’re necessary, so you don’t want to run out. Yet they’re expensive at the grocery store, so buying them generally means a trip to a different store–a WHOLE separate trip, since I rarely buy anything except food. So shampoo is the PERFECT gift. - A kitchen decorating ideas book
For me books + home = love. Grace knew this and planned ahead to get me a book from the library book sale. - A picture for my walls
Mom found it at a used store. It has a Bible verse on it. My living area walls suffered most when Anna left. She had so many wonderful wall decorations. Now I’m building up my own collection. - A bookshelf
My current two (and a half) are stuffed full, and bowing because of the weight of my books. My “little” box of books that don’t fit in the shelves is currently overflowing. But not for much longer. Soon I shall have a bookshelf in my room. I’m excited to move all my Bible study tools up to my room, where I generally do my Bible study. It’ll be much nicer to have easy access instead of having to run downstairs. - The promise of another bookshelf
Joshua has promised to make me another bookshelf (and was a bit disappointed when I received one under the tree.) But I have PLENTY of use for new bookshelves, and I’m excited to see what Josh comes up with. He’s quite a handy guy, if I do say so myself.
Beyond the physical gifts under the tree, I received a few more intangible gifts.
- A delightful family candle-light service when our church one got canceled
We packed into the “conservatory” while Anna played William and led us in Christmas carols. Dad and John and I had a bit of an out-loud each other contest during one, probably bringing the others’ eardrums almost to a breaking point (in my favor, my part in the “contest” was unintentional–I just don’t have the greatest concept of my volume while singing.) We lit our candles for Silent Night and sung sweetly in the almost dark. - The addition of a fourth girl to the family festivities
Debbie evens us out at four girls and four boys (for the time being). She joined us for our celebration this year, and blushed massively at some of the gifts she received from my brothers. Their goal in their gifts to her this year was “cherry cheeks”–and they succeeded pretty well. Welcome to the family, Debbie–I can’t wait to have you for a sister-in-law. - The boys let me take their pictures
As the family historian, keeper of the family photos, and (more) regular photo snapper, I am somewhat of an annoyance to my family. I insist on chronicling the exciting and the mundane, pulling out my camera at what they consider to be inopportune times (read, anytime). But last night, they (mostly) let me take photos in peace. John even POSED for a few photos. It’s pretty much a miracle. - The girls had patience with my distraction during a game of Mexican train
Timothy announced that I’d missed a text message just as we were about to start our game of Mexican train. I broke my personal rules and texted back during our first few rounds of the game. I enjoyed the text exchange–and I appreciated my family’s tolerance for my somewhat unusual behavior of late ;-).
And the greatest Christmas “haul”?
Yesterday I read these words–an unusual Christmas passage, but an amazing one nonetheless:
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“ O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(I Corinthians 15:53-57)
At Christmas, we celebrate Christ the immortal, who put on our mortality. Christ the incorruptible who put on our corruption. Christ, who is life, who submitted Himself to death. And why? He did so in order that we who are corrupt could put on incorruption. He did so in order that we who are mortal could put on immortality. He did so in order that we who are creatures of sin and death could obtain victory over the same THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Now thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
**Okay, so I was planning to upload those Christmas pictures, but my computer’s acting funny about recognizing my camera today. It goes on funks every so often, so I’m not too worried. More later–for now I’m gonna go back over to the folks and (find my Bible and) spend some time with the family.**
Stereotypes…following the links
Don’t you just love the internet?
You check your twitter page to see who’s following you (You rarely use the main site for anything else, as you’ve got some fantastic twitter aps like TweetDeck and Share-a-holic.)
Turns out Matthew Paul Turner is following you (must have been that one time you linked to one of his articles using Shareaholic).
You decide to see what’s new on his site, Jesus Needs New PR and find a fun little article on “stereotyping Christians by their favorite Christian author.”
This article links to “stereotyping people by their favorite author” which quotes from “readers by author.”
Amused by the content found on this collection of linked articles, you decide to write your own blog post on the stereotypes–and link to each article respectively.
As I am a reader, I found this collection of stereotypes particularly interesting. And though I have LOTS more than just ONE favorite author, I thought these comments about some of my favorites rather interesting.
From the Jesus Needs New PR list:
- Joshua Harris: Virgin (Yup.)
- Beth Moore: Moms whose voices become breathy while praying aloud. (Okay, so I’m only a mommy wannabe–but the “breathy while praying aloud” is probably true.)
From the original list:
- Jane Austen: Girls who made out with other girls in college when they were going through a “phase”. (Not even. I don’t know what Jane Austen this commentator is reading. More like, “girls with romantic fantasies of the strong and silent type”.)
- Nathaniel Hawthorne: People who used to sleep so heavy that they would pee their pants. (Well, as a child I did. But I don’t really get what it has to do with Hawthorne.)
- William Shakespeare: People who like bondage. (Actually, not everything is “Taming of the Shrew”–and even there, it’s not so much about bondage. Some of us just like the witty repartee and skilled linguistic jabs a la Beatrice and Benedict or Kate and Petruchio.)
- C.S. Lewis: Youth group leaders who picked their nose in the 4th grade. (Guilty as charged–except that I stepped down from the youth sponsorship gig last December.)
- Shel Silverstein: Girls who can’t spell “leheim”. (Had to look that one up because I didn’t realize the author was trying to say “L’Chaim”. I’m too much of a reader for this one. Spelling is usually easier for me than pronouncing–although I can pronounce this one thanks to “Fiddler on the Roof”)
- Michael Pollan: The girl who just turned vegan to cover up her eating disorder. (Nope. I like food too much for that one.)
If I were to turn the stereotypes the other direction, I should find that I enjoy:
- J.K. Rowling: Smart geeks.
- Anne Rice: People who don’t use conditioner in their hair.
- Sylvia Plath: Girls who keep journals.
- Vladimir Nabokov:Men who use words like ‘dubious’ and ‘tenacity’. (except that I’m a woman)
- Phillippa Gregory: Women who have repressed their desire to go to Renaissance Festivals (don’t know that I’ve repressed the desire–I just haven’t actually been to a Renaissance faire.)
- Stieg Larsson: Girls who are too frightened to go skydiving. (Not going to lie, I’m about the farthest thing from an adrenaline junkie.)
- Dean Koontz: People who would never dream of owning any type of “toy” breed dog.
- Richard Dawkins: People who have their significant other grab them under the table in order to shut them up whenever someone else at a dinner says something absolutely ridiculous and wrong. (Okay, so I’ve never actually had anyone grab me under the table, but I’m sure some people have felt like it on occasion. I do tend to be a bit opinionated and can be overeager to share my knowledge and, erm, “wisdom”.)
So what about you? What do your favorite authors say about you? And who should be your favorite authors according to these stereotypes?
Autobiography?
Yes, I’m occasionally sucked into doing memes. And I often wonder why memes have such ridiculous titles–and ridiculous questions to go along with them. Nonetheless, I persist. This one is compliments of Johnny B (my almost little bro).
- Where did you take your profile picture?
The picture in my “cast of characters” sidebar was taken in Mexico before an evening “out on the town” - What exactly are you wearing right now?
A Lincoln Christian Fellowship t-shirt with my new homemade yoga pants, and bright red socks with green toes and Christmas lights strung across them. (So I don’t ALWAYS get dressed in the morning–at least, not on Christmas-Eve-Eve.) - What is your current problem?
Sin - What makes you happy most?
The amazing grace of God to a wretch such as I. - What song are you listening to at the moment?
Preta Porter de Tafeta with Leonard Lucini, obtained for free back when cNet had the option of letting musicians upload their songs for people to download. - Any celeb you would marry?
Not really - Ever sang in front of a large audience?
Depends on what you mean by “large.” I’ve sung at church before (as a member of the team). I’ve sung individually or as part of a group in front of my family (which numbers more than 50). - Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
Yep. I AM posh spice, after all. - Do you still watch kiddy movies or kiddy TV shows?
Actually, I never really did watch kiddy movies or TV shows. I grew up without a TV (and think that it was a wonderful way to live). I do like the classic Disney princess movies, though (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty). And I’m generally fond of “family-type” movies like “Cheaper by the Dozen”, “Yours, Mine, and Ours”, etc. - Do you speak any language?
Yes, I speak American English without accent (the Great Plains are home to “standard” American English–the kind you often hear on the radio or television). I also once learned some Spanish (not that I can actually speak it). - What’s something that really annoys you?
Questions that I can’t think of an answer for. The feral cats that hang out in my neighborhood. That my neighbor feeds said cats.
Chapter 1:
- Middle name: Marie (a family middle name–my grandma and aunt are both ____ Marie’s too)
- Nicknames: Bekah, Bekahcubed; Becky Jo, Becky Jane (only my father); Rebe, Menterbek, Ca-ca (yes, I know).
- Eye color: Blue
Chapter 2:
- Do you live with your parent(s):
No way, Jose. I don’t know that I could respect myself if I were mooching off of my parents this late in life - Do you get along with your parent(s)?
Absolutely. I consider them among my closest friends, confidants, and counselors. (For all those parents who’d love to have their kids say this, let me tell you that we did not get here because my parents tried to be my friend. We got here because my parents chose to be my parents–and we grew into this stage of the parent-child relationship.) - Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
Happily married, with a marriage I admire greatly. - Do you have any Siblings?
Yes.Oh, you want to know about them? Two sisters, four brothers, one soon to be sister-in-law with a couple of “outlaws” to go along with her (including the aforementioned Johnny B).
Chapter 3: Favorites
- Ice Cream: Butter Brickle, Raspberry Cow Tracks
- Season: One of the ones where I can go outside and still be warm. Probably spring or summer.
- Shampoo/conditioner: Don’t tell anyone, but I use Equate brand dandruff shampoo. They just started making it with a rather nice scent–as opposed to the icky stuff I remember from my childhood visiting my grandparents house. It’s still that rather gross shade of blue, though.
Chapter 4: Do You…
- Dance in the shower?
Weird. No. I don’t really take showers very often–and if I do, I don’t generally dance in them. I do, however, sing in the shower–and read in the bathtub. - Do you write on your hand?
Usually not, although I did have a stage where I did it more frequently (Generally Isaiah 44:5) - Call people back?
Yes, although I can be pretty awful about checking my phone to see that I have messages. - Believe in love?
I believe in God. God is love. (I John 4:8) - Any bad habits?
Does anybody NOT have bad habits? I tend to dump my stuff on the floor of my bedroom when I get home from something. I often play with my ears (even in public). I’ve discovered I’m not too great at waiting for gentlemen to open the door for me.
Chapter 5: Have You…
- Broken a bone:
Yes. Collar bone when I was 2 (fell out of bed), both bones in my right forearm when I was eight or so (Roller skates and gravel don’t always go together). - Sprained stuff:
Oh probably - Had physical therapy:
No. - Gotten stitches:
When I had a mole removed. - Taken painkillers:
Septoplasty. Wisdom tooth extraction. Took a few, tossed the rest. I prefer stoicism and generally don’t do anything more than a couple ibuprofen. - Gone scuba diving or snorkeling:
No. - Been stung by a bee:
Yeah, sure. At least, I think so. I’m not afraid of bees, if that’s what you’re asking. - Thrown up at the dentist:
Why would I do that? - Sworn in front of your parents:
Sworn? No. Used bad language? Occasionally. I’m working on eliminating some of those epithets I’ve let myself get a little too comfortable using. - Had detention:
What is detention, exactly?
Chapter 6: Who/What was the last…
- Movie(s): Not sure, it’s been a while since I last saw a movie.
- Person to text you: Evan
- Person you called: Michele
- Person you hugged: Anna? My mom? Grace? My dad? I’m not sure.
- Person you tackled: Can’t say I’ve ever really tackled anyone.
- Person you talked to on MSN: Who talks on MSN?
- Thing you touched: My computer keyboard (snarky, I know.)
- Thing you ate: dried cranberries
- Thing you drank: water
- Thing you said: Not sure, I haven’t spoken to anyone yet this morning. Probably, “Oh Lord, have mercy” last night before I went to bed. (And I wasn’t swearing, I was PRAYING.)
Chapter 7: Future
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Should God will, married and raising the start of a passel of kids. - Where do you hope to live?
Wherever God wants me to be. But I sure do like the Midwest. - Do you want to be famous?
Sort of. I want to be significant. I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to do everything that I do excellently. But I don’t want to be a celebrity. - Will you have plastic surgery?
No, I’m not really a fan of plastic surgery. At least, not the cosmetic kind. I think God made me well. Although I sort of already have had plastic surgery–the septoplasty. Thankfully, it didn’t “correct” my crooked nose (which I love), but it did help me to breathe more easily.
What’s on Your Nightstand? (December 2009)
It’s time again for 5 Minutes 4 Books’ monthly meme. Here’s what I had on my nightstand last month.
What I actually read was:
Fiction
- Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes
Bleh. I wasn’t impressed. - The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham
- When Comes the Spring by Janette Oke
Nonfiction
Actually, I only read the first 60 pages of this one. I think it’s worthless. Click on the title to read the rest of my thoughts.
I didn’t have time to finish this before it had to go back to the Inter-library loan office. My initial thoughts on what I’ve already read are that there is some truth to certain aspects of Fallon’s reasoning (specifically that red meat probably isn’t as “evil” as many people would make it out to be), but the majority of the views promoted in this book are based on tenuous science and serve only to add unnecessary stress to meal preparation. Follow Fallon’s recipes if you like them, but don’t worry about destroying your family’s health if you don’t use raw milk, sprouted grains, etc.
Juvenile
- Cinderellis and the Glass Hill by Gail Carson Levine
Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales are quick, whimsical variations on old-fashioned fairy tales. They’re a fun read for pre-teen-ish girls for whom “classic” fairy tales are just a little too “childish”. - Keeping a Journal by Trudi Strain Trueit
- Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep by Gail Carson Levine
Picture Books
- 25 books by authors AD-AG
- Africa Calling, Nighttime Falling by Dan and Kim Adlerman
For next month, I’ve got way too much on my nightstand–and way too much weighty stuff. I feel certain I won’t be able to finish it all in time. But I’ll try anyway.
Fiction
- The Good Nearby by Nancy Moser*
- Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne
- Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy
- When Breaks the Dawn by Janette Oke
- When Hope Springs New by Janette Oke
Nonfiction
- Better Homes and Gardens Making a Home
- Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield
- Dave Barry’s History of the Millennium by Dave Barry
- Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams by Lynne Withey*
- Genealogy Online by Elizabeth Powell Crowe
- Genealogy Online for Dummies
- An Idiot Girl’s Christmas by Laurie Notaro
- I Married Adventure by Luci Swindoll*
- I’m More than the Pastor’s Wife by Lorna Dobson*
- Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook
- Rocking the Roles by Lewis and Hendricks*
- The Lord’s Suupper: Five Views edited by Gordon T. Smith*
- What I with I’d Known Before I Got Married by Kay Coles James*
- And a dozen more that I hope I can get to (but kind of doubt that I will)
Juvenile
- Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine
- Mystery behind the Wall by Gertrude Chandler Warner
- Picture books from AG to ?
- The Stunning Science of Everything
*The asterisk marks books I’m currently in the middle of.
Drop by 5 Minutes 4 Books to see what others are reading.
A Tailoring Trick
A couple of weeks ago, I was horrified to realize that none of my clothes fit. And by none, I truly mean NONE.
You see, I just so happen to be blessed with an ample top and a practically non-existent bottom, with long arms, legs, and torso. Which means that I can rarely find something that fits off the rack.
Even brand new, my shirts tend to strain across the front, barely cover my belly, and unintentionally become three-quarter length sleeves. I’ve dealt with it for years by wearing wife-beaters under most of my tops.
Brand new slacks tend to be too short, and have big bags where most people’s hips and behinds go. I solve half the problem by buying slacks with cuffs–and then taking down the cuffs for extra length.
Note the “bags” in the hips.
But I lost some weight last year, leaving me with even more fitting problems. Now my slacks and skirts slip right off my waist–in addition to bulging around my hips.
I refrained from altering my clothes, except for adding belt loops to a few pairs of slacks, because I felt sure that I would regain the weight. After all, I’d maintained that weight for years–why would I develop a new set point?
But maintain a new set point I have–and now I have decided that it’s time my clothes fit properly.
So I loaded my machine with black thread, pulled all the black garments out of my closet, and got to business–and quickly remembered why I don’t like to do this too often.
Tailoring is a laborious process of trying on, making adjustments, trying on again, adjusting some more, ripping out seams, redoing seams. It takes forever, and it’s pretty imprecise.
I had just decided that maybe I’d only do one pair of slacks this evening when an idea hit me. What if–instead of trying on the slacks, guestimating what needs to be altered here and there, trying it out, trying it on, and repeating the process until perfect–what if I just put my slacks on inside out and pinned everything up. Then I could just sew along my pin line and call it good.
Pinning up those hip “bags”.
Amazingly, it worked. I kept going and ended up getting 3 skirts, 3 pairs of slacks, and 1 dress altered this evening–much more than I had expected.
Pants that fit. Amazing!
So, next time you’re frustrated at the fit of your clothing, try the little trick I learned this evening–turn your pants inside out.
Simple Sunday: A gift
~Thankful for the book I received yesterday. The book looks ordinary, but it has extraordinary features–notes from previous readers, including the giver. I’m enjoying this brief glimpse into his mind–and I’m already adding my own thoughts.
Visit Davene at Life on Sylvan Drive for more Simple Sunday posts.
Thankful Thursday: Numbers
Today I’m thankful for:
- One pieced quilt top (Yeah, I’ll still have to get it quilted if I’m going to give it to them tomorrow. Break out the machine!)
- Two turned-in papers (Why did I save them until today? Good question.)
- Three on three basketball last night (Can you believe it? I barely can!)
- Four requirements from God (Deuteronomy 10:12–“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to FEAR the Lord your God, to WALK in all His ways…to SERVE the Lord your God…and to KEEP the commandment of the Lord.”)
- Five books to return to the library. (Not that many, but I’m getting there on a couple more.)
- Six days off before Christmas (okay, that’s kinda cheating!)
- Seven fantastic siblings (even if sometimes they annoy me.)
- An eight o’clock phone call. (Will that mean an earlier night or a longer conversation, I wonder?)
- Nine A.M. with Joanna (Going to get that quilting done!)
And above all that, I’m thankful that the Lord our God is One. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.