I Dreamed I went to the Synergy Conference

This morning I sat up in a dreamy state and realized that I had just been to the Synergy conference in my sleep. In my subliminal desire to go, ( since I can't go this year) I thought I'd offer a little advertisement. If you are a woman looking for development and guidance along your ministry journey, attending this event would definitely be worth your time. This year's conference is March 6-8.

Last year, at the encouragement of my hubby, I went from China for the weekend. There were moments in the 8 hour layover between San Fransisco and Orlando that I questioned my sanity. But--It was simply the best women's conference I've ever attended...and I've been to some conferences! Started by Carolyn Custis James of the Whitby Forum, it is designed to develop, empower, and connect Christian women leaders. Aside from the excellent plenary session speakers (this year features Alice Matthews, professor at Gordon Conwell Seminary; and Lauren Winner, author of Girl Meets God and professor of Christian Spirituality at Duke) you will find quality development workshops in the areas of writing, academic interests, and leadership. Here are a few of this year's workshops:

-Writing the Spritiual Memoir
-Speed Editing (Professional feedback on your writing for free!)
-Gender Issues in Mentoring
-Media and Ministry
-The Leader and the Family
-Making Sense of the Emergent Church
-Pursuing Academics

Equally you will find encouragment along your journey, meeting other women who desire to cultivate their God-given gifts for His kingdom. It's not too late--there's still time for you to sign up! www.synergytoday.org.

"I told him where to go!"

This is what we celebrated today. Small victories. That’s how we mark language progress on the 4 and 5 year old level. Lately I haven’t been very encouraged… 1 ½ years of Chinese school and still a hesitancy to speak their Chinese name or give a simple goodbye to their teachers. But today, as the taxi driver asked where to go, Kathryn belted out our address. She turned and gave me a sly smile, and we held an impromptu victory dance in the back of the taxi!

Transformation in the Middle

I’ve been chewing on Moses. After watching the Prince of Egypt movie for the first time last month, Kathryn has a deep fascination with the story. (And now we’ve watched it…at least 10 times?) The idea of slavery, Moses’ mother’s role, what Moses gave up, the powerful miracles… have all been fodder for great 5 year old-mommy conversation. She asks some awesome, penetrating questions that keep me on my toes! Hollywood’s portrayal isn’t 100% accurate, but they got some things exactly right.

Meanwhile, our dialogue has coincided with my reading of the Bible this year, which now puts me in the middle of Deuteronomy. You know what you see in the middle of Deuteronomy? The same guy who trembles at the thought of speaking a single sentence to Pharaoh has been completely transformed. His concise, powerful speech spans almost the entire book. A timid stutterer turned bold-faith expositor, we get to see the start to finish transformation.

For you and me, the evidence of change towards Christ-likeness can seem more obscure. At this point in our journey, you and I are “somewhere in the middle”—not where we came from, and not yet where He is taking us. Yet, as you look back, what can you see? What evidences of His transforming power do you see in your own life, “in the middle?”

Sometimes His fingerprints in my growth process seem sketchy, and at times I can be discouraged by this. You too? But as we look at Moses, then end from the beginning, we can take courage in our less-than-finished middle. We have the same promised end—“Standing in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy!”

Snowgirl Caroline

Yesterday during the surprise (last?) snow of the season the girls and I went out and made a snowgirl affectionately named Caroline. We have a really cute picture book called Snow Ball, and it shows creative ways snowmen (or snowladies) can be decorated. We've been waiting all season. We collected popcorn kernels, almonds, Mike Ike candies, pink yarn, pipe cleaners, various scarf possibilities, and a sundry assortment of other parts for the big creation. The snow was quite powdery and it was difficult to pack it tight enough into balls, so Caroline is not your typical 3-tiered snowlady...she's more like a snow mound. But growing up in Texas you can't expect of me anything more than remedial snow skills.




















Here she is...













Love the tongue action!

If Horatio’s OK…I’m OK

Last night when I came home from our women’s study group, my mind was buzzing with many questions…how can I make this busy week work? How can I get Kathryn to her friend’s birthday party on the same night as having dinner guests? What can I serve that will not require me to go to the market? Can I get away serving the same thing twice this week? Will the price of our reserved airline tickets be the same tomorrow as they are today?

As I came in our apartment pondering such deep life mysteries as these, my husband was half-way through the last episode of CSI Miami, season 6. Without commercials, this show is the perfect evening wind down—not the long commitment of a movie, but a 45 minute escape from reality.

In my humble opinion, CSI Miami is far superior to New York or Las Vegas. It’s not about the beach. No, there is just one thing—one person—that sets it apart. It’s all about Horatio Caine (David Caruso). Horatio just has that total in-your-face; stick-in-to-you punch that Gary Sinise and William Peterson simply can’t match. You know why I like him so much? (Yes, I have analyzed this.) Horatio is justice now—the tireless advocate for the oppressed, and the bad guy always gets his due—in 45 minutes! Of course all the CSI guys want to solve the mystery, but Horatio packs it with unparalleled finesse and righteous umph. He’s still human, in fact quite personal, but never confuses the line between good and evil. Don’t we all have that hunger to see the evil dealt with now, by someone who is truly good? He is, dare I say, (is this sacrilegious?) a little bit like Jesus. Am I going overboard?

Anyhow, back to last night. So season 6 ends with Horatio shot and writhing on the ground. Punch me in the gut! With this unexpected burden to bear, in addition to all the other burning questions in my mind—I was deeply disturbed by this development. I didn’t even know which season is playing now in the US. Was I one or two years behind? Is the show even still running? So you see I had some vital research to do. If I couldn’t bring closure to the other ambiguities in my life, at least I could go to bed knowing Horatio’s fate.

I quickly discovered that CSI Miami is now playing its 7^th season, and the brief recap of episode one reassured me that Horatio does, in fact, continue wielding the sword of justice for yet another season. So while my life continues with its trail of unknown mysteries and unsolvable enquiries, at least Horatio is alive, and all will be right with the world.

40 Second Book Review

This is another stolen post (from my friend Sandi @ aspire2) but too hilarious not to share... What good Christian book have you read lately that's not so predictable?

My friend Heather Goodman and her husband Chris now operate Solomon Summaries, the Cliffs-Notes-for-Christian-Books service. So I sent Heather this week's religion bestseller list and suggested she run summaries of these books. I received this reply:

1. The Shack -- I killed my father. My daughter died. God sent me a letter. Told me to go to the place where my daughter was killed. I went. I saw. (I learned Jesus wasn't actually abandoned by the Father at his death; no, the Father was there all along.) I forgave. William P. Young.

2. 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life -- I died. I saw heaven. Cue ethereal music (there may have been harps). God sent me back to tell you fools you wanna be there. (I went. I saw. I told you so.) Don Piper with Cecil Murphey.

3. The Love Dare -- Love is not some squishy emotion. Love is patient (check here when you've completed that: __ ). Love is kind (check here when you've completed that: __ ). Etc., etc. Forty days and forty nights. Congrats! You are now the perfect lover. Here's your certificate. Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick.

4. The Five Love Languages -- Everyone loves and is loved differently. Figure out how to love your loved one best. (We suggest picking up a copy of The Five Love Languages of Your Spouse, The Five Love Languages of Your Eldest Child, The Five Love Languages of Your Middle Child, The Five Love Languages of Your Youngest Child, The Five Love Languages of Your Siblings, The Five Love Languages of Your Father, The Five Love Languages of Your Mother, The Five Love Languages of Your Coworkers or one of our other editions to help you in the process.) Give gifts! Affirm with words! Touch lots! Spend lots of time together (make sure it's quality, of course)! Do acts of service! Live happily ever after. Gary Chapman.

5. The Purpose-Driven Life -- Everybody's got a purpose. You were created to glorify God. God gave you specific gifts to do so. Walk with me for 40 days (because that's the biblical and therefore magical number; see The Love Dare above) and you'll figure yours out. Maybe someday you, too, can pray at the inauguration. Rick Warren.

6. Every Now and Then -- Guy was hurt. Guy fights fires. Guy will save the world from terrorists who start fires, but can Guy save himself without getting burned by love again? (Hint, it's a happily ever after.) Karen Kingsbury.

7. Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul -- Dear Woman, You are tired and in distress. I will rescue you. Love, God John and Stasi Eldredge.

8. Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential -- No need for hope in a stinkin' restored earth. No! You, too, can have your best life now! Why? Because you're worthy. You've just underestimated your self-worth. Follow these 7 steps (while others have chosen the longer "40" path, I can reshape you with the shorter biblical number, "7"!): things like believing God wants more for you, raising your expectations of your success as a person and what you should have, escape the nagging past, understand how valuable you are, think prosperously ("I think I can, I think I can," rinse, repeat). And you'll be happy and rich. Joel Osteen.

9. The Wednesday Letters -- Dad liked to write letters, but only on Wednesdays. He died. Here are your stack of letters. Troubled marriage? Single mother? Prodigal son? We've got it all. Read your letter. Love, forgive, and live. The end. Jason F. Wright.

10. The God Delusion -- You believe in God. Only idiots believe in God. You must be an idiot. Anyone remember Marx? Come on, now. Do I seriously have to write this again? Richard Dawkins.

It's Ellie's Birthday... No, Wait, NOW it's Ellie's birthday... OK, REALLY this time

After having to reschedule her party yet again for a 3rd time, today was finally the day! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...





























































































































Does this mean I'm a big girl now?

A Good Laugh

This entry is stolen from my friend Marie @ bidingmytime, but I needed a good laugh. Despite my admitted joy at sending my children back to Chinese school in the mornings this week, it still hasn't happened. K woke up with 103 fever on Monday. E held out till 2 hours before her birthday party yesterday, which we've canceled till Friday. The last 2 mornings Jim and I have woken up, fed the girls breakfast & put on a movie so we can go back to bed...and then repeated this again in the afternoon. But all of this feels like de ja vu... We just did this 2 weeks ago with a stomach flu bug! So you see, I needed a laugh...

...When asked to draw a picture of what they wanted to be when they grew up, second-grader "Sarah" turned in the lovely drawing shown below. Needless to say, the teacher was a bit surprised -- Mrs. Smith had always seemed like such a conservative woman. So she sent a note home to the girl's mother asking for clarification as to the picture's meaning. (read Mom's reply below the picture)




Here's the reply the teacher received the following day:

Dear Mrs. Jones,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer.
I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.
From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith