Wednesday, August 24, 2011

First Day of School

I know I'm behind in posting pics, but last Tues. the 16th was the girls first day of school in 1st and 3rd grades!

Ellie has Mrs. Goyal, who was already unfortunately put on bedrest for her pregnancy, and so Ellie has a sub from the start. But she loves Mrs. Card!

K has Mrs. Zoroufchi. That's right. Za-roof-she. She from Iran, which we think is really cool!

















































Yeah for the start of school! How many more years do you think the girls will be rejoicing about going back to school?

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Whiskers and Tales

Last Sat. at our library, they had the "Whiskers and Tales" program, where therapy dogs come as guest audiences for kids who read to them. It was SUCH fun to watch! When you entered the room, there were about a dozen dogs to choose from, and you sat down with that dog and read your book to them. Each dog was accompanied by their owner who told you about them and sat with you during your time. The girls each got to pick 3 dogs. We were concerned about Ellie's allergies but we just filled her with Benadryl before we left, and she didn't sneeze once!

Colby...



















Jade...



















and Sydnie...




































Monday, August 22, 2011

Are Squirrels Intelligent?

After returning from our Colorado vacation and thinking about how much I enjoyed the hummingbird feeder, Jim bought me this bird feeder. I know this is a simple pleasure, I can't tell you how much fun its been to watch and see who comes to visit.



















Here is our famous local-- the Cardinal, and I believe the other is a goldfinch?














But let me tell you who else has been visiting:




















The sheer muscle strength to hold himself up in that position!















Not only has he consistently emptied the entire feeder within a few hours, but the other day he chewed right through the rope causing the whole thing to tumble to the ground. It seemed quite premeditated, I'm beginning to think that squirrels have a bit of intelligence??



Friday, August 19, 2011

Know Thyself ... and the Gospel

What does "knowing yourself" have to do with the gospel?

And how is it not just an individualistic, Western, self-centeredness?

Someone asked me this question lately, and I thought it was worthy of some reflection. Here are my thoughts.

-It’s about LOVE. A person without a accurate view of themself, who gives out of ‘should’, out of a need for the affirmation of others, out of seeking to meet biblical standards in their own effort, is NOT freely loving, even if it appears so from the outside. Is giving out of ‘should’ better than not giving at all? “Man looks at the outer appearance but God looks at the heart.” Just as God did not desire sacrifices, but a humble spirit and repentant heart.

-This person described above is in serious danger of living a life of legalism & self-righteousness, and/or, on the flip side, self-condemnation and shame. These are enemies of the gospel.

-It’s about awareness, “know thyself” as Dr. Hannah and Calvin would say. Someone who does not know themselves (but has allowed themselves to be defined by everyone else) cannot know God very deeply, and surely doesn’t truly praise Him or need Him, because they don’t know their own dignity or depravity.

-Knowing your dignity- A person with a solid sense of self CAN lead to a profound level of worship, because you come to appreciate the unique ways you have been designed by God to serve His people. This person can serve, not from duty, but from a sense of deep joy and passion in the ways of His design.

-Knowing your depravity. Here’s a big one. A person who does not know themselves will have a shallow appreciation of their fallenness, and therefore of the gospel. Surely this is a lifetime process and we all grow in understanding our sinfulness over time. But a growing sense of self will lead to a growing awareness of selfishness, brokenness, etc… in the midst of the dignity, that can bring a growing awareness of grace.

It is a mistake to think that “defining yourself” is contrary to living sacrificially. Actually it is only a person who knows well the depths of their depravity and the glory of their God-given dignity who can live dependent upon grace instead of a false self, and freely give themselves away.

This is why “know thyself” is critical to the gospel.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Six Flags Adventure

As a part of a summer reading program, the girls won tickets to Six Flags! But they had to be used before the start of school, so we had a day of fun. Honestly, I was SO dreading the heat. But the clouds rolled in that morning and it was like 80 degrees! So fun and unexpected for August!





















































Their favorite was the log ride, and I'm so glad we finally convinced Ellie to go... because I really wanted to ride too! :)














For anyone who knows Ellie's fear issues, I was shocked she'd put her head in there!


Monday, August 08, 2011

Summer Pics 4

This is the last of our CO cabin pics. This is an ordinary hummingbird feeder. I couldn't find any solution, and then K said, "It's just sugar and water, mom." Right. So we mixed up some, and the hummingbirds came in mass numbers! We went through 4 of these containers in less than 48 hrs!! If you look carefully, you'll see 6 hummingbirds in this pic!!



















I love the pic of this doe poised next to the no hunting sign :)














Our last picnic of the week...



















We went on a short hike and there was a lovely waterfall at the end!



















































Goodbye, Colorado. We'll miss you!



Saturday, August 06, 2011

Well, That's All Folks...

No, I'm not done blogging, but this series has come to an end!

These "Bringing It All Together" posts began as a series written over the last 2 months, to consolidate the concepts I have been processing in my counseling program before I begin my internship. I started with the brain, but there was so much to say about neurology, it turned into its only mini-series! Most of these posts are my processed version of class notes practically applied. I tried to write about real people and real life, not principles up in the clouds. Many of these posts are “notes to self” open for your questions, comments, and challenge. I hope you found some thought-provoking, life-giving, hope-filled food-for-thought in this series!

Resources Referred to in this Series, in thought or quote:

Anatomy of the Soul, Curt Thompson

Couples in Conflict, Richardson

Emotional Resilience, Viscott

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Scazarro

Extraordinary Relationships, Gilbert

Family Crucible, Napier

Healing Path, Allender

Holding Hearts, Holding Hands, Phillips

Mindsight, Daniel Siegel

The Neuroscience of Human Relationships, Cozolino

Sexuality & Holy Longing, McMinn

To Be Told, Allender

If you are looking for more on a particular topic, or if you want to dialogue about any of this material, please email me at traciekwallace@gmail.com. I have also put all these posts together in one pdf document which I am happy to share.

Friday, August 05, 2011

Bringing It All Together 28: There Is One Healer (and It’s Not Me)

When I first started my counseling program, I remember feeling a bit shocked that our professors were talking to us right away as if we were counselors. They were, it seemed strange to me, assuming that we were shortly going to have real clients with real problems sitting in front of us one day.

I got used to that kind of talk, but that turns into reality here in a couple weeks once the girls go back to school. Real people seeking healing over real trauma, real suffering, real loss, real abuse, and real relational heartache. And that can feel a little bit overwhelming and a whole lot humbling. So I write these words for my own heart…

Remember, Tracie, before you walk into the room, that God is already working. It is not up to you. God alone is the healer, so you can boldly join with Him a moment when you know you don't have what it takes... and to remain confidant when all seems without hope.

Live in the present moment. Preparations, theories, class notes and case studies are good and helpful, and you need to learn some things. But when you walk into the room, throw away your script. Trust His Spirit within you to guide, reveal, and carry you in that moment. Trust your own heart, His image within you that enables you to relate, and His authorship of your own story by which you are being shaped. For He is answering that prayer you have long prayed, “Make me bold with strength in my soul.”