Fall 2008

I'm a summer girl...I love spring when everything is new, but really when it comes down to it I just love the summertime. But I've gotten a much better appreciation for fall over the year, especially as I look for God in His creation of the earth.

I think what makes me appreciate God's hand in autumn most is that He knew that we wouldn't particularly like to see everything around us dying. So He made it beautiful! I think it's just really amazing that the leaves become such beautiful, vivid colors before they die. I mean really, if there was no intelligence behind the creation of this earth, why would we possibly know what was beautiful anyway?

I've learned through my Master Gardener association to take into account the color of the fall foliage when choosing trees, shrubs, and perennials. So now I'm taking note even more of what I see when I'm driving around so I can select some new things to add to my landscaping in the future.

We've had some perfect weather this fall for vivid colored foliage. I've gotten a lot of joy out of really looking around and taking in all of the beauty that God blesses us with this time of year. If you haven't gotten a chance to drive or walk around just for the sake of looking at the fall colors, JUST DO IT!

My slide show is made up of photos I took around my yard the over the last week. I had planned to take a trip out to the local lake to take a few more photos, but I haven't had a chance yet, so maybe I'll add more later.

I have no profound words about bananas or compost today, just a reminder to take a few minutes everyday to enjoy God's creation!

"How many are your works O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." Psalm 104:24

A Woman's Vocabulary

Today on Patti's Moms Transformed blog she wrote about men of "steel and velvet" and asked us to comment on our men of steel and velvet...so I did. http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2008/10/no-more-night-men-of-steel-and-velvet.html When I posted the comment and looked back at it, it sure sounded like I was married to the perfect man! Well of course he is not perfect, but he's perfect for me! And ladies, you know we all mold our men...they don't come to us as the finished "perfect husband" product! We of course, as wives, come ready out of the box. (Please hear this with a strong sarcastic tone! ;) ) One friend likes to say that men have to attend the "Lunk-head" school! Well here's what I imagine would be a couple of lessons for the lunk-heads!
(Joy-booster alert...you're supposed to laugh at this!)

LESSON ONE: A WOMAN'S VOCABULARY

FINE: This is the word we use to end an argument. "Fine" means that the argument is over, we are right, you should shut up. Never use "Fine" to describe how a woman looks. This will cause you to have one of those arguments.

FIVE MINUTES: This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so I feel that it's an even trade.

NOTHING: This means something and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and end with the word "Fine."

GO AHEAD (with raised eyebrows): This is a dare. One that will result in a woman getting upset over "Nothing" and will end with the word "Fine."

GO AHEAD (normal eyebrows): This means "I give up" or "Do what you want because I don't care." You will get a raised eyebrow "Go Ahead" in just a few minutes, followed by "Nothing" and "Fine" and she will talk to you in about "Five Minutes" when she cools off.

LOUD SIGH: This is not actually a word, but is still often a verbal statement very misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment and wonders why she is wasting her time standing there and arguing with you over "Nothing."

SOFT SIGH: Again, not a word, but a verbal statement. "Soft Sighs" are one of the few things that some men actually understand. She is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe and she will stay content.

OH: This word followed by any statement is trouble. Example; "Oh, let me get that." Or, "Oh, I talked to him about what you were doing last night." If she says, "Oh" before a statement, run, do not walk, to the nearest exit. She will tell you that she is "Fine" when she is done tossing your clothes out the window, but do not expect her to talk to you for at least 2 days. "Oh" as the lead to a sentence usually signifies that you are caught in a lie. Do not try to lie more to get out of it, or you will get raised eyebrows "Go ahead" followed by acts so unspeakable that I can't bring myself to write about them.

THAT'S OKAY: This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can say to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before deciding on your punishment for what ever it is that you have done. "That's Okay" is often used with the word "Fine" and used in conjunction with a raised eyebrow "Go Ahead." At some point in the near future when she has plotted and planned, you are going to be in some mighty big trouble.

PLEASE DO: This is not a statement, it is an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done. You have a fair chance to tell the truth, so be careful and you shouldn't get a "That's Okay."

THANKS: A woman is thanking you. Do not faint, just say, "You're welcome."

THANKS A LOT: This is much different than "Thanks." A woman will say, "Thanks A Lot" when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have hurt her in some callous way, and will be followed by the "Loud Sigh." Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the "Loud Sigh," as she will only tell you "Nothing."

LESSON TWO: HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR WIFE DURING THAT ONE SPECIAL WEEK OUT OF THE MONTH (Unless she is going through to menopause, in which case, use this daily in conjunction with lesson one.)

This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every Husband, boyfriend, and significant other.

DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: Could we be overreacting?
SAFEST: Here is fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you some caramel for that apple?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't overdo it today.
SAFEST: I have always loved you in that robe
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some more chocolates.

Okay then...what does this really say...who is really the perfect spouse in a marriage! My joy comes from a good laugh... at myself! And also that neither one of us has to be perfect, if God forgives us for being imperfect, surely we can forgive one another!

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30

Bananas!!!

Bananas. I truly get joy from bananas!!! I think bananas are the perfect food! I just love the way God made bananas! And to me, they symbolize God’s perfect simplicity in a complex and chaotic world:

The banana…God’s perfect food.
It comes pre-wrapped, no washing needed.
It’s portable.
You need nothing but your hands and mouth to prepare it and eat it.
As it ripens the flavor changes, so you can pick your favorite time to eat it.
It doesn’t taste like other fruits…it tastes FATTENING!!!
It’s unique among fruits. God could definitely get a patent on this one!

Our relationship with God…perfect simplicity
It requires only one washing, but then we stay clean, even if we are dropped in the dirt once in awhile.
It is portable…we can take God with us anywhere we go.
You need nothing but your heart to prepare it and eat of it.
As you ripen, your flavor grows!
It’s not like anything else…it is completely satisfying.
It’s completely unique among other belief systems…God gives perfect grace, no human could have thought of it!

A little extra joy-burst: Another thing I love about bananas…that was my son’s FIRST word…NANA! He ate one every morning… and I would dance it across the highchair tray and sing the Sesame Street song “One Banana.” We were in the grocery store and as we passed the bananas he said it, “NANA!” I thought I was hearing things since he was only 10 ½ months old, so I went up and down a few aisles and walked past again…and he said it again. We did that several times until I was convinced!
“…I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Psalm 13:5

Mommy Moments

Last week my son was selected by lottery as one of 300 out of 6800 applicants to attend the final Presidential Debate, being held at his school, Hofstra University. This was something he really hoped to attend ever since it was announced last spring. I was very excited for him. A number of people wanted to know whether or not he was selected, so I sent an e-mail out letting everyone know. One response I received was from my dear friend Cordelia. Cordelia began her e-mail by saying, “Annette, I felt your “mommy moment.” And I thought, yes, that just what I feel, it’s a mommy moment!

For me, a mommy moment is a moment of intense joy I feel when my kids have something happen in their lives that is meaningful to them. It’s not necessarily because I am proud of them for an accomplishment, or that they did something that I wanted them to do, it’s just about them. Steven wanted the opportunity to be a part of an historic event that few people experience. The activity on campus with media and security alone that day was an event to be remembered. But on top of that he was able to be in the same room with the next President of the United States in what is being considered the most significant election in his lifetime, if not mine as well.

Other recent “Mommy Moments”

Mallory got the part she wanted in the school’s fall play. It a major lead role, her first. But more importantly, it was the role she really wanted. Even though she’s had smaller parts in other plays, when it was the part she really wanted, that was what was most important to her. What a great attitude!

A double: Steven had to work extra hard last spring semester to bring his grades up in order to keep his academic scholarship. He expected to get the grades to break even… instead, even a surprise to him, he got all A’s and A-‘s! And consequently he made Dean’s List. The mommy moment for me was his satisfaction in a job well done, as well as his surprise in how well he did. And then over the summer he received an invitation into an honor society for first year students. He was so surprised, it wasn’t anything he knew about, expected, or even applied for! It was an unexpected recognition of his efforts.

Mallory was nominated for “Miss Junior” at her high school last week. It’s the Homecoming Queen for 11^th graders. The top 8 vote getters in the class become the finalists. She was truly humbled to have been nominated by her peers. It wasn’t even a passing thought in her mind, and no one mentioned ahead of time that they would be voting for her.

The joy I get seeing my children come into their own is beyond expression. All you moms out there know what those moments feel like. When your kids are younger, the mommy moments can be as simple as the first time they win Candy Land to the day they learn to ride a bike. I’d be honored if you would send in your “Mommy Moments” to me via e-mail or comments and let me know if I can share them in another post.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

COMPOST!

As many of you know, I took horticultural classes last spring to become a Master Gardener. Believe me...it sound MUCH more impressive than it is! My fellow MG's are really into composting. They really laid it on thick when they found out I have an endless supply of dead leaves in my yard...they continually asked why I wasn't saving my kitchen and garden waste and making a big compost pile. After a while I began to feel guilty because I didn't compost! But I resisted. Just what I needed...a pile of rotting waste in my backyard!!!

But as the months went by, and I learned more about this "black gold" that everyone was raving about, I decided that once the fall came, and it was time to pull out all the old flowers, and the dead leaves would be plentiful, I would give this composting thing a go. The next question was...what was I going to use to store this pile of refuse! You can spend well over $100 on a fancy composter, or you can build bins...the list goes on and on. But since Dave's employment future is still uncertain I figured I'd go as economical as possible and just use glorified chicken wire and stakes. So over the weekend I built my compost bin...I am VERY proud of it...it gave me GREAT joy! In the next couple of days I'm going to start filling it. The leaves are falling, my flowers are ready to be yanked out, and I'm even saving veggie scraps in my fridge! I can use fireplace ashes, paper, all kinds of waste! YIPPIE! If you pile it up the right way, add the right amount of water, in a few days it starts to give off heat, the worms show up...and wa-la... In a few months you've got the black gold! My flower beds are just waiting to suck up all that nutrient rich stuff!

I'm an analogy person...if you know me, you know I like to make an analogy for everything...I'm a visual person, so word pictures really work for me. I couldn't help but get to thinking about this compost pile, and life....isn't this what a Christian life looks like...you take all your waste, the dead stuff, the rotting stuff, the stuff you should just throw away...and God can take all that and transform it into something really valuable, and then He can even use it to nourish others! (Notice it also takes some WATER to get all of this going!)

Keeping this analogy is mind will help me to be JOYFUL even when I'm tending to this worm laden pile of decomposing stuff!!! Rejoice in the Lord always!!!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Why is Annette blogging???

Okay, does the world need another blog...more to the point, do the women at the Pitman Church of Christ need to read one more blog??? Well, the answer to both of those questions is, "NO." But, if you know me, you know that "NO" doesn't always stop me!

Two and a half years ago, I led a Wednesday night time of devotion for our women that I called "Choose Joy!" Ilearned few things in the process of leading that class- First, leading a class for adults is REALLY hard work: no crafts, no puppet shows! You've got to fill the time with substance. Second- If you lead a class on "Joy" be prepared for an attack from the evil one. During those three months I ended up in a deep depression. I'm not saying that to discourage anyone from teaching or pursuing joy. I'm cautioning you to be prepared for the attack...because I wasn't.

The third thing I learned- and this is the point of the story- I found out I was more comfortable expressing myself in writing. My devos looked great to me on paper, but when I got up in front of the class my mouth literally went dry every week. So the best part of the class for me were the e-mails I sent out to the group that I called "Joy Boosters." They were just little snippets of my daily quest for joy, or maybe a joke, or some photos I took of something beautiful in God's creation. It was kind of blog via e-mail. After the quarter was over, several women asked me to continue, and I did for a while, but I was concerned that I was just filling up in boxes with stuff that not everyone really wanted. So I decided to start a blog that women could choose to read. So have you seen my blog before today??? No you haven't because I never got past the first post.

Flash forward to now- blogging is definitely the "in" thing to do among the women in my church family. And I guess you could say I'm jumping on the bandwagon...but I've been 2 years in the leap! I don't find myself looking for those daily "joy boosters" that God sends me as much as I used to. So if nobody reads this blog, that's okay, because if it gets me back in the habit of choosing God's gift of joy then it will have served it's purpose.