New blog friend

My dear friend Lisa has joined the many here at OD who are blogging. Welcome, friend.

Why do I believe?

I found myself signing out of my blog this evening, and clicking on the Blogspot home page where it chooses a random blog...and voila...I found myself propelled into the world of an atheist.
So, here I am in the middle of the night, typing away at what I think may be the beginning of a bigger and deeper study of why I believe what I believe.

How can anyone simply either not believe in or believe that God (or any god for that matter) is non-existent? To me, it takes a whole lot more faith to believe that science and random electronic brain charges brought me to his blog in the first place, rather than the simple explanation that God is trying to tell me something...and I should pay attention. Now, I know it's not as simple as that, and there are many people out there who really don't care. This blog had me interested, but I haven't had time to read through all of what they have to say, and pull it apart for myself. My Christian world view seems to be diametrically opposed to their Secular Humanistic view of life on this planet, and I don't know enough about their viewpoint to comment intelligently, much less my own.

So, as I ponder why this man (and my extended family) is so resistant to the idea that God as Jesus is real, alive, and living within each of us...here's a little something to think about. Help me to see if I have guts enough to face the devil in his place here on earth.

Lord, give me the strength to go deeper with you, and to reach beyond Your Kingdom into the world of the unbelievers. I don't expect to argue philosophically with this person (I most likely won't even comment on his blog) but to take the website info and put it into perspective in my own life. Care to check it out? I'm curious about what you, my blogging friends have to say about it. The only way I can conquer this fear is to face it straight on...so onward I go. God help me. Philippians 4:13.

The smell of cake

Baby boy turned one this week...and we scrubbed and tidied up the apartment for the relatives to come over on Sunday. I guess I should find him another nickname for blog posting instead of "baby boy". Maybe little man, or??? suggestions?

He's taking a few steps, but tends to drop to the ground after 2-3 and crawls the rest of the way, but at least he's trying. And my favorite words that come from him are "duckityduke, dahdah, gutigik, and nainainai (no real meanings for any of these that we can decipher...but the last one I'm pretty sure comes from lots of No-no's he hears on a daily basis.) He's been climbing up onto the couch, the coffee table, and even INTO his large toy-box in a corner of the living room. It was quite a reality check for my husband when he saw this little one do it. Then, he sat in the toy box for about 15 minutes and just played with the things around him, so content. (My boy, not my husband.) Amazing!

Grandma B., Grandma C., Papa, aunties, uncles, and cousins alike trotted into our place for a couple of hours just to enjoy the musings of this one-year-old and see what he's doing. We opened a couple of gifts, we ate some treats, and the birthday boy got a face full of chocolate cake for the first time ever. At first, he was much more interested in the yellow flame on the candle atop the cake, but as he reached to grab it, came away with four fingers full of frosting. So interesting...it didn't go right into the mouth...but he looked at it, squished it with both hands, and then finally set it against his lips...only to smile gleefully and look for more.

The progression of the photos is darling, from sweet smile, to "Oh my! You really like that cake, don't you?" It was after I got him all washed up, changed his shirt, and was holding him as we said goodbye to everyone who came, that I kissed his cheek, and YES!!! it was there...the sweet smell of chocolate on his skin. Most likely it got into the hair, and I must have missed a spot...but I'm convinced someone should market a chocolate scented baby lotion...because it was so delicious, I'll remember that one for a while. Makes all the labor and sleepless nights this past year completely worthwhile.

Happy First Birthday, sweet boy. I love you.

Snowy sledding fun

The day was so perfect, and with sleds in tow, we trekked down the street to the neighborhood park...a low hill, and deep powder was all it took to see these darlings enjoying what being a kid is all about. But, a bit too much fresh air did-in the little one. He fell asleep on the walk home. Oh, to be able to enjoy the nature of life so much you pass out! Sounds like heaven to me.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday...and in recent years she has gotten smart about how we celebrate. For so many years, she hasn't wanted to celebrate in any way that cost a lot of money, or causes any of her three kids to go out of their way for her.

But, in the past couple of years, she has changed her mind. Each year, the two kids (my brother and myself) who are geographically closest to her, ask if we can take her out for dinner/lunch with the grandkids. We used to do this all as one large group. But, she's figured out that if we each take her out separately, she gets two meals and more social time out of the deal. Not bad.

 

Mom does so much for us. She makes a meal for me at least once per week...usually in the form of ..."Oh honey, I made some soup, and I was going to put it in the freezer, but as long as you're here, why don't you take it home."

She helps us out with laundry...because we live in an apartment, have a baby and my full-time working schedule...her help is immeasurable in this manner.

She picks up my daughter from school twice a week, and saves me lots of money in daycare when she watches her all day when there is no school...like MLK Jr. Day.  Not to mention the wonderful one-on-one time those girls get with each other.

 

So, yesterday my husband and I took her out for some good sushi, and a stroll around the mall with our kids. Not the usual birthday lunch, but something we all really enjoyed. There were no arguments, no temper tantrums, no sour faces...and the kids behaved well, too. After a round at the mall, we stopped for ice cream and then went home. It was really very nice to just be together. It was such a treat for all of us to celebrate her with love, food, and togetherness.

 

I love my mom...but I know sometimes it's hard to break through the mother-daughter judgmental stuff. I'm glad we can talk about things, but know that I take her words for what I can...and then I have to do things my own way. I live my life, in a very different way than she would have it...but I'm happy, and my life is very different than hers.

 

After leaving her country, her family, her home for the man she loved...she came to the USA with different expectations than she lives with today. Now divorced for 18 years, a US citizen, and retired from being self-employed, she is a different woman today. Her mantra is "Only you can make yourself happy." While I admire her strength of character and positive attitude...I have to admit I would change it just a bit. Although you decide your attitude, and choose to be happy, through a rich life and relationship with a loving God, you can feel a deeper sense of purpose on the planet, and have a meaningful life.

 

I pray for you on your birthday, Mom. That your happy life be touched by the maker of your soul. Happy birthday.