Mentos Video

We do a very small version of this in my chemistry class. I thought of this because The Preacher's Wife had some issues with rolaids and diet coke. Enjoy!

Cyndee

Weekend Reflection #6

Here are some images from our Weekend. Charity's big Synchro Show was this Saturday. She had some friends come over to "gel" their hair. It is unflavored gelatin that they put in their hair so keep it in place while they swim. It pretty much smells like wet dog! See this blog for the requirements to be a synchro mom.

Here she is all smiles and ready to perform! It is amazing what she can do with a pool and some music. I don't know where she gets her talent from because I don't even like to put my face in the water.
Here is a picture taken by my 7 year old at the end of the day. We (that is my husband, Roger) have been sitting in a hot pool room for 7 hours off and on - mostly on. I don't know if my behind can handle sitting on those hard bleachers much longer.

Charity was a real trooper - She started her day at 6:15 and we didn't leave the pool until after 10 pm. Her routines were wonderful for a second year swimmer. Great job Girl!

We rested on Sunday. Church had a great message which I might blog about later and we had some friends over for a BBQ. It was very windy - but the rain held off, so we actually ate on our deck.

Thanks for reading!

Cyndee

What is your inner color?

I found this at over at Ponderings of the Heart. I don't know that it fits me, but that is what the survey said! For you that know me - let me know what you think, then go take the survey yourself!

Your Inner Color is Green

Your Personality: You are a high acheiver who is very competitive. You're bound to reach your goals, no matter how lofty. You in Love: Picky with high standards, it's hard to find your match. You need someone as driven as you are! Your Career: You need a high profile, challenging career to satisfy you. Consider finance, sales, or running your own company.

What's Your Inner Color?

I AM - Lesson 4

Lisa, The Preacher's Wife, is hosting this study. Come along if you like, you can join at anytime.

1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?)

It seems like I have mini NLIP's all the time. I structure my life and expect things to go a certain way. For example, I planned a trip to the local museum and they were sold out on tickets that day. I kind of freak out a little when that happens - I am not especially adaptable sometimes.

For a bigger NLIP, like Moses, I thought that I was totally in control during college - I set goals and met them. Until God showed me that my goals did not match up with His plans and gifts. It switched my lifelong career goal from being a doctor to being a teacher.


2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain.

I have truly gotten better. I still sort of get angry and wonder what in the world is going on. I am working on trying to see God's purpose in it all, as well as holding my plans a little looser. I am much better now that I have kids - they are all about flexibility.


3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling?

I served with our high school ministry for two years, thinking that since I am a high school teacher that this would be a good match. It turns out that it really isn't. I don't know if it was an age thing or that I was wanting to focus more on God and less on fun. High schools just want fun sometimes and that has always been hard for me. I am serious a lot of the time. I so admire the blogs that can make fun of their foibles. Something that God is working on in me.

I don't know that I questioned God through this process, I just figured that I was there for a purpose, even if I didn't seem to see results and I discovered one area that wasn't a "great" fit for me.
4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans?

I have followed or been under leaders that later sinned greatly and fell out of leadership. I wonder if I was wise to have followed them? Was a learning what was biblical or was it tainted by their sin? I then wonder if I have not been in a leadership position because of who I was following? I trust the God of the Bible and try to verify teachings from man against the word of God, but sometimes I wonder....

5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free.

I guess that my biggest was a result of my sin. My husband and I had a child before we were married and planned on placing her for adoption. We weren't even thinking of marriage at the time. I had a plan - have the baby and go back to CO from MN. God had a better but more complicated plan which included a husband and baby. My career goals were my focus and not having a family.

It is amazing how God can and does take something that we are not even looking for and make them the best things in your life. I am so incredibly blessed that life did not work out how I envisioned so far.

6. Based on Moses' response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself?

I am hoping that my life is more God centered and that I am continually seeking Him. I have learned that MY plans are just suggestions and it is GOD'S plans that prevail.

Thanks for reading!

Cyndee

National Day of Prayer

Wendy over at MidWest Texan is hosting a prayer chain for the National Day of Prayer. I hope that you can pop over there and join in.

I often struggle with prayer requests - they can be so personal or impersonal. Here are a few of mine:

1. I am praying that my husband and I can find a way to gently quit our small group at church without hurting too many feelings. One of the other couples child needs more help than our group can provide. This couple really needs a group that can adequately support them and they child.

2. I keep praying for transformation in my daughters life - that she will grow in Christ through her teenage years. She knows Jesus as her savior, but as a mom, I know there is so much more.

3. Personally, pray that I will know where to serve best this summer and next fall with our church or else where. I know that it is more than a feeling, but I just haven't found my "sweet spot" - where I have no doubt that I belong.

4. Pray for our country, soldiers and decisions made by our President and legislators. Pray for wisdom.

Thanks!

Cyndee

Risk taker

I have noticed that my blog has become my source for my quiet times. It has been a place of reflection on God`s word. I am enjoying Christian Women's Online In Other Words on Tuesday and very much enjoying The Preacher's Wife blog bible study that she spends so much time on for us on Wednesdays. I am seeing the heart of women in ways that are amazing. I am inspired and challenged every time I choose to participate. This is a risk for me - having others see me when I am vulnerable in my writing.

But our 7 year old boy on the other hand is a risk taker in so many other ways! I got a call from the school nurse last Friday. "We were calling to let you know that your son and another boy had a collision on the play ground and he has a fat, bloody lip".

The good mom that I am says "Does he need stitches?".

"No, we just wanted you to know"

Okay then. My boy, like most I suppose, plays like there is no tomorrow. He runs full speed to the next thing. He slides as fast as he can and swings as high as he can. I truly love this about him.

So, along comes Monday. The nurse calls again. I am thinking, what did he run into now.

"Well", the nurse says, "he fell from the rings on the playground when some boy pushed him. He thinks he has a broken arm. Can you come get him?"

This is the phonecall that stresses out working moms and maybe all moms in general. I arrange for another teacher to cover my class and drive over. The arm isn't swollen and he isn't screaming his head off like the last two times he broke bones (I told you he was a risk taker). I am guessing it isn't broken, but I take him to the ER anyway - because my husband will just end up taking him anyway.

Diagnosis - not broken. He wants to play baseball, so this is good. A cast during baseball season on your throwing arm would not be fun. God is watching over us even when we don't acknowledge Him.

Thanks for reading!

Cyndee

Perserverance

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."
~ Charles Spurgeon ~

As always, I read before I type. I read in my devotional today about wisdom being the use of knowledge. I am continually inspired and encouraged by all of you that share, rejoice and persevere.

Here are my thoughts as I read today. Just think about all the planning of the snail (see this blog) and yet, I think about how God called each animal at just the right time. The snail was called long before the fastest animals because of how long she would have to travel. She started her journey years before other animals knew. The amazing thing to me is that God allowed enough time for the snail to get there. He knew - as He always does - how long it would take the slowest of His creatures to get there.

I think that is how it is for many of us in our journey with Christ. God knows how long it will take to reach the purpose He created us for. For some, our journey is slow, for others God seems to work at lightening speed. It reminded me of the below verse:

Galatians 6:9Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

God has no desire to lose relationship with a single person - and in my mind that is what hell is, total separation from God. He wants all of us with Him for eternity. So, even if I am Noah, I need to wait for God's timing, even if I am tired of the sin of this world (and my own) and wish for Jesus' return. I need to persevere and wait for the snail - for even the smallest of these is important to God.


Thanks to Iris over at Sting My Heart for hosting today's IOW. Check it out!

Thanks for reading

Cyndee