Oh those darn sheets!

Several weeks ago I posted some pictures on facebook of my neatly folded sheets commenting that after 20+ years I'd finally learned how to fold them. I promised then to write a blog post about how I've come to acquire this great skill. Well here it is finally...My momma brought me some extra sheets and I immediately noticed how wonderfully they were folded. She told me that our sweet J.J., the lady that helps my mom around the house, had folded them. I promptly unfolded them very carefully to see just how this miracle happened. Here's what I discovered:

So first I fold the fitted sheets like this, tucking each corner into the other corner. I find that laying the sheet out flat really helps. Fold it in so that you have a shape that looks similar to this:

Next fold one side up about a third in keeping it neat and straight.

Fold up the remaining 1/3 so you have a nice rectangle of sheets like this...

Now I fold it up by thirds and set it aside.

Next you need to fold the flat sheets in a similar fashion as the fitted ones. I've always found these to be soooo much easier to fold. What about you? I like to make a long rectangle and then fold it up almost all the way. I leave just enough room so slide the pillowcases in that left-over space.

See how nicely they fit in that space you provided.

Now for the fun part...just put those fitted sheets right on top of the pillow cases. They should be just slightly bigger than the cases but that's ok.

Fold up the flat sheets around the cases and fitted sheets:

Voila...there you have it...nice and neat and ready for the linen closet! Thanks J.J. for inadvertently teaching me how to fold sheets.

Thoughts about Lent

Wow...it's been quite a long time since I've written a post and lots has been going on in my life since then. I've been thinking about a post that would address some of those changes but this afternoon I'm more interested in sharing some of my thoughts about Lent.

Growing up I don't remember observing Lent at least not regularly. My parents may have given up things for those 40 days but I really don't remember much about it. Then in my young adult years I vaguely remember choosing things to give up that are fairly typical like chocolate, sweets in general, swearing, voicing negative thoughts/comments, fasting for one day a week. Most of these years I was simply following someone else's behavior and really didn't observe Lent the way I think God might have wanted me to. Truly, there was not a change in my behavior long term...no lasting impact. Did I feel closer to God for those 40 days? Probably, but the good accomplished didn't translate into my ongoing life after Lent was over.

So now it's 2012...I'm committed to not doing things these days that don't have long term value for me or my family. So do we observe Lent this year? And if so, what will that look like? I don't want to give up chocolate just for the sake of giving up something. I've been reading a lot about Lent to help me make a better decision. I joined a reading plan on Youversion specifically for Lent that includes a devotional which has been so helpful in this process. I'm also reading Reliving the Passion by Walter Wangerin Jr. which is a retelling of the Passion story over the 40 days of Lent. This book is challenging me to really think about the familiar story of Christ's life, death and resurrection with new eyes. Finally, I'm reading Chris Seay's newest book, A Place at the Table, which challenges me to commit to a self-examination and renewed focus on Jesus.

So what? How will I be different this year? Do I feel God asking me to give up something for Lent in 2012? If so, what? These are the questions I've been struggling with for several weeks now.

Last week God helped me to realize exactly what He wants me to focus on during this season of Lent. I'm giving up tv watching  during the day. Now I know for most of you daytime tv watching is probably not a big deal. However, God revealed to me that I've been allowing that to consume my free time during the day...in fact, it might just be a real problem. I often can't stand it when I know there's something really good waiting for me in my dvr or queued up on Hulu. It's not enough to just not watch tv though...what am I going to put in the place of tv watching? See that's what I've learned these last few weeks. It's not enough to just give up something or not do something. I need to replace that action with another action. For me this looks like studying God's Word more regularly, reading books that have been on my shelf for a long time, working on some craft projects that I've let sit for far to long and recommitting to writing in my blog.

Today is the first day of my official observance of Lent. The tv has not been turned on...not one time today. The house has been so peaceful and quiet. I'm finally picking back up this blog. And best of all...those shows that recorded last night will still be there when I'm ready to watch them!

Recovering from Ethiopia!

I've not written anything since coming back from our mission trip, mainly be UAE ive not been able to figure out how to put into words all that I've been feeling. I've been following several bloggers who traveled to the Phillippians with Compassion International. They managed to do what I've been unable to do. Here's the link to Emily Freeman's blog that I finally read this morning. I love this post. Take a few minutes and read it for yourself.

Here's my comment to her post and I think this sums up how I've been feeling.

Emily, I just returned on May 26th from spending 2 wks in Ethiopia on mission. I completely understand. I was not really prepared for the emotions and underlining sadness I felt for the first 2 wks home. I struggle now with wanting to remember those precious days and yet knowing that when I go back there I also take on that sadness again. I'm so grateful for the gifts that God has given us. We are blessed but then I remember that the people who touched my life in Ethiopia considered themselves blessed not because of their material things but because of their eternal home with their Saviour Jesus Christ. That much we have in common.

Why International Missions? Why Ethiopia?

Today is the day we've been waiting for, challenged about, excited for...today I leave for Ethiopia on a mission trip with Global Expeditions. Why international missions...why Ethiopia...why now? These are all questions that people have asked me over the last 4 months as I've been preparing to go.

In January I began reading a book that changed my life, Radical by David Platt. Don't read it unless you are prepared to be challenged and provoked! Seriously! When I read scriptures with more of a global perspective, I learn that God loves me...and He loves me so that I might spread the Good News about Him...his ways, his salvation, his glory, his greatness. I'm not the end of the message...I'm possibly the beginning and then my job becomes to reach out to others with what I'm learning from God. I'm reminded that apart from Christ, people cannot come to God and there are billions of people that have never heard about Christ...this is a serious eternal problem. I realized I had not been willing to engage in the battle for the souls of people around the world but instead I was content to live in my peaceful comforts of my world. I was asked 'Am I willing to obey the orders of Christ? Am I willing to be like Him? Am I willing to alter my understanding of Christianity for the sake of those who have yet to meet Jesus?'

Then Platt challenges me to a one year Radical Experiment:

1. pray for the entire world (use Operational World as a guide if you don't have one)
2. read through the entire Word (get a reading plan going)
3. sacrifice your money for a specific purpose (local church, missionaries, charitable org.)
4. spend your time in another context (Ethiopia, homeless ministry, etc.)
5. commit your life to a multiplying community (mentoring, disciplining, Life2Life ministry)

So, I'm sure you can begin to see the progression of my decision to follow God's plan for my life at this time and that that plan included this trip to Ethiopia. The timing was good...the money was available...my heart was stirred...how could I not go?

I'm so excited about all the possibilities that Ethiopia holds for me and for Chelsea. I know I will not come home the same. I'm not going to lie that makes me a little anxious. I like my life, who I am, and the new journey I'm on. I'm not sure I want or need any more change. But I'm leaning on God completely right now and I know that His ways are always better then mine. I'm clinging to the Word He gave me in January...Courageous!

To Blog or Not to Blog

I've asked myself this question over and over. Should I blog? If yes, why? Do I really have that much to say that anyone would want or need to hear? I have several friends that blog and I love to read their posts. Some are pastors. Some are friends. Some are professional bloggers. One is even my oldest daughter. I'm so inspired by their thoughts and ability to convey those thoughts. So I ponder once again...to blog or not to blog.

Chelsea helped me set up this blog about 3 weeks ago. I've yet to post even one thing. The pressure was so great. It was so silly but I just couldn't bring myself to write anything. I told myself once I start my new journey I'll write. Well I'm finally here...

Then I began reading my friend Angela's blog as she started sharing her every day adventures with her sweet new baby, Karsten. It's then I realized that I'm just going to use this blog as a journal to keep track of the new journey that God has me on. He said to me in January, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and don't panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do." When it came to this blog I was not listening very well!

So here's my prayer...God, thank you for this most amazing opportunity to stay home with my family and start a completely new chapter in my life. You have changed my heart and I'm looking forward to all that you have before me. I'm walking courageously into this new life holding onto your righteous hand all the way. Show me the way. Hold me close. Amen