Hi Everyone!
We're headed out in the morning. We'll be back on Aug 14th. I can't check Xanga while I'm there because my mom & dad's computer is ancient and it blows up when we access xanga!
HARVESTING:
When we went to visit my parents at Easter time, my dad helped Gracie plant some beans in a pot which we brought home... here is the first harvest!!!
Have a good couple of weeks!!
~Di
Hello all.
This last week was busy getting ready for a show my girls did at the
new performing arts center in Westminster (the Rose Center). It
was put on by their dance studio. They had a dance rehearsal at
the studio on Tuesday for 3 hours (Val for 5 hours), tech rehearsals at
the Rose Center Wed and Thurs for 6 hours each and the show was Friday
and Saturday for 2 hours each.
We weren't allowed to take photos the night of the show, but I did go to both tech rehearsals. Here are some photos:
This is Elizabeth's and Valerie's ballet class.
Nichole, Elizabeth, Jessica, Michelle, Brittany, little Brittany, Perla and Valerie
Have a great week.
~Diane
So
now.... in relating to the topic of my last post and the set of quotes from that
book: we are in the position where Steve and I need to figure out how we are
going to have a relationship (with some other people) defined with high boundaries - but in
order to start even thinking that way -- I am challenged with the
question: What do boundaries look like from the perspective of God?
First off – I need to be careful what the world says is healthy. Some
boundaries encourage taking control and assuming ownership of our own
lives in a manner that conflicts with the biblical view that believers
are to submit control to God, knowing that they are not their own,
having been "bought with a price," the blood of Christ. It violates
trust in God.
The tempation in setting boundaries is to feel like a victim because of
our unmet needs. Unmet needs, like wanting someone to love you
unconditionally or at least value your needs and wants or to treat you
with respect, leads us a lot of times to take the stand that we have
rights and then start to act upon those rights. This type of thinking
can destroy my responsibility to God. So I need to recognize those
rights as just ungodly desires (not that
wanting that from someone is ungodly, but acting on it as rights is)
that will remain unsatisfied.
I once
read a book where it said that God wants us to grow and develop our
boundaries so we won’t invite hurt again. But the God revealed in
Scripture calls His people to joyfully endure hardship, even
persecution, for the eternal cause of Christ. Wow -- that is a radically different picture.
Consider
it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing
that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance
have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,
who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given
to him. ~James 1:2-5
And
not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that
tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven
character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through
the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ~Romans 5:3-5
It also said to forgive
because "unforgiveness keeps you tied to unhealthy relationships."
Scripture says to forgive because "God in Christ has forgiven you."
Let
all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away
from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another,
tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has
forgiven you.~Ephesians 4:31-32
So then, I shouldn’t set boundaries to protect myself or make myself feel better. I am called to love the unlovable. I am
called to reflect the goodness of God in everything I do -- as stated in my last post. And looking at my last post, it was point 4 that stuck me so deeply – am I looking to set boundaries
that are acceptable evil? Am I siding with goodness of God or am I
siding with the evil that opposes Him?
So I wrestle with this with every decision we make --
For example: They will not be able to see my children because they have shown that
they will stop at nothing including involve them in their madness to
achieve whatever goal they have. As opposed to: They will never be
alone or have unsupervised conversations or visits with my children.
Because of their history of inappropriate behavior, we will give them a
list of things that shall not be discussed during our time together (no
gossiping, slandering, obscenities, sexual induendos) and if they say
or do anything inappropriate, the get together will end.
The first one feeds my fear and self-preservation as well as
perpetuates an attitude which is not of love or to what I am called to
as a Christian. The second one not only demonstrates to our children
that we need to love regardless of how someone treats us, but also places me
in a place of trust with God-- as well as allows them to have some sort
of limited relationship with my children. And it is very
biblical for us to flee from ungodliness.
I covet your prayers while Steve and I are working through this.
It is very difficult because of the level of hurt that has transpired,
especially for my husband. It's a BIG thing, almost overwhelming to
think about. But I know, too, God has it already worked out.
~Di
I'm
reading this book because I'm going to have Elizabeth go through it
next school year and really like it! I'm only on chapter 4, but
there are so many good tidbits. At the beginning of our
Mom's and Daugther's nights (we had one this last Wednesday) we go
around and each share what God has been doing in our lives the last
month or how He is blessing us. I shared something out of
Chapter 3 that really struck me. Since I have more "time" I will
share more than the one quote.
Chapter
3 was talking about the goodness of God in action. It had a few
quotes from Matthew 5: Turn the other cheek, if someone drags you into
court to take the shirt off our back, let the poor fellow have your
jacket as well, If a Roman soldier makes you carry his bags for a mile,
offer to carry them for a second, Give to anyone who asks you for
something, Love your enemies, Do good to those who hate you..., and if
we read the rest of Matthew 5, we would never insult anyone, swear to
anything, seek a divorce -- men would tear our their eyes before the
would look at a woman with lust -- and we would all make it our goal to
be meek.
It says that no amount of explanation will make Jesus' demands seem
commonplace or even (apart from Jesus' vision of divine goodness)
reasonable, but that a few explanations can help us to put their
apparent unreasonableness in it proper perspective.
He wrote 7 explanations that I will try to summarize here:
1. The world is evil but we are meant to stand out by the good of our behavior, as the world's "salt" and "light".
2.The drastic picture conveys the point that followers of Jesus must
vigilantly avoid foreseeable temptation and rigorously shun them when
they arise. There are many examples that if followed literally would
lead to absurdities, but whose spirit must be practiced by anyone who
would claim to be Jesus' disciples.
3. The nature of Jesus' demands correspond to His understanding of
goodness which is not just following laws, but deep-down goodness that
shows itself in spontaneous generosity, uncalculated kindness, and
unstinted love.
4. (this is the point I shared at the Moms and Daughters night)
Goodness isn't the product of resolutions to try harder or to try to be
a better person. The issue for Jesus is not at what point we draw
the line between acceptable and unacceptable evil, but whether we side
with the goodness of God or the evil that opposes it.
5. Jesus doesn't suggest that by our deeds of kindness we can make the
world a better place (change enemies into friends by our
kindness). He tells us how we must live if we acknowledge God as
our Father.
6. We should expect to be opposed. Sticking up for one's rights
is absurd for people who claim the Lord of the universe as their
Father; and it runs counter to God's purpose to overcome evil with
good.
7. God grants forgiveness willingly and is only denied to those who
refuse to let the goodness of God shape their own response to their
fellow human beings.
This is such a good reminder of what our perspective should be and
how we should be loving each other and why. There is so much more
I could comment on, but it would take hours and I'm
tired (it's midnight here). Just wanted to share some thoughts
with you all.
much love,
~Di
Hello!
This week have I worked on my lesson plans for next year and collected
(or bought) the rest of my curriculum. Today we went and got
school supplies. Yea! We are done and awaiting the new school
year. Now I can relax, as far as that is concerned. Still a bunch
of things on my to do list before I leave on vacation to my parents'
house on Aug 3. But the stuff I have to do is more fun than work,
so in that sense, I look forward to it all.
We have had a blast going to the beach this summer. I think this
is the first year that I have really enjoyed it. In the past, two
of my kids were not into it, so it was like pulling teeth to get out
and go and then whining about when we were going to leave for home once
we got there. This year everyone is enjoying it. Yesterday,
the kids spent nearly the entire time in the water. It's great to
see them having so much fun in God's creation!!! The ocean --
such enjoyment and beauty!
Here are some pictures from an impromptu get together at our house last Sunday.
My friend's daughter, Lauren, is going to cosmetology college (is that
what you call it?) - so Julie went down on Wednesday to get her hair
trimmed.
I hope you all have a blessed weekend.
~Dianemarie
Here's something I was reading in Hosea 8 this today:
8:5 Thus says the LORD:
They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;
they established princes, but without my approval.
With their silver and gold they made
idols for themselves, to their own destruction.
8:7 When they sow the wind,
they shall reap the whirlwind;
The stalk of grain that forms no ear
can yield no flour;
Even if it could,
strangers would swallow it.
The second half of the verse 7 caught my attention. I was thinking sometimes Steve works and works and still we can't pay all our bills (ie the stalk of grain that forms no ear can yield no flour) and how sometimes he works and works and we finally have money to pay the bill and maybe some left over, but then some disaster with the car or the house or the kids comes up and it's gone (ie even if it could, strangers would swallow it). And I was thinking about are we "sowing to the wind" meaning living for idols (verse 5) that this whirlwind has been enveloping us? Or is it just a "trial of fire" (ie 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed) that God wants us to walk though to strenghten our faith and keep us humble. I believe it is the latter, but I think it is good for me to meditate upon this to make sure there is nowhere where we are "sowing to the wind".
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievious way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23
That is my prayer. Hmmmm... off to reflect.~Di
Here is the slide thing steve made. He cycled water from the pool to make the slide wet.
...Here's the girls...
Anna, Sammi, Allison, Kendall, Sara & Susannah
Molly, Jazmine, Gracie, Hope and Emily
So my baby is 9... I can't believe it! Time sure does fly.
Have a great rest of your week!~Dianemarie
Happy 9th BirthdayGracie!!!
It was very relaxing.
I don't have a picture yet, but I participated in the sand scupturing
contest with Gracie and two of her friends, Hope and Emily. We
won 1st place in "most detailed" (there was also most creative and
tallest). We made a giant sea turtle. When I get a picture
I will post it for you.
**EDIT**
Emily, Grace, Me and Hope
**END EDIT**
I heard
Emily and Grace at the tide pools
Let's go fly a kite -- we had a ton of them in the air one evening!!!
Having fun at night!
Back row:
Jeremy, Stephen, Jarred, Mark, Mr. Rupprecht, Matt
Front Row:
Joy, Annie, Ellie, SiSi, Nika, Jessie, Val, Bekkak, Jill, Heather
Down Front:
Brian and Gracie
I Left my wife (Emptiness)
Sung to the tune of
Take my life (Holiness)
I had to leave Refugio, and go back home to work,
I had to leave the fun to soon
The loneliness and emptiness soon would find me…
Had to goooo, to make a buck,
Through the years, we’d been down on luck
Work’s now there, so I got in my truck
I went to go and make some money
I see Diane, a little tear rollin’ down her cheek,
She could be sad and maybe T’eeed
My little girl was chasing me, daddy please don’t go…
She said Oh Nooooo, Daddy’s leavin’
Daddy staaaay, she was screamin’
Please Come baaaack, I love you
Daddy’s gone the fun is tooo
Emptiness, emptiness was all around me,
Emptiness the price I paid
Emptiness, emptiness, I should have never left…
Took my truck, and drove away
Broken heaaart, driving through L.A
Off to work, when I’d rather play
Drove home, to work, oh noo
I did my work , Refugioooo was calling,
I had to get myself back soon
I’ll miss my bed but here I’ll have more fun…
Well I came back, and even early,
I know this song is kind of squirrelly
don’t blame mee, you should know by now…
My hero is Weird Al
If I e-ver agreeee to camp again
And I decide I have to leave
Do your best to change my mind and save my heart…
Take my keys and hide them
Though I might curse or threaten
Unless financial situations, are
Too poor, Too Poor indeed
Isn't that great!!!!!!!!!! My girls and I were crying when he sung it. It was so sweet.
Well -- that's enough for now!!! Have a great weekend and 4th of July!!!!
~Di
Hi...
Just a quick check in - I don't have time to post much. I have
lots to share about our camping trip as well as pictures, however, that
will have to wait for a couple of more days. I found out on
Monday that my aunt (the mom of my cousin who's husband died in May
from cancer) -- she too died of cancer while we were away
camping. We left as soon as we heard for Stockton. The
funeral was yesterday. We just got back this
afteroon.
Lolly Bozzano was 89 years old. My great Aunt and I shared the
same birthday. She was such a special lady -- the hostess with
the mostess... she seemed to have a never ending supply of food and
goodies for anyone and everyone who passed her doorstep. She came
down with cancer about a year and a half ago. It seemed to go away and
then came back just before Easter.
This poor family has had to deal with the death of my cousin, the death
another one of my cousin's father and now their mom in less than two
months time. They could all use your prayer.
I am exhaused and have been battling a migraine on and off since
Saturday evening. I'd love to sit and write and post my pictures
from vacation, but there is much to catch up on and things to get ready
for (Gracie's birthday is Monday). Hopefully I find some time on
the weekend.
Take care.
~Dianemarie
Hi my fellow xangits!
Just quickly checking in to let you know that I'll be gone for 6 days,
leaving on Sunday, for our long awaited camping trip to Refugio State
Beach! Whoot Whoot! I have everything we need, just need to pack it
into the car.
We finally made it to the beach yesterday and it was a gorgeous
day -- clear and warm with the nice sea breeze to keep you from
over heating.
Val -- careful not to get burned!! She looks like she could be advertising the sunscreen in that picture!
Some fun in the waves...
Just hangin'....
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that
He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
~Diane
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