The Next Step

7 Quick Takes (Volume 237)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) We attended some graduation parties last weekend. Some of our friends had a little too much fun. Look what we found when we went to leave.

Kevin didn't understand what was so funny. He looks a little Drama Queenish here, don't you think?

Later they boxed him in on every side, and he gave the desired disgusted reaction.

And we all went on with our day.

We had fun with you that day, friends. At least I did.

2) I think we go to Arby's too much. The other day I was ordering and the clerk stopped me.

Clerk: No wrap today?

Me: Nope. I want the bread today, baby.

Kevin: She's living on the wild side.

Clerk: Now, you don't want everything on that, do you?

Me (sheepishly): No. No cheese or tomato. I was just gonna pick it off. It's easier to do on a sandwich than a wrap.

The clerk nodded, proud that she already knew. Kevin ordered and before she even told us what we owed she grabbed a pen.

Clerk: Kevin, right?

Yikes. I promise we only eat out for lunch on Tuesdays, and we go to different places. What in the world? Proof we live in a small town?

3) Our kids were studying hard last week for final tests in school. One night we came home to this, Princess Dawdle's system for learning the elements.

It worked! She only missed one out of 60 questions. Nice job, babe!

4) This week has just been WHOOSH!. Every day my plans get altered. Yesterday alone brought an unexpected doctor's appointment for Ladies Man, a hospital visit to see some friends and a spewing pipe in our basement. With more people in the house, there's naturally more commotion and cooking and laundry. I'm almost looking forward to being out of the country in a few short weeks so I don't have to deal with anything for a while.

You may want to pray for Kevin.

5) Did you know that Old Navy named a shirt after me?! Look at this!

Yes, I see the name comes from a combination of tank and cami, but we don't need to tell anyone that. C'mon. Give me my five seconds of manufactured fame.

On second thought, maybe I should start being called, not just Tami, but THE Tami. I had a little friend who used to refer to me as Tami the Boesiger. This is just a short cut. THE Tami. Can't you just hear the fanfare in the background?

Yes, I need a break.

6) The Beatrice Regional Orchestra concert featured movie scores and Kevin rigged up a projector to play the movie trailers on a big screen behind the orchestra. We got a big kick out of this picture a local reporter snagged, saying she was trying to get Kevin's hands in the same position as Rocky's.

7) I leave for Uganda two weeks from tomorrow. Can you say AHHHHHHHH?! It's like trip central at our house for the next few weeks. Drama Queen leaves on Monday, Princess Dawdle on Tuesday and Ladies Man on Wednesday. Poor Kevin and Drummer Boy get to stay home, although we're talking about spending a few days with my sister's family in July.

Thurston, Nebraska sounds just as exciting as Los Angeles, Washington D.C., or Africa, right?

It will be, when we get to spend time with people we love! I hope we can make it happen.

And that's a wrap for today folks (unless you're at Arby's and that market fresh bread calls your name). Read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Wrestling with God

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:14:00 +0000

People I love are going through major life stress, and though it's surely more painful for them, it affects me, leaving pits in my stomach, tears constantly on the surface, each hurt burrowing within. I really try to buck up, to be strong for them, to remind them (and myself) what is true about God, but I wonder what in the world He's thinking. It's like I'm watching them wrestle with God and there's nothing I can do. I pray, of course, and often, and yet God either tarries or says no. I don't get it and I beg for relief, but none comes. I watch them struggle and because of it, I hurt too, wearing out in my attempts to keep a stiff upper lip.

To be completely honest, it chips away at my faith and it's not even my trial.

Perhaps I'm doing my own wrestling.

I ask why and why not and why now. I wonder how long it's gonna take. I feel disappointed and overlooked and frustrated at how things turn out. I keep telling myself to trust, to hold on, that it's good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. I remember His way is perfect and He is faithful and good and loving, yet I feel irked and down right angry when nothing changes or things get worse.

I hear people say of their answered prayers, "It's a God thing" and I want to scream. Where is the God thing for the people I love? Why hasn't He intervened? Where is His hand? Why does it have to be so hard? Why won't He step in and take care of it the way He could?

Yet I know I have no other choice but to follow Him, to wait for His plan. A life without God . . . who could stand without Him? So I cry and I pray and I plead and I recite verse after verse after verse to recall what is true, to remember His faithfulness. I sing when I don't feel like singing and crack open my Bible every day and write pages and pages in my journal. Like Jacob, I stay in, I keep fighting, I don't let go or give up until God blesses.

. . . Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Genesis 32:26

Some trials require a lengthy hanging on, a tenacious grip, and so as long as it's necessary I'll keep expecting and hoping and praying. I'll keep believing He is good and gracious. I'll cry along with those who are sad. I'll feel their hurt and beg for God's intervention and know that He is God.

I'm in this until God blesses.

Are you facing something that saps your strength, friend? Are you doubting God, wondering if He hears you? Hang on.

Don't let go until He blesses you.

Photo Credit: jqgill

7 Quick Takes (Volume 236)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) I was doing last Friday's sudoku in the paper, when disaster struck.

Me: Oh shoot! I just messed it up. I'm stupid. As always.

Kevin (the ever encouraging husband): Now, what is true?

Me: Okay, I'm stupid today.

That's what he meant, right?

2) We are winding down our concert marathon. Five down, one to go. Here's a picture of Ladies Man and the rest of the show choir guys striking their best GQ pose. Ladies Man is second from the left. Never a dull moment, I tell you.

At Tuesday's concert he even put in a plug for the Beatrice Regional Orchestra that Kevin conducts. See #6.

3) Princess Dawdle struggled to get the right balance in her checking account while deducting a purchase. To her credit (Wow, did you see that? I slipped that banking term right in there. I'm a genius!), I must say she was somewhat distracted by her friends in the back seat and subtracting a simple purchase took WAY longer than it should have. She knew it too.

Princess Dawdle: The person who marries me is gonna have to love ME, 'cause I won't be able to do our taxes.

Because that's the only reason a person needs math, right?

4) To kill time, she and her friends decided to compile a Rules for Living list. What do you think of these?

1. Believe in Jesus. (Whew! She's got the most important one down.)
2. Don't be stupid.
3. Marry someone who loves you enough to do your taxes.
4. Don't trust accountants (except Riley's mom--our accountant--who is perfectly wonderful).
5. Wear nice undies.
6. Wear glitter every day.
7. Scratch #6. It could be obnoxious.

5) I've found a new domestic hazard. Now that my kids are pretty much done growing, I can never remember whose clothes belong to who. The girls are constantly wearing each other's stuff and mine. The boys are stealing shirts out of their dad's closet. I have no idea who actually owns what. I'm constantly mixing it all up in the laundry. I can't tell you the number of times Princess Dawdle has brought me a pair of shorts or a t-shirt and said, "Um, these aren't mine. They belong to Drama Queen." And the guys' black pants?! Forget about it! I have no idea whose pants are whose.

The kicker was the day Kevin found Princess Dawdle's sweatshirt hanging in his closet and they all gave me a terrible time about it. Hello? Do you realize what the perfect solution to this problem is? You can all do your own dang laundry!

Except . . . laundry is one (of few) household chores I actually enjoy. I find my little laundry room soothing, with the dryer humming, the birds chirping just outside the window. I can't hear the phone in there and it's an easy place to disappear.

I know. I'm weird.

6) Our last concert of this season is the Beatrice Regional Orchestra concert. We'll be playing movie themes and Kevin hopes to rig up some clips to show as we play them. Should be fun. If you live in our area, come check it out!

7) I leave you today with a little excerpt from one of the concerts we've attended over the last two weeks. This is Ladies Man singing in a men's quartet and who doesn't like them a little men's quartet music? Pardon the shaky video. Kevin must have been very moved. Enjoy.

Have a super weekend, friends, and enjoy more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

It Doesn't Get Any Easier

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:06:00 +0000

The sweet, white-haired man opened the door for me, forced a smile, then followed me to the reception desk, his head hanging. He murmured to the woman behind the counter and I heard her say, "It doesn't get any easier, does it?"

"No," he said with a sigh, dragging his body through the waiting room, spotting a woman he knew.

"How ya doing?" he asked, taking a seat next to her.

"Oh, I'm getting along. It's tough," she responded.

"It doesn't get any easier, does it?"

"No. It just gets worse."

They sat there shaking their down-turned heads, their eyes distant and sullen.

"I hear you moved?" he finally offered.

"Yeah. I couldn't stay there."

"Too many memories," he said, really to himself, "Everything reminds me of her, even stuff in the refrigerator."

"Yeah, too many memories," she repeated, "I find myself wanting to come home and tell him what happened in my day, who I ran into, what I saw . . . but I can't."

"I talk to the neighbors."

"But at some point you have to shut the door and be alone," she sighed.

"It doesn't get any easier . . . "

"I guess we can be thankful we had nearly 60 years with them."

"Yeah."

She was called back to a room, but added as she walked away, "Good talking to you."

"Yeah. You too. Take care now."

I wanted to cry.

Loss.

Life is full of it. Though I haven't lost my spouse, I've faced my share of losses throughout my lifetime, not only the death of loved ones, but dreams, hopes, relationships. The longer I live, the greater probability I have for more loss. It's inevitable. I'd be depressed about that except for one thing.

This life is not all there is.

I have hope and joy and real peace because I know WHO holds me and controls the universe.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

God is using the pain and loss of today and redeeming it in a glorious way I may not see now. But I am promised it won't be wasted.

Are you dealing with loss today, friend? Don't despair. KNOW that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him. KNOW that our present suffering is not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. KNOW you are wholly and dearly loved, seen and heard, and cared for by Almighty God.

It may not get any easier, but it won't be for naught. We won't we escape loss, but we can trust God to make it beautiful, to make US beautiful in the grieving, to make it matter.

For eternity.

That's the kind of hope I yearn for, the kind of promise I desperately cling to. How about you?

Do you want to know your pain is not wasted?

Leaning

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

I lean into her chair.

On those days I feel emotional, inadequate, tired, I lean into her chair, gaining strength from her presence. Sometimes she'll pat my hand, my arm, my thigh, but mostly she just sits there letting me invade her space. Though nothing is said, I find assurance and comfort being near a friend who knows me well.

I do it with my husband too. When I'm anxious or uncertain or insecure, I'll lean into him, soaking in his unspoken acceptance and love. No matter how weak I feel, I know where I stand with him. I know he's on my team, faithful, strong, consistent.

But sometimes the chair next to me is empty.

Sometimes I feel alone in a room full of people, my real self cowering within as I listen. I'm not sure those present would give me the benefit of the doubt, would give the grace or mercy I long for when the day's been long or the night too short and my own strength wanes. And I can't overlook the fact that sometimes you have to do things by yourself. What about those days? When the people who give me comfort are not near and I find myself alone, then where do I lean? How can I find the oomph to carry on with no person who believes the best nearby?

Is it possible to lean into God? It sounds weird, really, the idea of leaning into a Presence you cannot see. How do I learn to lean into Him?

Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.

Psalm 143:8 (AMP)

I hear His loving-kindness? How? Do I saturate myself with His Word? Do I listen to Truth in song and watch for His goodness and rest in what I know to be true? Do I lay my concerns before Him and cry it out and wait patiently? Will this bring the same peace I feel leaning into a person I love? Will it make my spirit sigh and my breathing slow? Will it usher in calm?

I say yes. And so on the days I find no one to lean into, on the days the task seems scary and my stomach churns, I will lean into Him. I will believe He loves and accepts me. I will be still and know that He is God. I will remember in quietness and trust is my strength. I will search for gratitude when I don't understand and recite His Word when anxiety swells. I will know He never leaves me.

I will lean into Him.

And He will be there.

How do YOU lean into God?

Photo Credit: ana branca

7 Quick Takes (Volume 235)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) You may recall Drama Queen's amazing talent of choosing what animal people resemble. She has decided I am a meerkat because I have a skinny neck and am "twitchy" (grrrr). She and her siblings have called Kevin a koala bear for years and this week found a picture to prove it. What do you think?

The kids were also mocking Kevin (okay, true confessions, I joined in too) about his eyebrows. He's got some gnarly ones that need trimming every so often and let's just say it was time. Anyway, now that Drama Queen is back home, she's having all kinds of fun tormenting her parents. Look at the Aqua Note she left in the shower yesterday.

2) Lest you feel too sorry for Kevin, I'm getting jabbed as well. The kids always tease me about word bloopers, my own way of not getting out what I mean. Well, Kevin and I were enjoying a beautiful afternoon on our upstairs porch and asked Princess Dawdle to join us when doing her homework.

Princess Dawdle: I would but I need a computer.

Me: You can use mine. But you might need the plugger inner (meaning the electrical adaptor, of course).

Hmmm. They may have a point.

3) Great news, people! I got a picture of Rodney, our rat-tailed squirrel friend!

Poor guy has gone through some sort of trauma. Drama Queen blames it on his carousing mother, Talullah. (You think she's a little bored now that Finals are over?)

4) Kevin: Drummer Boy is a weird texter.

Me: You have a fifty/fifty chance of getting a text back.

Drama Queen: Yeah, but the worst is texting Mom.

Me: What?

Drama Queen: I hate texting you.

Me: Why?

Drama Queen: I always feel like you're suspicious or are looking for something more.

Me: What? How does "I just saw Rodney" have ulterior motives?

Drama Queen: I don't know, it's the way you text short messages or something. I always feel like you're digging for more information.

In a text?! Are you kidding me?! Is it just me or is that a guilty conscience speaking? I want to go on the record as saying I am not a private investigator texter.

Also, I'm definitely NOT twitchy.

5) Ladies Man had to submit some pictures for an end of the year show choir presentation. Here's his baby picture (This was a common expression from him at that age. Yes, you may continue to feel sorry for me and what my children have put me through.)

It all turned out good though, if you don’t count the number of times we tell him to put his shirt on.

6) All our peeps are in the nest for a while this summer and with the stress of school on hold for a while, I expect some crazy business at our house. As I type this, I hear my "boys" hollering about who knows what. I’m hoping there will be at least a little sleeping at some point, cause this girl doesn’t get enough of that as it is. Maybe this is why God is sending me to Africa in June.

And speaking of Africa, I’m finding it weird that I’m being excused from a lot of activities this summer because I’ll be gone. Really? I have to go to AFRICA to get out of doing some stuff? I can't just take some time off?

Maybe I'm testy since I'm starting to freak a little. I leave four weeks from tomorrow. Between then and now I've got like twenty graduation parties to attend, two kids to push through school, three kids to get ready for trips, a few more Bible studies for Ugandan women to complete, three concerts, and a Christmas musical to write. Pray, people, pray.

7) Kevin: You know what would be a wonderful Mother's Day present for your mom?

Drama Queen: You want us to leave?

My stress may be showing.

Or twitching.

Whatever.

With that we're calling it done, folks. I hope you enjoy your weekend and catch more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Sprinkled and Dunked: A Story About Giving Others a Chance to See

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:24:00 +0000

I grew up in a church where baptism was done as an infant. I was sprinkled on the head by my pastor when I was a baby. And all was well with the world.

But as I got older and had kids of my own, it bothered me that I had nothing to do with my baptism. In the Bible, being baptized made a statement about a person's belief in Christ. As a baby I hadn't done that. Would God take my commitment to Him seriously if I wasn't willing to make my own public declaration? I decided I wanted to be baptized again, this time dunked (immersed).

I wasn't sure how to tell my parents. I didn't know if they would understand. Their church didn't dunk. Would they think I was nuts? Would they take it wrong and be offended? Would they find me uppity and ungrateful? It wasn't that I thought my first baptism was wrong. I wasn't critical of the church I grew up in at all. I came to know Jesus through confirmation classes there. But I really wanted to profess that I was a follower of Christ. Being dunked seemed like a good way to do it.

I wasn't sure I could explain it, so I considered not telling my parents about it. I didn't take a chance of hurting their feelings then, right?

Unless they heard about it after the fact and hadn't been invited.

So I told them. I can't remember the conversation now, except for emphasizing that they didn't need to feel obligated to come. I thought my mom probably would, but I didn't know about my dad. I was pretty sure he'd find the whole thing a little crazy, maybe even radical. I told them about it and gave them an out if they wanted one. I was off the hook.

The day of the baptism service came and so did they. Both of them. I was nervous about sharing my testimony, about what they might think of what I said and how they may react to the actual dunking. Would they find me weird, think me off the deep end? Would they feel uncomfortable in a setting they'd never been in before? I swallowed hard, pushing the throbbing heartbeats back to my chest. I knew what I had to do and did it.

Afterwards I was so relieved, thankful we could all get on with our lives. But soon my dad, all alone, walked up to me, a strange look in his eye.

"I'm proud of you," he said and gave me a hug, which wasn't a common occurrence.

It's the only time I remember him saying that to me, not at any graduation or my wedding day or after birthing his grandchildren. "I'm proud of you" came at the baptism I almost didn't invite him to, the baptism where my goal was to declare my faith in Jesus.

Apparently he understood more than I thought.

Why am I so quick to assume others won't get my faith? Why do I think they'll find me nuts if I talk about what God's teaching me or saying to me or changing in me? Why am I afraid to look stupid? Why would I hesitate to invite people to watch me obey God, even if they may not understand it?

They might get it. My dad did.

My baptism reminds me to live my life as God leads and let others in on it. Pussy-footing around those we think won't understand doesn't let our lights shine, does it? We don't give them a chance to see God if they aren't there for it. I've got to share my spiritual life just like I share what's going on with my kids or how my day's going or what great movie I saw. Is there anything more important to talk about?

Who do you need to let in to your spiritual life?

7 Quick Takes (Volume 234)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) Me (to Drama Queen): Insanity in the morning?

Drama Queen: Nah . . . technically I'm done, but I'll go to the Y with you.

Me (breathing a huge sigh of relief realizing I'll be avoiding the torture of Insanity): Super. Sounds good. At 8?

Drama Queen: Yep.

The next morning I saw nothing of her. About 8:15 I wandered up to her room to find her in bed still.

Me: Did you want to go to the Y?

Drama Queen only groaned.

Me: You don't have to. I just didn't want to leave you if you wanted to go.

Drama Queen (feeling pity or guilt, I'm not sure): But I don't want you to have to go by yourself.

Me: Uh, I think I can handle it. I've been going by myself for nearly 20 years!

Is this a sign she's finding me elderly and needing a "companion" for daily tasks? Wait, don't answer that.

2) It's been a week of concerts for Princess Dawdle. Tuesday night was her Band Concert. Doesn't she look all grown up?

She's LOVING her new saxophone. And she sounds super!

Last night was a vocal concert. She's all business, I tell you.

She did a nice job on her solo too. Great work, babe!

3) So I was driving around in our Pontiac Vibe the other day, my purse resting in the passenger seat, when I noticed my passenger side seatbelt light kept blinking. What?! My purse is as heavy as a person?

(To my dear chiropractor friends, please don't worry or chide me. Would you believe me if I said I carry it with both hands, thus keeping myself balanced? Yeah. I wouldn't either.)

4) Not only is our neighborhood home to the amazing owls, we also have TONS of squirrels. The other night while relaxing on our back porch, we spotted an unusual one in the tree next to us. It was a small squirrel without fur on its tail. Think squirrel body, rat tail. Weird. And it wasn't too shy, staring us down only a few feet away, close enough that I wondered if it would jump at me. My kids decided it needed a name and dubbed it "Rodney."

Now it's not unusual to have at least half a dozen squirrels running around in our yard at any given time and normally I don't pay any attention or distinguish them from each other, but two days later as I was pulling out of the driveway I spotted that rat-tailed squirrel and had to text everybody immediately.

"I just saw Rodney!"

The texts flew back. My favorite came from Drama Queen's boyfriend who she teases about being a genius.

The Boyfriend: Is his fur growing back?

Me: Apparently not since I recognized him.

The Boyfriend: Good point.

His blood sugars must have been low! Just kidding, dear boyfriend! Who knew a little thing like an abnormal squirrel could be so entertaining?

5) And speaking of little entertaining things, I had the pleasure of having a 3-year-old buddy help me make brownies yesterday. I pushed a chair up to the counter for him to stand on and got the ingredients out.

Little Buddy: I smell sumpin'. Oh wait, it's just you.

Me: Is that good or bad?

Little Buddy: Mmmm . . . I don't like it.

He was easily distracted from my stench, however, as I gave him the job of pouring the oil and water in. When I reached for the kitchen shears to cut the brownie mix open, he looked at me with big eyes.

Little Buddy: I don't get to cut. I'd cut my finger half off!"

You think he's heard that somewhere before?

6) Later Little Buddy was joined by his brother, my two nephews and all my kids. It was a hopping place, I tell you. The little boys were out playing with my big boys and it was so fun to hear them all laughing. I thought my dinner table was crazy with my own kids, but add four little boys 8 and under and wow, it was exciting!

I feel the need to apologize to the mothers of said little boys though. They may or may not have been convinced we have rats living under our dining room. They may have been encouraged to repeat songs you don't like and they might drive you crazy looking for Rodney.

7) I can't believe it, but my baby, my little guy who could wiggle his ears at two-years-old, my kid who banged the table so many times to frighten his siblings they wouldn't react to a sonic boom now, my Drummer Boy turns 23 on Sunday. 23!!! How can I have a child this old? I wish I could claim I was a teen mother, but I wasn't. Not even close. Now he's a man, with a beard and everything! How did this happen?

I'm not gonna stress over it too much. He still gives his mommy the best hugs. Happy birthday, Drummer Boy. I love you.

And with that, another week concludes. Hope your weekend is splendid and you enjoy more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 233)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) News flash: According to my sudoku success rate, I am pretty stupid this week. Proceed with caution.

2) It's been a good week for Ladies Man. Last Friday he participated in District Music Contest and had a super day. He received a superior rating for his vocal solo (see his dad accompanying him?),

his trombone solo,

and his trombone trio.

He also played in the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble and sang in Concert Choir and the Limited Edition show choir, earning an excellent rating and three superior ratings. Way to go, bud!

Then on Wednesday he was given an award for designing the winning t-shirt logo for our local Homestead Days celebration.

Here's the winning design.

3) I had a very good, but busy day on Sunday and had a hard time winding down. My first mistake was taking a glance in the mirror.

Me: Ugh! I'm looking like an old hag. I've got SO MANY wrinkles under my eyes. I look awful!

Kevin: What are you talking about?

Me: When I smile, TONS of wrinkles appear under my eyes! Is it just 'cause I'm tired or do they always look like that?

Kevin (already feeling the pressure and knowing no answer will satisfy): I don't know what you're talking about.

Drama Queen: Whatsa matter, Mom?

Me: I look terrible.

Drama Queen: No, you don't.

I decided to let it go and slumped in a big chair with Princess Dawdle to do the sudoku I didn't finish the day before. Without success.

Me (sighing): I'm stupid again today. What is my problem?

Punting on that activity, I turned my attention to the t.v. where my family was watching The Apprentice.

Me: That's a dumb idea. Why are they doing that? Nobody's gonna think that's good.

No one said anything and I quickly lost interest, scanning my living room instead.

Me: Look at this place. It's a mess. I can't even keep a room clean.

Drama Queen: Mom, do you need to go to bed?

Me: What? Why?

Drama Queen: You're complaining about everything. I think you're tired.

Of course she was right, and I took a little comfort thinking my daughter understood whining wasn't my normal mode of operation.

4) Providing the very good in my Sunday was meeting a blogging friend from California. We sat at a coffeehouse in Omaha and shared easy conversation for a few hours. She was as lovely and intriguing in person as she is online and our time went by way too fast. Thanks for a great afternoon, Denise. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we get to do it again some time.

5) We had a cool surprise the other day when Kevin received a package in the mail from Lorenz Publishing Company. Inside was a Korean songbook and CD which contained his arrangement of "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus."

6) Apparently I'm the kind of person whose mind is easily influenced by what goes in it. For the last few weeks I've been doing Insanity videos with Drama Queen on Mondays and Fridays and now I'm using the word "dig" all the time (as in "Dig deep, people, dig deep!"). I'm finding many things "impoedunt" (Trainer Shaun T's trademark way of saying "important.") On the plus side, however, I've been reminding myself "You've got to drink your water. It's impoedunt" and I can grunt with the best of them when struggling to pull out one more push-up.

Now, if only I looked like the people in the video . . . sigh.

7) I established a private Facebook group for our family called The Boesiger Bunch. I started it as a way for us to maintain some sense of family as the kids move out. I've posted silly old photos or a verse that struck me or a video I find funny. For a while I was very frustrated that I was the only one doing it, but finally my family is getting the hang of it. Princess Dawdle posted this video saying, "This is what Ladies Man's kids are going to have in the backyard."

Ladies Man added this pic yesterday which is totally him.

Drama Queen posted an hilarious video reminding me of some of our dinner escapades.

Kevin put on an instructional poster on how to do an Eldredge Tie Knot, which Drummer Boy liked enough to try out for Drumline Championships. Kevin also added a recipe last week nudging, "Something for Mom to make for all of us!" (And yes I did, 'cause I love him.)

But my favorite was this posting by Drama Queen with the caption, "I don't think we've ever tried to play it off like that :P"

True. We haven't even pretended.

That's all for this Friday folks. Enjoy your weekend and catch more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

How Can I Do for You, God?

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:11:00 +0000

Not what can I do. How. How can I represent You instead of myself? How can I make everything, every activity, every word, every action about You? How can my puny efforts matter in Your eternity?

How can I do

for You?

How can an ordinary woman from Nebraska make a difference in Your kingdom? What can I possibly do that thousands couldn't do better? How do I make this life count?

I know I'm supposed to work at everything with all my heart, "as working for the Lord, not for men." I know I must die to myself. I know I'm not to look for the approval of men. But how does that help me decide the best way to spend the next half hour? How do I work hard at relationships and on my gifts at the same time? How do I fit it all in? How do I figure out what's most important?

All this thinking and planning and evaluating is exhausting and leads me to wonder, really, how can my work, my life, matter that much, both in this world and to You? I am one person in a planet full of people, many more skilled than I.

Yet Your words reverberate in my mind . . . I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant"; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.*

I know You spoke these words to the Israelites, Your chosen people, yet they always stir me, as if You're speaking directly to me. I want it to be true for me. Oh, how I want that. Could You really have a special plan for me, for each of Your children? Can You be big enough to accomplish that? I can't comprehend it, but I don't have to.

I just have to believe it.

For when I believe it, I look for You to make it so.

Is it as easy as aligning myself with You, Lord? Is it throwing "off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles," and running "with perseverance the race marked out for us"? Is it merely fixing "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"? Is it a matter of coming to You each day and waiting for an assignment?

How can I do for You, God?

I think You tell me to draw near, to come to You with expectation and hope.

And let YOU do it.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.

James 4:8, 10

I will believe, Lord. Make it so.

*Isaiah 41:9

7 Quick Takes (Volume 232)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) I have a new system for determining my intelligence on any given day. Each morning I tackle the sudoku puzzle in the newspaper. On Mondays and Tuesdays it is a beginner puzzle. On Wednesdays and Thursdays it's an intermediate level and on Fridays and Saturdays it's advanced. If I can't finish Monday or Tuesday's puzzle I declare myself stupid for the day. If I can't finish Wednesday or Thursdays I still feel stupid, but not as bad as I would on a Monday or Tuesday. I figure I'm pretty good if I complete any of those day's puzzles, but if I can finish a Friday or Saturday one, I am definitely having a smart day.

I've decided taking the time to do this each morning gives my family a great public service. By 8:00 every morning, they are aware of what kind of brain I have for the day and can plan accordingly.

2) If you've read this blog at all in the last few months you've heard me go on and on about the owls in our neighborhood. We are just fascinated by them. We were especially excited when Ladies Man spotted this beauty sitting on the line between our house and the neighbor's.

Isn't it COOL?

Now do you see why we're so enamored?!

3) For some reason, Kevin's been drinking out of a cup my mom gave me for Easter, which Ladies Man finds quite comical.

Ladies Man: You like your flower cup, Nancy?

Kevin: What?!

Ladies Man (busting a gut): It's got flowers all over it!

Kevin: So?

Drama Queen quickly joined in.

Kevin (sounding like a hurt little boy): You guys are always mocking me.

4) We had the great pleasure of attending Drummer Boy's recital of his compositions this week. Here he explains one of the pieces to the audience.

The first selection was a male solo singing a four movement piece based on the book of Lamentations.

Drummer Boy played his Germinating Genesis drum piece with computer backup.

And then Kevin played a piano solo of three movements I'll let him tell you about in Kevin's Korner.

It was a good evening and we were proud of Drummer Boy's work.

5) And now here's Kevin's Korner!

As Tami told you, Drummer Boy had a recital this week. He asked me to play a piano piece he had written. It was a three movement work based on the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ. I was honored to perform it.

It was a little weird for me to play something my son wrote but I am proud of what he has accomplished. The emotion and depth of his music is great. I know I am his father, but I don't see this level of maturity in many young composers. It has been a while since I have been in the academic realm as a performer, and I have to say, I felt a little like a foreigner in a strange land. The music world is an interesting place. There are many different realms--the academic, the church, the stage and pop. Sometimes these worlds collide but for the most part they stay in their own designated areas. I have always been a musician who finds things from all the areas that I really like and enjoy. Oh why can't we all just get along and live in harmony (pun intended)? I have very good friends that are fellow musicians in all these areas and I often think, how do they view what I do? But let's be real here people, it is rather egocentric of me to think they are even thinking about what I do. Most assumptions we make about what others think I am sure are untrue. So the moral to the story. Be who you are and enjoy every opportunity God gives you. The point is not to feel comfortable in every situation but to glorify God in every situation you find yourself. So thanks, Drummer Boy, for giving me the privilege of playing your beautiful piece about Christ but more importantly… thanks for the opportunity you gave me to worship God and glorify Christ with your music!

Keep Kicking it!

6) I decided it would be fun to have a little reception following the recital and tried my hand at making dessert bites. I made brownie bites, strawberry swirl cheesecake bites and mini lemon cupcakes. Though there was some kidding around about me and my excitement over my "cute desserts", I think the time invested was well worth it. Am I right? Aren't they cute?

7) We end today with an episode of Silly Adventures in the Boesiger House.

Kevin: Oh no, my button just dropped in the toilet and I already went.

Princess Dawdle: (laughing her head off): Gonna have to go after it, Bucky!

Kevin: No. I am NOT doing that. I just need something to hold it while I flush.

Me: That is not going stay in place while you flush.

Kevin: It most certainly will.

Me: No way.

Meanwhile Princess Dawdle is laughing so hard she's holding her sides.

Kevin (running out of the bathroom): I got this. Just a minute.

Me (inspecting the situation): Good grief. You're just gonna have to suck it up and get it. It's not that big of a deal.

Kevin (returning with a mangled wire hanger): I'm not sticking my hand in there.

Me: That is not going to work.

Determined to prove me wrong, he sticks the wire in the toilet and manages to pull the button out of the "liquid" to a place where he can pick it up.

Me: You still had to touch it!

Kevin: Yeah, but I didn't have to stick my whole hand in there.

Princess Dawdle is doubled over in the kitchen, hardly able to catch her breath.

Kevin: What?

Princess Dawdle: You are so funny, Dad!

Kevin: Why am I constantly mocked?!

Why do I think of Drama Queen every time he says that?

Never a dull moment around here, folks! I'm looking forward to a fun weekend too. We'll watch Ladies Man perform at District Music Contest today, attend Drummer Boy's Percussion Ensemble concert Saturday and I'm planning to meet a blogging friend from California on Sunday. Super fun times. I hope your weekend is enjoyable too. Start it off right by reading more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Do You See Yourself Accurately?

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:40:00 +0000

I have a hard time seeing in myself the same qualities others notice. I suspect you are the same. You look in the mirror and find five flaws in ten seconds flat. But what does another person see? Do you ever wonder what's going through a person's mind as they look at you? Do you assume it's all negative? Are you certain they're silently picking you apart or at the very least compiling a list of your weaknesses?

Women are especially harsh on themselves. I think we might be surprised to know how others truly view us. I found the following video a fascinating look into that reality.

What do you think? Is your impression of yourself robbing you of your natural beauty?

Are you your own worst enemy when it comes to being truly beautiful?

A Beautiful YES

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

My 8-year-old nephew blessed my socks off last week.

He's been excited about my upcoming trip to Uganda. He told me he has his whole class at school praying about it. He's given me tips on making immunizations less painful. He knows where Uganda is on a map. All of this has touched me, but he put a big cherry on top with this note he sent.

Is that about the sweetest thing you've ever seen?! What's more, the envelope contained not a dollar, but a five dollar bill. That's a lot of money for an 8-year-old!

But he's not the only one who's given like this. I've been completely overwhelmed with the way people have donated money toward this trip. For a while I felt burdened by the huge responsibility to anyone who pledged their hard-earned cash. I wanted to make the most of their sacrifice, you know? I asked God over and over and over, "How do I honor these gifts? What must I do to ensure they don't feel it a waste?"

The pressure brought me to tears. More than a few times. Why am I given this privilege? What will it require of me?

My smart husband and friends assure me people are only doing what God lays on their hearts to do, just like I did by agreeing to go. Giving their money is a way to be part of God's work, to be faithful to God's calling. It's their way to say YES.

That's beautiful, don't you think? Tons of individuals, young and old alike, each with a unique story, all saying YES to God. I am so humbled by that picture, and so proud of people, some of whom I barely know, who had the courage to write a check or put cash in cards. Surely God is nodding and smiling, pleased by the willingness to do what He says, to show the world, to show ME, what humble obedience looks like.

And I'm proud of you, Kaden, for hearing God whisper to your heart and being brave enough to trust Him with your money. You have given a very special gift. I can't wait to see what God has in store for your $5 in Uganda.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 231)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) I found another fun word.

swivet: a state of nervous excitement, haste or anxiety; flutter

Another definition called it a fluster or panic.

Like, "Watch out! She's in a swivet."

I'm thinking this could be a useful word at our house. I can just imagine my kids whispering over breakfast, "Don't mess with Mom today. She's in a swivet." When Princess Dawdle's stressing about the homework she left at school I could add, "There's no sense getting in a swivet about it. There's nothing you can do now." Or at the dinner table when Kevin's had too much of their antics and starts looking irritated, one of them may shake their head and point a warning in a low voice, "Swivet . . ."

2) We enjoyed attending the Heartland Winter Arts Association Championships last Saturday. Drummer Boy was instructing two of the groups and wrote their shows. One of the shows was a piece a publisher just picked up and it was great to hear it performed. Here he is all official like in his tie.

Drama Queen has been helping instruct our local drum line too. Here she is afterwards with her boyfriend (the superb snare player), Ladies Man and his girlfriend.

Even Princess Dawdle got in on the action, taking some silly pics with her friend who is part of the group.

Goofy girls!

3) Last night's dinner conversation . . .

Drama Queen: We should start making bets on each others' kids. I bet one of Ladies Man's kids will have some form of ADD or ADHD.

Ladies Man: I bet one of Drama Queen's kids will slap her in the face before they are three years old.

Drama Queen: I bet one of Drummer Boy's kids will try to eat their poop.

Kevin: I bet one of Princess Dawdle's kids will forget to put on their pants.

Ladies Man: Dad, I bet one of your kids will be stupid . . .

You said it, child, not us.

4) Of course I really don't find my children stupid. Not even close. I know I'm partial, but I think all of them are very unique. The older they get, the more I appreciate them and understand how tied I am to them. It is really quite a miracle that these people who were once tiny infants totally reliant on me, who have challenged and exhausted me and made me very aware of my inadequacies, are now such amazing individuals. They are fun and creative. They aren't afraid to be who they really are. They communicate well with us and seem to value our opinion . . . WOW.

I know I'm their mom, and it's my job to love them, but I really like them too.

5) Apparently I'm not the only one who doesn't know how to use our camera yet. Get a load of these pictures Kevin took of Princess Dawdle at her honor band concert.

He did, however, redeem himself later with a picture of the two of us that I kinda like.

6) And now it's time again for Kevin's Korner!

Okay, so I was watching a little TV last night and landed on "Wife Swap." I can't imagine volunteering for this. It is obvious they pick two families who could not be more opposite of each other. This week was an almost military type family swapping with a family who are non-schoolers. That's right, not home schoolers but non-schoolers. They figure the children will learn from the world around them. As I think about our family's living situation it makes me think . . . what would be the total opposite of us? I guess being a family of musicians it would have to be an athletic family. I always joke that I was the last runner in P.E. and the only sport I could even begin to compete in was wrestling because in high school I was small and wiry and hard to pin. I didn't really grow until my junior year and I was done with P.E. after my sophomore year. I guess maybe the point of the show is to make you appreciate what you have and also be pushed to see things through a different set of eyes, but it seems there has to be a better way to do it. As I think about it, maybe they should have a "Kid Swap" show. Don't get me wrong, I would not trade my kids for any other kids in the world, but it could be VERY entertaining to watch another family react to the antics of the Boesiger kids!

Keep Kickin' It!

7) You'll never believe it, but Kevin wrote that before seeing anything that I wrote before. He had no idea he was totally going to fit in with the "Our kids are great" theme I've got going here. It just goes to show you we truly are "as one."

Or he's psychic, but I prefer the former.

And with that we'll call this puppy done. Enjoy your weekend, friends, and read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

I Have to Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:18:00 +0000

I look at it and don't see how it will work out. I pray about it, all the time, and have for years, yet things don't seem to change.

But You whisper, "Trust Me."

There's much to be thankful for and I am, but the issue persists. It's not a life and death situation, but it's close to my heart and I want better. But it doesn't come.

You say, "There's a plan. Hang on."

TRUST Me.

You leave me with a choice.

I can lay awake at night and worry and rack my brain for a solution I won't come up with or I can trust You, choose to leave it in Your hands.

Easier said than done.

But the more times I have to do it, the stronger my resolve grows. I WILL believe You, because I have to. If I don't trust, beyond all I can see, that You'll take care of it, I have no hope and then what am I left with?

Fear.

Worry.

Anxiety.

But WITH You?

The possibility of hope and peace.

That is what faith is, isn't it, believing what we cannot see? Isn't this what Abraham is commended for?

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

Romans 4:18-22

We can have that same faith, friends, but it comes at a price. We'll have to deliberately choose to trust His way of handling it, though it may not be the way we like and take far longer than is comfortable. We have to trust God above all else, no matter what, even with our hardest problems, our toughest challenges. We have to.

What is the alternative?

Without blind, child-like faith, there is no hope, is there? And who can live without hope? Who can get up each morning without the possibility of better, without thinking of what a new day may bring?

I choose to believe God's got it handled.

I choose hope.

Photo Credit: cobalt123

SICK of the Rating

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 01:34:00 +0000

I'm feeling angry with society.

I'm realizing I've been told a lie for my whole life.

I've been taught I have to compete with my fellow man, with all of you. We vie for the attention of loved ones. We fight for coveted starting positions on sports teams and scholarships and jobs. We give value to the best, both in recognition and often financially. We subconsciously rate everyone we encounter to decide where we stack up.

Were told, "Competition is good for you, makes you work harder and be a better person." But it hasn't worked that way for me. It's made me jealous of the talents of others. It's brought on loads of discouragement. It's made me certain I am not enough or I don't measure up. It's made me think of myself more and how I need to "do better" rather than feel happy with who I am. It's caused me to shy away from others I deem "above me" and miss opportunities out of fear of not making the grade. It tells me I must BE more, DO more, achieve, perform. It's made me prideful as I spend too much time thinking of me in all my measuring where I stand.

Yes, I know it's human nature to compare ourselves, but I don't think it's doing us any favors. We're growing up thinking we must be better than somebody at something to have any value. Is this why depression is on the rise and teens commit suicide and kids shoot up their schools? Did they decide they were unworthy, unimportant because they didn't keep up with those around them?

In all our rating we spend more time proving ourselves to others than loving our fellow man. What is the good in that?

What would happen if there were no comparing? What if we enjoyed each others' talents instead of envied them? What if we truly played as a team, depending on the strength of each other instead of determining who is the best?

How can we quit this stupid rating game?

What is the point of competing? I don't get it.

Photo Credit: TheBusyBrain

7 Quick Takes (Volume 230)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) We are super excited at our house today, and I mean SUPER!! Drummer Boy found out yesterday that ALL THREE of the pieces he submitted to a percussion publisher have been picked up for publication! Our little Drummer Boy is soon to be a published composer! How exciting is that?! So happy for and proud of him!

2) We had a lovely Easter weekend, spending time with my family on Saturday and Kevin's on Sunday. Drama Queen had a great time with her youngest cousin during the egg hunt.

I promise she had nothing to do with the impressive shiner he's sporting. Poor little guy's feet got ahead of him while running down a ramp.

3) I think it's time for another vocabulary lesson from my children. Ladies Man has been trying to grow a "chin strap" on his face which is basically a strip of hair that runs from sideburn to sideburn following the jaw line. Ladies Man's hair isn't quite as thick there, so he's been letting it grow out, much to his siblings' dismay.

Drama Queen: You gotta do something about that.

Ladies Man: What? It's just growing in.

Drummer Boy: Yeah, but that stuff on your neck . . .

Drama Queen: Yeah. Ew. You're growing a neard.

Me (clueless, of course): A what?

Drama Queen: A neard, a neck beard!

I thought she was making it up, but Drummer Boy corroborated and so did their college-aged cousin the next day when she used the term too.

So there you go. Now you too can impress the young adults in your life by using their lingo. Slip in "chin strap" or "neard" and watch their admiration grow.

Or something like that.

4) Princess Dawdle and I have been shopping around for a new alto saxophone. The one she currently plays on has given us good use, but is sadly wearing out. The only way for her to get some notes out is to put a rubber band around the register key so it seals right! We ordered some new ones and were distracted trying them out when Ladies Man got the bright idea to play her old one with a trombone mouthpiece. Is this the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen?

What's crazy is he actually got a sound out of it and could lip the notes without using the keys!

5) I think I'm going to stop letting my kids review the pictures on my camera. Princess Dawdle never let me hear the end of it.

Princess Dawdle: Oh my gosh, Mom! You have three videos of your desk!

Me (desperately trying to save face): I'm still learning how to use it.

Princess Dawdle: Obviously!

I don't get it. What's so terrible about pictures like these?

6) Having Peeps at Easter is a no-brainer at our house. The kids were giving Kevin a terrible time about all the Peeps he ate on Easter. Every time they turned around he was eating one, so they decided to start counting them up. They are sure he ate 22 Peeps on Easter Sunday alone. 22! I'm not sure why he stopped there, but maybe this demented Peep was an omen to beware.

7) I think we'll end today where we started, with Drummer Boy's skills. This video was shot Wednesday night at a Wet Ink! concert where student composers debut their work. In his original piece he titled Germinating Genesis, Drummer Boy plays a marching snare drum while the soundtrack he created on the computer plays in the background. He tells me the computer work includes 15 different tracks laid together. It's a little hard to hear the computer in this video, but trust me it has, like much of Drummer Boy's work, a suspenseful feel to it. Oh and don't miss taking a peek at his marvelous chin strap.

And that'll do it for this day, friends. We're looking forward to another fun weekend. Princess Dawdle is playing in an honor band concert tonight (We are SOOOO THANKFUL those new saxes came this week!). Tomorrow are the Heartland Winter Arts Drum line Championships where we'll go watch the groups that Drama Queen and Drummer Boy have been working with. Plus it's supposed to be a beautiful weekend in southeast Nebraska. I hope you enjoy yourselves this weekend wherever you are and read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 229)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) I'm recruiting fellow squirrels. I've gotten at least three people hooked on butter toffee almonds in the last week! Try them for yourself and see. So, so, good.

2) A picture Drummer Boy put on Facebook nearly five years ago has been getting some activity this week. Not sure what sparked it or who was stalking him and dug it up, but it was fun to look at again. It's one of my favorites, taken in 2007 on a family trip.

I just love Drama Queen's expression here. It's similar to this one taken a few years later.

When will she learn this would stop as soon as she quits reacting? She makes it too easy. Although this picture might suggest she doesn't hate it as much as she lets on.

3) Princess Dawdle has apparently inherited my Raynaud's syndrome, except she gets hers in her toes! Can you tell which toe is numb?

4) Ladies Man and his girlfriend celebrated her birthday by seeing a production of the Lion King. I knew he was getting into it when I got a text at intermission saying, "This is awesome!" They looked pretty awesome too. RAWR! for her shoes and his tie.

That is no clip on bow tie, friends. It's a real one he learned to tie himself (with the great encouragement of his girlfriend)! That girl expands his horizons in so many ways.

5) Later, Ladies Man and his girl met Drama Queen and her boy at Prom. Get a load of this picturesque scene. Don't you love it?

She got a fancy do for the occasion which she liked, but got paranoid when everyone kept calling her "Snooki." I'll go on record as saying Snooki doesn't hold a candle to my Drama Queen. She is so beautiful, inside and out.

6) Thanks to ziplist.com, I am happy to report I am meeting my domestic obligations in a good way lately, cooking more than usual for my family. There's something about a new gadget that inspires, no? I've experimented with a few new recipes and found some keepers. The hands down favorite is Zesty Meatball Sandwiches. I'm a big fan of the Cranberry Pork Roast. The Slow-Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup was easy and just got better through the week like chili, although my family wasn't as enamored with it as I was. I had no complaints about Chicken and Broccoli Teriyaki. The only clunker was the Canyon Casserole (thus the reason for no link). Last night I made a crazy concoction with chicken, apricots, milk, butter and green onions that you toss with bow tie pasta. Sounds weird, but was pretty tasty and how can a person not get excited to eat bow-tie pasta?

You got any new easy recipes you want to pass my way? Bring 'em. I'm gunning for Domestic Goddess status.

7) If you're looking for something to do or some way to celebrate Jesus and His big day, come on over to our church this weekend for an Easter cantata.

That's all for today, folks. Enjoy your weekend and find more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Speaking Styrofoam

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

There was a smiley face on her cup.

Just below the lipstick marks, two dots with an upturned curve graced the styrofoam. It faced only her and I knew she put it there because the ink matched the writing flowing out of her pen onto paper. No one said a thing, but that little smiley face peered at her the whole morning.

Why did she do it? Was she willing herself to be happy? Was it a reminder of our lesson, to be content in all circumstances? Was it an outward sign of inner joy?

It was just a little smiley face on a styrofoam cup, and though I had nothing to do with it, it spoke to me. Be happy, Tami. Find joy in the small things. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

A tiny detail, unexpected and quirky, showed me how intricately God works.

May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us.

Psalm 67:1

More Than Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

A table for six.

I sat among the women around it, each of us possessing a different story, circumstances, life experience. We smiled, laughed, even teased, yet eyes hinted at heavier things resting on minds. Private thoughts swirled, but none wanted to air them. We sat together, grateful for the distraction, soaking in the presence of one another, finding respite in small talk.

Though our discussion could not be classified as spiritual, the little circle provided an oasis, forcing us to focus on something else, someone else. I glimpsed God there in the beauty of those women, in their determination to do the next thing, to move past the clouds, to set their minds elsewhere. No problems were solved, no specific cares were even addressed, but we walked out lighter.

How can sharing a cup of coffee and a few silly moments make a difference? Why should something so little lift our spirits?

It's the power of the Holy Spirit, filling and uniting, permeating and strengthening.

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Matthew 18:20

Without any words at all the Spirit heals and soothes, calms, lifts the burden. Do we find relief with others because we sense His presence in them? Does it matter if the topic moves deep or stays superficial? Doesn't He reside in His followers no matter what is spoken?

Six women whose only common denominator was their love for Jesus proved it to me. It's true we need each other, to confide in or cry to or gain advice. But sometimes we need each other just to sit with, to pass the time.

And settle into God's Presence.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

Photo Credit: rowanf

7 Quick Takes (Volume 228)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) My mom was telling us how her friends give her a bad time about drinking water all the time when so many other choices exist.

Me: That's okay, Mom. My friends tease me about eating nothing but nuts and leaves.

Mom: Leaves?

Me: Spinach, lettuce . . .

Mom: You eat berries too, don't you?

What?! My entire family thinks I live on squirrel food? I'll have you all know I eat WAY more than nuts and leaves and berries!

2) What does it say about you when you're sitting in Bible study trying to jot down the insightful thoughts of others and you mean to write "precious" but it comes out on paper as "pressure"? Talk about a Freudian slip! It was exactly the emotion I was trying to push past all morning. Freaky!

3) Princess Dawdle is taking after her mother. She got the melting gene. Remember my propensity to burn things on my stove? We've got hot pads marked with burned circles, melted kitchen utensils . . .

There was that popcorn disaster. And I haven't even told you about the time a few weeks back I propped myself up on the stove top to listen to my husband in the kitchen and suddenly felt my backside warming. Wouldn't you know it? I accidentally hit the knob with my hip and nearly burned my actual buns!

Now Princess Dawdle is showing her own prowess.

How in the world could that happen, you ask? Would you believe she let the cover rest on a candle burning on the dining room table like this?

Yes! Now someone else can catch the heat for a while (yes, pun completely intended!).

4) Poor Kevin's had a busy week and I hate to ask him to write me a Kevin's Korner. How about I dream up what I think he'd rant about if given the chance?

We started Season Three of Downton Abbey and it seems like the episodes are getting longer. This has been a lunch hour indulgence, but the last episode we watched stretched to nearly 1:30. How dare they get you hooked and then string you along forever!

The saving grace was the ever amiable Robert who can really do no wrong and we got to meet Cora's mother played by Shirley Maclaine who gives Violet Crawley (a force in her own right) a good run for her money. I must say though that I didn't appreciate Cora's line when she tries to comfort Robert and says, "Oh darling, you don't have to worry about me. I'm an American. Have gun, will travel." What?! What is that supposed to mean? Americans are a bunch of gun-toting nomads? The American/British jabs are sure to increase with Cora's mother in town. And by the way, did anyone else notice that Cora's mother fails to move her upper lip when she talks just like Cora?

Oh my, it's time to find a new lunch time obsession.

5) It's Spring Break this week for my college kids. Drama Queen has been in and out a lot (what is the fascination with hot tubbing in 30 degree weather?). Drummer Boy, however, has been MIA. How do we get that boy home? He's not a food junkie, so I can't lure him with delectable delicacies. He's perfectly content with his computer and drumsticks. The only draw for him might be Ladies Man, but he's still in school and has been gone three nights this week. Maybe if I left a money trail Drummer Boy would follow . . . Nah, he doesn't care much about money either. Good thing he's close enough to take out to dinner now and then. Love you Drummer Boy!

6) Kevin bought me a NOOK color last year for Mother's Day. I think it had something to do with my friend's husband buying her an ipad, but I don't care, I'll take it. Anyway, I never really wanted a reading device because I wasn't sure how much I would use it, but I tell you what, I've become attached to that thing! I love it! I'm doing more reading than I've done in years. I like how you it provides its own lighting. It sits flat on the machines at the gym and there's no fiddling with pages and keeping a book open. And since the discovery of Gospel ebooks, I've found all kinds of wonderful books really cheap. This site is geared toward Kindles, but most of the time I find the same deals being offered on NOOK books.

Publishers will reduce prices on good books for a short period of time to spur sales. This site watches and publishes the deals. I've gotten free or reduced books by Kevin Leman, Lysa TerKeurst, Brennan Manning, Josh McDowell, and Tim Keller, not to mention popular titles like not a fan, Honest to God, Unglued . . . I could go on and on. Check it out. I love it!

7) If you're looking for something to do tonight, the Beatrice Regional Orchestra is having a concert. Kevin does a super job coming up with new ideas to keep our concerts fresh. Joining us on this program is the Lincoln City Boys Choir. This will be a real treat as these boys have traveled all over, even singing for the pope! Don't miss it!

And that's all for this Friday, folks. Have a great weekend and find more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Stirring

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

It just sits there on my brain. It sits there stirring without conclusion or coherency--an uneasiness, turmoil, a sense that God's trying to tell me something, but I can't quite comprehend it. I pray about it, of course, but no clear cut answers emerge. It's hard to talk about even, difficult to put into words. God's trying to teach me or prune me or free me . . . I'm not really sure, but it's uncomfortable and I want to get it, or rather, get over it.

It has something to do with pride and humility and comparison and resting and denying myself and getting rid of wrong notions and attitudes. Since I can't figure out what to do, I read, I pray, I wait. As I do so, He brings me this gem from a book (Deliver Us From Me-Ville), taken from John Wesley's Covenant Service.

Christ has many services to be done.
Some are more easy and honorable,
Others are more difficult and disgraceful.
Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests,
Others are contrary to both.
In some we may please Christ and please ourselves.
But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ
Except by denying ourselves.
It is necessary, therefore,
That we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ.
Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray:

Let me be your servant, under your command.
I will no longer be my own.
I will give up myself to your will in all things.
Be satisfied that Christ shall give me my place and work.
Lord, make me what you will.
I put myself fully into your hands;
Put me to doing, put me to suffering,
Let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
Let me be full, let me be empty,
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal . . .

O mighty God, the Lord Omnipotent, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You have now become my Covenant Friend.
And I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant.
So be it.

The words touch me deeply. Have I not really given up all? Have my words been empty? Do I want to follow God wholeheartedly, even if it means losing who I want to be?

Is God telling me I need to surrender, truly surrender? Is He stirring the desire in me to be His covenant friend?

What is He saying to you?

7 Quick Takes (Volume 227)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1) A sign we may be watching too much Downton Abbey? Kevin was getting dressed the other day, putting a sweater over a dress shirt and couldn't keep the shoulders of his shirt from getting bunched up under the sweater. Becoming very frustrated he finally said, "This is why a person needs a valet."

2) I had the most unpleasant experience last week. I'm not sure, but I think I may have been peed on by a squirrel. I was walking out to my van when something wet dropped into my hair. It wasn't raining. Our home is surrounded by big old trees and my first thought was a bird pooped on me. I was dumb enough to touch the wet spot and it wasn't bird poop, just wet. I looked to the sky and saw a squirrel darting down a tree branch. The only sound squirrels make is a squeaky, clicky kind of noise and he (she? how can you tell?) was making it. I imagined that pesky squirrel running to tell his friends, "Ha! Got her!"

Clearly I need a life.

3) Kevin and I went to a movie last weekend and were slightly disturbed when visiting the restrooms afterward. You know how restrooms have these signs?

Both of the restroom signs showed the stick people with missing heads! I wish I would have thought to take a picture with my phone to prove it. Both of the circles above the heads were gone! There's something macabre about going into a restroom where the heads have been whacked off the signs. Is it a special message, a warning of what may await you by the toilet? We both took a deep breath and went in anyway and I'm happy to report we got the jobs done without incident.

4) And now Kevin's Korner:

This is a very busy time of year for me. It seems there are so many extras as far as concerts, music contest and kids activities in February and March. Next Friday night I get to do one of those things I REALLY enjoy. The Beatrice Regional Orchestra has a concert with the Lincoln City Boys Choir and I am excited to be at the helm for this concert. And yes I do more than just wave my arms until the music stops… I have a stick in my hand as well. Since this is a volunteer group there is rarely a rehearsal we have everyone there. As we played through our music at our last rehearsal I found myself singing the missing parts. As I stopped the orchestra I said, "You know you are a conductor of a community orchestra when you have to sing the missing parts." It's like those "You know you're a redneck when…" No really, it is like those jokes. Ask any musician you know. As I type this I realize it does not seem as funny as it was at the time. Here's another one… "You know you conduct a community orchestra if you use a trombone player to cover the bassoon part." Okay I have to admit these are not nearly as funny as I thought they would be but trust me if you are a musician you had to chuckle at those because you know they are true. If you are in the area next Friday night and want some really good, cheap entertainment (Admission at the door is only $5) come out to the Beatrice Regional Orchestra concert. You'll be glad you did. And as a added bonus you'll get to hear the Lincoln City Boys Choir.

Keep Kicking it!

5) I finally got to see our neighborhood owl! I hear him all the time. He hoots at all hours of the day, bringing a friendly reminder of his existence that makes me smile. Drama Queen spotted him on our chimney and called us from the driveway to get a glimpse. He sat there a while and flew off majestically. Sigh.

I know the silly owl is just a big bird, but he reminds me of God in the way he is always there, always hovering, always around, making his presence known even when we don't see him. When I hear his familiar hoot I relax remembering God is like that too.

6) Speaking of Drama Queen, she informed us one of her professors told her she's the most obnoxious and sarcastic person he's ever met. "And I've met a lot of people," he added. I'm not sure as her mother if I should be happy or sad about this. Surely this says something about me, right? Isn't it always the mother's fault? Any rationales that put me in a good light are welcome.

7) Is it completely stupid that I have a favorite street in town? Yes, you read that right, a favorite street. For those of you who live in my town, my beloved road is Ella Street. A person never gets stuck on Ella. You zoom right down it. There's only two stoplights on its entire path so it takes you across town in a flash (of course, "across town" is a relative term). Trees line the way, like an invitation to sigh. Driving down Ella always makes me smile. And feel thankful. And happy to be alive.

You think there was something toxic in that squirrel urine that got into my brain?

I'm not gonna think about it too much and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather in southeast Nebraska today. I hope you enjoy your day too and read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

For the Sake of Another

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

They were newlyweds.

He worked on finishing college, she was my teacher. I was the shy, overweight teen they took an interest in. They made time for me, spoke Truth to me, taught me what God said about marriage. Though they lived on a starting teacher's salary, somehow they scraped together enough money to buy me a study Bible that became my life line for years to come. The actual time spent in my life spanned a year and half, but the spiritual investment left a permanent mark.

Did they know their efforts would make such a difference? Did they have any idea how much the gift of their time and that Bible would shape me? Were they aware their sweet words and confidence in me would build me up so? Did they know their training would help me establish a strong, healthy, fulfilling marriage?

They made a sacrifice and I am better for it.

My mother never went to college though she wanted to. She moved away from home at a young age, got a job, fell in love, got married and unexpectedly had me when she was 21. From then on out, choices were made based on what was best for the kids and her being busy in college didn't seem advantageous for us. She never got there.

But her kids did. Because she made it so. Who can count the other ways our mother gave up to make sure our lives were better than hers?

I was on the receiving end again last fall as my friend's untimely migraine put me in a position to hear a tender word from God.

It's a consistent theme of God's, using the sacrifice of one for the benefit of others.

Joseph's rejection by his brothers, his stint as a slave, his unfair imprisonment and subsequent rise to power perfectly placed him to save the lives of the very people who put him in Egypt.

We wish the poor Israelites could have figured out their issues so they wouldn't have wandered around the desert for 40 years, but their journey left a trail that teaches future GENERATIONS. For all time. Most of them didn't enter the Promised Land so WE could be warned of the danger of disobedience.

Job suffered terribly so we would understand God is God.

The theme reverberates in movies. The struggles and sacrifices of one, which are beyond the ability to repay, benefit others in huge ways. Think Les Misérables, Life is Beautiful, Mr. Holland's Opus, Billy Elliot, A Beautiful Mind.

It touches us deeply because it demonstrates Truth. It echoes the gospel. Isn't this what Jesus' death and resurrection are about? God gave up His only Son for the sake of mankind, in hope of eternal relationship with us.

It makes me look at my difficulties differently. Is it possible God redeems our struggles, makes them truly count, not for us, but in the life of another? Will our troubles make life better for someone else? Will our perseverance in doing right, no matter how hard, show up as a positive result in the lives of people we love?

When I lay awake at night worrying about my kids and spend time in prayer for them, I may not feel much relief, but what does it do for them? Will my middle of the night pleas benefit them, bring them comfort and guidance and direction, though I struggle through sleepless nights?

How might my struggles help someone else? Will all the hard times I don't understand culminate in blessing for another along the way? Will someone be helped, warned, encouraged? The thought of my pain being useful for someone else almost makes it worth it, you know?

Are you willing to muddle through trials for the sake of another?

7 Quick Takes (Volume 226)

noreply@blogger.com (Tami Boesiger) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:00:00 +0000

1) How about a vocabulary lesson for those of you with teens?

Princess Dawdle: Hey, we should make up a rap.

Ladies Man: Want me to lay down some fat beats?

Say what? I was clueless, but Princess Dawdle knew exactly what he was talking about.

Princess Dawdle: No. I'll do it. You do the words.

Immediately she broke into beatboxing, the art of making sounds like percussion equipment, that often involves a lot of saliva spraying (just my observation . . .) and gets old fast to mature ears. So "fat beats" are a teenager's efforts to sound cool while spitting on their neighbors.

To be fair, however, I must add that my kids aren't too bad at it. Ladies Man is especially good, although I'm not sure I'm a trustworthy judge as I often retreat to my office while he's practicing. Mature ears, you know.

2) Last Friday night our girls basketball team played in the state tournament and the student body was to dress western. Ladies Man takes on any challenge to be creative and decided to try his hand at making some chaps. He found a pair of "ladies pants" at a thrift store, cut them apart, attached the sleeves from an old long-sleeved t-shirt, and cut the sleeves into strips for the fringe. I was impressed.

Ladies Man tends to be a detail kind of person so he created a belt buckle with their school logo as well.

Then he added a thrift store vest, shirt, hat, boots and bandana to get this finished product. Giddy up!

3) I spent a little one on one time with Drummer Boy this week. This rarely happens as our schedules never jive and when he's available we ALL like to see him. But I was thrilled for a little time to talk about life and to make sure he ate (A mother's urge to keep her offspring fed never goes away, no?).

Later he sent me a sweet text that zinged straight to my heart. No matter how old my kids get, my heart will be tugged by them. I know lots of people gripe about technological advances taking away from real connection, but I find it helps my communication with my kids. Mothers never get tired of hearing, "Love you" in any form.

4) I've been feeling like a very lame cook lately, tired of the same old things and wanting to shun the task altogether. I used to be a good cook, really I did, but lately . . . big, fat, fail. I decided some new recipes might get me going again. I don't have to stress about what's for dinner if I plan ahead, right? I pored, and I mean PORED through recipes online and found a few we really liked this week (I was 3 for 3. BONUS!). But my biggest discovery was a site called ZipList.com. There's a "clipper" you can add to your toolbar that automatically clips the recipe from any site and puts it in your recipe box. I can also generate a shopping list (organized into food categories for easy shopping) from whatever recipes I choose and alter it according to what ingredients I already have at home. Very cool. I love this site! It may be just the thing I need to bring new life into my cooking rut.

5) Princess Dawdle participated in National History Day. She spent MONTHS working on this display about the History of Film. She presented the information as if it were a silent movie--a picture, then the caption explaining it. Very creative.

She decided to add a little pop to the presentation and made her own "camera" and screen which displayed a picture of Harold Lloyd, a famous silent screen star who happens to be from our area. She installed a flashlight to make it look like it was projecting the image.

I was proud of her hard work and creativity. Nice job, babe!

6) Ladies Man took part in a barbershop chorus workshop and got hooked. Can you see how much fun he's having in this photo Drama Queen took "like a boss"?

Although Ladies Man was completely enamored, his sisters weren't quite as impressed.

Princess Dawdle: It was good, I guess, but why did I keep feeling like it was something I'd see in Napolean Dynamite?

7) We end today's takes with Kevin's Korner:

Someone shared something with me today that I found humorous but the more I think about it I wonder if it is something I should be concerned about. Our youth pastor was talking with one of our dads who told him when he goes out to the gun range to practice shooting he calls it "shooting the choir." There is a perfectly good explanation. The targets he shoots, which are in the shape of people, make different pitched noises as they are shot, so in essence I guess they "sing" when they are hit. My guess is they are made of metal and would create more like a sound an instrumentalist would make or better yet a percussion instrument. So my question . . . why doesn't he call it "shooting the drumline?" Okay Drummer Boy and Drama Queen don't jump down my back, it's just a thought. I have a feeling the drumline is much cooler than a choir so no one would dare shoot them or maybe it's just because they have that scary drumline face when they play. Any way you look at it, it can't be good. Hopefully my choir and orchestra don't play in a way that would cause anyone to shoot at us. I do think we are past that level of playing . . . yes, I am very confident we do more than simply make noise. So please remember the next time you go out. Don't shoot, I'm just the piano player!

Keep Kickin' It or should I say Shootin' it!

And that's it for this Friday, friends. Enjoy your weekend. Kick start it by reading more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.