Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Our family has a small St. Patrick's Day tradition.

It began several years ago when some good friends invited us over for Corned Beef and Cabbage. My husband was hooked.

Every year since we have "feasted" on corned beef and cabbage when March 17th rolls around.

Thankfully it is an easy meal to make, it makes my husband happy (he has been salivating ever since he found out I bought the corned beef last week), and I like traditions. That makes it a win-win!

And even though I tend to associate things like beer, 4-leaf clovers, leprechauns and green rivers with St. Patrick's day, there is more to the day than meets the eye. (An interesting aside: the leprechaun only became associated with St. Patrick's day after a Disney cartoon about a friendly leprechaun was released in 1959.)

St. Patrick's Day is a holy day in Ireland celebrating the man who spent his life sharing the gospel with the Irish. In fact until the 1970s bar's were closed down on the holiday and then in 1995 the Irish government decided St. Patrick's Day was a great day to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the world.

Here is the story of St. Patrick: He grew up in Britain, was taken prisoner by Irish raiders at the age of 16, spent 6 years in Ireland before he escaped home to Britain, studied to become a priest for 15 years and finally returned to Ireland to minister to and convert the Irish people. He died on March 17th, around 460 A.D.

So beyond all the commercialism and traditions is the story of a man who lived his life for Christ. A man whose story is still remembered. A man who obeyed the call God had on his life.

That is something worth celebrating!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Listening In

Little Boy: Mom, I don't want you to come in my room. I want you to stay downstairs. Okay?

Mommy: Why?

Little Boy: I just want you to stay downstairs.

Mommy: Do you have something you shouldn't in your room?

Little Boy: Yes

Mommy: What is it?

Little Boy: Thomas [the train] wants videos in ours room.

Sounds like I need to have a little talk with "Thomas."

Wordless Wednesday: Boys What Are You Doing?... Nothing Mommy...

Tomorrow is Global Food Crisis Day!

Some days it feels like we have nothing to eat.

At least nothing that I'm craving in the moment... like chocolate.

I look in our cupboard and nothing looks good. Nothing appeals to me.

So I either make due with an inferior snack, like pretzels, or I go "hungry" until dinner time arrives.

I recently received an e-mail from Compassion. There is Global Food Crisis affecting millions of families around the world. Even in America, we have felt the tremors. Food prices are going up in our grocery stores. It affects what and how much I buy.

Even though I feel the tremors, it is hard to imagine families going hungry. I am insulated from that because of where I live. But it doesn't change that fact that there are people around the world going hungry. It doesn't change the fact that I can do something to help.

Here are the facts:

• The UN World Food Programme calls the current global food crisis "a phenomenon, a silent tsunami," that is affecting millions of families in every nation on every continent.
• This global food crisis is more rapid, urgent and devastating than any other in the history of our planet.

Why is this happening?

• The cost of food staples have roughly doubled in many countries
• Some of the original factors that turned this trend into a world calamity recently include unstable oil prices, increased meat consumption in countries like India and China, droughts in major crop-producing countries, and increased production of bio fuels

How can you help?

• Compassion has created a Global food crisis fund. This fund provides food vouchers to children and families in need of immediate relief. It provides seeds and agricultural tools so that families can grow their own food as well as earn extra income. And, it provides supplemental nutrition services at Compassion-assisted centers around the world.
• Please visit Compassion to learn more and to donate to this cause.
• Add a Global Food Crisis widget to your blog to help Compassion raise awareness.

I know the current economic conditions have people worried. It is hard to give money when the economic future is uncertain and our dollars are not stretching as far as they once did.

BUT, there are moms who are sending their children to bed hungry. Compared to that economic condition, we live in a world of abundance no matter how tight our grocery budget is.

THEREFORE, we can help. Every little bit counts. Every dollar makes a difference. Please consider donating to Compassion's Global Food Crisis Fund today.

Victory in Sneakers

Her school shoes were quickly falling apart. New holes began to appear with more and more frequency. It was time for new shoes.

And so new shoes were purchased, but there was a problem. The new shoes had laces, not Velcro.

We had practiced tying shoes before, but it was hard and it took longer and even though her old shoes were falling apart, they were easy to put on. So the new shoes sat in a box in her closet and the old shoes continued to wear down.

Until one morning when her tired old shoe disappeared. We frantically searched the house, overturning pillows and looking under furniture. The bus lumbered past our house... still no shoe.

She needed tennis shoes for school. Time was running out. A decision was made. It was time to bring out the new shoes. The ones with the laces.

She pulled the shoes from their box and put them on with trepidation. After a quick refresher course on tying a shoe, she grabbed a hold of the laces.

Round one didn't end well. Round two wasn't much better. But she had no choice, she had to try again.

And then it clicked. Suddenly the shoe was tied. She had done it! She had tied her shoe! She was no longer a prisoner to her tired, worn-out Velcro sneakers. A new world of footwear choices had suddenly opened up to her.

Victory had come once she was forced to leave her comfort zone... and it was sweet!

She practiced a few more times, gaining confidence with each new tie. And then it was time to go to school in her new shoes.

It Was Bound To Happen Someday.

Little boys are curious creatures.

What happens when trains are hurled down the steps?
What does the living room look like from the top of the book case?
What will happen if I put a green bead up my nose?

The answers may seem obvious to us grown-ups, but little boys don't want to take our word for it. Some things must be experienced.

One little boy came home from preschool slightly upset. He said he had a green thing in his nose.

Seeing snot, I quickly wiped it, asked if someone had made fun of him for the snot and dismissed the incident.

But little boy was still not happy. Until 15 minutes later when he proudly told me he got the green thing out of his nose.


Apparently there was more than snot up there.


That was when little boy number 2 suddenly got upset. Remember, how little boys are curious creatures...

I guess having a green bead stuck up your nose looked like fun. Little boy #2 could not be denied. His brother had experienced it, he had to try it.

Only he couldn't get it out by himself. 10 minutes and a pair of tweezers later...

We had that nasty green bead.

Then we sat down and had a little talk about the importance of not shoving items up your nose.

Let's hope it sticks.

Wordless Wednesday - Waiting for Big Brothers to Come Out and Play.