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Change: Entering a New Season
It’s a time of change here on the Nelson farm. Not only are the leaves beginning to turn shades of yellow, the fruit ripening, the tomatoes bright red in the garden, but our lives are twisting and contorting into the next phase too.
I’m not that kind of gal who ends August with the longing for pumpkin lattes and winter sweaters. I like summer. All the time…Summer. Spring is good too, but fall, that means change. I’m not a fan.
This is the year we’ve known would arrive, but kind of pushed aside as a someday occurrence. Our oldest child is preparing to move out. He’s taking on the world and forming his own identity and life.
And he’s ready.
I have no doubt that this is a good and positive thing for him. It’s a necessary step in becoming the man God designed him to be. This is the time where he takes responsibility for the choices that will shape his future.
We’re proud…and a bit reluctant.
Reluctant to let go of the little boy we love so dearly. And reluctant to share the young man we’ve come to really enjoy. What a cruel twist. You raise your kids through all the spills and scrape of childhood and the crazy mood swings of adolescence, then they leave right when you see the fruits of all your parenting.
But that’s how it’s designed. And I trust that this too is good. I’m so thankful for all the years we’ve had under the same roof. There will be more family memories to treasure. More trips. More adventures. And of course, there will always be a room waiting if he wants to come home.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22
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Summer Creations: Strawberry Salad with Mint and Feta
I’m trying to eat healthier this summer, but I don’t want to give up even a little flavor. This was a perfect solution. I adapted this recipe from a local restaurant, and it turned out so well, I had it for dinner one night and lunch the next day.
Fill a bowl with a dark-green lettuce blend.
Mix in chopped fresh mint.
Cover with strawberry halves.
Sprinkle with reduced fat feta cheese.
Top the salad with a baked chicken breast.
I’ve eaten this without chicken, with cold chicken, and with chicken warm from the oven. Each combination was wonderful.
Enjoy,
Christina
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Embracing Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and for too many women this isn’t a day they want to celebrate. We’re bombarded with commercials portraying the perfect image of a mother, but what about the women who deal with infertility, or the women whose mothers abandon or abused them, or the women who grieve the loss of a child, or the women whose children have walked out of their lives. For these women, Mother’s Day hurts.
I was once told that a day would come when I would be thankful for my infertility. The words sounded crass and out of place, but then it happened. Infertility brought me three of the four greatest blessings. Infertility moved us toward adoption and the children God always knew were meant for our family. I’m made a mother through my infertility and my fertility, but mostly by love.
Mother’s Day is about celebrating the nurturing nature in women. It’s about the woman who teaches Sunday School, the one who holds the premature babies in the hospital nursery, the one who reads to children at her local elementary school, and the one who puts aside her freedom to encourage, buildup, or support another person, no matter the age. It’s about compassion and being a shoulder to cry on, but also celebrating good times and laughter.
This year I honor not only my mother, but the step-mother who worked hard to keep a father in my life. And my Granny, who wasn’t biologically related to me, but chose to love me with her whole heart, and with that love, changed my course. And the mother-in-law who encourages me to keep moving toward my dreams. And the sweet woman from my church who disciples me and loves my children like they’re her grandkids. And the birthmothers who put themselves last and my sweet children first.
So, women, can we make this Mother’s Day not about posturing and comparison? Can we honor all mothers, the moms who are still waiting, the moms who are mourning, the moms who made mistakes, and those who did their best? Can we stand beside our sisters who are hurting and love without exception? I think we can.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!
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The Procrastination List
I have a problem. I’d love to tell you about it…another time.
Okay, here the thing, I procrastinate. There are just some things I do NOT want to do. Eventually they pile up, and I have to suffer through Procrastination Catch-up Day. Today is that day.
I started by making a list. After all, why not start by doing a task other than one of those pesky put off chores. So, I made my list and quickly came up with twenty-two items I’ve been avoiding. I’m sure I missed quite a few, but we’re not going to worry about that.
The list gives me an interesting picture. There’s nothing about writing, or reading, or exercising. I do those without being told. Many of the things revolve around communications, like letters that need writing, or phone calls that need making. Introvert to the end!
I can’t avoid the list any longer, even by writing this post, so off I go. I’ll start with number one then work my way down.
Maybe not. Number two doesn’t excite me. I can do that later.
What about you? Do you put off tasks? How do you catch up?
