I can hardly believe that my little girl is four months old. It really can't be so! It's amazing to me how I remember so much of the struggles and the adjustments of the first couple of months and each month has brought struggles of their own but the overall adjustment has been so much easier these past couple of weeks. It seems her schedule has evened out...eating, sleeping, and playing. There are always days of exceptions...but for the most part we've moved into a grove.
Yesterday we tried a bit of cereal for the first time. I have no intention of making this a regular meal time experience but I wanted to try it and see how things went. She actually enjoyed it...at least the experience because the food was all over! But today she would even open her mouth in anticipation for another bite.
Below is just a hodge-podge of pictures collected over the past four months. I love being Culley's mom. Through the easy and hard...the good and bad...the simple and complex...I've loved it and am blessed beyond my wildest expectations!
Thank you for all who have been the encouragers and cheerleaders. New moms...and I'm sure moms in general...need to be spurred on regularly. So...thanks and blessings today!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
An Eye for the Eternal
There is a fine line that connects living with eternity in mind…an eye for the eternal…and living faithfully today. So often I get caught up in trying to find out what God wants me to do, where He wants me to go, and to whom He wants me to minister. Often I spend more time contemplating about what’s next rather than living faithfully in the present day that He has made. But how do I live today with eternity in mind? This is something that I’ve been learning and studying as I have been making the transition from teacher to mother and housewife.
When I first started teaching I remember struggling to find the eternal value in teaching Lord of the Flies, essays, grammar, or critical analysis of texts. I found it difficult to ascertain any type of meaning in the hours I spent grading and planning. I prayed about it, I sought council on this, and even at times I resigned myself to never feeling effective for the kingdom. It is interesting as I look back over the nine years, four school districts, and four grade levels that I taught, God was gradually whittling away at what I thought was meaningful and replacing it with a totally new perspective. My years teaching in the north suburbs of Chicago were very fulfilling and challenging…academically and intellectually. It was here that I learned to be the teacher that I became; however, I found myself becoming prideful as my ultimate goal was to be an accomplished and valued teacher. Oddly enough, even in the midst of my fleshly pursuits, I longed to make Jesus known and God provided opportunities to discuss spiritual things in my classroom…and even share the gospel with a colleague. Looking back, I see that I was looking to find the eternal value of my days in the content of what I was teaching rather than being faithful to the day He made and the opportunities He provided.
Throughout the years I continued to struggle with these longings and desires. After four and a half years in Chicago I eventually felt that I had accomplished many things and the curriculum was no longer a challenge for me. It was at this time that I moved to Turkey and began a whole new experience where God chiseled more of my fleshly perspective away. It was there that God helped me to understand that building relationships was important and through trusting Him opportunities would arise to share about the hope that was in me. In Turkey my job had the balance of developing relationships with students and colleagues and the challenge of developing and creating a curriculum for the department. There I was able to share the gospel with an American colleague and discuss many allusions to the Bible with my classes. I struggled to find meaning early in those two years, but by the end I was sure that God had sent me there for a reason. However, I was always looking to the next phase of my journey. I was never fully there and never fully resigned to living each day faithfully.
My return to the states to teach stripped me of much pride and I have come to the conclusion that we often cannot conceive or know why God has us in a particular place. Teaching in Kansas was difficult for me. Academic success and excellence in the classroom was overshadowed by behavioral issues and parental influence. In Kansas City parents had a hard time seeing their children fail and all but demanded that the path to graduation be easy. In Hutchinson parental involvement was minimal, but behavioral problems were customary and the lack of administrative support created an environment that bred apathetic and undisciplined students. In response to both of these situations, teachers took the easy way out and simply succumbed to the inevitable of mediocrity and laziness in the classroom. I attempted with all that was in me to keep my standards high, but as God gradually began to strip my academic and intellectual pride from me, I finally began to see the eternal value is not in the curriculum, it’s not in the way my room is decorated, and it’s not even in the success of my students. The eternal value of teaching is remaining faithful to each opportunity that God brings and being ready to give account of the hope that is in me. Eternal value is found in my attitude when things are visibly wrong. It’s found in my work as long as I work as unto the Lord. Eternal value is found when I walk away from or stand against slanderous conversations. It’s found when my first response to a problem is prayer rather than gossip. It’s found in the display of the fruits of the spirit. Eternal value is praying for each student as I spend hours grading their papers. Eternal value is found in being faithful each day that He gives…one day at a time…one opportunity at a time.
So…I have found myself asking the same question during this transition from teacher to mom. Where is the value in diapers, in meals, in cleaning, in laundry, in playtime? In this transition I must continually be reminded that the value will not be found in those chores or activities themselves…rather in the opportunities to pray and to show Christ in my life. What is my attitude? What are my words and thoughts? How often do I pray? Have I hidden God’s word in my heart? I have found that there are so many more moments in my day than I think that can be used for God’s moments. It’s a discipline and an active dying to my agenda. In changing Culley’s diapers do I speak of Christ or complain? In making meals do I meditate on Christ or worry about other things? In doing laundry do I take those moments to pray or mindlessly complete a mundane task? I’ve been challenged in a whole new way these past three months and I know that there are many more challenges coming. Yes…life is different and some days are crazy and full of emotions I never knew I had. But there are still moments in each day that God wants us to claim and use for His glory. There are still moments in each day that can glorify God simply by being faithful to Him. I long to desire Him above all else. I long to have an eye for the eternal. I long to be found faithful today. My prayer is that God would give me an eye for the eternal in the mundane moments and find me faithful to the day that He has made and rejoicing in it.
When I first started teaching I remember struggling to find the eternal value in teaching Lord of the Flies, essays, grammar, or critical analysis of texts. I found it difficult to ascertain any type of meaning in the hours I spent grading and planning. I prayed about it, I sought council on this, and even at times I resigned myself to never feeling effective for the kingdom. It is interesting as I look back over the nine years, four school districts, and four grade levels that I taught, God was gradually whittling away at what I thought was meaningful and replacing it with a totally new perspective. My years teaching in the north suburbs of Chicago were very fulfilling and challenging…academically and intellectually. It was here that I learned to be the teacher that I became; however, I found myself becoming prideful as my ultimate goal was to be an accomplished and valued teacher. Oddly enough, even in the midst of my fleshly pursuits, I longed to make Jesus known and God provided opportunities to discuss spiritual things in my classroom…and even share the gospel with a colleague. Looking back, I see that I was looking to find the eternal value of my days in the content of what I was teaching rather than being faithful to the day He made and the opportunities He provided.
Throughout the years I continued to struggle with these longings and desires. After four and a half years in Chicago I eventually felt that I had accomplished many things and the curriculum was no longer a challenge for me. It was at this time that I moved to Turkey and began a whole new experience where God chiseled more of my fleshly perspective away. It was there that God helped me to understand that building relationships was important and through trusting Him opportunities would arise to share about the hope that was in me. In Turkey my job had the balance of developing relationships with students and colleagues and the challenge of developing and creating a curriculum for the department. There I was able to share the gospel with an American colleague and discuss many allusions to the Bible with my classes. I struggled to find meaning early in those two years, but by the end I was sure that God had sent me there for a reason. However, I was always looking to the next phase of my journey. I was never fully there and never fully resigned to living each day faithfully.
My return to the states to teach stripped me of much pride and I have come to the conclusion that we often cannot conceive or know why God has us in a particular place. Teaching in Kansas was difficult for me. Academic success and excellence in the classroom was overshadowed by behavioral issues and parental influence. In Kansas City parents had a hard time seeing their children fail and all but demanded that the path to graduation be easy. In Hutchinson parental involvement was minimal, but behavioral problems were customary and the lack of administrative support created an environment that bred apathetic and undisciplined students. In response to both of these situations, teachers took the easy way out and simply succumbed to the inevitable of mediocrity and laziness in the classroom. I attempted with all that was in me to keep my standards high, but as God gradually began to strip my academic and intellectual pride from me, I finally began to see the eternal value is not in the curriculum, it’s not in the way my room is decorated, and it’s not even in the success of my students. The eternal value of teaching is remaining faithful to each opportunity that God brings and being ready to give account of the hope that is in me. Eternal value is found in my attitude when things are visibly wrong. It’s found in my work as long as I work as unto the Lord. Eternal value is found when I walk away from or stand against slanderous conversations. It’s found when my first response to a problem is prayer rather than gossip. It’s found in the display of the fruits of the spirit. Eternal value is praying for each student as I spend hours grading their papers. Eternal value is found in being faithful each day that He gives…one day at a time…one opportunity at a time.
So…I have found myself asking the same question during this transition from teacher to mom. Where is the value in diapers, in meals, in cleaning, in laundry, in playtime? In this transition I must continually be reminded that the value will not be found in those chores or activities themselves…rather in the opportunities to pray and to show Christ in my life. What is my attitude? What are my words and thoughts? How often do I pray? Have I hidden God’s word in my heart? I have found that there are so many more moments in my day than I think that can be used for God’s moments. It’s a discipline and an active dying to my agenda. In changing Culley’s diapers do I speak of Christ or complain? In making meals do I meditate on Christ or worry about other things? In doing laundry do I take those moments to pray or mindlessly complete a mundane task? I’ve been challenged in a whole new way these past three months and I know that there are many more challenges coming. Yes…life is different and some days are crazy and full of emotions I never knew I had. But there are still moments in each day that God wants us to claim and use for His glory. There are still moments in each day that can glorify God simply by being faithful to Him. I long to desire Him above all else. I long to have an eye for the eternal. I long to be found faithful today. My prayer is that God would give me an eye for the eternal in the mundane moments and find me faithful to the day that He has made and rejoicing in it.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Twelve Weeks!
I have been slack in writing this summer. Five days in Indiana, the anticipation of Brian going to China, spending a week at the farm, and then five days driving through the mountains have all limited my time. So, with that in mind I'm sharing as many pictures as I can.
When Culley was three weeks old a friend from church came to our house for her newborn photo shoot. You can go to here website to see Culley's pics: http://www.tressaweberphoto.com/index2.php?v=v1 Once there you can click on Culley Jo's profile and you'll see her newborns pictures.
Below is just a hodgepodge of pictures from the past three months. It's been a hectic summer and...if you can believe it...I'm looking forward to fall and the routine that it will bring. Although the first part of the season is always tough when Brian and I go from spending 90% of our time together to spending 10% of our time together...but I know it will only be for a time and then things will be back to "normal." I hope all of you have had a wonderful summer. I've been writing some...just not blogging my thoughts so hopefully I can get some of that posted (for Judy :).
The first slideshow is of Culley. We went to a family reunion in Montana and stopped in Denver at the zoo. No...it wasn't for Culley...it was for me. I love zoos! I suppose this could be considered our first family outing. She did great as long as one of us held her...she has begun to hate her carseat!!! And after almost 50 hours in the car over 6 days I don't blame her!
BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.
The second is of our travels. The first group picture is a pic with all of my mom's cousins. The next picture is of my generation (obviously there wasn't the whole Lambert crew there...and other cousins were absent as well). And finally a picture of Culley's generation (again...just add the Lamberts and that number doubles!). One of my cousins pointed out that the last time she saw me I was a baby and now that we were all together again I had my own baby! It's crazy how time is a vapor. And yet in that flash of time what awesome memories God blesses us with!
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
Blessings on the rest of the summer!
Oh...and congrats to Jessica and Curtis on the birth of Joel Charles...and to Amy and Dan Isaacson on the soon-to-be birth of baby Noah! :)
When Culley was three weeks old a friend from church came to our house for her newborn photo shoot. You can go to here website to see Culley's pics: http://www.tressaweberphoto.com/index2.php?v=v1 Once there you can click on Culley Jo's profile and you'll see her newborns pictures.
Below is just a hodgepodge of pictures from the past three months. It's been a hectic summer and...if you can believe it...I'm looking forward to fall and the routine that it will bring. Although the first part of the season is always tough when Brian and I go from spending 90% of our time together to spending 10% of our time together...but I know it will only be for a time and then things will be back to "normal." I hope all of you have had a wonderful summer. I've been writing some...just not blogging my thoughts so hopefully I can get some of that posted (for Judy :).
The first slideshow is of Culley. We went to a family reunion in Montana and stopped in Denver at the zoo. No...it wasn't for Culley...it was for me. I love zoos! I suppose this could be considered our first family outing. She did great as long as one of us held her...she has begun to hate her carseat!!! And after almost 50 hours in the car over 6 days I don't blame her!
BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.
The second is of our travels. The first group picture is a pic with all of my mom's cousins. The next picture is of my generation (obviously there wasn't the whole Lambert crew there...and other cousins were absent as well). And finally a picture of Culley's generation (again...just add the Lamberts and that number doubles!). One of my cousins pointed out that the last time she saw me I was a baby and now that we were all together again I had my own baby! It's crazy how time is a vapor. And yet in that flash of time what awesome memories God blesses us with!
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
Blessings on the rest of the summer!
Oh...and congrats to Jessica and Curtis on the birth of Joel Charles...and to Amy and Dan Isaacson on the soon-to-be birth of baby Noah! :)
Friday, June 26, 2009
Anniversary
June 16th was our 2nd anniversary. Brian made this video for me for my first Mother's Day...but I believe it is appropriate for our anniversary as well. Since meeting Brian on July 2nd, 2006 my life has changed dramatically. What my plan was for my life drastically changed that day...and in less than three years we have packed in a trip to Mexico, two 1/2 marathons, a wedding, Jamaica, road trips from Wisconsin to Texas and back, three football seasons, China, a mini triathlon, and a baby girl. This video is a snapshot of our lives for the last three years or so...needless to say...even without the post pregnancy hormones I would have cried! I have been blessed beyond my imagination and God has heard my prayers! Enjoy!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Pictures
Here are a few pictures of our first weeks at home. In one picture Culley is wearing a sweater dress that my Grandma Culley gave to me as a baby. It was her first Sunday at church. The other picture in the blue polo outfit she is wearing a pair of shoes that her Grandma Lambert bought for her before she was born. The picture with Brian is with Culley wearing the dress he bought for her the day we found out we were having a girl. The other pictures are Culley with her cousins on the Fish side. We have ordered her "newborn" pics...and by the time we get them it will be time for more to be taken! She's growing so fast and in many ways she is not our petite little newborn anymore! 8 weeks tomorrow! :)
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
China
It is that time of year again when the Fish family travels. The only problem is two of the Fish girls won't be able to go. On July 1st Brian leaves for China and will be gone for 13 days. We are so excited that he will be able to take a group from our church to visit the same places and people that we visited last year. There are 13 total going. The group is very diverse...four college students, two moms, one single woman, a young married couple, and a retired couple, and the youth pastor. Of this group, there are only five or six who have traveled outside the United States before.
We would covet your prayers for a couple of things:
1. Mr. Yang: we taught in his schools last year and they will be going back this year. He is a Chinese muslim who is friends with Peter. We have been praying for him since we left.
2. Brian: as he leads a very diverse group of people and as he is away from me and Culley for two weeks.
3. GBC (our church): this is somewhat of a scouting trip for our church. If there is positive interaction, approved vision and like-mindedness with Peter there is a chance that our church would like to develop a partnership/relationship with Peter's vision.
4. Culley and I: we will be staying part of the time at the farm with my parents and the other part of the time here in Sterling.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I will keep you updated on the trip AND I will be soon adding more pictures of our little peace-maker (who hasn't been much at peace lately :)
Blessings!
We would covet your prayers for a couple of things:
1. Mr. Yang: we taught in his schools last year and they will be going back this year. He is a Chinese muslim who is friends with Peter. We have been praying for him since we left.
2. Brian: as he leads a very diverse group of people and as he is away from me and Culley for two weeks.
3. GBC (our church): this is somewhat of a scouting trip for our church. If there is positive interaction, approved vision and like-mindedness with Peter there is a chance that our church would like to develop a partnership/relationship with Peter's vision.
4. Culley and I: we will be staying part of the time at the farm with my parents and the other part of the time here in Sterling.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I will keep you updated on the trip AND I will be soon adding more pictures of our little peace-maker (who hasn't been much at peace lately :)
Blessings!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Culley Jo?
Many people have asked where the name Culley came from...they'd never heard it before. That was our plan! :) No...but truly...the name Culley has many siginificant meanings for me. Culley was my mother's maiden name and my grandmother was always Grandma Culley. I have only known one other person whose name was Culley...and he was a boy. BUT...I have always wanted to use the name somehow, so when I suggested the name to Brian as a boy's name he looked at me and said, "I like it...but for a girl's name. It sounds more like a girl's name to me." So...there you have it. We rambled through a few middle names, but when he said Culley Jo we knew it was the name for our baby girl.
Now...as we repeat the name and often have to spell it for others, we know that she'll probably get called all kinds of variations of the name, but our prayer is that the meaning of the name will mean more to her than the struggle for others to pronounce it. My mom has left a legacy in my life, and our prayer is that our little Culley will live to leave a legacy much like her grandmother.
Oh...and the meaning of Culley is "dove". Our little peace-maker will prayerfully live up to her name! :)
Now...as we repeat the name and often have to spell it for others, we know that she'll probably get called all kinds of variations of the name, but our prayer is that the meaning of the name will mean more to her than the struggle for others to pronounce it. My mom has left a legacy in my life, and our prayer is that our little Culley will live to leave a legacy much like her grandmother.
Oh...and the meaning of Culley is "dove". Our little peace-maker will prayerfully live up to her name! :)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Culley Jo Fish
She's here!!! Culley Jo was born on Friday, May 1, 2009. Brian calls her his little "Mayflower". I have never in my life experienced a miracle of this kind. We came home on the 2nd and have been enjoying life these past few days. I believe that mothers are special people...as my mom has been here this week to help out during fussy evenings and helping me learn the ropes of motherhood. I couldn't have been this calm without her!
I've posted a few pictures of her here...there are more on facebook and a video of her very first bath. Hope you enjoy...now I hope we can focus more on Culley rather than on my growing tummy! :)
I've posted a few pictures of her here...there are more on facebook and a video of her very first bath. Hope you enjoy...now I hope we can focus more on Culley rather than on my growing tummy! :)
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