Sister to Sister {Christian Accountability}

March 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SONY DSCOver the years, I know that some of you have heard me talk about my Accountability Group and how much I appreciate the five women there who come alongside me in so many ways. In fact, many of you have asked me about it. So, this week over at The Better Mom, I’m sharing about us. It’s a two –part series – yesterday’s post was some of the heart and vision behind our group. Today, I’m giving practical suggestions for those who want to start something similar.

Come on over and see what’s on my mind…

Filed Under: Faith, Life, Randomness, Spiritual Disciplines Tagged With: , ,

In Which I Share a Few Juicy Tidbits from My Own Mothering Journey

January 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that I think our church is the greatest. Really. It’s such a neat group of people. Sometimes I look around on Sunday morning in awe because of the humility, earnestness, generosity and sacrifice that these people employ as they love the Lord and care for the people around them. We are a family. No “family” is perfect but I can’t believe we get to be part of such a great one.

One of the things we enjoy is how many young families we have in our midst. Rick keeps checking to make sure they all know how babies are made… because we sure do have a lot of them and they just keep coming!!  As I serve in the nursery and teach at our women’s Bible studies, I get to have conversations with many of these sweet mamas. My heart for these young moms just grows and grows. I remember those years. I know that some days feel long when tiny ones are under foot. I recall the discouragement that can set in and steal the joy of those precious moments.

I’ll just tell you that I think we women need to do a better job of going to bat for each other. No mom should feel alone in it. We need each other. So, today, I’m over at The Better Mom sharing a reminder. For all of us. Come join me, won’t you?

Filed Under: Family, Life, Parenting, Randomness Tagged With: ,

November’s Gratitude {And Why I’m Not Decorating for Christmas Yet}

November 1, 2012 by 2 Comments

Today is the first day of November. I have taken to calling it the forgotten month. The one stuck in between Halloween and Christmas. Our hunger for the festivities of Christmas has nearly eclipsed it all together.

I find myself fighting hard against this tide. Refusing to turn on the Christmas music or drag out the bins full of Christmas beauties. My soul bristling against the store aisles that already stock ornaments and baubles.

Don’t hate me. I know some of you are hating me. Because I’ve seen your Facebook posts. {wink} Maybe you think it’s sort of Grinch-like of me to refuse to start humming to Bing Crosby. It’s not that I don’t like Christmas. I do. I love Christmas. And, not just because it feels like a magical time full of traditions and precious family memories. But, more importantly, I love it because it’s the celebration of the greatest gift ever. I’m undone when I ponder the miracle of it.

So, yes, I do love Christmas. Just not the way we have forced it into November.

My dilemma…

I’m not exactly sure why it bothers me so much really. I guess there’s nothing inherently wrong about watching It’s a Wonderful Life in November. I mean, who decided that Christmas decorations can’t come out until the weekend after Thanksgiving anyway?

I think I just want some time to pause. A time to focus on thanks. During that scrap of time that comes after the last of the candy corn is gone, but before the headlong rush into the busyness and the spending that comes with Christmas celebrations.

I sometimes wonder if  we just don’t quite know what to do with ourselves during November. To be still and give thanks? Pfft. We’re much more comfortable behind a Spidey mask and passing out candy or carving pumpkins with the fam. Or, better yet, let’s get to stringing popcorn and wrapping presents.

But, to be still and choose gratitude? Yikes. Thanks means dependence – on someone bigger than us. Gratitude implies grace. And that whole thing makes us squirm a little bit.

For me, November is the pause in the middle of the all the hub-bub. Because, let’s face it, in America our celebrations are an awful lot of hub-bub. Even when we try to keep them simple and focused.

I’m realizing that I need November’s pause – to refocus my heart.

Here’s what I’m doing about it…

Thanksgiving is on the 22nd this year. That gives me 22 days to just “be”. To receive bounty from God and remind myself that He is the Giver. To catch final snippets of time to be outside before the snows come and we huddle indoors. To light candles and smell harvest scents. To make Butternut Squash Soup with the last of the garden goodness. To enjoy the final turning of the leaves that have hung on thus far. To read once again about the sacrifices that brought the pilgrims to free shores. To remember how God has taken the hard places of our life and made them beautiful. To whisper thanks over the kids as they sleep at night and even thanks over the 3 we never knew. To remember that even His taking away is somehow a giving. To linger a second longer and notice the way the raindrops cling to the banister. To jot notes to friends who make my life richer. To count them out. Blessing upon blessing. Gifts overflowing.

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies,  those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” -John Milton

So, please forgive me if I’m not ready to get into the Christmas spirit. To be honest, I feel strongly about this November thing; but I really won’t judge if you’d rather start pulling out the Christmas goodies. As for me, I’m staking off these 22 days for gratitude. I have to. My soul aches for it. (And, ironically, it actually makes me more prepared for Christmas.)

Join me? If you come back tomorrow, I’ll have a few tips and traditions to help you count the gifts and offer thanks.

 

Filed Under: Celebrations, Faith, Family, Life, Randomness, Spiritual Disciplines Tagged With: , ,

Music That Refreshes (AKA Fernando Is Coming to Town)

May 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”  ― Aldous Huxley, Music At Night: And Other Essays

Do you ever feel that way? That sometimes music understands the sigh in your soul? Or takes the catch in your throat and communicates words you can’t express?

I love that about good music. Whether it’s telling story about love lost or it’s deep worship from the mouths of quiet monks, good music has power to touch us in the deep places. To take our breath away. To calm the headlong rush that is life in modern-day America.

Do you know what I mean? Have you felt the power of it yourself?

There is one musician who has long captured this for me. The first time I heard him was just instrumental – just him playing a beautiful grand piano out in Colorado in 1993. He immediately became my favorite artist and I think I have bought every one of Fernando Ortega’s CDs ever since.

Sometimes he sings in Spanish about his abuelita. Sometimes he sings in Greek about his Lord. Sometimes he just sings in English about his precious wife, Margee. Here’s my favorite song ever. Maybe ever in all the world. Simple. Beautiful. Soul-changing.

The cool thing is, for my local friends, he’s coming to Hudson, Ohio, this Thursday. I don’t use my blog for advertising much and I know May is a super busy time of the year for parents of school-aged kids. But, if there is any way you can get your fine self over to Christ Community Chapel’s  Hudson campus this Thursday, I promise that you won’t regret it.

You’ll come away with a heart refreshed. I’m not kidding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the link for more info:

http://hudson.ccchapel.com/Events/Upcoming-Events/General/Fernando-Ortega-Concert/

Please let me know if you’re planning to come and I’ll look for you!

Filed Under: Life, Randomness

How Cool is This?

April 29, 2012 by 3 Comments

I know, right? In a Mirror Dimly has new digs! Didn’t Hannah & Brock do a great job?

Maybe we should have a party or something? Hmmm… a virtual party. I need to think on that idea. (And hope that it doesn’t just get lost in a sea of puttering like some of my other ideas.)

Can I just take this moment to say “thanks” to all of you? Sometimes I can’t believe that I tap on the keyboard, stringing words together that you want to read. Really? That’s just crazy. Crazy-good. But crazy. Thanks for joining me here. You encourage my socks off.

Filed Under: Creativity, Life, Randomness, Writing & Blogging Tagged With:

Ultra-Marathons and An Unusual Beauty

November 2, 2011 by 8 Comments

On Sunday I participated in something beautiful. So many moving things happen on Sundays, don’t they? So many touching moments fill my Sunday memories. But this one was a little different.

This one wasn’t at The Block where we gather to worship our faithful God. This one took place on a trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio. I was there at 4:30 a.m., peering through the dense fog and blackest night. Not even the moon was shining. It was cold and I was still bleary-eyed. And, I wasn’t standing next to my preacher-man (where you’ll usually find me on Sunday mornings). I was with my dear friend, Shannon.

Ultra-Marathon RunnersWe were there to send-off my sister, her husband and his brother. I’m not sure what ever made them think that running for 52 miles would be a grand adventure, but that’s what they were attempting on this cold October Sunday. We had to be there this early because it would likely take them more than 12 hours to complete their task. Yes, 12.

Can you even imagine? Maybe you’re an avid runner but I am NOT. Running for an entire day is not even on my radar of possibilities. But, Crystal is a competitor and she loves to push herself so… here we were. Waiting to begin the run of a lifetime.

But, this post isn’t really about the run itself. (Though, that is surely worth a post!)

This post is about the power of being there. Just showing up. For the people you love.

Ultra-Marathon RunnersI did nothing for this race. I didn’t pay her fee. I didn’t train with her. I didn’t fill out her registration or prepare her drop bags or pick-up her race packet. Nothing.

And, yet, when it was finished and we were all done crying, she thanked me. SHE thanked ME. Why? Because I showed up. That’s it. I just showed up. I didn’t even say anything amazing to encourage her. I mean, how lame is “good luck” when a person has trained for months? Really, there was nothing powerful about my words. The thing that had traction was my presence. That I would drag my sorry butt out of bed at three-o-clock in the morning and be there. When she needed a familiar face.

Our eyes locked in knowing before she left for the starting line, little tears spilling into the corners. And, that was it. She was off. To run 52 miles. But, in that moment, I could tell that it mattered. The showing up had mattered.

The crazy thing is that Shannon and I weren’t the only one who showed up. Three other friends came to the start. And, even more people were there coming and going all day. One friend Jillian even bundled up her infant son and came to most of the check points. Friends, family, friends-of-friends. People just showing up to see them for a few minutes as they passed. We’d shout encouraging things or let them know we were praying for them or walk with them for a minute as they got water but they didn’t really NEED anything from us. It was just that we were there… as they finished a grueling loop or topped a killer hill.

It was a beautiful thing to witness. It really was.

Run with Scissors Ultra-MarathonAnd, isn’t that same thing true in life? Sometimes the power of just being there is the critical thing. The fact that you didn’t leave when the going got tough in your marriage. Or that you came home for dinner when you could have worked another hour. Or that you sat down to listen to your daughter’s favorite song even though you really don’t like hip-hop music. Or that you sat there in the rain while he played his football game.

We think we need to buy something or say something profound. But, usually we just need to show up.

There’s something powerful about that. We Americans are pretty independent folks. But don’t be fooled. We still need each other. More than we often know.

And when we show up, we discover an unusual beauty.

Filed Under: Family, Hanging-Out, Life, Randomness Tagged With: , , , , ,

New Adventures=Together Moments

September 23, 2011 by 1 Comment

Hot-Air BalloonMadison and I tried a new adventure last weekend: The Ravenna Balloon A-Fair. I’ve lived in Northeast Ohio for most of my life and Ravenna isn’t very far. But, I had just never gone to this hot-air balloon festival before. I thought it was pretty cool. In fact, I’m discovering lots of things about Northeast Ohio that are pretty cool.

Hot-Air BalloonsAfter growing up here and going to college here, I can remember being pretty eager to leave. I don’t know why, really. I guess it just felt sort of lame to stay in the same place. When I married Rick, I did leave for awhile. I really thought we’d never come back. But, here we are. Caleb was just 1 when we returned. He’s 12 now. You do the math. I think we’re here to stay – at least until I find a great reason to live in Ireland. (The Ireland I imagine, anyway.) 

I’ll be honest, the thing I love most about being back is my family. It’s a treat to live so near my two sisters and their families. I also love that I’m five minutes from my aging grandparents and that my kids know them and enjoy going to their home. (Have I ever told you how much I love my Grammy? You’d love her too. Because she’s great.)

So there’s my family. And, of course, my friends. I have some pretty precious people in my life here.

But, I’m also finding that it’s a fun place to live. Hence, the Balloon A-Fair. We had a blast watching all of those big balloons fill-up and take off. We even splurged and shared a funnel cake as we lay on our blanket and looked into the big, blue sky. As we finagled for the pieces with the most powdered sugar, I looked over at my little girl and just savored being there with her. It was just a single slice of life but we were experiencing something new together. And there was great delight in that.

As I reflected more on the last year, it occurred to me that our family has had several simple, but fun, moments just like this as we explore the area. A trip to a goat farm, hikes in the Cuyahoga Valley and climbing on parts of the old canal locks, farmer’s markets, lambing time at a farm in the Valley, art galleries, local festivals, etc… This is actually a pretty cool place to live and there are some neat adventures to be had. Who knew? Maybe Ohio really is the heart of it all. {wink}

How about you? When was the last time you ventured out and tried something new? Any ideas for Fall adventures?

Filed Under: Children, Family, Life, Randomness Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Sound of Silence

September 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A lot of people have had a lot to say about today. That makes me not want to say much. Sometimes silence just seems better.

Our flag flies on the front of our house. Rain drizzles off and on throughout the day. The world spins on. And yet we pause to remember.

Filed Under: Life, Randomness Tagged With: ,

Recounting Summer’s Gold

August 17, 2011 by 6 Comments

Summer. Blink and it’s nearly gone. Whew. I can’t believe the kids will be back at school in one week.

It might not have included all the things I had originally planned but it was a good summer. A really good summer.

Here are few highlights from the McKee family. I’ve been taking a photo every day (well, almost everyday) since January 1 so we have some great snapshots of the day-to-day to remind me of all the wonder.

* Dusk. Chasing fireflies. Sitting around the bonfire in our backyard.

 

* Listening to the bagpipes on the bridge on Memorial Day.

* First scones of the season at the Haymaker Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning.

* Iced chai. And frozen chocolate-covered bananas.

* Discovering a new letterbox under a tucked away “troll bridge.”

* Backyard fun with friends. The smell of the grill. Laughter as kids play on a trampoline. Sharing Mamo’s potato salad.

* Weddings! Tears. Always tears for me as those doors open and I watch precious friends come down the aisle to the ones who have promised to love them for a lifetime.

* Vacation in Virginia Beach. Reuniting with dear ones who were there the day we got engaged 20 years ago! Skinny Dip yogurt. Just Rick & me – watching dolphins at sunrise. Sand between toes. Boardwalk art show. A surrey bike ride and Madison ringing the bell.

* Fourth of July parade – as only Christ Community Chapel-Stow can do it. How can just walking a couple miles in the heat of the day be so much fun? Maybe because I truly love these people.

* Faith in Christ. From your 12-year-old son.

* Boys with Nerf guns. Girls giggling into the wee hours with their American Girl dolls.

* Meetings cousins at the lake. Bowling with friends on rainy days.

* Library runs. Discovering new books. Waiting for The Help to come to theaters! Read-aloud time each evening.

* Snuggles and slower mornings. PJs until Noon.

* Girlfriend-runs to Trader Joes. And watching Charleton Heston while we eat Sno-Caps.

* Visit from the Indy McKees. Meeting “Chewey.” Laughing together in the pool.

* Slowing down. Breathing. Musing.

Filed Under: Children, Family, Life, Randomness Tagged With: , , , ,

Sigh.

August 15, 2011 by 1 Comment

So, can I just break the weeks-long blog silence? By telling you all that my summer planning never really came to any fruition at all? I mean, like AT ALL.

Pretty much none of the things that I planned ever happened. I don’t really know what happened to summer. We didn’t read the books I had hoped we would read or do some of the fun projects that I had thought we would do or practice math or visit Grandma in Cinci or discover a new letterbox weekly. We didn’t even get to the lake all that often.

I am still sort of shocked that it’s August. Let alone MID-August.  Yikes. It’s hard for me not to just label the whole thing one big, dismal FAILURE. And the perfectionist in me is scared to death of THAT. And the putterer in me is a little bit afraid that maybe I have some real issues to think through in who I want to be and how I spend my time.

It’s true. I really am wrestling with some things about myself. But, don’t be sad for me. It’s not a bad thing. Wrestling can be a really healthy thing. I think I’ll wait and share more about that process at a later date.

But, I just wanted to let you know that I’m still here. This blog is still one of my favorite places to be. (In fact, my sweet, newish friend, Hannah, is about to give it a facelift!! I am super excited. But, I digress. More on that later, too.)

I think I was just sort of embarrassed to admit that my summer planning was a flop this year.

And that I yelled at the kids a lot more than I wanted to. Especially when they bickered or were ungrateful. I’m sure I read in one of Dobson’s books that screaming at your kids because they’re screaming at each other is the best way to parent. You remember that book, too. Right? *wink*

And I allowed myself to get stressed-out way more than I think is right. All of you dear friends who really know me, know that I am not a good multi-tasker. For real. I know, I know. Women are supposed to be these global-type thinkers who can have lots of things going at one time and multi-task with ease. Not me. At all. Instead, I putter around looking at all the tasks and then get stressed-out because I’m out of time to do them. Ask my kids. They know this better than anyone.

So, that’s my sob story. I knew I couldn’t just pick up writing again without admitting it to you. Summer simply didn’t turn out the way I had planned.

But, you know, I am reminding myself that it really wasn’t a failure. Some really neat things happened this summer. I’ll tell you a few highlights tomorrow. Because I want to cultivate gratitude. I want to be mindful of the beauty.

God makes beautiful things – even when I do a so-so job of cultivating space for them to grow.

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