Monthly Archives: March 2009

March 30, 2009 · 6:00 am

The NAV Bible (New Anna Version)

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Last week, Anna got into trouble at Pre-School.  When I found out about it, I let her know that she was in trouble, and I would have to tell her dad about it.  John Henry, self-appointed Sheriff of Moral Order, also got involved.  Here is how the conversation went.

Me:  Anna, I’m going to talk to your dad when we get home.  This is unacceptable.

Anna: (Crying) NO!  Don’t tell Daddy!  Don’t tell Daddy!

Me:  Anna, I can’t keep this from your Daddy.

John Henry:  Anna, the Bible says we should not keep secrets from one another.  [A bit of a stretch on the truth shall set you free.]

Anna:  (Sobbing) Well, my Bible says different things!

I could not help but laugh.  Her Bible says different things.  Oh, how we all, at some point in life, pretend our Bible says something different.

Her quick wit didn’t save her from being disciplined. 

But, it almost did.

Have you ever been unable to discipline your child because of his or her wit?  I bet you have!

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March 27, 2009 · 6:00 am

If You Look Up Mercy, You Might Find His Picture.

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A few quotables from my dad I try to live by:

1) Nothing good happens after at midnight.  Wherever you’re going to be, be there by then.

2) Vengeance belongs to God.  Not me.

3) His mercies are new every morning.  So should ours be for others.

4) Never let her cut grass.  Well, that’s what he told Kris when he asked for my hand in marriage. I remind Kris of this. J

5) Everything is going to be okay.

Happy Birthday, Dad.  We love you big. 

And, so do John Henry and Anna:

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March 26, 2009 · 6:00 am

Different Eyes

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As I was taking John Henry to school the other day, he noticed how small the trees were around us.  We had just spent time in Georgia where the trees are tall, lush, and plentiful.  This fact can, often times, make me critical of Oklahoma’s lack of vegetation.

“The trees aren’t like that here,” I told him.

“But they’re growing,” he said.

His response stayed with me the rest of the day. 

But, they’re growing.

How often we look at situations – specifically people – with a critical eye.  I recently heard my dad talk about blurred vision and how we often try to focus on both worldly and heavenly values.  Matthew 6:22-23 says, “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.  But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!”

Our critical eyes can allow darkness to fill our body.  I don’t want to have blurred vision.  I want to be able to look at people with His eyes.  And, when I do, I just might see that they are growing.

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March 25, 2009 · 6:00 am

That’s My Boat

The title is clearly lost if you don’t read in your best Forest Gump voice.  Here are a few more photos from the Takle Family Spring Break 2009.

 

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Kris’ response to this shrimp boat was “I’ve got twelve Jenny’s.”  We were told by a tour guide that the shrimping industry will be obsolete in ten years due to the ease of today’s farm-raised shrimp.  Kind of sad, huh? 

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This thingamabob does something with cargo ships.  Lifts the boxes?  I really paid attention.  Well, I did pay attention to the fact that it was shipped to Amelia Island from Singapore already assembled.  Okay.  It’s a boring picture, but you have to admit that it’s pretty impressive.  Yes?  Or, maybe when you are consumed with a 4 year old who only wants to wear purple now, you’re easily impressed.

Back at the grandparents’ house, Anna discovered her inner Audubon with a little bird watching.

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And this one finally got his hair cut short.

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Memories were made.  At one point, I looked at Kris on our getaway and just said, “We are so blessed.”  I’ve had my share of struggles.  But, scripture reminds us to rejoice in tribulation, because it produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.  And, hope does not disappoint.  Had I not endured a broken heart, there would be no Anna Takle. 

You see how good God is?

 

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March 24, 2009 · 6:00 am

Self Portraits On Love Island.

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I love how I look gigantor in this picture next to Kris. What up with that?  Then, in an attempt to get some new profile shots for Twitter and whatnot, I took this self-portrait:

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What makes me laugh about this picture is Kris’ observation of how everyone looks/smiles differently in pictures they take of themselves.  It’s like me – but not really me.  Ya know?  Funny.  Good times.

We had a WONDERFUL time together on Amelia Island.  And I mean all caps WONDERFUL.  We finally viewed the much talked about “Fireproof.”  I looked over and saw a tear – or two – flowing down Kris’ cheek.  It wasn’t the emotional display he put on while watching Marley & Me, but he was noticeably touched by the film.  I doubt any of the actors would ever get an Oscar nod, but the story was a powerful one.  

Favorite line in the movie – and a thought I’d like to leave you with:

“Don’t follow your heart.  Your heart can deceive you.  Lead your heart.”

What does this thought mean to you?

 

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March 23, 2009 · 6:00 am

And, if I see a set of scales, I’m gonna holler.


Back home.  And, what’s done is done.  The display I put on last week in the Peach State – then on a getaway to Amelia Island – is somewhat regrettable.  I don’t even want to see the numbers.  There is simply no sense in weighing myself until I fast all things edible for the next twenty-one days.  At least.  More to come on the Amelia Island getaway tomorrow. 

I’ve received numerous e-mails – okay, two – requesting a posting on Bigmama’s thoughts.  I always love coming home and visiting my almost 90 year old grandmother.  Her words of wisdom are, well, they’re enlightening.  I recorded a few of her comments the first day of my visit.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

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Upon complaining to Bigmama about the weather, she told me to “Hush.  This is God’s weather!”  So, I did.

When watching TLC’s “What Not to Wear,” Bigmama responded in defiance, “I’m gonna wear what I got!”

On the Playtex bra commercial:  “They used to not show stuff like that.”

Parenting advice from Bigmama:  “Don’t yell at your kids.  It makes ‘em mad.”

After looking at my iPhone:  “Show me how to press buttons on that thing.”

When learning how much the iPhone cost:  “That’s not so bad if it’ll do all that.”

I have to agree with Bigmama.  I can also appreciate that a woman who won’t buy canned salmon unless it’s on sale could actually justify buying an iPhone.   She is a woman who surely knows how to prioritize her life. 

 

 

 

 

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March 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

The Greatest Decision.


I’m not one for seeing two five o’clocks in the same day.  I’m a girl who appreciates sleep.  But, Saturday morning meant everyone in the Takle household would have to stretch before sunrise.  John Henry stirred much sooner than we anticipated.  Anna, a girl after my own heart, wasn’t about to let her snuggled self be bothered until it was time. 

Eventually, Kris and John Henry made their way into the family room.  John Henry started asking Kris several questions about life after death. 

“Dusty!”  Kris called for me.  “John Henry has some questions for you,” he said. 

Funny.

So, I joined my two favorite men, and I answered his questions the best I could.  He has been talking a lot about salvation lately and asking a few questions.

So, I knew it was time.

“John Henry, do you want to ask Jesus to come into your heart?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

So, we prayed.  And my six year old boy made the greatest decision he will ever make.

While, he has believed in Jesus Christ, I explained to him this was just a confession of his faith. 

Then, yesterday, Anna said she had Jesus in her heart.  John Henry argued that she did not since she had not prayed. (We’ll balance our sweet boy out as time goes on.)

John Henry then asked Anna to repeat after him.  And, he led her in the sinner’s prayer, and she asked Jesus into her heart, too.  He just might evangelize the world before he turns seven. 

If God can use him to change his sister’s life, God can use him to do anything.

On that note, Kris and I are off for a mom and dad only get-away.  I am leaving my laptop at home.  I know, right?  I’ll have my phone.  If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, I might take a little Twitpic and post it on occasion.  But, my main focus is going to be my Scandinavian hunk of burnin’ love.

God bless grandparents.

See y’all again next week.

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March 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

Our Little Circle of Love.

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For more than twenty-four hours, Kris and I searched for his wedding band.

“The last time I saw it, it was on the kitchen counter,” I told him.

“I know.  Me, too,” he agreed.

So, we searched.  And, we searched some more.  Until finally, we had exhausted all of our options.

All save one.

The morning that followed our search mission, Kris cornered Anna.

“Baby doll, have you seen daddy’s wedding ring?” He gently asked her.

“Hmmm.  I think I have.  Let me check.  YOU STAY RIGHT HERE!”  She ordered.

A few seconds later, Anna hand delivered Kris’ wedding band.  He praised her, but also told her how special the ring is to him.

Later that morning, I followed Anna into her room, and asked, “Where was daddy’s wedding band?”

She pulled a little box out of her school backpack and showed me where it had been resting.

“Anna, did you take daddy’s ring to school?” I asked her.

“Yes!  I wanted to show my friends!”  She said.

So, she did.  And, we know that there is, indeed, a God of the universe, because, that circle of love made it back home. 

I pray years from now, she shows that same ring to her friends, and says, “My parents are great examples of what love, pursuit, and commitment are all about.”  Except, I hope she tells us this time J

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March 13, 2009 · 6:00 am

Friday Funnies.


My kids make me laugh.  Here are some of their recent quotes.

John Henry:  “Everybody was born in a hospital except Jesus.”

Anna (When I told her Nan was on the phone to talk to her): “Tell her I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”

John Henry (In response to Anna telling him a boy at school bit her): “I don’t usually use my anger, but I will use it on him if he does it again.”

This next quote is courtesy of one of Anna’s pre-school teachers.   Here is the conversation that followed when Miss Audra informed Anna that her cat was pregnant:

Anna:  “Can I have one?”

Miss Audra:  “Sure!  What color?”

Anna:  “A rainbow sparkly kitty.”

Miss Audra:  “I don’t think my kitty will have rainbow sparkly babies.”

Anna told me that Miss Audra’s cats have not “hatched out yet.”  She has also invited her pre-school teachers to come to Cabo and Georgia with us.  They told me they are very excited. 

Aren’t kids the best ever?

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March 12, 2009 · 6:00 am

Letting go.


There are times that I tell God that I want whatever He wants for me.  Sometimes, I even mean it.  Other times, I’m afraid to tell Him I want what He wants, because…

Well, because, what if He doesn’t want what I want?  For real.

So, to play it safe, I steer clear of surrendering a thing or two.

But, that’s not playing it safe.

It might even be rebellion disguised as a “I’m not ready to give that part of me up just yet.”

I’ve had a little something something in my life like that.  This week, I gave it all to Him.  I said these words to God:

I want whatever You want for me. 

Wherever you want me to be.  Whatever you want me to do.  THAT’S what I want.

And, I meant it.

His ways are higher than our ways.

His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

He even loves me more than my mama.  And, that’s sayin’ a lot, folks.

When is the last time you told Him you want whatever He wants?  And meant it?

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