Category Archives: Love

December 18, 2009 · 6:00 am

Welcome To the World, Liam!

Hooray for new additions!  Leiv and Lindsey, our brother and sister-in-law, have given us a new nephew, and I CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on him.

Liam Soren Takle entered the world (and melted our hearts) Wednesday, December 15th.  I get to meet him in person very soon.  All 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and 20 ½ inches of him.

I’m sure Liam and his soon to be born cousin will give me plenty of writing material as they grow up together discussing aviation, medicine, and, of course, farming. 

I love my family.  And, I love Liam already.

Welcome to the world, Liam.  You are sure to make it brighter.

Every good and perfect gift comes from above.  James 1:17

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December 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

I’m Hoping There Were No Other Bridesmaid Dresses Available.

Thirty-seven years ago today, my parents said I do……

And, subsequently, forced their wedding party to wear large bow ties and red dresses with white lace that only the Amish could love.  We’ll just let the awesome, red veil accessories speak for themselves. 

Thirty-seven years is a very long time, especially by today’s standards.  Of course, I don’t know every detail of their marriage.  But, I do know it has not been without struggle.  Nor, has it been without a relentless commitment to working through it all. 

Even years into their journey, they saw things in their marriage that needed to be changed.  And, they did what they had to do to not just fix it – but make it brand new.

I love their unyielding commitment to Christ.

To each other.

To us.

To the body of Christ.

And, I especially love the fact that they still never say goodbye to one another on a simple phone call without first saying, “I love you.”

I love those two. 

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

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December 3, 2009 · 6:00 am

‘Tis the Season.

I experience different seasons of life just like you.  Some are easier than others.  Some do not end quickly enough.  Then there are seasons where I hardly stop to notice the season.  Know what I mean? 

I’m noticing this one.  But, not the things one would expect for me to notice. 

It’s not hard.  It’s not easy.  Financially?  I’ve seen more.  I’ve seen less.  I don’t notice a real difference in myself as a mother (unless I look at my protruding abdomen.)    I’m sure my children have grown a tenth of an inch this past month.  I can’t really tell until their jeans hit above their ankles.  Kris still makes me laugh out loud just like he does in every other season. 

What I am noticing this season is a greater intimacy in my relationship with my heavenly Father.  I know He’s always tender.  He’s always gentle.  But, I’m especially noticing a sweet calm – a peace – that can only come from Him.  I think about Him when I take my kids to school and on my drive back home.  I think about how good He is when I serve my husband.  I think about how a perfect son of God was born in the most humblest of circumstances. 

I think about Him.

All the time.

And, my heart overflows.

I am in love.

Totally.

And.

Completely.

With Jesus.

I love this season.

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December 2, 2009 · 6:00 am

Redemption.

So, I must admit.  I was sad for Redeeming Love to end.  But, it left my heart so very full.  Full because of the splendor of redemption. 

Oh, how beautiful redemption truly is.  And how we fall in love with Christ in the process. 

I was a little late to the party on Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love.  This is nothing unusual for me.  None the less, it’s a retelling of the biblical story of Hosea set in the mid-nineteenth century.  It’s a beautiful narrative and a sweet reminder of God’s unconditional love.

Sure, the Twilight series is great.  It can even leave you lovesick for a fictional character named Edward.  Redeeming Love, however, will leave you yearning for a more intimate relationship with a very loving – and very real King.

Many don’t experience God’s redemption due to a grossly distorted picture of who God is.  They see a wrathful God.  An unforgiving God.  Or, they see themselves unworthy of His redemption. 

Sometimes, this misperception is the church’s fault.  Sometimes, we fail to see others the way Christ does.  We judge.  We condemn.

God doesn’t.

He loves.

He IS love.

A.W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

I tend to agree.

How do you view God?

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November 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

Marriage And Growing A Person.

This weekend, I used Kris’ Marriott points that he accumulates when he flies to luxurious vacation spots by working so hard for the family.  After I arranged for the kids to spend the weekend with Falon and Janet (our friends and most awesome babysitters), I surprised him with a night downtown the big OKC.  We woke up to the glorious phenomenon known as room service, and then, I sent Kris to an already scheduled massage at the spa.

Sorry, men.  I’m taken. 

I need not gloat that much in my wifely awesomeness.  I realized it had been entirely too long since I did something special for Kris.  I recognized I was becoming disgruntled with me not being the center of his attention.  With me not being catered to or lavished with some fun surprise.  I was focusing on me.  After all, I AM growing a person, right? 

In my discontentedness, I began to evaluate myself as a spouse.  Have I thought beyond myself lately to do anything out of the ordinary for Kris? 

I knew the answer. 

So, I made a choice to step outside myself, my wants, my stuff and do something all about him.  Because, I love him.  I love being married to him.  HE matters.

In serving my husband this way, my discontentment seemed to fade.  Because, I served him.  This is true in most every area of our life.  When we step outside of our stuff and serve something or somebody else, we take our eyes off of that stuff. 

And, we become content – fulfilled – again.

It’s how Jesus Christ lived His life.  He so loved us that HE gave.

It was a great time together.  He makes me laugh.  Really laugh.  When I asked him Saturday night to carry me to bed, he responded this way, despite the look of fear in his eyes:

“Uh, okay.  Just let me stretch a little first.”

Oh, I love that man.

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November 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

Do You Trust Your Heart?

Anna has been talking a lot about God lately.  And, asking a whole mess of questions.  Kris somehow diverted her attention the other day by teaching her the names of the bones in our legs and arms. 

“Okay.  I don’t want to talk about bones anymore,” she told him.

Kris’ interruption of a bone discussion has nothing to do with this post or the fact that Anna has been talking Jesus.  I just found it kind of funny.

I’ve noticed Anna saying repetitively, “God trusts our heart.”

I haven’t the, well, heart, to tell her that’s not really the case. 

The old adage, “follow your heart” isn’t really good advice.  If I’m honest.

Our heart can make us do CRAZY things.  We can follow our hearts right into adultery.  Right into questionable situations.  Right into a MESS.  Can I get an amen?

Cindy Beall wrote a great post on this very topic.  She referenced this Proverbs 4:23 scripture:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Not only should we guard our heart, we need to LEAD our heart.  My heart can tell me that I have inappropriate feelings for another man.  Do I follow that?  Or do I lead my heart based on what God says about those feelings? 

So, I try to first guard my heart against things that aren’t of God.  Then, I lead it accordingly.

I’m not exactly explaining this to Anna just yet.  For now, I’ll just nod and say, “Uh huh.”  But, I’ll certainly teach her this principle before she enters her teen years and some dingleberry guy attempts to capture her attention.

Then, I’ll remind her, “Lead your heart, Miss Takle.” 

And, it’s highly doubtful that her daddy will change the subject to bones then.

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October 21, 2009 · 6:00 am

I Don’t Drive 35.

It’s true.  I’m 35 years old today.  I don’t feel a day older than 34 ½.  When my mom was 35 years old, she had a sixteen year old.  Wha?  It appears I’ll be 40 with a 5 year old.  I’ve heard having children a little later in life doesn’t keep you young, but it keeps you active.

Whatev’. 

I’m chilling an expensive bottle of Welch’s Grape Juice to celebrate tonight.  Should be a total blast.  I’d invite you all to my party, except there isn’t one.  I’m not bitter.  And, don’t y’all run out and get me something….until, I get you my correct address. 

Thirty-five.  35.  THIRTY-FIVE! 

Here are 35 random things I’ve learned in 35 years. 

1. When a toilet appears clogged, don’t flush it just to see what happens.

2. Don’t spend money you don’t have unless you really can’t live without those Ugg boots.  And, you can’t.  Trust me.  Wait, is that bad advice?

3. Take your sunglasses off when a police officer pulls you over for speeding.  I’m just sayin’. 

4. Put your preferred thing to do aside, and play Sorry! with your kids.  Even if it does take FOR-EVER.

5. Suck it up.  It’s not always about you.

6. Forgive.  Immediately.

7. Go get your child out of bed on occasion, and put her in bed with you.  Just because you want to snuggle.  She is your child.  And, the years do fly by.

8. Pride doesn’t work well in a marriage.  Humble yourself, and speak kindly.

9. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lord knows, I can’t lean on my own understanding.

10. It’s usually not as bad as it seems.

11. My husband is a terrible mind-reader, but he can make some mean cinnamon rolls.

12. Surround yourself with positive people.  Even funny people.  They make life bearable.

13. Listen intently to your little ones now, so they’ll share their heart when they are older.

14. Mosquitoes are aggravatin’.  Always.

15. Nothing good happens after midnight.  Get to where you’re gonna get by 12am. (Thank @jburengoss for that one.)

16. Whenever you feel disconnected from your Creator, do whatever you’ve gotta do to reconnect.  And fast.

17. Never say never.  It’s a very long time.

18. Honor your mom and dad for as long as you live.

19. I never want to exercise.  Ever.  But, I’m always happy I did.  *I need to remember this more often.*

20. Friends are great investments.

21. Junior Mints are always a good idea.

22. So is sweet tea.

23. And listening to Sting.

24. Meeting Sting is one of my favorite moments ever.

25. Right up there with graduating from college.  For real.

26. My Big Mama makes the best biscuits.  And, she makes me laugh.  I wish I could spend more time with her.

27. Divorce is hell.  Period.

28. Communicate, communicate, communicate with your spouse.  But, learn how to communicate the right way.

29. In all my travels and life experiences, I’ve seen nothing more beautiful than the birth of my children.

30. Contentment is bliss. 

31. Being with family is, too.

32. I love the local church.  Love it.  I’m so thankful for the Sunday experience with body of Christ.  Nothing refills your tank quite like it.

33. My prayer life is essential.

34. So is living a life of gratitude. *Though, I need gentle reminders of this.*

35.  And, I continue to learn how wide and long and high is the love of Christ.

I could add to this list.  So could you.

Wanna share sumpin’ you’ve learned?

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October 20, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Fish Story.

Few people make me laugh until I cry.  My dad is one of those people.  It might be intentional like the time he replaced my toilet paper holder with a trick one.  When I rolled, a recorded, “scary” message from my dad played.  That was pretty funny.  Frightening, but funny.  Or, it might be unintentional.  Regardless, whenever I’m around him, I’m just sure to laugh. 

This most recent family vacation was no different.  Many laughs were had.  But his attempt at booking a fishing boat nearly sent me into early labor.  Not really.  But, dang, it was fuh-nee. 

Driving around the gulf coast, Dad pulled into a bay area where many boats sit waiting for someone to rent them.  A few men were standing in front of one boat.  Dad thought it a good idea to call on that particular one.  He called and inquired.  While speaking with the boat captain, he noticed a gentleman in front of the boat talking on the phone, too.  Dad continued to collect information when he said to the boat captain:

“I think I’m lookin’ atcha right now.”

A moment of silence ensued.

Then, I heard Dad simply respond, “No?  No.”

“Err, this boat is not available on that day,” the Captain told Dad.

Nor was it going to be available any other day seeing as how this Captain, who was probably resting soundly in his bed up to the point that he thinks some freak is spying in on him, more than likely felt…uneasy?

I laughed until I cried.  I especially laughed when Dad hung up his phone only to find the gentleman in front of him was still talking on his. 

He’s a funny man.  A funny man who loves the scriptures more than any other person I know.  A funny man who is more excited about Christ today than he was thirty-three years ago when he first entered ministry.  A funny man who is real.  Who never speaks ill of anyone.  And loves those who don’t even return that love.

I may never be as funny as him.  But, I sure hope I pursue Christ and love people like him.

Oh, and he did get himself another fishing boat.  He just had someone else call. 🙂

Dad - fishing PCB

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October 2, 2009 · 6:00 am

My Pre-Blogging Life: Part Four

journal entry june 03 wp

“Someone has altered the script.  My lines have been changed….I thought I was writing this play.”  – Madeleine L’ Engle

It was this last entry that I acknowledged my life, so far, was much different than I had planned.  I was divorced.  I was a single mother.  And, now I had reconnected with a gentleman named Kris Takle.  I was supposed to still be married to Bryan living in Griffin, Georgia.  Instead, I was engaged to another and soon to be living in Oklahoma. 

OKLAHOMA.

That’s far, far away.

From my family.  My friends.  My church.

But, I wasn’t writing this play.

Sometimes, our life takes a turn, because it’s the providential will of God.  Other times, our life changes its course, because of someone else’s choices.  Or even our choices.  No matter what causes the shift, I know God will turn a mess into a message.  He will heal brokenness.  He will see to it that the work He began, He’ll finish. 

Because, He’s faithful. 

God didn’t cause my shift in life.  But, He did make something really good out of it. 

I’m mean reallllly good.

Kris-kids wp

See?

So, keep holding on.  Keep pressing toward the mark.  Never, NEVER give up.

Need more encouragement?  Hop on over to my good friend, Kim’s testimony.  Seriously!  Go do it! 

He makes all things good.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God….  Romans 8:28

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October 1, 2009 · 8:14 am

My Pre-Blogging Life: Part Three

journal entry jan 03 wp

January 16, 2003, my divorce was final.  Below is the latter part of my journal entry on that day.  If you are going through a difficult time today, I hope these words give you hope.  I hope they help you realize that in the middle of your storm, God’s presence and goodness is always there.

I know these things for certain:

1.  I’m blessed with a beautiful son.

2.  I have friends that carry me, make me laugh, and love me.

3.  My parents love me, and my happiness is their greatest concern.

4.  There is release in forgiveness.

5.  I am strong.

6.  I’m not afraid to love or put my heart on the line.

7.  I’m ready to, pardon the cliché, spread my wings and fly.

8.  Doors are wide open.

9.  It is good to laugh long and hard every day.

10. I’m better than okay.

11. God has only good things for me.

12. Tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.  And, hope does not disappoint.

13. This, too, shall pass.

14. I love my life.

15. I miss my dogs.

16. I love to dance.

17. Running releases stress.

18. I’m the luckiest girl on earth.

19. I’m thankful ’02 is over.

20. I’m thankful for ’02.

Life is an incredible journey.  I learn and grow from every second it offers.  I’m in a great place, and I’ll be in a better place tomorrow.

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