Praying for God's Glory

Technology is an amazing thing, isn't it?  For example, I can listen to sermons from any number of churches and countries all from the comfort of my kitchen or living room or really anywhere thanks to the iPod and podcasts.

Since moving to Russia I've listened to sermon podcasts more and more.  Not being able to understand the sermons at church for almost 2 years really drove me to seek for teaching in other ways.  Often during lunch Isaiah and I will listen to a sermon together.  In fact suhmun recently entered Isaiah's vocabulary.

We were listening to a sermon of John Piper's recently that was reposted on iTunes from the end of 2008 entitled, Put in the Fire for the Sake of Prayer.  We haven't finished it yet, but already I am challenged about my prayer life.

Piper expounds passages from the gospel of John in which the apostle writes about prayer and Jesus' teaching on prayer.  The challenge?  Whatever you pray, pray for the purpose of the glory of God.

Well, duh, you might say.  But really, do we do this?  Piper was talking specifically about what we ask of God and said (rough quote), You can pray for a parking space, that's fine, but is your goal for the glory of God?  Hmmm.....I must confess that while I do believe that my life's goal is for the glory of God, and I try to live that way day by day, I don't think that I've thought about the requests that I make in prayer as specifically for the glory of God.

My most current personal requests have been about Nadia's birth.  For example, Lord, please keep Nadia in the womb until it's such and such a time.  But I think that my request, if I am honest, is motivated by fear and not for the glory of God.
I fear that...
she will be born too early
she will have physical difficulties from prematurity
I will have to have an emergency c-section again and not get to see her right away
her suck won't be developed and she won't nurse well
and the list goes on and on.

Sometimes I find it easier to pray for the glory of God when praying for other people, I think.  But now I want to pray more biblically for myself.  I don't know exactly what this will sound like right now.  Going back to the example of Nadia's birth, I don't think it is sinful to pray for her to be born later rather than earlier, but how do I envelop that desire in the foundation of God's glory?  Just by saying, Please bring glory to yourself through Nadia's birth, Lord; and here are my thoughts and desires on the matter...?

What are your thoughts?

Dull Mama

Our first couple years in Russia, we focused our time on learning the Russian language (which, by the way, we will be speaking in heaven because it takes an eternity to learn!).  While our brains were occupied with different cases and verbs of motion that I am still working on, Thomas and I often commented to each other that it seemed like our minds were growing lazy in other areas.  For example we found it more difficult to discuss theological, philosophical or other technical topics in English that we used to work in every day.

And that's what I mean by "dull mama".  I'm (slowly) getting better at Russian, but my thought processes in general are just plain slow.  I find it difficult to think through concepts and make application.

In an effort to sharpen my brain again, I've been trying to read some different books other than the fiction that can be so captivating.  I'm almost done with Ed Welch's When People are Big and God is Small.  I highly recommend this book!  As someone who struggles greatly with wanting the approval of other people in order to satisfy my own needs, every page held insight, conviction and encouragement for me.

Welch challenges the commonly held views of Christians and nonChristians that people are cups looking to be filled with love.  While the 2 groups look to different sources for filling, the final outcome is often the same.  Welch states that rather than cups to be filled, we are pitchers to be poured out.

I can't do his writing justice in one short blog post, or in the quotations I've been copying in my sidebar, but I encourage you to read the book for yourself.  I have about a chapter left, and I'm already thinking that this should be a yearly read.

But I also have a question for you.  I would love some recommendations for reading.  I know of 6 days in June (Lord willing) that I'll be "out of order" other than taking care of Nadia in the hospital.  I would love to go prepared with some electronic books to read between naps and feedings.  Please leave me a comment with ideas of books that have been a blessing to you.  If you happen to know if they are available on Kindle for iPhone that would be even better!  Thanks so much!

Starting Over

Since I am finally starting to feel better, even without medication, I really want to get started in Tot School activities with Isaiah. I'm a girl who loves routines and really gets so much more accomplished when I have a routine. For the past several months my routine was get up, get sick, take Isaiah to therapy, try to survive the day.

Now we're back in Russia, and my routine has been adjust to jet lag, get up, get sick, try to survive the day and have some meaningful interaction with Little Man.

I'm ready for more! However, I'm having a really hard time finding a starting point in providing structure for both of us. I would appreciate any suggestions!

There are certain elements that I know need to be included every day, but I currently begin to feel overwhelmed when I try to think about fitting them all in! Here's the short list:

~Bible Reading
~Physical Therapy (walking, arm strengthening exercises)
~Occupational Therapy (I want to focus on hand coordination for now, thinking ahead to writing)
~Speech Therapy (increasing vocabulary)

And then the more "school" type activities can often be fit into the therapy categories, such as learning colors and numbers and letters.

And here are the other things I'm hoping to fit in every day:
~Grocery shopping, at least every other day so Thomas doesn't have to do it all. This will involve at least 2 hours of the day.
~Outside time for at least 1 hour. It takes us about 25 minutes to gear up for going outside, so I'd like to be there for a while.
~Rest time
~Reading time, books other than Bible Reading time
~Independent play

Am I asking too much? Perhaps I am, but I would appreciate the insight of others! I think that part of my struggle, too, is simply remembering that Isaiah learns differently than other kids. During our time in the States we became increasingly aware that while Isaiah learns well and continues to progress, there are definitely some delays. I have to constantly find that balance of pushing him, but not looking for things that aren't going to happen on a "normal" schedule. I want to make learning fun for him, just like every parent, I think. I want to learn him well, so that I can help him in the best way possible.

Ok, Give Me Your Opinion, Please

In case you've missed the news somehow, we're in the market for a double stroller.  :)  I've been doing some research on these big, expensive things, and decided that it's time to seek the wisdom of those around me.  Ok, maybe not exactly around me, as in nearby, but as in other people who have really good ideas.

I've looked at the Bob double jogging strollers-- really great, but probably out of our price range!

I've looked at the inStep double jogging strollers, too.  And some Schwinns.  I haven't looked as much at the 4-wheeled strollers, but I'm sure that they are nice, too, so tell me about those, if you know anything!

I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed with the options and the prices.  I think that I'd really like a jogging stroller, but that drives up the price a good bit.  Keep in mind that Isaiah will be in this stroller for a while longer, so allowed weight and height might be an issue.  Also this stroller will probably be used every single day on uneven sidewalks and rough park paths, so durability is a must!  We've already overworked one stroller in less than a year!

Basically, just tell me what you like, or what your friends like, or what you think is cool.  We'll most likely buy something in the States because these sorts of things cost a lot less there, and they don't sell strollers at IKEA.

Thanks ahead of time!

To All My Crafty Friends

All right, all you wonderful, creative people out there--this is a cry for help!

This evening our friend Anna who directs Camp Babochka (butterfly) called and asked me to help with a craft for the January family camp.  She said that they would like to do a craft both the parents and the kids could do.  She said the supplies would involve picture frames and glass candle holders.

I have some ideas for both, but I would LOVE any input from you, my talented friends.  This is also a way for you to be even more involved in our ministry, sort of a hands-on from afar.  Keep in mind that the fine motor skills will vary greatly in this group of kids, though the parents will be able to do anything, of course.  Also, I don't know exactly what supplies I'll be able to find, so the fewer craft supplies needed, the better.  I'm going "hunting" tomorrow!

I'm so excited to be able to participate in this part of the camp.  This is the first time that I'll be "doing" something.  I know that I'm involved in many ways already, but this is the first really tangible way.  Please pray that I will prepare well, and please send ideas!

I Need Your Help!

My sweet husband brought me some gorgeous silk from Tuva.   Now I'm itching to do something with this vibrant red material sewn with green, blue and gold embroidery, but I'm coming up empty.  I've looked at patterns online, but nothing is really striking me.  So here's where you come in!  Please give me suggestions for how to use this material!  The pictures below don't do it justice!

And, by the way, I have 4 meters, so don't be shy with your suggestions!