4-25-11
I lost my faith and my believing
And to my surprise
The sun rose in the morning.
I screamed out into the cold empty hole
And learned
The echo only answers what it heard
I found my faith just as I had lost it
Angrily, dejectedly, miserably
But no trumpets sounded for me.
So I pouted. And a small quiet voice said
"Certainly I already know you are small
and wounded and sad but yet there is hope."
How mysterious is life, how deep and private
Is our faith, our faiths, our hopes
And our pains and our loves.
How all emcompassing is this, and
Deeper yet, mysterious yet-
The One who Holds me, the Keeper, the last thread.
So the vine withered. I don't care.
Constant cycle within my soul
Faith grows up and dies again
It rains, it thunders
Night falls like a cloak,
At least it hides me and my contempt.
Morning comes again, I don't care.
But yet, deeper yet, mysterious yet-
Faith awakens again, the sun still rises.
Say a small prayer.
Hide me, hold me
I hear trumpets sounding far off.....
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
What's New
What is New with the Snyder Liew crew??
-Dalton made a clock out of wire and potatoes.
-He also got an A on his report about Virginia. Next assignment: speech about Johnny Cash.
-Ellie is excited about her field trip May 6th to Decorah IA to the museum and planetarium.
-All this year Ellie earned straight A's.
-Joseph decided to cancel his Spiderman subscription and instead got Ironman. To boot, his Batman comic ordered two months ago arrived finally.
-Joseph reads two grade levels ahead of his age.
-Henry recently was angry with me for being told no to a movie; so he threw a small book at me. When told he was then grounded from movies, his reply: "I am too young to be grounded mom!" (he was still grounded)
-Despite this little fit (above) he is of course a sweet wonderful young man, who has learned to be respectful and quiet in the mornings when mommy has to sleep after night shifts.
And momma and papa:
-Momma is getting pretty tired of night shifts.
-Papa is excited that spring is here and helped his dad plant oats. Wait-it WAS here. Today we have a snowstorm.
-Dalton made a clock out of wire and potatoes.
-He also got an A on his report about Virginia. Next assignment: speech about Johnny Cash.
-Ellie is excited about her field trip May 6th to Decorah IA to the museum and planetarium.
-All this year Ellie earned straight A's.
-Joseph decided to cancel his Spiderman subscription and instead got Ironman. To boot, his Batman comic ordered two months ago arrived finally.
-Joseph reads two grade levels ahead of his age.
-Henry recently was angry with me for being told no to a movie; so he threw a small book at me. When told he was then grounded from movies, his reply: "I am too young to be grounded mom!" (he was still grounded)
-Despite this little fit (above) he is of course a sweet wonderful young man, who has learned to be respectful and quiet in the mornings when mommy has to sleep after night shifts.
And momma and papa:
-Momma is getting pretty tired of night shifts.
-Papa is excited that spring is here and helped his dad plant oats. Wait-it WAS here. Today we have a snowstorm.
Read This--
Some interesting stats you don't want to know: www.meatforchristians.com
-hot button issues. I was most touched by the stats on slave trade in our world today.
-hot button issues. I was most touched by the stats on slave trade in our world today.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
from codename:mama website
Hi Guys! I found this on the web- I wouldn't do all of these things, but the point is, there are alot of options even though you feel yr at the end of the rope! The list:
-ruth
101 Things To Do Instead of Yelling or Spanking
August 31st, 2010 – 100 Comments – Shortened URL: http://bit.ly/bNNxq8
Here are 101 things you can do instead of yelling or spanking:
1.Take a parental time-out.
2.Call for help from a friend or family member (ask them to give you an immediate break if possible).
3.Pile everyone in the car and drive to the park (or anywhere – just go for a change of scenery).
4.Sing a silly song about how angry you are.
5.Do jumping jacks.
6.Draw your feelings out.
7.Make yourself your favorite snack.
8.Write down 3 instances when you felt intense love for your child.
9.Clean out your clothes closet and set aside a bag for Goodwill (now would probably not be a good time to do this with the kids’ toys).
10.Change the subject – come back to it when you and your child are calmer.
11.Whisper.
12.Practice progressive relaxation.
13.Act like animals: stomp like an elephant, growl like a lion, etc.
14.Run around the house (or around the block if your children have alternate childcare).
15.Do a load of laundry.
16.Set out clothes for the kids for the next week (or do some other task that will pay off later).
17.Release tension: shake your shoulders, roll your neck, etc.
18.Count to 100. Out loud. In a robot voice.
19.Immerse yourself in an easy craft project.
20.Dust off the hedge clippers and trim your trees or other landscaping.
21.If your child allows it, give him a huge hug and tell him you love him.
22.Scream into a pillow.
23.Bake cookies (with help from your child), bring some to a neighbor or your local fire department.
24.Dance to your favorite song.
25.Instead of yelling at your kids to do something, act out your request in a game of charades or pictionary.
26.Pluck your eyebrows.
27.Clean out the refrigerator.
28.Bang your head – to some loud music.
29.Write down the angry words you could have said, then rip the paper up and throw it away.
30.Do some yoga.
31.Rearrange the furniture.
32.Make a list of the many reasons you love your child.
33.Wash the car by hand.
34.Laugh in as many different ways as you can think of (think Mary Poppins).
35.Take everyone and go sit in a car wash. Choose the option for colored soap.
36.Chocolate.
37.Call a friend who supports gentle discipline (think about finding a “gentle discipline partner” who you can talk to anytime you feel the urge to yell or spank).
38.Fall down theatrically on the floor. Lie there long enough to collect yourself.
39.Pay bills.
40.Keep a roll of tape handy – use it on your mouth.
41.Squeeze a stress ball.
42.Recite multiplication tables.
43.Stand as silent and still as possible.
44.Paint your nails.
45.Do 25 sit-ups.
46.Finish a task you’ve been putting off.
47.Listen to an audio book.
48.Take a bubble bath.
49.Ask a silly question. Ask another.
50.Take a walk around your neighborhood or a park and clean up the trash.
51.Run up and down the stairs.
52.Paint on different mediums (paper, rocks, your windows, etc.).
53.Write a story using only 100 words.
54.Cook a meal for the freezer.
55.Look at pictures of your child when she was a baby.
56.Play Solitaire (or whatever game strikes your fancy).
57.Brew some of your favorite tea or coffee. Have a tea party.
58.Sweep, vacuum, or mop.
59.Learn something new online.
60.Play with Playdough or clay.
61.Put a movie on for the kids; have sex with your partner.
62.Take a shower.
63.Organize meal plans for the next week. Or month. Or year.
64.Set up an obstacle course for you and your kids to do (inside or out).
65.Instead of shouting something angrily, shout “I love you!!”
66.Make up a rhyme about how much you love your child. Recite it while standing on your head.
67.Play ball (basketball, throw a tennis ball against a wall, play catch with someone, etc.).
68.Take artsy pictures.
69.Make a PostSecret postcard.
70.Pull weeds.
71.Decoupage something.
72.Blow bubbles.
73.Make a list of “things I would rather do than engage in power struggles with my child.”
74.Trade roles with your child: pretend you are the little, and she is the adult.
75.Reorganize a closet or cabinet.
76.Roll around on an exercise ball.
77.Make bread or pizza dough (the kind you have to knead).
78.Form a drum circle: everyone grab a drum or a pot, and start playing.
79.Build a tower out of books (or anything handy). Knock it down.
80.Gather the kids for a nature walk around the block.
81.Have a few funny videos saved on YouTube to watch when you need a break.
82.Take silly pictures of yourself. Invite your child to help.
83.Ask your Facebook or Twitter friends to tell you a joke.
84.Scrub the shower.
85.Write a poem (it doesn’t have to be a good one).
86.Send postcards to random people.
87.Make a silly (and unrelated) announcement. (“For the rest of the day, everyone must hop on one foot when moving about the house!”)
88.Make funny faces. Tell your child that no matter what, they must not laugh.
89.Turn on a videocamera. Turn the opportunity into one of love and connection that you can be proud of later.
90.Play an instrument.
91.Take the family to a park with sidewalk chalk: write/draw inspirational messages/pictures.
92.Learn how to say a few words in another language (ASL, Spanish, etc.).
93.Floss.
94.Jump rope.
95.Do something nice for someone else. (Involve your child if he wants to help.)
96.Write your feelings down on paper.
97.Meditate or pray.
98.Hug your child’s teddy bear or doll and talk about how much you love your child (while your child is watching, if you’d like).
99.Look into a mirror and realize what your child is seeing when you are angry.
100.Remember your child is young, and innocent, and loves you, and needs to trust you.
-ruth
101 Things To Do Instead of Yelling or Spanking
August 31st, 2010 – 100 Comments – Shortened URL: http://bit.ly/bNNxq8
Here are 101 things you can do instead of yelling or spanking:
1.Take a parental time-out.
2.Call for help from a friend or family member (ask them to give you an immediate break if possible).
3.Pile everyone in the car and drive to the park (or anywhere – just go for a change of scenery).
4.Sing a silly song about how angry you are.
5.Do jumping jacks.
6.Draw your feelings out.
7.Make yourself your favorite snack.
8.Write down 3 instances when you felt intense love for your child.
9.Clean out your clothes closet and set aside a bag for Goodwill (now would probably not be a good time to do this with the kids’ toys).
10.Change the subject – come back to it when you and your child are calmer.
11.Whisper.
12.Practice progressive relaxation.
13.Act like animals: stomp like an elephant, growl like a lion, etc.
14.Run around the house (or around the block if your children have alternate childcare).
15.Do a load of laundry.
16.Set out clothes for the kids for the next week (or do some other task that will pay off later).
17.Release tension: shake your shoulders, roll your neck, etc.
18.Count to 100. Out loud. In a robot voice.
19.Immerse yourself in an easy craft project.
20.Dust off the hedge clippers and trim your trees or other landscaping.
21.If your child allows it, give him a huge hug and tell him you love him.
22.Scream into a pillow.
23.Bake cookies (with help from your child), bring some to a neighbor or your local fire department.
24.Dance to your favorite song.
25.Instead of yelling at your kids to do something, act out your request in a game of charades or pictionary.
26.Pluck your eyebrows.
27.Clean out the refrigerator.
28.Bang your head – to some loud music.
29.Write down the angry words you could have said, then rip the paper up and throw it away.
30.Do some yoga.
31.Rearrange the furniture.
32.Make a list of the many reasons you love your child.
33.Wash the car by hand.
34.Laugh in as many different ways as you can think of (think Mary Poppins).
35.Take everyone and go sit in a car wash. Choose the option for colored soap.
36.Chocolate.
37.Call a friend who supports gentle discipline (think about finding a “gentle discipline partner” who you can talk to anytime you feel the urge to yell or spank).
38.Fall down theatrically on the floor. Lie there long enough to collect yourself.
39.Pay bills.
40.Keep a roll of tape handy – use it on your mouth.
41.Squeeze a stress ball.
42.Recite multiplication tables.
43.Stand as silent and still as possible.
44.Paint your nails.
45.Do 25 sit-ups.
46.Finish a task you’ve been putting off.
47.Listen to an audio book.
48.Take a bubble bath.
49.Ask a silly question. Ask another.
50.Take a walk around your neighborhood or a park and clean up the trash.
51.Run up and down the stairs.
52.Paint on different mediums (paper, rocks, your windows, etc.).
53.Write a story using only 100 words.
54.Cook a meal for the freezer.
55.Look at pictures of your child when she was a baby.
56.Play Solitaire (or whatever game strikes your fancy).
57.Brew some of your favorite tea or coffee. Have a tea party.
58.Sweep, vacuum, or mop.
59.Learn something new online.
60.Play with Playdough or clay.
61.Put a movie on for the kids; have sex with your partner.
62.Take a shower.
63.Organize meal plans for the next week. Or month. Or year.
64.Set up an obstacle course for you and your kids to do (inside or out).
65.Instead of shouting something angrily, shout “I love you!!”
66.Make up a rhyme about how much you love your child. Recite it while standing on your head.
67.Play ball (basketball, throw a tennis ball against a wall, play catch with someone, etc.).
68.Take artsy pictures.
69.Make a PostSecret postcard.
70.Pull weeds.
71.Decoupage something.
72.Blow bubbles.
73.Make a list of “things I would rather do than engage in power struggles with my child.”
74.Trade roles with your child: pretend you are the little, and she is the adult.
75.Reorganize a closet or cabinet.
76.Roll around on an exercise ball.
77.Make bread or pizza dough (the kind you have to knead).
78.Form a drum circle: everyone grab a drum or a pot, and start playing.
79.Build a tower out of books (or anything handy). Knock it down.
80.Gather the kids for a nature walk around the block.
81.Have a few funny videos saved on YouTube to watch when you need a break.
82.Take silly pictures of yourself. Invite your child to help.
83.Ask your Facebook or Twitter friends to tell you a joke.
84.Scrub the shower.
85.Write a poem (it doesn’t have to be a good one).
86.Send postcards to random people.
87.Make a silly (and unrelated) announcement. (“For the rest of the day, everyone must hop on one foot when moving about the house!”)
88.Make funny faces. Tell your child that no matter what, they must not laugh.
89.Turn on a videocamera. Turn the opportunity into one of love and connection that you can be proud of later.
90.Play an instrument.
91.Take the family to a park with sidewalk chalk: write/draw inspirational messages/pictures.
92.Learn how to say a few words in another language (ASL, Spanish, etc.).
93.Floss.
94.Jump rope.
95.Do something nice for someone else. (Involve your child if he wants to help.)
96.Write your feelings down on paper.
97.Meditate or pray.
98.Hug your child’s teddy bear or doll and talk about how much you love your child (while your child is watching, if you’d like).
99.Look into a mirror and realize what your child is seeing when you are angry.
100.Remember your child is young, and innocent, and loves you, and needs to trust you.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thoughts about life that trouble me
1. No matter how I say the following items somebody will be mad about it.
2. Over the course of my life, I have lost 99% of respect for pastors. This is in no small part due to personal experiences involving several of them acting childish and narrow (together, of course). And I don't have a satisfactory answer as to what good they truly perform in our society that cannot be otherwise done while holding down a real job.
3. Why must people yell and scream and bully their children, then get so surprised and offended when their children repeat this behaviour? Guess what! They are watching YOU and I for cues. Such a difficult concept for adults!!!!!!!!!
4. If we cannot change the pain, and we cannot alleviate the pain, we can only integrate the pain into our existence. Which sounds......painful.......may God allow an existence full of grace.
5. YOUR THOUGHTS HERE
2. Over the course of my life, I have lost 99% of respect for pastors. This is in no small part due to personal experiences involving several of them acting childish and narrow (together, of course). And I don't have a satisfactory answer as to what good they truly perform in our society that cannot be otherwise done while holding down a real job.
3. Why must people yell and scream and bully their children, then get so surprised and offended when their children repeat this behaviour? Guess what! They are watching YOU and I for cues. Such a difficult concept for adults!!!!!!!!!
4. If we cannot change the pain, and we cannot alleviate the pain, we can only integrate the pain into our existence. Which sounds......painful.......may God allow an existence full of grace.
5. YOUR THOUGHTS HERE
Friday, December 24, 2010
Websurfing www.cleanjoke.com (all jokes adapted from website)
A nurse, dentist and army general are flying in an airplane and decide to drop something out.
the nurse drops a medical kit.
the dentist throws a toothbruth out.
the army general drops a bomb.
when they land they go to see what happened.
they find a young man bandaging up his arm, and old man brushing his dentures
and a very young boy laughing his head off.
confused, they ask him what is so funny.
"My uncle farted and just blew up his house!" the small boy explains between laughs.........
A Little Riddle
Arnold Schwartzenegger has a big one.
Madonna never had one.
The Pope doesn't need one.
Bill Clinton uses his often.
We never saw Luci use Desi's.
WHAT is it?
"A Surname" hahahahaha and I had you thinking something else didn't I????
"The trouble with being puctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it." Franklin P. Jones
Why have I never seen the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery" ?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? (My son says it is because they are not socks.)
Why don't they make the whole plane out of the stuff they make that indestructible black box outta?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitos, huh?
If CON is the opposite of PRO, is Congress the opposite of Progress?
The Fertile Momma Cow
A Cow had triplets. While grazing in the pasture one day the first calf comes up to momma and asks "why did you name me daisy?"
Well honey, replies the cow, when you were born a daisy fell from heaven and landed on your head. The calf loved this and ran off happy.
The next day calf number two says "momma, why did you name me Tulip?
Well honey, replies the cow, when you were born a tulip fell from heaven and landed on your head. The calf ran off very happy with this.
The next day, calf number three dawdles up to momma and asks his question.
"Momma, why did you name me COWPOO!"
Well honey when YOU were born ......
......it was just the most amazing thing......
the nurse drops a medical kit.
the dentist throws a toothbruth out.
the army general drops a bomb.
when they land they go to see what happened.
they find a young man bandaging up his arm, and old man brushing his dentures
and a very young boy laughing his head off.
confused, they ask him what is so funny.
"My uncle farted and just blew up his house!" the small boy explains between laughs.........
A Little Riddle
Arnold Schwartzenegger has a big one.
Madonna never had one.
The Pope doesn't need one.
Bill Clinton uses his often.
We never saw Luci use Desi's.
WHAT is it?
"A Surname" hahahahaha and I had you thinking something else didn't I????
"The trouble with being puctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it." Franklin P. Jones
Why have I never seen the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery" ?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? (My son says it is because they are not socks.)
Why don't they make the whole plane out of the stuff they make that indestructible black box outta?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitos, huh?
If CON is the opposite of PRO, is Congress the opposite of Progress?
The Fertile Momma Cow
A Cow had triplets. While grazing in the pasture one day the first calf comes up to momma and asks "why did you name me daisy?"
Well honey, replies the cow, when you were born a daisy fell from heaven and landed on your head. The calf loved this and ran off happy.
The next day calf number two says "momma, why did you name me Tulip?
Well honey, replies the cow, when you were born a tulip fell from heaven and landed on your head. The calf ran off very happy with this.
The next day, calf number three dawdles up to momma and asks his question.
"Momma, why did you name me COWPOO!"
Well honey when YOU were born ......
......it was just the most amazing thing......
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Storm
Icy cold wind blows into the room
Making me remember what I wanted to forget
It settles into a chair near me and wants to shake my hand
Makes me tremble as though I am weak again
Grin of the devil wants me to believe in kind intentions
I was born yesterday. and that is long ago enough to know
How terribly cold this awful wind can be
The wind drones on I tighten my scarf and button my coat
I tighten my scarf button my coat
Stand at full height and stare him in the face
The wind musters another gusty blow allthewhile grinning
I put on my cap and mittens now
Stand at full height face to the wind
I am strong enough to pass through this storm
Hold tightly to my hands children we are walking on
We are walking on and on and on as wind blows all around us
I think my darling children felt the chill, ice petals forming
I am a good seamstress and so
We have fleece coats for the whole family
To keep us warm against the blasts (we never know when)
And when it is all over, I think to myself
How good it is to be here
To be from Minnesota where the people
Are strong (lend me your strength oh my good friends)
Are brave (no we won't back down, we won't back down now)
We know how to stand against the wind
Making me remember what I wanted to forget
It settles into a chair near me and wants to shake my hand
Makes me tremble as though I am weak again
Grin of the devil wants me to believe in kind intentions
I was born yesterday. and that is long ago enough to know
How terribly cold this awful wind can be
The wind drones on I tighten my scarf and button my coat
I tighten my scarf button my coat
Stand at full height and stare him in the face
The wind musters another gusty blow allthewhile grinning
I put on my cap and mittens now
Stand at full height face to the wind
I am strong enough to pass through this storm
Hold tightly to my hands children we are walking on
We are walking on and on and on as wind blows all around us
I think my darling children felt the chill, ice petals forming
I am a good seamstress and so
We have fleece coats for the whole family
To keep us warm against the blasts (we never know when)
And when it is all over, I think to myself
How good it is to be here
To be from Minnesota where the people
Are strong (lend me your strength oh my good friends)
Are brave (no we won't back down, we won't back down now)
We know how to stand against the wind
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