Moe

Moe's first little walk in the park!

Project Building Others Up

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. - Philippians 2:3

This has been a great week of challenge and inspiration on SheReadsTruth.  In all our discussion of humility and those who labor among us, I was given the idea to try to look outward more and promote that via social media as a counter to the selfie-culture we're in.  And yeah, I'm guilty of that desire to self-promote too.  So this week, we're going to try an Instagram project to promote the good works of others.

The idea of good words is intentionally broad, so I'm excited to see what sorts of good works people notice and share.  The big goal of this is to look for the good in others rather than promoting the good that we ourselves do.

Philippians 2:25 (ESV)

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

I like the words Paul uses to describe Epaphroditus:  brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister.  This description emphasizes the many ways people can do good works to build God's kingdom.

Sometimes this good work might be others soldiering on like we are, in whatever walk of life we're in.  Are you a pastor's wife?  Running a minstry of your own?  A college student trying to live righteously?  A fabulous mama raising some righteous little people?  A teacher?  A volunteer?  A person who goes to work each day and brightens the life of the people around here there?  A writer?  A messenger?

No matter what we're doing or what kind of life we are leading, we are all fellow workers and fellow soldiers.  I think there are also a lot of people, Christians or not, who are doing this kind of soldier's work with us.  This #buildingothersup #philippians2v3 project is to celebrate the work of these other soldiers.

In Hebrews, we're instructed to stir up one another.  My feisty side is all about stirring things up!  This is a good chance to stir up others to love and good works.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 Encouraging one another.  Yes, please!  Because often appearing strong and righteous from the outside masks the constant struggle and the constant need to draw strength from somewhere.  The community on SheReadsTruth is filled with good people.  Strong women.  And the more time I spend in this community, the more I see the beautiful reality of each of our struggles.  I know I am more open there than I am in other communities because it feels safe there.  We build each other up.  Now it's time to take that spirit of building up and look outside of ourselves and our community.  I'm excited to look for the work of my fellow soldiers.  Join me!

#buildingothersup #phillipians2v3 #shereadstruth 

Walking Pregnant

I

To dive into that puddle and 

drown upwards 

into the treetops reflected in it.

II

Abundance of acorns on a two mile trail:

slender red with brown hats

bearded brown old men

dark green, squatty ones with pale green stripes

and original recipe. 

III

A sprig of white flowers 

between my ear and headphone.

IV

Pockets gradually bulge:

First a fragrant, green-husked black walnut

Then a cluster of spiky white wildflowers.

A branch of red berries and lush green leaves.

Buckeye.  Two more walnuts.

Empty spaces in memory of the seed pods 

My tired thighs did not have the energy squat down and retrieve.  

V

I smile twice at the man in the orange shirt.

His teeth are joyful.

And nod approvingly at a 

very well trained

collie.  

VI 

So many fallen trees have left their marks on the pavement.

I want to walk barefoot over the ghost white hickory nuts

And the sharp shells that litter the path;

Relish them digging into the flesh of my feet.

Essentially

I'm no expert at essential oils, but I'm starting to dabble.  I want to keep track of the blends that really work well for me so I can find them again easily.

Earlier this week, I cured a headache by rubbing this on my temples and the back of my neck:
4 drops eucalpytus (globulus)
2 drops spearmint
2 drops peppermint

Today, I made two roller balls for C to help with focus and attention.

Blend one is supposed to help with motivation:
10 drops lime
10 drops sweet orange
10 drops frankincense carterii
10 drops black pepper
half a rollerball full of fractionated coconut oil

This one is pleasantly manly


Blend two is supposed to help with attention:
10 drops vetiver
10 drops lavender (spike)
10 drops cedarwood
5 drops frankincense
half a rollerball full of fractionated coconut oil.

Update

Awake since three with strong contractions, but not Holy Smokes! contractions.

I'm ready, Moe.  Let's do this.

PLUS, it's both National Coffee Day and Feast of the Archangels, and it's got a nice, easy to remember date:  9/29.

Come out, baby!

Maternity Leave

Moe's still hiding out in the ol' ute, accomplishing incredible feats of gymnastics and hiccuping.  But I'm not going in tomorrow because  I already worked one week past my due date and the day to day planning isn't serving anyone's best interests (although I did bust out a pretty swanky differentiated lesson over two days last week bestpracticeslikewoah.).  So there's a sub hired and I sent her off with calendars and binders to plan this weekend.  I'm not all caught up on my grading yet, but I'm getting there.  And in the mean time, I'm looking forward to spending the morning with just my current baby while the others are at school.  

I'm going to miss work, though.  Here's one sight I love--

 my window words reflecting back into my room during first, second, and third periods.  I like when the message I put out into the world comes back to me, unbackwards and readable.  It's like the world encouraging me me back, "Hey!  Let YOUR Heart's light shine, too, Helenka!"  And my(ish) pennants, which have sparked so many good conversations with the kids.  And the carpet squares, which always remind me to consider going outside today.  Every day.  And the blanket, which makes a lunch break nap an option.  And the shadows of my plants.  Yes, it's a good home away from home.  

I am hoping to get some productive planning/making done and have a stress reduction bulletin board already in the works, mentally.  It'll be nice to put up when I return in January, for all of our sakes (mine and the students').
   

But knowing I don't have to go back tomorrow also takes a huge load off my stress.  I got to spend extra time savoring scripture this weekend without the nagging, list-making, hurry up part of my brain talking to me as loudly as it normally does.  There's still stuff to do, but the sense of urgency isn't as heavy.  I'm grateful for that and for the huge ease of burden that comes from not having to plan for school and kids and meals and home and errands and self tomorrow.  It's amazing how much a difference it makes to get to put that one thing down, and to have the freedom to be home for an extra nine hours to get things done, even if it's just in five or ten minute increments between being needed by the kids.  

Today, in anticipation of birthing and coming home, I bought two bottles of wine.  One because of its description and the other because it was in a square bottle and I'm a sucker for packaging.  But what I'm really looking forward to is being able to stop by the Spotted Owl again on a semi-regular basis.  I loved going there alone, being known as "the girl with the papers," talking to Will, and savoring a week night bourbon in one of my favorite neighborhoods.

"Time held me, green and dying

 though I sang in my chains like the sea."

This is how we morning

Today I'm especially grateful for Psalm 127. There will be more but it's pray writing time!