Spiritual "re-lessons"

So lately I've been experiencing a lot of anger just under the surface ready to blow at any moment. I've been wrestling with myself, trying to figure out the root. I thought I had that thing licked...and there is the problem. I thought I had that thing licked.

Why, oh, why must we learn and re-learn the same lessons again and again? Why do we fall back into old habits, in my case, the habit of self-reliance. And I don't mean the good kind. I'm talking about the kind that puts us in bondage as we try to work our way to righteousness. The kind that smacks Christ in the face by saying "your sacrifice isn't good enough...I have to EARN my salvation". The kind that says "I can fix myself if I just try harder". Then as you fail miserably, you find yourself falling into the condemnation trap leading to self-absorption through pity parties and a "martyr" mentality. Why do we do the devil's work for him? We willingly put the chains on our own hands and feet. Ugh.

So once again I have to re-commit to cooperate with God in this process of making me into the image of Christ. Once again, I have to surrender my ideas and my will to His. Once again I am reminded that I cannot fix me or anyone/anything else.

Praise be to God for His infinite grace and His mercies that are renewed daily!

"Get it?"

Ethan has entered the "jokester" phase. He tells us jokes all day long. There are a few standards that go like this:
Knock-Knock
Who's there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Well, you don't have to cry about it.

And some that he makes up himself that go like this:
Why did the penguin cross the road?
To hide in the bushes.

But my favorite are the ones that go like this:
Mommy, after I go poopy, will you wipe my butt? Get it? Butt? (hilarious laughter ensues)

What have I learned? 1) That I have an extremely short list of pre-school jokes in my repertoire. Guess I need to get to the library. 2)I think he has my dad's sense of humor (no offense dad...you make me laugh. Usually) :) And 3) if you want to make a 4 year old boy almost wet himself laughing, just say any word having to do with potty functions (plus boogers) or the body parts involved. Ethan's newest favorite: butt crack. I just know that one's gonna bite me in mine one day... :)

Update on homeschooling...

As some of you know, at the moment I plan on homeschooling both boys(I say "at the moment" because I'm pretty sure I will despite my waffling on days when I just need to get away from my kids...). Not sure for how long, but the current state of public education (academics, socialization, world view, etc.) and the innocence and open-ness of my son's minds makes me realize the seriousness of the task ahead...to raise God-fearing, moral children who experience a relationship with Christ and learn to love Him. So, I feel until their character is a bit more "set", I want to lay a strong foundation at home.

This is not going to be easy. There are times that I miss a classroom full of smart-aleck 7th graders (believe it or not), not to mention the financial strain. God has provided some opportunities to fulfill both and I see the opportunities growing steadily. As I have networked with some homeschooling organizations and groups, I'm finding the demand for science teachers to be astounding! I have had 2 offers this year from groups I've never met asking me to be their coop science teacher and one who had already filled their class offering, but wanted to keep my info on hand for next year! Praise the Lord. It's not nearly as much money as I would be making full time in public school, but 1) I don't have to grade papers, 2)I'm around other homeschoolers for support 3) I get to teach lots of kids that are well-behaved, 4) it helps buy the groceries or put gas in the car (or it least it would have helped with the gas when I signed on 2 months ago...$3.00/gallon!!! HIGHWAY ROBBERY!!!!)

I also have come across a homeschooling accreditation organization that is (from what I have seen so far) WONDERFUL and they are giving me an opportunity to become a consultant for their families. I'm excited about this, but a bit nervous. I feel God has presented this to me, but also feel my own shortcomings...how can I "consult" another family when I've never done this myself? Guess that's where my professional training will come in handy.

Please keep us in prayer as we begin this journey. It's one thing to learn to trust in the Lord when it's just you. Another when it involves your spouse. And a completely different monster all together when it involves your offspring who are completely trusting you to make the right decisions for them. Add to that the keen awareness that they technically aren't MY kids...their HIS. Talk about feeling inadequate! I know in whom I believe. If He is leading, and I am following, then the details will take care of themselves.

more pics

During the heat wave, some dear friends of ours discovered their air conditioner on the fritz. So, we all camped out at our house for the week-end. The kids had a blast (the adults had some fun, too!)






Noah likes to sit in his "big boy chair" and look at his books.













It's so funny to me how different Ethan and Noah can be. Ethan is cautious, Noah is fearless. Ethan DOES NOT like to get dirty. Noah finds a pile of black dirt and dives in. He looks a bit like the "Little Rascals" dog, doesn't he?


















I wish I could zoom up on Noah in this photo. This was his first petting zoo. His expression is priceless - he's never seen a goat before!













Noah has invented the "poor man's soccum-boppers"... (I promise this photo has not been staged, doctored, or otherwise encouraged by adults. He did this completely on his own!)













Ethan looks so cute in a tie! He's gonna drive the girls crazy when he's older!












This is one more pic from the Zoo. I thought it was cute... Ethan was trying to hold Noah's hand, but Noah isn't usually keen on that (only mommy or daddy's hand will do). We were riding the monorail 'cuz it was SO DARN HOT!!!

The last couple of weeks have been eventful, so here is a photo update!















Noah simply adores hats. Doesn't matter to him if it's a "real" hat or not...he'll wear it. And then he does his hat dance. It should be illegal to be so cute!



We took a trip to the MN Zoo a couple of weeks ago. Noah, who is not easy to snap a photo of, would not stand next to his brother. Ethan is always happy to strike a pose...even if it is as a tasty morsal for a whale!















Rob's boss gave us tickets to see a community theater production of "Seussical". This was the boys first play. I think they were more impressed with the big hat and slide in the lobby. Ah, well. I guess they have time to become theater connoisseurs.
















Thrill of a lifetime! Bob the Builder was at the Mall of America. Ethan got wacked in the head with Bob's ears which was really funny for mom! As much as he loves Bob, if he had brought any of his machines (Scoop, Muck, etc.) Bob would have gotten NO attention whatsoever.

We were kinda bummed that United Syndicate pulled copywrite rank and took away "Camp Snoopy" (now it is known simply as "The Park at MOA"), but it has allowed it to branch out a bit. Bob would have never gotten to come to Camp Snoopy. So I guess it's all good. I hope United Syndicate looses lots of money over it though...bunch of greedy corporate yahoos.

Update on the church home front

A big "thank you" to all of you who have been praying for us during our search for a new church home. It is a bittersweet transformation...we still very much love Pastor Linus and the people of Ascending Praise, but, alas, it has become too far of a drive and we miss being involved with more than just Sunday mornings. Our search began in earnest back in January and admittedly we have been slow to decide. Part of it has been our lack of experience in this regard. We also felt like we had to do "due diligence" by going to several meetings, meeting several families and sitting down with the pastors at several locations. All of this takes time and a great deal of patience. However, we have finally felt some peace about our decision to join Real Life Church, an Assemblies of God church in Roseville. Our new pastor, Pete Drake, has a really strong desire to take the church out beyond the walls of the building and reach people where they are. We are excited and nervous because he has set forth a vision that is really not at all "church as usual"...at least not what is usual to us. I believe Christ is challenging us to think differently about our practical Christianity. To stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zone. To realize we DO NOT have this all figured out and MAYBE we've been wrong about some assumptions. I don't know...but that's part of the adventure, isn't it? After all, I have been praying for the Lord to always keep me teachable and we can't be teachable if we get "set in our ways" and sure of ourselves, now can we?

Please continue to pray for us as we make the transition to a new home and reach out to establish new relationships in the body of Christ. Pray for an "opening up" from both ends so that not only do we reach out eagerly, but are embraced just as eagerly. Pray that God will open doors for us to minister within and without the body. I would personally ask you all to pray that God would help me to find ways to use the creative talents he's given me. My heart is for worship through music and drama, both of which seem a bit out of reach at this new church...we will see. I don't want to jump to any conclusions. It could be the Lord trying to move me in a different direction, or it could just be my own insecurities trying to rear their ugly head and keep me from fulfilling my niche. I only want to obey and please Him. Rob and I also feel a very strong pull to minister to marriages, especially those who may be hurting. We have for a while, but feel like the Lord is just now bringing us around to a place where we can be a sieve instead of a sponge! :) If the journey of the last 8 years has been to bring us to a place to help others, then it has all been worth it (but don't get me wrong...I DO NOT want to go there again!) Praise be to God for His faithfulness!

Love to all!
Lori

Minne-SNOW?ta????

OK. I must confess I'm completely confused. We are at 97 degrees here today with some areas crossing the 100 line. Ummm...am I not living in the "cold midwest"? This stinks. We spend at least 4 months mostly indoors during the winters and now we are being driven indoors during the summer, too? Is there no where on this planet where I can live in perpetual 70 degrees year round?

Ok. That was my whine. Feel better now. Hope the kids didn't hear me.

Some Pictures

So here is my first attempt at uploading some pictures.

Here are all 3 handsome Funderburk boys at Kirz and David's wedding in Rapid City. Ethan was the ring bearer.

Ethan is sporting his first-ever potentially scarring injury. Mommy was more freaked out than he was...head injuries produce a lot of blood! Luckily, no stitches were needed...just a butterfly bandage. Whew!

Here is Noah enjoying some lovely spit bubbles.

We have discovered Noah not only has the appetite of a monkey, but apparently the table manners of one as well. Let's hope he doesn't start flinging his poop.

Backyard Camping

Ah, summer. Wouldn't be complete without tent camping, now would it? We have a trip planned with friends in a couple of weeks, so we had to get the tent out (hasn't been used for 4+ years) to check the seams, silicon it, and see if we remember how to put it up. Once it was up, we thought "why not just sleep in it tonight?" Voila - instant 'vacation'! So we grilled some hotdogs, made a small fire in our grill, sang some songs, lit a few sparklers, ate some smores and slept under the stars (so to speak). Ethan was a bit nervous at first...it's dark outside and there are no night lights, and he could hear fireworks and other weird noises from all around. But, once he settled in and saw how close we all were, it became a fun adventure. He even mustered up enough courage to hold a sparkler! Noah, on the other hand, knows no fear. He wanted to hold the sparklers from the "shiny" end! (I just know if I ever have cause to go to the ER, Noah will be involved somehow) Then, he would not lie down, despite being up almost 3 hours past his bedtime, so we had to drag out the play pen and confine him. Moments later he was off and dreaming! It really was a lot of fun...but my favorite part was having a clean bathroom within feet of the tent!

This is one of those things younger parents do better than us older ones. I'm too spoiled to my Sleep Number bed and the drone of my fan to expect to get any rest on a Colemen air mattress and the dead quietness of night (with the occasional bug, frog, and traffic). Everytime someone coughed or rolled over, I was awake. But I still had fun and am looking forward to our 2 day trip in a couple of weeks. Just don't ask me to do 3! :)

For the 4th, I have a few library books on Independence Day we are going to read, then we are barbecuing with friends and watching local fireworks. All in all, it's turning out to be a very nice extended week-end! Happy 4th to everyone! Be sure to display your flag and thank a soldier and/or veteran!

New Photographer in the family....

We finally got Ethan's photos developed. His grandma had given him a cheap little 110 camera (yes, they STILL make those) to play around with. We stuck some film in there to see what would come out. Not bad for a 4 year old! For the most part, the head complete with face is in the picture and somewhat close to center. Has a bit of trouble discerning when to use the flash...but I guess I can cut him a break, being a newbie and all. Once I figure out how to do it, I'll try to upload a couple of the better shots for everyone to oooo and ahhhh over!

Milestone?

Yesterday, I took Ethan to the dollar store. He took money out of his bank, picked out one toy, took it to the counter, paid for it, and walked out with his bag on his arm. Major milestone? Probably not. But just another sign that I cannot keep them small (tear, sigh). He was so pleased with himself!

Whoopi Cushion Wow Factor

My four year old has just discovered whoopi cushions. You would thing that we just discoved life on another planet - he is enthralled. All those expensive Christmas/Birthday toys? They are but manure. Life just became much more rich and purposeful for him. So how long must I endure "mommy, you wanna hear me fart?" before the whoopi cushion mysteriously disappears? Oh and talk about acting practice...I must pretend I am surprised and embarrassed everytime I sit down somewhere (even though the fine subtleties of HIDING the cushion are lost on him). Ah, boys...gotta love 'em.

Guess there has to be a "worst"...

Just got back from the Black Hills on a mini-vacation. Guess out of all the vacations you take, one of them has to qualify as the worst....this was it. We went to attend a friend's wedding. Ethan was the ringbearer. We've been to Rapid City, SD two previous times and LOVED it. Well, this time we were stuck in a small camping cabin with a 4 year old, a 1 year old, and rain. Not your drizzly, "deal with it" kind of camping rain...torrential downpours complete with thunder and lightening. No swimming, no hiking, no mini-golf, NO BUFFALO!!! What's the point of vacationing in the prairie if you can't see no stinkin' buffalo? Ugh. Needless to say, I think all future vacations will be in my own back yard until the kids are old enough to entertain themselves. Or at least close enough that if the weather sucks we can simply drive back home. Guess I've been in the city too long....

On a better note, I did get to meet lots of folks who've listened to "my" CD and liked it. That's not so bad...even if they were relatives of the other band members! :)

Welcome friends and family!

Welcome to Funderburk Follies...the musings and happenings of the Funderburk family. We are a foursome - Rob the Instigator (aka - daddy), Ethan the way-too-smart-for-his-own-good (aka - big brother), Noah the cutie-pie (aka - the 'baby'), and I am Lori the matriarch - the home executive, co-CEO and CFO, the chauffer, the owie-kisser, the dinner-maker, the clothes-washer...I could go on. As I post this, I'm happy to report that after ONLY 4 years of my career change, I do believe I may be just starting to get the hang of this mommy thing. Of course, tomorrow is another day...let the adventure continue!

More to come!

Lori