My Question for You

Here's the latest question I have that has been bugging me. How come we refer to some sins as "heinous" and "scandalous" as opposed to what...just "regular" sin? If you read the Canons of Dordt, for example, they refer to some sins as heinous. I can't figure it out. Does the Bible make distinctions between certain sins? Is it just a bad habit to refer to some sins as really, really bad? So gossiping is bad, but maybe not toooooo bad, but having a lustful thought is worse? I realize some sins (such as adultery and murder) does influence more than one person, so in that sense, maybe those sins are "worse"? Well, that's my question for the week.

Traveling with Jules

I didn't tell you about our ride to Canada, now did I? Rides to Canada are things to remember, especially with a two year old around. This year was the year I was to be prepared. Barf-bucket? Check. Toys? Check. Dramamine? Check. Clothes in case of...accidents? Check. Yes, I was prepared. I also borrowed two musical cd's from my sister Lora. They were for the ride to help entertain Juliet. We left a five-thirty in the morning. It was still dark and I planned on transferring the sleeping Jules to her car-seat with narry a fuss. Well, her eyes BOINGED open and that was the end of that. A cheerful little girl watched as we drove for the first hour up Rt. 80. I took some dramamine since I was situated in the back seat with her and get motion-sickness at the drop of a hat. I decided to give half a tablet to Juliet since she has the same problem as I do. An hour later, I was fast asleep, mouth wide open while Jules looked at me curiously. We stopped at McDonalds for coffee, and I kid you not, I was so out of it that I looked like I was on drugs (well, that's what I'd imagine a person on drugs would look like. I ain't speakin' from experience, folks). Keeping my feet in front of me while I walked required all of my concentration. Jules? Chipper and lively as anything - the dramamine which had knocked me out had an opposite effect on her. After our break, it was time for some entertainment for Jules. The kid's c.d. went in (I think it is called "Toddler Tunes" or something like that). "Old MacDonald", "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush," "Five Little Ducks," the "Wheels on the Bus" and all forty songs was played. I enjoyed it at first, listening to those old songs that I haven't sung in years. I lustily joined in on the "Here We Go Loop - De -Loo" song and "Johnny So Long at the Fair" and all of the others that I knew. The c.d. eventually ended, but Jules wanted more. We played it again. And again. Mike and I weren't quite so enthusiastic. And again. I think we ran through the whole track forty times on our trip. Okay, maybe twenty. But it was a lot. (It was annoying, but on the other hand, if it keeps a little girl quiet on an eight hour trip, who am I to complain?) But now Mike and I are used to it. It was our anniversary the other night and we went out for dinner - minus Juliet. We got into the car, and for the first three minutes "Old MacDonald" played bouncily in the background - AND WE DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE IT!

Nic's Handy-Dandy Tips

If that isn't a dumb title, I don't know what is. But every once in awhile, I have a dart of inspiration, and I think, THE WHOLE WORLD should know this little tip. So, here's to my "Handy-Dandy" tips. Here she blows: "Before you go on vacation, (say the day before), change your bed sheets." That way, when you come home and are swimming in laundry, you won't also be thinking as you finally collapse blissfully onto your OWN bed, "Yikes! When's the last time I changed the sheets???"

Up North

Hello! I've just been fiddling around with my blog. I had a lovely background picked out the other day until I saw that it said "Happy New Year" on the side of it. So I threw that out and here I am with this very summery background. Can you tell I don't want summer to end? I love summer! Sure, it gets warm here in New Jersey - okay, really, really HOT, but I still love the summer. Summer means all sorts of great things: swimming, eating outside (at night), watching Juliet play in her pool, gardening, going down to the shore house, flipflops, and VACATION. Mike and I had a great vacation "Up North". When I was a kid I thought "Up North" was an actual place. If you are Canadian, of course you know what "Up North" means! It means renting some dinky cottage on a gorgeous lake somewhere out in the sticks! "Up North" means boat rides, canoeing, swimming, eating outside on picnic tables, looking at too many stars to count, campfires, going too late to bed, marshmallows, canoe races - the "new" tradition, eating too much, jumping off of the "jumpers", and chatting with family. Of course it's fun! It's interesting how going "Up North" has changed for Mike and I over the years. I remember the first year I went up there with Mike when we were a dating couple (and with the rest of the family, mind you!). Back then it was all about moonlit canoe rides, romantic strolls down the road, and stargazing at night - (I think Mike's priorities were a little different. Let's just say volleyball and more volleyball was what he had in mind). Two years ago when we went Juliet was just two months old and it was all about taking care of her. This past year, I was the mom parked out on the beach watching Juliet and her cousins with a whole bunch of other moms. Oh, and let's not forget the coffe kletzing. Sigh. I came back from vacation and with fear and trembling stepped onto the scale to see that I had gained TWO pounds from eating all of those dutch treats. Oh, well. It was a vacation to remember with SIX glorious days of sun, (mosquito-free!!!!!), and lots of catching up with the folks. Can't wait for "Up North" in two years!

What's the Purpose of Your Home?

Here is a response from my sister to one of my posts. In that particular post I was wondering if it was possible to love your home too much. Having moved over a year ago, Mike and I are still thrilled with having our "new" house (p.s. I have got to write sometime on the blessings on owning a relatively small house - think less cleaning, BIG TIME). So here is my sister's wise response, and I thought it worth posting.
"I remember the same feeling when we bought a house. It was so exciting, and you get everything set up just how you like it that you wonder if you like it too much. Just how much money, time, effort, thinking, planning is justifiable for a house, a shelter from the elements?

I thought about it a lot, and I really think --- like everything else that we plan for and spend time on --- we just have to make sure it's not all about our own comfort. God certainly doesn't mind us having a cozy, practical, comfortable home, but He does expect His children to live for others, and that's what we can use our homes for!

A good goal is to try to always have an open door for anyone who needs it. Be a hospitable host and make everyone feel welcome! It's actually a lot harder than it sounds, because sometimes we just feel too tired and too busy to have guests, but Jesus spent His life in service to others, and we can use even our homes in being a blessing for others."

Making Friends

If you are a judgemental person, you must not have a whole lot of friends. Who wants to be friends with someone who is critical and makes judgements about people constantly? The more I think about it, the more I believe being judgemental kills a lot of possible friendships. So do you want friends? Don't be judgemental.

Why I Blog

(Reader discretion advised. This is a rather mish-mash post with some thought put in it, but a whole lot of rambling going on as well.)
So, why do I blog? For me the reason why I blog is because I enjoy writing. I am by no means a gifted or professional writer, but I've always enjoyed it (hence the degree in English!). I also like the idea of reading what I write years later. I have a terrible memory, and blogging allows me to remember events that I most certainly would forget! Some day, it will be funny for me to read what happened on Mother's Day, or I will be able to laugh at the time I had to get Juliet in trouble for saying "stupid".... I especially like to poke fun at myself while I blog - life's too short to take yourself too seriously. Also, blogging allows family members and friends to see what is going on in my life as well as Mike and Jules. I also blog because I like to write about things I'm thinking about - from what color to paint your toe nails, to the New Calvinist Movement. And yes, I have full approval from my husband on everything I write. I've long been wanting to get that statement in, so now I finally have the opportunity. I am of the opinion (I've got lots of them), that I never husband-bash - I just tell the truth with some color- and Mike has assured me that I have never offended him. Well, that's out of the way. Are there blogging dangers? As with anything! Some dangers are:
1.) It is tempting to make your life appear better or more perfect than it actually is (personally don't think I have a problem in that area).
2.) Obviously time can be a factor
3.) I've heard the term "spiritual posturing" thrown around to describe some blogs - a person can write all about their spiritual experiences - perhaps to the neglect of actually practicing godly living. Although, in our dutch "let's not get too personal" culture, I don't think openness (especially with regards to spirituality) is such a bad thing. And, I might add, it is easy to read a person's blog and be overly judgemental...
Things to keep in mind while blogging:
1. Motives. Motives. Motives. Why am I writing this? Is it to create a fuss or am I writing this because I actually am wondering about something?
2. Avoid being reactionary. Whenever something irritates me, I try to wait a month or two before writing about it. I've avoided writing some pretty dumb posts.
3. Be honest! It's so refreshing.
And lastly, some positives of blogging!
1. Guess what? Blogging can help develop relationships. There are people in our church that I now know more about because they blog! Blogging can help people to develop connections in church communities which maybe wouldn't be there before.
2. Blogging can be a creative outlet - photography, writing, crafts, etc. Endless opportunities to showcase one's talents is now available.
3. As I said earlier, most people probably blog to keep in contact with family and to let them know what's going on in their lives. Blogging can be a nice alternative to facebook which is somewhat impersonal.
That's all folks!