I think it's been two years since I have consistently blogged. Things have been hectic around here to say the least. I have some "excuses" for my absence and I am hoping my absence will be excused due to the circumstances.
{Excuse #1} I stepped down from my part time job at Apartment Life as an Area Director to focus fully on our family. It goes with all that the Lord has been teaching me from Titus 2, To be Busy at Home.
{Excuse #2}We also followed the Lord's leading and entered into the amazing world of homeschooling! Around the time that we felt the Lord calling me to come back home, we also knew we needed more space for our homeschooling adventure.
{Excuse #3} We moved June 2008 to a town home that has a lot more space than our little two bedroom apartment they we out grew. Things were quite exciting around the Linkletter household.
{Excuse #4}After moving into our new home two weeks prior, we found out that we were expecting baby number three, our sweet Samuel Jonathan!
Wowza I tell ya! So, now you see why I haven't blogged in some time.
Sammy was born on January 22ND and he is such a sweet addition to our family. Needless to say, things are quite busy in our neck of the woods. It is really something to start all over in the baby world ten and twelve years later. Excuse #...okay I will stop with the excuses, but you get the picture!
I am enjoying our summer and at the same time eagerly anticipating the start of a new school year with Justin and Sarah. We plan to start back after Labor Day the Lord willing.
All that to say, I think my absence has been excused and now I hope to be in the blog world on a more regular basis!
Until the next time,
Missy
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The big comfy couch-the joys of bed rest
It was December 26th, the day after Christmas. As others were out chasing down after Christmas bargains, I was sitting in the examination room of my midwife. With my feet dangling off the table and sweet "baby Linkletter" squirming all around inside of me, I watched as my mid-wife took my blood pressure. My mind wandered to all of the sales that I would be bargain hunting for in just a few quick minutes. She loosened the cuff on my arm and started the process over again. I watched her forehead crease as a frown filled her face. With just once sentence, "Beginning today, you will be on strict bed rest for the duration of your pregnancy." my little world changed and all of my plans flew out the window. It took a minute her words to register as I tried to form some kind of a response. She went on to say that my blood pressure was getting dangerously high and my kidney's were not performing as they ought. That was it-bed rest. I was 32 weeks along and still had 8 weeks to go. Justin and Sarah were with me in examination room and I prayed that they weren't paying too close attention to our conversation, I didn't want to worry them.
I calmly called Tim on my way home and informed him that bed rest it would be. I'll admit, for the first few hours, I wasn't too overly concerned because I was tired and I thought it might be nice to rest for a little while. After an hour of that, I was ready to get up and go...but there was none of that! The tears finally showed up when Tim got home and I realized I wasn't going to be able to make dinner for my family, do laundry, or organize another thing. No more nesting, just laying around on the couch or my bed. My heart went out to Justin and Sarah because their little world was rocked too.
And so the days continued, long, long days. I have known several people that have been on bed rest and I had I known then, what I know now, I would have done so much more for them. It is a very helpless feeling to depend on everyone else to do the simplest things for you. Sweet friend from our Sunday School Class brought meals several times a week and one person even cleaned our house-that was incredibly humbling but highly necessary, you should have seen our bath tubs....There were many nights when I was up at 3:00 a.m. and unable to sleep and is seemed at those times the Lord was so very near to me. His word was the only thing that brought me comfort. Tim was working two jobs and I missed him terribly. Every moment with him became even more precious and meaningful. He was exhausted as he had taken the bulk of household chores as well. He never complained.
Time slowly passed by and my blood pressure continued to rise. There was no going to the store, no driving, and no church for me. I couldn't sit for long periods of time (no more than about 5-10 minutes) or the blood pressure would creep up. It was laying on my side, mostly on the couch day after day. Each week at my check up appointments, I had to give a detailed report of exactly what I had eaten, how often I was resting (when was I not?), and what my readings were at home. Have I mentioned how swollen my feet were? They were quite the site! I had no ankles to speak of and my face was so puffy it almost hurt to smile!
I was finally at 36 weeks and being examined but again. After taking my blood pressure and looking over my lab reports, the mid-wife informed me that it was time to induce! I had such mixed emotions, I was afraid that our little one wouldn't be ready and at the same time so excited to finally get to hold our precious one. Thankfully, Tim was with me at this appointment. They gave me a little pill that would ripen my cervix that I was to take the following morning at 6:30 a.m. We drove home excitedly with great anticipation of the arrival of our third child.
I calmly called Tim on my way home and informed him that bed rest it would be. I'll admit, for the first few hours, I wasn't too overly concerned because I was tired and I thought it might be nice to rest for a little while. After an hour of that, I was ready to get up and go...but there was none of that! The tears finally showed up when Tim got home and I realized I wasn't going to be able to make dinner for my family, do laundry, or organize another thing. No more nesting, just laying around on the couch or my bed. My heart went out to Justin and Sarah because their little world was rocked too.
And so the days continued, long, long days. I have known several people that have been on bed rest and I had I known then, what I know now, I would have done so much more for them. It is a very helpless feeling to depend on everyone else to do the simplest things for you. Sweet friend from our Sunday School Class brought meals several times a week and one person even cleaned our house-that was incredibly humbling but highly necessary, you should have seen our bath tubs....There were many nights when I was up at 3:00 a.m. and unable to sleep and is seemed at those times the Lord was so very near to me. His word was the only thing that brought me comfort. Tim was working two jobs and I missed him terribly. Every moment with him became even more precious and meaningful. He was exhausted as he had taken the bulk of household chores as well. He never complained.
Time slowly passed by and my blood pressure continued to rise. There was no going to the store, no driving, and no church for me. I couldn't sit for long periods of time (no more than about 5-10 minutes) or the blood pressure would creep up. It was laying on my side, mostly on the couch day after day. Each week at my check up appointments, I had to give a detailed report of exactly what I had eaten, how often I was resting (when was I not?), and what my readings were at home. Have I mentioned how swollen my feet were? They were quite the site! I had no ankles to speak of and my face was so puffy it almost hurt to smile!
I was finally at 36 weeks and being examined but again. After taking my blood pressure and looking over my lab reports, the mid-wife informed me that it was time to induce! I had such mixed emotions, I was afraid that our little one wouldn't be ready and at the same time so excited to finally get to hold our precious one. Thankfully, Tim was with me at this appointment. They gave me a little pill that would ripen my cervix that I was to take the following morning at 6:30 a.m. We drove home excitedly with great anticipation of the arrival of our third child.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Back in the Saddle Again.....
For all of my sweet friends that have asked me when I plan on blogging again, well what do you know, I'm finally blogging away! And I am so glad to get to have this fun outlet once again!
I've been tagged by my good friend Katherine:http://www.thekramerchronicles.blogspot.com/
Here we go:
Ten years ago I: Just moved to Fort worth, TX and was busy chasing our year old son everywhere.
On my to do list today: Staff meeting, tidy up house, and Open House at the kids school.
What I would do if I suddenly became a billionaire:
1) Okay, how fun would it be to tithe on that!!!!So yes, we'd tithe and give to some of our favorite ministries.
2) Purchase a new home for my mom and Tim's mom.
3) Did I mention PRAY!
4) Enroll Tim at the seminary of his choice
5) Purchase a home
6) Would so love to give to a homeless ministry where they meet the physical needs of people
7) Take our entire family on an overseas mission trip
8) Purchase a "Sleep Number" bed
9) Enroll our crazy Jack Russel Terrier in doggy obedience school
10) Home school Justin and Sarah
11) Purchase a new car for Tim or restore his BMW
12) Take a very long vacation and visit all of our family
Three of my bad habits:
1) Sugar and Diet Coke
2) House keeping-lack there of
3) Procrastination
Five Jobs I've had:
1) Indian Fry Bread (first job)
2) Camp Counselor
3) Intern for Children's Ministry
4)Buyer for resale shop (LOVED THIS)
5) Area Director with Apartment Life (current)
5 Things people don't know about me:
1) I instructed people how to build houses at the age of 18 in Mexico- pretty scary, I doubt the houses are still standing!
2) I used to sing at my Uncle Frank's church when I was like 5 years old
3) I attended 3 High Schools and 2 Junior High Schools.
4) My voice NEVER CHANGED after I was about 6 years old......okay if you've spoken with me, then maybe your do know that! However, I had no idea that my voice was different than anyone else until one of my friends in the 6th grade informed me that I would "have more friends" if I didn't use a baby voice. I thought she was crazy......what baby voice? :)
5) I once got into a knock down drag out fight my freshman year of high school (That bully never bothered me again).
I've been tagged by my good friend Katherine:http://www.thekramerchronicles.blogspot.com/
Here we go:
Ten years ago I: Just moved to Fort worth, TX and was busy chasing our year old son everywhere.
On my to do list today: Staff meeting, tidy up house, and Open House at the kids school.
What I would do if I suddenly became a billionaire:
1) Okay, how fun would it be to tithe on that!!!!So yes, we'd tithe and give to some of our favorite ministries.
2) Purchase a new home for my mom and Tim's mom.
3) Did I mention PRAY!
4) Enroll Tim at the seminary of his choice
5) Purchase a home
6) Would so love to give to a homeless ministry where they meet the physical needs of people
7) Take our entire family on an overseas mission trip
8) Purchase a "Sleep Number" bed
9) Enroll our crazy Jack Russel Terrier in doggy obedience school
10) Home school Justin and Sarah
11) Purchase a new car for Tim or restore his BMW
12) Take a very long vacation and visit all of our family
Three of my bad habits:
1) Sugar and Diet Coke
2) House keeping-lack there of
3) Procrastination
Five Jobs I've had:
1) Indian Fry Bread (first job)
2) Camp Counselor
3) Intern for Children's Ministry
4)Buyer for resale shop (LOVED THIS)
5) Area Director with Apartment Life (current)
5 Things people don't know about me:
1) I instructed people how to build houses at the age of 18 in Mexico- pretty scary, I doubt the houses are still standing!
2) I used to sing at my Uncle Frank's church when I was like 5 years old
3) I attended 3 High Schools and 2 Junior High Schools.
4) My voice NEVER CHANGED after I was about 6 years old......okay if you've spoken with me, then maybe your do know that! However, I had no idea that my voice was different than anyone else until one of my friends in the 6th grade informed me that I would "have more friends" if I didn't use a baby voice. I thought she was crazy......what baby voice? :)
5) I once got into a knock down drag out fight my freshman year of high school (That bully never bothered me again).
Saturday, December 29, 2007
And I cried out!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! I hope you've been able to enjoy some good time with your loved ones. Tim was able to take vacation time for the week of Christmas, so we've all been able to spend a lot of time with together. It's been for the most part very lovely.
The above pictures were taken on Christmas Eve. The one on the bottom was at our dinner table. I was serving a deli tray (crackers, cheese, and turkey slices, along with chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, and fudge.) We had just gotten home from Christmas Eve service and sat down to share a meal before the kids got to open their presents from their Nana that came all the way from Arizona! Poor Justin had to get out of his chair so I could get the shot-I just couldn't resist capturing the ambiance of the moment. Doesn't the vacuum cleaner in the backround make it look homey? Too funny, but also reality around here.
Here's a little more reality for you. As I was preparing the fudge the night before, I decided to save a little time and go ahead and make a double batch in the sauce pan. Well-BAD idea, as soon as the fudge came to a rolling boil, it started rolling right out of the pan! And it was a STICKY mess. It went not only all over the stove top, but under the burners as well. I cried out for Tim to come and help me put it in something bigger and we ended up putting it in an iron skillet-funny now, not so funny at the time. It was at that point that my sweet little Sarah brought me her Chef's hat and apron-maybe she thought it would make me a better cook? And the fudge...at first it was a disappointment. It didn't get to boil long enough so it didn't "set". However, after an overnight in the fridge it tasted good enough to eat the entire pan in one sitting-thankfully I resisted the temptation to do so!
So, why am I sharing this "fudge moment" with you? Honestly, it's because I desire for my sharing to be truly authentic, not self deprecating-but genuine. After all, I did name my blog "And they cried out". That's pretty much the story of my life. I am such a mess with out my Savior! There's is NO way I can be the kind of wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend that I desire to be without my God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. When I'm not crying out, it's pretty much bad news bears; it typically means I think I can do it on my own or am too preoccupied to realize things are going down hill fast.
Here's a question for you; why do we as women try to pretend like we can do everything perfectly and life is a cinch? I SO learn from my mistakes and others mistakes more than I do from easily attained successes.
One final thought; it's always a relief to me when I hear that about other women doing silly things like leaving a fitting room with their shirt on inside out ....okay, I haven't really heard of another women doing that, but it sure would make me feel better if I did!
In His unfailing love,
Missy
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Finding Pleasure in God
When I first met Tim, I immediately liked him. I was working in a Christian Bookstore at the time and here comes this young man with a whole lot of charisma. I remember just where I was when I first set eyes on him. I was behind the register and he was talking to a woman with two children. I was listening to their conversation and I remember him being SO funny. I thought they were married at first until I saw them say good bye. (Turns out she was a friend from church.) I was quite pleased to discover there was no ring on his finger and he was my next customer in line. We chit chatted and he absolutely cracked me up. And that was that. He left the store and I wasn't sure if I'd ever see him again. I went home that night and called one of my good girlfriends, Katie who at the time was living in another state. I specifically told her that I had no idea whether anything would ever come out of it, but that I had met the a really neat guy".
It was almost 1 MONTH later that he came in again. One day I was going out the door on a break and Tim was walking in. He said, "Hi...is it Misty? Are you leaving?" I said, "It's Missy and I was just coming in!" He believed me! He told me that he was looking for a Denise William CD and I of course helped him find it. We ended up talking for my entire break that day. He finally got up the courage to ask me for my phone number and I gave it to him. He called me later on that day and we went on our first date that weekend. (October 21, 1993 to be exact.)
And that first date was amazing! We went out to a little Italian restaurant and talked and talked about the Lord. I happened to bring my Bible on that first date-we still kind of laugh about that because in mid conversation I pulled it out of my purse and went to the verse that we were talking about.
During our courtship, Tim would write me the most beautiful and deep letters a girl could ever want. And, he still does from time to time. But those first letters showed me his passion for the Lord and I knew that I could spend the rest of my life with him.
Since we are going on 13 years of marriage, I can attest that there have been bumps along the way and a few serious pot holes as we both brought junk into the marriage. But the payoff from working through the trials has certainly been worth it. Not easy, but so very rewarding as it produced a great depth and commitment to one another. I have watched my young man of a husband who has been a devoted follower of Jesus Christ since practically before I was born, transform into a man who truly finds pleasure in God.
And the pleasure that He finds in God blesses me and our children more than I could have ever dreamed. I have watched God soften my husband in ways that woo me into deeper relationship with my Maker. I of course am not hinting that Tim is perfect. What I am saying that I am greatly rejoicing because my husband is leading our family to treasure Christ above all. His transformation is transforming us! That's exciting. A few years ago he read the book, "Don't Waste Your Life", by John Piper. http://www.desiringgod.com/ He hasn't been the same since. I plan to finally read it this new year.
So, my husband has led the way to finding his greatest pleasure in God. I have had moments of Him being pleasure, but I can't honestly say that I fully experienced Him as my greatest pleasure 24/7. And, for certain I can admit that my life does not exemplify treasuring Christ above all else. For if it did, I would not be enslaved to my own sinful behaviors. It's not pretty is it? That is my confession and I don't say it lightly. My heart hungers to find pleasure in Him all the days of my life. I can think of a lot of other things that I find pleasure in and more often. For that, I repent. And I am so grateful that God is faithful when I am not and His love for me as His daughter is unfailing.
Maybe you'd like to take this journey with me-treasuring Christ above all and knowing God as your greatest pleasure...if that's the case, stay tuned. I'm certain that the Lord is about to amaze us. I'll share my journey with you and I would love for you to share your journey with me.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
A Hungry Heart
This is a candid photo of my Sarah Grace reading her Bible. It was a Sunday afternoon and we had just arrived home from church. On the way, she was asking a lot of questions about the lesson that was taught in Sunday School as she had learned about Jacob and Esau- she was completely fascinated. As her Daddy was preparing lunch for us (sweet huh), she was reading the story aloud to him. We have been praying for her to have a heart that hungers after the Lord, so it was quite a blessing that she desired to dig deeper! Monday, December 10, 2007
The Best Way to Love
It wasn't too ago that I became keenly aware that I was getting in a habit of raising my voice towards Justin and Sarah. I don't mean screaming or yelling, I mean a raised voice with an unpleasant tone. It seemed the more I allowed myself to become agitated the easier it was for my voice to find the tone and pitch that is most undesirable to my children's ears.
This fact greatly disturbed me. You see, I made a pact with myself when I was a child just about their age that I would not yell at my kids. And although this tone does not quite qualify for the "yelling" that I had in mind back then, it is certainly a close cousin to it.
So, I cried out to the Lord. I poured my heart out to him and asked Him to show me the best way to love our children. My mind immediately went to the "Love Chapter", 1 Corinthians 13. The Spirit of God stirred my heart as I read the following verses:
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
My heart instantly rejoiced for so many reasons;
So, back to real time; when I blow it with my kiddos, I ask them to forgive me. They amaze me because they are just so quick in mercy and forgive so easily. The other night was such an occasion. We were running late and Tim was still at work. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off; wrapping gifts, baking, getting the kids ready, and trying to get myself ready all at the same time. And I really hate being late so it was adding to my angst. We were trying to head out to our Christmas party for our Sunday school class. I quickly stopped off at a fast food place to grab the kids a deliciously healthy dinner and then had to make a quick stop by the ATM. On the way to the ATM my sweet Sarah spilled her drink all the way down her pants. I was SO not happy. She started crying because she was soaked. I informed her that no, we would not be turning around to go home. Sweet huh-We pulled up to a gas station, I quickly got in the trunk and luckily had an extra pair of pants for her to put on. (I know, I was REALLY lucky that I still had the "give away" clothes in the trunk.) Finally, Sarah had dry clothes. I had my cash. and we were once again in route to the church. I apologized to Sarah for my lack of patience and told her that I just needed to take a chill pill. She replied, "Wow, where do you get those?" I said, "Jesus honey. You go to Jesus."
So, the best way to love? For me, it's learning the 1 Corinthians 13 love one day at a time with hands on experience.
This fact greatly disturbed me. You see, I made a pact with myself when I was a child just about their age that I would not yell at my kids. And although this tone does not quite qualify for the "yelling" that I had in mind back then, it is certainly a close cousin to it.
So, I cried out to the Lord. I poured my heart out to him and asked Him to show me the best way to love our children. My mind immediately went to the "Love Chapter", 1 Corinthians 13. The Spirit of God stirred my heart as I read the following verses:
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
My heart instantly rejoiced for so many reasons;
- Because He heard my cry and answered me with His Word, His Word that is living and active and sharper than any double edged sword.
- Because as I read the words in the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, I undoubtedly know that the apostle Paul's description of love is precisely how God showed His love by sending His son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for a wretch like me.
- Because God has not left me alone on this earth to become like Him, but has given me a deposit, His Holy Spirit that indwells me and His word to correct, rebuke, and train me in the way I should go!
So, back to real time; when I blow it with my kiddos, I ask them to forgive me. They amaze me because they are just so quick in mercy and forgive so easily. The other night was such an occasion. We were running late and Tim was still at work. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off; wrapping gifts, baking, getting the kids ready, and trying to get myself ready all at the same time. And I really hate being late so it was adding to my angst. We were trying to head out to our Christmas party for our Sunday school class. I quickly stopped off at a fast food place to grab the kids a deliciously healthy dinner and then had to make a quick stop by the ATM. On the way to the ATM my sweet Sarah spilled her drink all the way down her pants. I was SO not happy. She started crying because she was soaked. I informed her that no, we would not be turning around to go home. Sweet huh-We pulled up to a gas station, I quickly got in the trunk and luckily had an extra pair of pants for her to put on. (I know, I was REALLY lucky that I still had the "give away" clothes in the trunk.) Finally, Sarah had dry clothes. I had my cash. and we were once again in route to the church. I apologized to Sarah for my lack of patience and told her that I just needed to take a chill pill. She replied, "Wow, where do you get those?" I said, "Jesus honey. You go to Jesus."
So, the best way to love? For me, it's learning the 1 Corinthians 13 love one day at a time with hands on experience.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)