Thursday, February 26, 2009

Asparagus!

Do you like to eat fresh asparagus?jersey-night

Did you know you can grow your own asparagus bed?

Well, you can!  And it's fairly easy.  In fact, the hardest part is planting it.  After that, give it some water, keep it mulched a bit and you can enjoy fresh asparagus spears from March to June in central Oklahoma.  And the best part?  Your plants will live for about 30 years! 

Purchase asparagus roots (crowns) at Lowe's, Home Depot, Farmer's Grain (in Edmond), or your local nursery. Look for "all-male" varieties, as they will give you heavier production.   Each crown will produce about ½ pound per year, so consider how many plants you'd like to have.

Dig your trench about 6 inches down.  Lay your roots in the trench, about 1 foot apart.  Cover with soil, but don't tamp down.  Water. 

200px-asperge_planten_asparagus_officinalisThis year you're only going to establish the roots by allowing the spears to grow into pretty ferns that will reach about 3 feet tall.  When the ferns die back this fall remove the dead foliage.  Then next year when your asparagus stalks appear, harvest the stalks when they are about 5-8 inches tall, and tips are closed. (cut or break off at the soil line)  Don't worry if you miss a few days harvesting.  The spears will turn into ferns again giving nutrients to the roots for more growth next year.

 

That's it.  A little work for a reward that will last for years to come!

Do you like asparagus?  Ever considered growing it?

 

 

mom4

 

Robin

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Only Thing That Matters

For nearly 7 months now, Andrew and I have been planning our wedding (less than 100 days to go!). As a naturally creative person who LOVES planning parties and events, I have done several DIY projects and designed everything from the stationery to the bridesmaids' gifts to the cake. I've stressed and I've cried (though only a little) over all these details that are Oh-So-Important. Poor, sweet Andrew has listened to me wax poetic about the differences in turquoise, cerulean, teal, and aquamarine and wonder aloud why everything immediately doubles in price the moment you say the word "wedding" to a vendor. ((Fact: the average cost of a wedding in the USA is $27,490!! Can you say R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S?!))

And the truth of the matter?

NONE of it matters, except one thing:  at the end of it all, Andrew and I will be married.

My gorgeous gown will be worn once. No matter how good the cake tastes, it's still just a cake. The ceremony songs we've spent hours choosing will be forgotten the moment the reception starts. The beautiful flowers will eventually be torn apart and discarded. The copious amounts of catering will be devoured without a second thought. The thousands of dollars we've spent will be gone forever, invested in one magnificent party that lasted only a few hours but signaled the beginning of a whole new life.

And for that reason, the stress and the drama and the expense is worth it to me. By remembering the real reason Andrew and I are doing all this (because we love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives growing and learning together), I have been able to keep things in perspective. I have grown to accept the fact that things won't always go as planned, no matter how much time I put into planning them. When I'm even remotely tempted to spend a bunch of money on something extravagant, I tell myself "It's only a party. Don't worry too much about impressing your guests, they already love you." After all, a fancy wedding does not a marriage make.

What do you remember about planning your wedding? Where did you splurge and where did you scrimp? What details mattered most to you?

abbi1

 

Abbi

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

We're Gettin' Many-er!

Our family is growing! 

 

Erin, Jon, Kaden and Will will be welcoming a new precious blessing into our lives the end of October. 

 

Which will bring our ManyMeadows' up to 20!

 

Mimi and Grandpa are quite proud! :)

 

Think pink!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

When Just Enough Hell Breaks Loose

Yesterday was one of those days when just enough hell broke loose to make me doubt just about everything I was doing. 

No need for details.  We home educate two teen boys....enough said?

After a hard day of trying to press through, I finally had time to do my Bible reading.  I know.  It's supposed to be the first thing you do...but it didn't happen.  And even if it had, I'm not sure I would have heard the same message that I heard later in the day. 

Ps. 94:18-19

I cried out, "I am slipping!"
  but your unfailing love, O Lord , supported me.
 When doubts filled my mind,
  your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.


 

My doubts didn't go away, and my feelings didn't exactly change, but I'm hanging on to His Truth....His unfailing Love will support me.  I can have renewed hope and cheer, because

 

HE IS IN CONTROL

mom4

 

 

Robin

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Stay Home....Do Family

For many years I have been very protective of my time.   I rarely plan things on Saturday, especially, because that's my day with my husband.  Even if we're not together all day because of our tasks, I still make myself available to him.  I think he notices it.  I know he appreciates it.

 

I am protective of our school hours too.  The myriad of activities, opportunities, and requests has to be sifted through, and carefully considered, or our time could be spent doing everything and anything else besides education.

 

Now, our last children at home, boys, are 16 and 14.  Our time together is running short before they head out on their own.   I'm making sure that I don't fill my days and weekends with extra activities, even though my guys are perfectly capable of caring for themselves.  I want to be available to them and to the many friends they have coming to our home. 

 

So, if you don't see me at functions, or if I turn you down when you ask me to keep your children, or if I ask to meet with you another time, it's probably because I'm at home, doing life and family. 

 

It's my calling...it's what I do.

 

Maybe your life is different.

 

Are you protective of your time? 

 

Is it difficult for you to turn down requests and activity opportunities? 

mom4

 

Robin

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Dear Robin...I Want to Plant a Garden

Dear Robin, 

 

I want to start a vegetable garden this year.  Where do I start? 

 

My advice:

Start small.  Find a plot that receives at least 6 hours of full sun a day.  It also needs to be a fairly level space.

 

Next, begin digging out the sod.  (This is the hardest part!)  Remove as many of the roots as possible.  At this point you may choose to add plenty of a good quality garden-blend soil (either bags or have a load delivered), or take your chances with the soil that is there.  You can also have your soil tested at your county extension office to determine if anything needs to be added to improve it. 

 

Rake smooth ready to receive seeds or plants. 

 

Your bed can be edged with rocks, bricks, landscape timbers, etc. 

 

Next, determine what you want to plant.  I'd suggest starting with lettuce, radishes, a couple of tomato and pepper plants and maybe a couple of herbs. We'll talk about planting lettuce and radishes soon.

Read up on gardening at:

 Square Foot Gardening

Organic Gardening

Garden Web Forums

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Keep it simple, and you'll enjoy some fresh vegetables this summer!

Do you have more gardening questions?  Ask away.

mom4

 

Robin

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Abs Diet for Women...a book review

I'm currently reading The Abs Diet for Women by David Zinczenko (Editor-in-Chief of Men's Health Magazine, as well as the author of several other books including "Eat This, Not That"). One of the main focuses of the book is the health risks associated with belly fat and how to lose it if you've got it. But for me, the book has really solidified this fact in my mind: Getting fit is 80% what you eat (or DON'T eat), and 20% how much you exercise. 80/20, I promise you. The more books I read, the more facts I have to support that claim. From a personal standpoint, I don't exercise any more than I did the last 10 times I belonged to a gym, but this time the pounds are melting off. The difference? The way I eat. I could work out all day long and not lose weight if I am still choosing to fill my plate (and mouth) with garbage!

The book centers around the idea that our bodies are machines and food=fuel. Your body will function at optimal levels only if it gets good fuel! That means lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy. Zinczenko shares the 12 "Powerfoods" as well as dozens of recipes that include them. While the book title does include the word "diet", Zinczenko himself expresses his dislike for the word and its connotations. Rather, the Abs Diet Power plan is an eating plan, a way of life that can be sustained because it is realistic. For that other 20%, the book also offers suggested workouts that target your core (translated: abs and back muscles) and other muscles.

This book has changed the way I view both food and exercise. I've revamped my workouts and started eating 6 small meals a day, rather than 3 big ones. I can already feel a change in my energy levels and focus. I'm never stuffed or starving. And, in terms of exercise, my workouts are shorter and more intentional, and I'm still seeing amazing results.

Get this book. If you're like me, reading it will result in many 'aha' moments that will lead to better health for you and your family!

Have you read any health and fitness books that have changed your life?

abbi1

Abbi

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Make No Mistake

Observing my kids through the years in their academic education I noticed they hated to make mistakes. Many times some of them would go off in a huff because of missing a math problem or not spelling something correctly. In fact, you could almost be assured that they would be affected for a little while after making a mistake.



In the business world I think it is just the same. A business makes a mistake in buying or selling or maybe making a hiring mistake. It affects that business.



Why do I bring this up? The pressure to be right and the self-imposed disposition for everything to go smoothly and easily has caused us as a society to become fearful of taking risks. But, I've found that those mistakes are some of the greatest lessons in my life. My favorite reading is self help books and character quality building books and without exception making mistakes and learning from those mistakes and overcoming the fear of risk is common in all of them.



Personally has fear or failure ever caused you to withdraw from an activity that might have grown you?  Overcoming our fears and being willing to make mistakes can either push us forward or hold us back. I want to move forward.



Are you a risk taker? Does the fear of risk freeze your progress? What are some ideas and methods you have found to overcome fear?

dirk





Dirk

Monday, February 16, 2009

Cake for Dinner!

Oh yes, we have cake for dinner at least twice a month.  What, you say?  Has Erin finally fallen off the wagon of healthy eating?  No worries!  These cakes are loaded with fiber, vegetables and are  well-rounded in nutrition to allow you the pleasure of cake for dinner.



For meat based cakes I use about 1 lb. of raw meat with some shredded or chopped veggies (done in the food processor).  For veggie based,  about 3 - 4 cups veggies.
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You use two add-ins:

 1.  Dump in a handful of oatmeal or a slice or two of double-the-fiber bread in the food processor along with the veggies and/or meat.  Or add whole grain flour to the mix until you reach desired consistency.



2.  Mix with a couple of eggs
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You want to scoop out a large dollop on griddle or skillet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.  Flatten to about a ½" and lightly fry on each side.  (About 3 min. each side - or 'til cooked through, as in the case of meat).
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Cheese is an optional add-in and can even be added on top after flipping (this is what we do here on part of the batch of cakes since cheese is usually not an indulgence I allow myself, but all my guys love.)



Our favorite cakes are zucchini (just shredded zucchini w/ a little onion mixed with the egg and flour), confetti veggie cakes (pictured) (shredded potato, carrots, squash, onion, peppers - whatever else I have on hand! with egg and flour), tuna cakes (canned, drained tuna with various veggies, bread crumbs and eggs), and turkey cakes (ground turkey, various veggies, bread crumbs and eggs).  (The turkey ones are great on the grill as well! - Form into patties as you would a hamburger).
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Have you ever made cakes for dinner?  I think your kids would like the sound of it at least!  They may even ask for syrup on them like our little Will!  ;-)

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Erin

Sunday, February 15, 2009

When Life is Hard

Is. 43:2

 When you go through deep waters,
      I will be with you.
   When you go through rivers of difficulty,
      you will not drown.
   When you walk through the fire of oppression,
      you will not be burned up;
      the flames will not consume you.




We've all been in this place-the circumstances of life are overwhelming.  The water is over our head.  Life is hard and difficult; it's like walking through fire.

In this place I've found that God only opens the path right in front of us.  His light doesn't shine down the road, and He doesn't remove life's obstacles from our way before we reach them.  But, He always meets us at the edge of our need and sometimes, it's at the very last moment.

He asks that we trust Him. He wants us to want Him.  Otherwise, we won't need faith to take that next step.  And then, who is in control?

Today, may you willingly grasp His hand and take that next step.  He's there.

mom4



Robin

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Got Milk?

Gardening season is right around the corner, and I'm going to try to post gardening tips each Friday for a while.



This week I want to show you how I start a lot of my plants.  It's an easy process and I've grown many nice plants from seed...even hostas!  At the price of plants from the nursery, this is a real money saver.
Save your milk cartons.  Using a heavy-duty pair of scissors, make a cut about 4 inches from the bottom starting by the handle, and cutting horizontally around to the other side of the carton, leaving the handle as a "hinge".  Next, make 6 or so drainage cuts in the bottom (be careful and don't stab yourself!)  Label the bottom of your carton with a permanent marker naming the seed you plan to plant. blog-034blog-036






Fill the bottom of the carton with a good quality potting soil, almost to the top.  Now water it well, making sure all the soil is drenched.

Take your seed and sprinkle or place over the top of the soil.  Press tiny seeds into the surface of the damp soil, and cover larger seeds with a light covering of the soil.

Push the top down, putting the top into the bottom of the carton in order to keep the "lid" shut.  Leave the cap off the carton. You've just made a mini-greenhouse.
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Keep it outside in a sunny location, even in the extreme cold!  Check occasionally for watering, especially on warm winter days.  Keep soil moist.

Depending on the weather conditions, you can expect to see green sprouts as soon as a week and as long as several weeks.  As soon as you see sprouts, make sure you keep your baby plants watered.  A good way is with a spray bottle.  Don't allow your soil to dry out.  Keep the carton open to the sun during the day, closing it for night.

As soon as you see the first or second set of true leaves, you can transplant your baby plants to their new location in your garden, or you can wait until they're a little larger if the weather hasn't warmed quite enough.

Try growing tomatoes and peppers for vegetables, and try sweet William (dianthus), snapdragons, gaillardia or rudbeckia for flowers.

 Have you ever started your own plants from seed?  Have any other questions?

mom4





Robin

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

An Amazing Opportunity!

I am just so blown away by this amazing opportunity that I had to share it! I was just invited to dance in a professional Christian dance company! We'll get to do all kinds of dance/missions such as in Time's Square, Israel, and many other places around the world. What a great chance to use my talent to reach the homeless, lost, orphaned, hungry, etc! I mean, this is such a God thing right? It's only one day a week commitment for now, it's my passion and what I have trained for most of my life.


Well, guess what? This amazing opportunity that God has led other people to do, isn't a God thing for me right now, and I'm not going to do it, nor did I consider it very long. You see, God gave me a very clear calling, and no matter how great this opportunity seems, it doesn't fit under the purpose of my life right now.


One day a thought hit me like a brick in the head. You know when you're reading those verses like, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations." (Matthew 28:19) Well my "nations" at this time in my life are right under my own roof! Now anytime I read about the lost and hear pastors preaching about going out to the world I first think what that means in my own household, and most of the time I feel God urging me to keep doing my mission work right at home.


I do care deeply and am able to do some things that still fall under my purpose as far as giving and serving in my community, and the day will come when I can do even more and include my little guys in the process. I'm really thankful for those individuals and families that have the calling to go into the world, because the homeless, orphaned, and hungry people really do need great Christian people serving them.


For now though, I'm fully devoted to just being a wife and mom, and all those so called "amazing opportunities" can just keep passing me by. I've got amazing opportunities happening each day as I serve my husband and train my kids!


What "amazing opportunities" have you passed up to fulfill a seemingly lesser calling?

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Erin

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Attitudes: Exit the Comfort Zone

Last week, I asked a question about openness, which led to a second question:What are you going to do about being put here on this earth? If you agree with me about being open to learning righteousness then what will it take to accomplish what God wants of your life?  Openness is an attitude that we have to have every single day. I didn't say that you can't have your own opinions and beliefs but to think we have already learned everything leads us to an unhealthy comfort.

The next attitude we need to develop is removing ourselves from our comfort zone. "But it is so comfortable there", you say to yourself, "why would I want to do that?" It's the only way you will experience where you haven't gone before, and it will lead to personal growth. You know I'm right. This is not the first time you've heard this. Why is this so hard? It's because it is sooo uncomfortable!

Going against the natural state of things is hard. Just like learning to transform ourselves from the nature we are born with. For example, the thought of physical exercise is the biggest hurdle in accomplishing our goal of being fit. And once we actually begin, it feels good.  It takes us actually beginning to exercise to get us out of the comfort of sitting on the couch or lying in bed extra long in the morning.  But I say we have help. And that help comes from God and His Spirit. Believe me, you can't do it on your own.

What does this have to do with fathering or heritage? I contend that to answer the question at the top of this post we must overcome the fear and laziness that keeps us from fulfilling what we want for ourselves, our kids and our kid's families, and on and on. Fear keeps us from being open to new thoughts and taking risks-getting out of our comfort zone--one thing that just might help us put this puzzle of life together.

Do you see the value of getting out of your comfort zone? What are you doing to remove yourself from that zone? Share with us; what other attitudes can help us overcome the hard issues of life?

 dirk



Dirk

Monday, February 09, 2009

Happy Birthday Mom, Robin, Mimi!

[gallery columns="2"]

Wish her a happy birthday today!

Robin Meadows is special to so many people in so many ways. She is a wonderful wife, mother, mimi, friend, couselor and a devoted child of God. She is kind hearted but tells it like it is, she is spunky, silly and fun to be around, and she knows way more about this blogging thing than me! Her example of a christian woman overflows out of her heart and on to every person she comes in contact with. If you have met her, you know when I say that you do not come away untouched or unimpressed. She not only birthed 7 children--naturally, but she is mother to countless others in some capacity. She is one of the biggest tools God has used to make me the person I am today and I know all of my siblings would say the same.

Happy birthday Mom, Robin, Mimi! We're happy you were born ;)

How has Robin influenced your life?
Tell her happy birthday!

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Happy Birthday!

n1036961562_51238_5635

Her birthday is today.  25 years ago today, Ali Elizabeth was born in Oklahoma City.  Erin was six, Andrew was 3.  Ali was our first home birth.  And the very next day was MY birthday....what a present!  Really!! 

 

 ali_edited-1

Today, Ali is a wife to a lucky Brad Ruhman, a mom of two beautiful daughters, Lily and Sadie, a wonderful hairdresser (for real!), a fabulous cook!   She is a loving, loyal friend and daughter.  She has the cutest giggle you'll ever hear, and still delights us just like she did that morning she was born, February 9, 1984. 

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Happy Birthday, Ali...All us ManyMeadows'  love you!

 

Do you have birthdays close together in your family?  How about February birthdays?

Thursday, February 05, 2009

The Code of Conduct

Have you ever held a door open for a stranger in a public place who has said, "Chivalry is not dead!"  Or have you ever read about the chivalrous knights of the Middle Ages?  Have you ever wondered what makes a knight chivalrous, or what exactly the word even means?



Chivalry is derived from the French word cheval.  In the Middle Ages, chivalry was "the code of conduct for the nobility and the knights."  This code stresses the good qualities of a person:  strength, courage, loyalty, courtesy, spirited bold or a well-mannered person.



Not long ago chivalry was a concept largely ignored.  Men thought that a quality like courtesy simply wasn't "manly" enough.  Though, in the 21st century, some people have realized that the world needs a code of conduct.  And people are realizing that anyone-men and women, teachers and coaches, students and soldiers, doctors and athletes-any one of us can be a knight in shining armor.  And every one of us should be.



So in today's world, you can see that chivalry is, in fact, not dead.  Some people are still courteous, spirited and bold.  Many people are still very well mannered.  So next time you're in public, hold a door open for someone, use the words please and thank you.  And more than that, help bring chivalry back into our modern, everyday life.



Do you think chivalry is dead?

hou-006



Jacob

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Sow Your Oats





Do you eat breakfast?  Shame on you if you don’t!  Don’t get me started on the benefits of starting your day off right!  If there were a pill that was super cheap, fought cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and cholesterol you’d probably jump right on it right?  Well, you don’t have to take a pill, you just have to eat oatmeal - and you could do this everyday for months and not even have to eat the same flavor!



Dad and Mom Meadows eat oatmeal E-V-E-R-Y-D-A-Y!  I love to give them a hard time about it (especially because they only eat it two different ways) but I’ve seen the benefits in their health when they started this daily regime.  Plus, I can’t say anything because I eat oatmeal for breakfast at least half the time.  Oatmeal can be pretty bland though and I get really bored if I don’t mix up the flavors.  Well, over the years I have tried many different ways to make this yummy-health-in-a-bowl and I thought I would share some of the ideas.



For your base, mix:

 ½ cup dried old-fashioned oats (not instant - not as healthy!  And no packaged pre-mixed oatmeal!)

1-cup milk (variations: soy milk, chocolate soy milk, water + 1/3 c. dry milk)



Flavor Variations:

Fruit

mix ½ cup fruit of choice (frozen or fresh chopped apples, peaches, pears, bananas, pineapple, mango, applesauce, berries, canned pumpkin, whatever sounds good!)



Spices

1 t. appropriate spice (cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, ginger, all spice, almond or vanilla extract)



Sweetener

1 teaspoon,  more or less of Splenda or favorite sweetener (sometimes the fruit is sweet enough!)



Other Variations:

Add 1 T. peanut butter, small handful of favorite nuts; use sugar-free maple syrup or sugar-free coffee syrup in place of both seasoning and sweetener (the variations here are countless!)  For super healthy additions add 1 T. ground flax seed (like Dad and Mom) or 2 T. wheat germ.



Microwave for 5 minutes on half power (stirring once or twice to keep from spilling over).



You can even make baked oatmeal

Try any type of fruit in place of the pineapple



And if you love those easy packets (that are filled with tons of chemicals) you can make your own here



So make sure and get you some power food and start your day off right!







Do you eat breakfast?   What do you have?






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Erin

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Attitudes: Openness

Being a good father takes change like it does to become a Christ-follower. We are born without righteousness and without what it takes to become a model to others. But through Christ we can be redeemed and set on a course to be one of His workmen. If you look at yourself in a mirror and ask, "What in the world am I doing here," what would you answer?



Surely you weren't put here just to indulge in the world's treasures. That's what an animal does. We have another dimension that can't be filled with "things." It has to be filled with a connection of purpose. I say connection because we are void without that connection to God our maker.



Have you ever known someone who lost connection with his or her father, mother or sibling? The hurt and pain inside of them not having that exchange of love and understanding is excruciating. This is how it is if we don't find or we reject that God is calling us. It's a void that we try to fill with all sorts of things. If and when we do hear God calling us we have to be open and accepting.



Openness is an attitude that we have to have to follow God and His calling. As a father (or a mother) I think openness is one of the hardest attitudes to have and keep but it is essential to having a healthy Godly life. We, as fathers  are models to others and a representation of God to our earthly kids. Openness helps us adapt to all the training in righteousness we need in order to be able to answer that next question, "what am I going to do about being here?"



Are you an open person...come on be honest....truly open to learning from different places and sources?  Are you still learning?



More to come on attitudes. Think about, "what you're going to do about being here."

dirk



Dirk

Monday, February 02, 2009

Feeling Like a Bad Mom

You know those days when everything you've worked so hard to teach your children just seems to fall apart?  All the things you've preached and lived and breathed into them.  And now it suddenly seems like they never heard a word you said.  Their choices or responses aren't matching up to the efforts you've poured into helping them understand.  The importance of things like responsibility, obedience, honor.



Well, it happened to me again recently.  And it didn't make me feel so happy.  In fact, I felt like a really bad mom....once again.



So, this time I took a moment to reflect on how I was going to handle it. I had to consciously choose to:



  • Recognize that my children's choices weren't necessarily against me personally. 

  • Try not to transfer my negative feelings onto everything else bothering me in my life and blow it out of proportion.

  • Recognize the lies of the enemy desiring to bring discord and destruction into my heart and mind.

  • Recognize that this is a time when I start comparing myself to others

  • Take all thoughts captive to the Truth



Realizing the truth and not believing the lies didn't change my heart immediately.  I still had feelings of being a failure.  But they were short-lived and I was able to quickly move on with my day, choosing instead to believe that progress can indeed come, even with my failings.



A different perspective gave birth to better thoughts, a better mind-set.



Do you struggle with thinking you're a failure?  Do you have trouble separating the lies from the Truth?

robin





Robin

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Continuing Heritage

As the soon-to-be newest member of the Many Meadows, I've been blessed to witness not only how heritage has affected the family thus far, but also how they continue to build it every day.

I see it in the way Robin and Dirk never say hello or goodbye with out a word of encouragement and Christ-centered love. I see it in the way Andrew makes his relationship with God a priority, gently teaches me to let things go, and calmly but firmly disciplines his girls. I see it in the way Erin uses real-life situations as teaching moments for her boys. I see it in the way Ali spends quality time with her daughters. I see it in the way Katie follows her husband's lead while still voicing her opinions. I see it in the way Anna breathes Christ-filled words of love and encouragement into all those she encounters. I see it in the way Kody and Jacob pursue their passions for music, all the while completing their daily schoolwork and helping Dirk with his business.

To me, heritage is a firm sense of "This is who we are and this is why." But like many other wonderful things, heritage is not something you build once and then forget about. It's a process, an ever-evolving state of being based on core values that never change.

The trick is that you have to be intentional about making sure your family's heritage is always growing. Recently, Dirk read Robert Kiyosaki's book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", and humbly admitted he still has room to learn. (After all, life is school, right?!) Rather than gathering all this financial knowledge for himself, he wants to teach us and learn with us so we can all build a better, brighter future for ourselves as well as generations of Meadows to come. Last Thursday was our first get-together to discuss aspects of the book, and although Dirk facilitated the discussion, there was never a sense of "I know all the answers, so your opinion doesn't matter." And THAT is true leadership: humility, a willingness to listen to others, respecting various ideas and so on.

In getting to know this amazing family better and better, I'm realizing it's never too late to start building a heritage. And if you have already started, it's wise to keep building on it!

Upon which core values are you building your heritage? What are some areas in which you could intentionally improve your heritage?

 cross

 

 Abbi