Saturday, March 5, 2016

Daily Life


I just happened to have the chance to walk through the Indianapolis Museum of Art's "Pop Up Orchid Shop" this week! It was so beautiful and I loved looking at all the different orchids. Andrew has been going to a Bible study over on that side of town and it occurred to me that I could spend my waiting time at the IMA cafe reading and drinking coffee! Perfect plan! And certainly a way to redeem the thought of having to go out in the evening.

One would think that life would be less physically challenging now that my kids are so much older. And yes, it certainly is in many senses. But, dealing with my own health issues seems to leave me in a constant battle to stay on my game and able to meet the needs of my family as best I can.

I've been in PT this past month and that has been helping me a lot. I have to stay constant with my exercises and one thing that is helping is listening to podcasts. I almost randomly stumbled across Read-Aloud Revival and connected with it so deeply that I've been listening to older episodes at every chance. I am definitely someone who loves to read and loves to read to my kids and these podcasts are filled with all kinds of discussions, guests, and book ideas. I think I've found more encouragement for my homeschooling in the few podcasts I've listened to this week on this feed than any other homeschooling input this past year. (While on the subject of Podcasts, my other favorite is "At Home With Sally" by Sally Clarkson, and since I love Gretchen Rubin's books I often listen to "Happier with Gretchen Rubin")



Hyacinth is my harbinger of spring. I try to buy them any time I see them reasonably priced. Their perfume is so heady and my brain is trained to think of hope, beauty, and light.

I really can't believe that spring is about here. We have at least eight days forecasted to be in the 60's here now. That will change our landscape for sure. Part of me wants to protest that we didn't have enough time to hibernate and rest and prepare for the busy seasons ahead. But I know there is no stopping the calendar and spring will be beautiful.

The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming by Sally and Sarah Clarkson is one of the books on my book table right now. I am really enjoying it and am sure that I will be highly, highly recommending this as soon as I finish it! It's one of those books that I try to read slowly but want to read fast but especially don't want to come to the end of!


Michael was away this weekend so the kids and I went to the annual THINK theology conference at my mom's church. It took the margin out of my week but it was worth it to do that this once.


Theology has always interested me and I have my parents first to thank for encouraging me in the study of it, not to mention many other friends and mentors over the years. Another friend from my church attended with me this weekend so I had someone to sit with (and mom came too!). The kids had their own kid theology program which was like a miniature Vacation Bible School! It was really "fun" to spend two days taking time to listen, think, and discuss with friends the topic of "Is the church still necessary?" (OF COURSE!!!!) Mark Dever was the guest speaker. Two days wasn't enough though so we are going to continue our discussions tomorrow over lunch after church when we can get Michael to help us sort through a few things.

And now it is time to close out the week and be ready for the Lord's Day tomorrow. There's a child in the bath and some meat that needs to jump in the crockpot. And then the week will be over!


Please note: this post contains affiliate links.



6 comments:

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Modern Mrs Darcy has a new podcast. At first I didn't think I'd be interested since I don't read a lot of newer books but I downloaded it out of curiosity. I love it! I think I've listened to all but one. Great chats about books.

Unknown said...

So, I heart these chatty posts! I thought of your blog tonight and I was like I need to go see what beauty Heather has up! I'm so sorry you are struggling with your health! :( I gobbled up a Life Giving Home SO fast it wasn't even funny. Now I'm going through it slowly with a few friends. :)

I will have to check out that podcast you you mentioned by the author! Haven't heard that one! :) I am LOVING the explosion of podcasts and just learned about something called periscope lately which is very fun too.

Bless you!

Jessica said...

Hi! Orchids are so insiring. If you want a podcast with a science theme I love radio lab. Ted talks can be interesting sometimes too. Spring is sooo close! We have teeny buds popping up outside then it drops to 20 degrees lol.

Anonymous said...

The orchids look beautiful; the perfume of hyacinths are a wonderful reminder of Christmas and my father.

I read in your blog that you subscribe to British Country Life. Are you able to access BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) on the internet? If so they have started a series on British Country Life which you might find interesting.

Gillian.

Anonymous said...

What a treat, a weekend to talk about theology! Which tells you what I like!! Lovely photos, and good to hear how you are doing. I'm glad you are getting some help from your exercises, and I wouldn't have thought about listening to a podcast at the same time. Take care!

elizabeth said...

I am on my big computer (instead of my daily used chromebook) and I don't know if that is the difference, or if you are using a different camera, but your flower pictures esp. were so VIVID and beautiful! I always love your pictures of course, but these were just stunning. I hear you loud and clear about having to manage energy levels for yourself, etc. Me too. I had a wonderful time with my niece this weekend but my husband and I know enough to know that we have to have a good rest after and stayed local instead of driving 1+hour 1 way to church. It's hard to know what is best sometimes health wise and I find that each person has to make their own journey with it. God bless you in yours.