Teething Troubles and a Cold

Grandma and Grandpa Lehman stopped by recently and saw Ezra. We enjoyed visiting with them.

Ezra is experiencing his first bout with true sickness. He has a cold. Two nights ago, he was up several times during the night, crying. Yesterday and today his nose is running, eyes are watery, and he has diarrhea. No fun for the little guy. He slept well last night, so I think we are over the worst, thankfully.

I enjoyed the snow yesterday. I have all but given up on getting a huge snow storm this year. The weather is supposed to be bad on Friday, which means Delton probably will be home. That will be very nice!

I am reading a book my dad wrote called "You've been Tweaked". Very interesting. It is an allegory- fictional story- about the way our past experiences are used to determine our future success. It is available on amazon.com. I think you can read more about the book on amazon as well. A friend of the family drew illustrations for the book- the main character looks a lot like my dad!

I am going to get some work done now that Ezra is asleep and I have had a moment to catch my breath.

The Triumphs of Motherhood

The past two weeks have centered around Ezra. He has been teething sooo hard, and hasn't been sleeping much at all during the day. That takes its toll on him and me (and Delton). Just this week, it seems like we are moving out of the heavy teething- I actually have a moment to blog! I bought a book at Borders recently that has been such a blessing. It is called, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." Previously, I thought I either had to let Ezra cry it out, or be doomed to a life of out of control nap times- drawn out battles or no sleep at all. This book, while acknowledging that for some children, crying it out is the only thing that works, gives so much help in understanding sleep patterns, bedtime soothing, and other alternatives to crying it out. Usually, if Ezra was wide awake after I finished his morning feeding (even if he had been rubbing his eyes and yawning moments before) he wouldn't go to sleep- if was very frustrating. Today, he was wide awake, yet I knew he was tired. I used a little bit of what the book has been teaching me. I "soothed him to sleep" by walking him for a few minutes. We were in his room, which is calming to him, and I gently swayed him without talking. He relaxed- he didn't fall asleep or even lay his head on me, but he was relaxed. After a little bit of holding him, I laid him down in his crib. I knelt beside the crib and held his hand. He fussed quietly, and kept looking over to see if I was there. After a few minutes, he stopped looking at me and just fussed a little more- and then fell fast asleep. It couldn't have taken more than ten minutes.

Most of the time, Ezra falls asleep while nursing, or is quite drowsy, so he goes to sleep easily. This soothing method is so exciting to me, because it means that at times when I know he needs to sleep, but he doesn't, I don't have to simply lay him down and let him cry. I feel like I am doing what works for Ezra. I can't stop smiling. The small (yet huge) triumphs of motherhood!

Everything is going well in other areas of life. I got my hair cut to chin length. I don't know that I love the look on me, but that may also be because I haven't had a chance to do much with it yet. Bedhead and pajamas are not the best canvas for an amazing look! My allergies, which have plagued me for about 8 weeks now, are finally subsiding. I have my face back! I wonder if the cold weather hasn't helped destroy whatever was affecting me.

My sister in Prague is doing very well. The instructor told her that if the class was over this week, he would give her the certificate because she is doing so well. She still has 10 days left of the TESOL school, but she is encouraged to know that she is doing well.

We are looking for a high chair for Ezra- he destroys (!!) our table when we try to hold him at meals. It is time for him to have a high chair. Is anyone wanting to sell theirs, or does anyone have advice as to what types are best?

Update on the Lehmans

It is good to be blogging again! So much has happened in my little world! My sister left for Prague to attend a one month TESOL school, then spend a year teaching English overseas. I haven't seen her in several months, but I miss her more now that she is out of the country.

Ezra has had a hard last several days. Last night, we discovered the reason- a third tooth! He is sleeping right now, which is so good for him (and me!!). He has been going to bed at 8:30 p.m. rather than 10, so Delton and I have some time together before bed. The only downside of that is that Ezra is waking up at 5 a.m.!!! I really hope this doesn't continue!

I am going to go make some bread. I have enjoyed baking lately...we'll see how this turns out.

~Charity

We are back! I have had trouble getting into this site, but it appears the bugs have been worked out. I am going to go play with Ezra right now, but I will update soon!

Traditions

By Delton (pic from freefoto.com)- Tradition. When I hear that word I often think of the play Fiddler on the Roof. I don't remember the whole story, but as I recall it involved a father opposing his daughter's desire to marry a particular boy because it would go against their "tradition." Then he sang a song about it.

Around the holidays we hear alot about and many practice traditions - christmas trees, gift exchanges, family gatherings. These traditions bring a sense of warmth and stability to a high paced, fast changing world. At the same time, traditions can become a burden or stress if they lose meaning and drain finances or relationships. They can also keep us from something fresh and new if we are unwilling to look beyond.

My denominational heritage is Mennonite, but from my grandparents on down, we have been willing to embrace new ways of worship and new ways of functioning as the body of Christ. I have grown up in a church that has changed a lot, laying aside many traditions. I am very blessed both by my Mennonite heritage and my church.

It seems to me that humans require tradition. Some people require it more than others, but we all like the familiar. It is what identifies us with those around us - our families and ethnicity. Traditions act as markers to help us keep our bearings and to remind us of foundational truths and events - advent, lent, the fourth of july, memorial day. They all serve to remind us of the things we value.

So when should traditions be laid aside? Someone once said that before you tear down a fence, you should ask why it was put there. We have cast aside a lot of traditions in the church, trading them for the "new" and the "fresh". If a tradition in the church no longer serves a purpose then it must be laid aside, or we are simply practicing dead religion. God has not called us to a system, He has called us to Himself. At the same time, before we lay aside a tradition, we must ask, "Why was it put there?" If the tradition is put aside, it must be replaced with something to serve the purpose that the tradition was originally intended to serve.

At times we seem to throw the baby out with the bath water. In an effort to get rid of dead religion we get rid of traditions. Maybe the problem is not the traditions. The problem is us. We are sinful humans, prone to forget and rebel against God as much as the Isrealites. When we throw away a tradition we simply replace it with a new one, but have we changed?

Delton has a truck!

Delton bought the truck. It looks so nice! We are so blessed to have this vehicle. It is BIG!!!

A Truck and Teeth

Delton and his dad are at a car lot as I write this, looking at a truck. A red Chevy Silverado, extended cab, 4X4, tow package, '88, new tires, 2500... I have learned a lot about trucks through this search. I look forward to the phone call telling me whether or not Delton has a truck. I'll let you know!
Ezra is now teething. He has two teeth on the bottom, and just this afternoon I felt a third one pushing through up top. He is doing so good. We are using baby orajel, which is such a blessing. Our little guy is really growing up. He will be 4 months old on the 17th- and he is outgrowing his 6 month sleepers. Oh My!

Through God's Eyes

These thoughts have been chasing themselves through my mind for some time now. As I was reading a book today, the questions were again piqued and I had to try to wrestle with them.
I have dealt with- and still deal with- comparison. I judge myself to be better than some in certain areas and less than others in other ways. My skills are not flowery or obvious. I look at those with creative genius, whether from birth or through practice, with envy. I see how we are the product of our upbringing in many ways, that shapes who we are and what we feel we have to offer others.
In God's plan, however, I am beginning to see that he sees differently than I do. He creates us, and places us in a family. Some families nurture, some do not. Some emphasize creative gifts or academics, others do not. Some families pass on inheritances, leaving their children well-to-do, other families struggle day to day. The result of our upbringing molds us, but it does not effect who we are in the sight of God.
I can't lead a congregation in worship, but God is delighted in me. I can't sew, can't draw, can't sing, but I am perfect in my Father's eyes. God's measuring stick differs so greatly from mine. Who I am in this world is not dependent on the abilities I have or don't have. The worth of others is not measured by their abilities, net worth, or personal charisma. We are a people created for God, for His glory. As I move in freedom, content in who God made me, I am fulfilling my purpose. That is all He asks me to do- simply be who I was created to be!

Dichotomy

I am reading two books at the moment. They are at two different ends of the spectrum, and I am having a hard time reconciling their differences. The first book is one I first read years ago, Disappointment with God. The author, Philip Yancey, explores why so many Christians are disillusioned with Christianity and God. He attributes this disillusionment to expectations that are not met. We expect God to intervene on our behalf, based on sermons we've heard, books we've read, and scriptures we love to quote. Victorious scriptures. Messages of promise. But, so many of us live everday lives that are far from what we desire. Sometimes, our prayers go unanswered. Sometimes, those we pray for still die. The loneliness that grips our heart remains. Can God be trusted? Why doesn't He intervene more on our behalf? Why is He silent? These are the questions Philip Yancey discusses in his book.
The second book that I picked up yesterday at the church library is a compilation of "His Mysterious Ways" from Guidepost magazine. Each story relates an amazing intervention from God- hearing voices, seeing lights, near death experiences, and other obvious interventions from God.
As I realized how the topics of these books differ, I began thinking about who God is. I still haven't come to a conclusion. If God is silent in some areas, why does He act so amazingly in others? Why does He show Himself when we least expect it, but fail to answer our most heartfelt prayers? I have felt the silence of God in areas of my life. I have struggled with disappointment with God. Yet, I have also seen Him work in miraculous ways in my life.
Who is God? Can He be trusted to act when I need Him? Can I place all my trust in Him and be sure that He will come through? Times of silence leave me questioning. My church upbringing tells me "yes!", God can be trusted all the time. I know this. But when faced with experience, sometimes I struggle to discover truly who God is and to come to grips with how He acts, or fails to act.
Any thoughts?

Learning the Ropes!

Let's see if this posting will allow people to comment on it...still learning the ropes!

Christmas Tears

We got a Christmas tree yesterday. I cried when I saw it. It is a cute little potted tree, about two feet high. Almost a Charlie Brown- sort of tree. I am used to 6 foot Christmas trees. It wasn't unexpected- I knew Delton was going out and getting a tree of that sort. It was the reality of it that was hard to take. This house is not conducive to a large Christmas tree- there is really nowhere to put it. This tree was cheaper than a large tree, which is another reason it is sitting in our living room. Christmas is about more than Christmas trees, I know, but Christmas is full of memories and traditions. When those traditions change, and some of them must, it is hard! With this being Ezra's first Christmas, I wanted it to be special and memorable (for me, at least!). So, I cried when I saw the tree. I soon got over my tears , and enjoyed putting half a strand of lights on it and two delicate ornaments. Ezra likes to look at the lights, and Delton and I enjoy the reminder that Christmas is coming. 6 foot tree or not, it is going to be a great Christmas.