Recovery

I had surgery last week to hopefully help with some of the pain that I have been experiencing for two years now. I am grateful for the help that many have given us. My family has been a great dependable help with our kids this past week. My sisters and parents have really stepped up to help. Our church has also been so good to us to provide meals and help with prayer and childcare when needed. A few days ago Lizzy and Ethan got really sick with the flu and were incapacitated for two days. It was tough for me to be up and working more with the kids than I expected, but we made it through with the strength of prayer and help of family and friends.

The best part of my surgery is that it was done partially through a tube/scope (laparascopy) which helps with the recovery time. It has been very painful though with the carbon dioxide still stuck in my abdominal cavity. The bubbles roll around whenever I move. The most painful is when they reach my shoulders and it hurts a lot. I tried to go for a walk outside last night, but by the time I came back from the short walk, I felt pretty badly in my shoulders. I am going to try to walk a little outside each day so that hopefully the air bubbles will go away eventually.

I have enjoyed all the reading time I have had since last week. I have read biographies and some theology. It has been very nourishing to my soul, and has given me a new perspective. Being in bed also gives lots of prayer time. I am praying so much for my family (husband and kids) right now. Recovery from surgery has its advantages.

A Prayer for Sanctification

Dear LORD,

You are the Most Holy God. We praise you this morning and look to You for everything. Lord, make us holy like You are holy. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may be full of the fruit and gifts of the Spirit for Your glory and for building up Your Bride.

We need help to be full of love for You. May we love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. May we love one another. We need help to be cheerful, Lord, when our flesh only feels grumpiness. We want to love You and treasure You more than anything else, so that we may walk in Your goodness and Your glory. With You is the fountain of life, and in Your light we see light. May Your light shine in our lives so that we may honor You and so that we may silence the critics. Thank you that we have the assurance of Your love. Thank you that we are redeemed by Jesus and His precious blood shed on the Cross for our sins. We are reconciled to God because of Jesus' blood that has made propitiation for our sins. We are approved by You, God, because of Jesus. Thank you. We love you. Sanctify us, Lord, for Your name's sake. Be glorified.

Amen.

Pumpkin Muffins

I made up this recipe a few years ago. Since I baked some today with the squash that we froze in October, I thought I would share it with you to enjoy:

Pumpkin Muffins

3 c. flour (or 2 c. flour plus 1 c. whole wheat flour)

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

3 eggs

1 3/4 or 2 c. sugar

2 c. cooked or canned pumpkin or squash

1 c. oil

1/2 - 1 c. raisins, optional

In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Spray a 12 muffin tin with no-stick spray or grease it by hand. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full with batter. Sprinkle tops with cinnamon sugar or plain sugar. Bake 375 degrees Fahrenheit 15-20 minutes or till golden brown.

copyright 2010 Elysia Larson

My baby is in a bed.

Time is going by too quickly. Amy is out of a crib! We found this toddler bed on craigslist, and picked it up today. I am having surgery Mar. 1 and will not be able to lift things for about a month, so I had to do something to help Amy get in and out of bed on her own. God provided this bed for only $35. So, here she is. Let the games begin!

This book, "The Discipline of Grace" by Jerry Bridges, has been an instrument to help change my life. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is Gospel-packed and is helping me to combat legalism.

--Elysia

Trip to the Cities

We had the privilege of seeing our dear friend, Tracy Groves, who is a missionary in Kyrgyzstan on furlough in the U.S. until February. We took a last minute trip down to Cottage Grove, MN where she is staying with her parents. We had a great time of fellowship and spent the night at Ethan's cousin Mary's house in Woodbury. Sunday morning we took advantage of the opportunity to visit a church in Bloomington that we had heard about. Sadly, Lizzy missed out on the trip because of a fever, but she had a fun time staying with Grandma and Grandpa Frank, so she was not disappointed.

Tracy took us to an indoor playground in Woodbury so that we could talk while the kids played.

I can't believe this playground is all in the public library in Woodbury! Great entertainment for the long Minnesota winters. It costs money to go, but it was definitely fun.

Not a Formula

If even our ability to believe in God is given to us by God, then how much of parenting can we perform on our own? We must proceed, then, on our knees first, beggars before the throne, if we are to parent well. -Leslie Leyland Fields in the Christianity Today article "The Myth of the Perfect Parent: Why the best parenting techniques don't produce Christian children."