Gidget Goes Home » faith

This is what real community looks like…

gidget — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:21:39 +0000

I’m working my way through a shoulder injury. It’s really hard to “rest” a shoulder when you have a nursing 10-month old and a beefy 2-year old.

That little injury has done some good though. It has enabled me to receive some amazing little (and not-so-little) gifts and glimpses of what real community looks like. (Then again, some of these gifts have nothing to do with my shoulder and everything to do with God knitting together His believers into a loving, fellowship of DO-ers of the Word.)

Gifts like a community group potluck that refreshes the tummy and the soul.

Gifts like friends who come over and pull weeds and mulch and build garden fences… when they could be working in their own yard.

Gifts like a sweet friend and neighbor who takes my kids for the afternoon and evening so I can enjoy Opening Day with my hubby (for the first time ever!).

Gifts like a friendly guy wrangling my 2-year old for me from escaping the lunch area at our community meal when I couldn’t pick him up.

Gifts like a soul sister friend vacuuming my house… while holding my baby for me. And loading my kids into car seats for me. And lifting my stroller in and out of my car for me whenever she’s around.

Gifts like my dad stopping by on a tough day just to help entertain my kids for a bit and break up a day at home for us. And picking up my CSA box for me. And bringing me yummy chips.

Gifts like my husband taking a day off in the midst of a busy week to bear a bit of the physical burden that is parenting these little ones all day. And taking the 2-year old to his yearly well visit. And grocery shopping for me. And bringing me a green tea freddo and a Peet’s gift card. (Not all on the same day, but pleasantly spaced out over the last couple of weeks).

So I’m just really grateful, and humbled. Focusing on that today (and not on the eggs I cracked on the floor and the three-hour deep cleaning visit that I had to schedule with the dentist after my cleaning this morning).

God is good.

And look, I blogged! So that’s something.

This is what real community looks like… is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

just thinking of a friend

gidget — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:56:53 +0000

I have this friend. She lives a half a country away now, although she used to be just a few minutes away.

And we were never that close when she lived here, although I’ve always admired her as a mama and been encouraged by her faith. She is the type of person that you can’t talk to without being encouraged to go deeper with the Lord.

She’s someone I think I would have grown even closer to if she had stayed here, but alas, she moved away… and now we stay in touch by reading each other’s blogs. I might even say I feel closer to her now, as she has poured out her own heart and struggles on her blog, and as I’ve gleaned from her ways in parenting, teaching, having courage and finding contentment.

Funny thing is, as she as grown as a writer and in her walk with the Lord, I find myself leaving her posts unread when I open up my Google Reader. It’s like, deep down, I know that her words will speak to me with the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

And sometimes it’s easier to sort through the reader for the eye candy and the fun and the creativity and the yumminess, and to skip the deep (which also often includes bits of all that other good stuff).

So they sit there and pile up, and then finally on a day when I feel a bit bored by everything else I’m reading online during the kids’ quiet time, I open up the folder of her blog’s posts and I take a deep breath, and I ingest them.

Slowly, carefully, with a smile on my face, I enjoy them. I miss my friend. I see her precious treasures’ smiling faces. I’m encouraged by the way she speaks truth into her kids’ lives. The way she lives out the gospel with her family.

I have other real-life friends that make me feel like this. A handful of them that I hold dearly and feel refreshed after I spend time with them.

But this one friend… she’s got this heart-laid-bare blog. And sometimes I need to see the words in front of me because I’m such a visual learner.

Reading her blog makes me want to be a better gospeler to my children. She spurs me on like friends should. I feel inspired to dig deep and focus on what matters most in our home.

And to make my blog even meaningful. The blogosphere, such a wonderful “place” in many ways, can be so distracting. I think it’s time for me to rethink things a bit around here.

just thinking of a friend is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Can I Get an Amen?

gidget — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:07:19 +0000

A friend posted this quote on Facebook that she found in her BSF Bible study on Acts. Boy did I need to read it.

“Let us not pray for easier lives but for greater power to bring blessing out of every pressure and trial.”

Add to that this verse in Isaiah (40:11)….

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;

he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom,

and gently lead those that are with young.

And I feel suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude that I have the Lord with me every step of the way as I journey through motherhood.

Lord, thank you for showing me that so much of overcoming my daily struggles comes down to leaning on You and trusting You to provide the strength I need. Lord, gently lead me as I raise my little ones, and please give me more and more power to see your blessings in the trials, little or big as they may be.

Can I Get an Amen? is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Prayer for Simon

gidget — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:04:12 +0000

UPDATED 1/2/12: Visit his new Facebook page to leave messages for the family!

Here is the latest update on Simon from Rena:

Simon rested well through the night with stable stats. They might give him an MRI today to give them a better idea of where damage might be. Our neurosurgeon read his latest ct scan and it looks like there might be damage on the left side of his brain possibly caused by a stroke. He isn’t moving his right side nearly as much or as strongly as his left. Also some tests came back showing he has some sort of bacterial infection, which he could have had before the hospital since we’ve been fighting colds. They put him on antibiotics and he has been coughing a lot of gunk up, which is good and shows that it is loosening. Pray that they can move towards the extubation today and waking him up and that he is able to fully recover, especially on his right side. Also pray for clear, positive results from the MRI and wisdom for the doctors & nurses as they proceed and continue to make decisions for Simon’s healing.

And from Jesse, Simon’s dad, here is more of an explanation of what happened over the last 5 days:

I got home today and was able to use my FB. I greatly amazed at the sheer volume of prayer being lifted up for Simon. I thank GOD so much for all of you. I praise him for protecting Simon through a VERY critical injury.

On Thursday night as we were getting the boys ready for bed. Rena’s sister was taking Simon out of the bath. She stood him up on on the bathroom floor to wrap the towel down around him and he ran for the door. He slipped as he turned down the hall and fell directly onto his head. He never lost consciousness but showed symptoms of a concussion so Rena brought him to urgent care. While there he threw up so the doctor was concerned that the was an increasing pressure in his head so she sent them to the Hospital for a CT scan. The CT scan showed massive bleeding and later the Neurosurgeon said he had almost died while the ER team were stabilizing him. He was transported to Rady Children’s Hospital where he had surgery to stop the bleeding. The fall had apparently cracked on of the cranial bones and it had cut an artery that ran beneath it. The surgeon was incredibly skill and the surgery had a miraculous outcome. The following day they followed up with a second CT scan to determine if there was additional bleeding and to look for damaged brain tissue. There was no additional bleeding but as he has been waking up there was evidence that there was possibly stroke damage. He showed signs of weakness in his right side and the Neurosurgeon restudied the CT scan and identified a small portion of the brain that was damaged that particularly controls movement. That is where we stand.

Pray for Simon as the ICU team work to remove the ventilator. Pray for growing strength as he wakes up. Pray that he stays free from infection. Pray that he is responsive to physical therapy as we reach that stage in his recovery. Pray for patience for Rena and I. Pray for Rena’s family as they take care of Liam (Simon’s big brother). Pray for Liam that he is patient and understands what happened to Simon. Thank you for lifting us up to GOD.

Thank you God for holding us in your hands and for your spirit of strength in our hearts. Thank you God for your Spirit of healing in Simon. AMEN.

Keep on praying, friends and I will update this page when we have a place setup where you can donate towards the Frey family’s expenses with all of this. For now, you can visit this page to message the family.

I also wanted to post this prayer that Rena’s cousin posted on her FB page, so you can join us in praying it for them.

***LORD, may you refresh and surprise Rena and Jesse with joys today. May Simon’s brain and body be completely healed from trauma. Lord, we pray that you continue to perform miracles with his little life, and that there would be NO stroke or brain damage. We know you can do this, LORD! Nothing is too great or small for you. May Rena and Jesse rest in your capable and mighty arms, knowing that you supply for their every need. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.***

PRAISE from last night (1/1/12)!

Rena posted this message late last night:

He just opened one eye really quickly! But he’s still going to be asleep and rest for the night to let his lungs heal. Pray that his lungs clear up and that they are able to hear a “leak” which means that his vocal area has decreased in swelling. Also pray that both Jesse and I will get super sufficient and restful sleep tonight.

and then shortly after, this:

Just fifteen minutes after I had posted about Simon’s lungs, the nurse came in and heard a “leak” and another nurse just told me that his lungs while breathing (listening through a stethoscope) sound “really good”. God is so powerful! And we continue to pray that we can be a light and a witness to those here at the hospital! I am blown away by God’s mercy and grace!

Thank you Lord, for being at work in this situation, as literally thousands of believers lift up Simon and the Frey family!

You just never expect things like this to happen.

A freak thing can turn serious so fast.

One of my best friends Rena’s youngest son Simon is fighting for his little life right now at Children’s Hospital.

Would you lift him and his family up in prayer with me?

Here’s what happened in his mom’s own words. It all started Thursday evening, December 29th.

He slipped while getting out of the bath and smacked his head on the tile. We went to urgent care where he threw up and now they are sending us to the hospital in an ambulance for a ct scan. Please pray for quickness and clarity of results and peace of mind.

He has an epidural hematoma on the surface and is being life-flighted to children’s for immediate surgery. Please keep praying. I’m in shock right now.

The doctor said Simon’s surgery went as well as expected, but he is in really bad shape. The next 24 hours are crucial with the possibility of a stroke. Please keep praying for his brain to heal with full recovery.

Simon is stable and was moving/twitching by himself which is a good sign. He should be getting a CT Scan soon to show us how the damage is. Now we just wait and see. Thank you so much for the extent of prayers and encouragement. It is greatly appreciated. God is good & in control and Simon is in His hands.

The official ct scan results are not in yet, but the neurosurgeon looked at them and said he was very happy with the results. He said, “Simon isn’t out of the woods yet, but I am cautiously optimistic.” They could differentiate the white and gray matter which is very good and Simon’s brain has gone back to where it is supposed to be and he didn’t see signs of a possibility of a stroke. Just waiting now for healing.

We just got back from lunch and Simon’s blood pressure is elevating, has a fever and his heart rate is very high. Please keep praying!!!!!! They are concerned about this sudden change.

Simon’s stats are stable and the nurses are encouraged because he is moving slightly when they mess with his intubation. He is still heavily medicated and they are trying to slowly wean him back to consciousness. We were able to go to the Ronald MacDonald house for dinner and showers. Back in Simon’s room hoping to get some sleep. Please pray for his stats to remain stable through the night.

Jesse and I were able to rest a bit. Simon’s stats remained stable through the night, but he’s starting to move and wake up and struggle against the intubation, so they are medicating him more. This is a good sign because it shows brain function. Also, he’s moving his left side a little, which makes us happy since the damage was on the right side of his brain. Please pray that his temp stays low (it was starting to rise a little bit), so his metabolism can move slowly giving his brain a chance to rest.

Also, we are overwhelmed by the amazing amount of people praying for us and feel so encouraged. We serve a powerful, faithful God and we are leaning and trusting in His plan for our son. Thank you so much to everyone for spreading the word of Simon and for caring so much!

Rena and Jesse love the Lord and I know that He is going to use this trial in a mighty way in their hearts, no matter what the outcome. He is good and faithful and loving, and I’ve been thanking Him that He loves little Simon more than anyone on earth.

Social media is funny. I feel like we constantly hear complaints of how it’s become so all-encompassing in our modern lives. But the thing is, it can be an amazing tool as well. I’ve been overwhelmed at the sight of hundreds of prayer warriors rallying around my dear friend and her family.

So I just wanted to ask a few more people to pray for Simon’s recovery. May the Lord save Him so that this little guy might grow up to do great things for the Lord.

Rena & Jesse, be strong, and let your hearts take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! {Psalm 31:24}

Prayer for Simon is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Taking a Breath Before Christmas

gidget — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:26:51 +0000

Just wanted to share one of my current favorite passages.

On the rare morning, like this one, where after a rough night with little sleep, the babies are sleeping in {thank you, Lord}. I open my Bible and I consider reading ahead in John, the book I’m studying in CBS and at church… but then, like a magnet, I feel pulled back to this Psalm.

I hope it encourages you today.

***

Psalm 16

You Will Not Abandon My Soul

A Miktam of David.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Taking a Breath Before Christmas is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Thankful

gidget — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:37:11 +0000

Gigi in 2007

***

Brody in 2010

***

Hallee in 2011

***

I wrote about something else I’m thankful for this year over at my friend Jenn’s blog, Ruffled Sunshine.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Thankful is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

On Not Meeting Needs…

gidget — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:22:19 +0000

It feels good to do a little writing… even if it’s not really here on this blog. This past weekend we went camping up in the local mountains and I left my laptop at home (gasp!) and broke out the journal and pen to write a blog post for my new bloggy friend Beth at Red and Honey, and her series called 31 Days of Real Housewife Confessions.

Even just writing this out was an encouragement to me in my own mothering journey and I hope it encourages you where you are too.

“It’s almost like… anything worth doing in this life is almost impossible to do.” ~Jon Foreman, of Switchfood

I’ve been a wife for eight and a half years now, and mom for four. And yet, just only recently, after becoming a mom of three just over four months ago, did I come to this revelatory conclusion:

As much as I would like to, I can’t meet all the needs of everyone in my family.

Meet me over at Red and Honey to read the rest and leave a comment…

On Not Meeting Needs… is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

The years are short, but the days are indeed long.

gidget — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:18:17 +0000

Sometimes I find myself reading frantically simply because I want to finish a book.

I have a tendency to read several books at once and there are so many more books I want to read that I seem to be just trying to get through.

That’s how life feels right now, too. I’ve got so many needs to fill (including but definitely not limited to my own) and so much I’m looking forward to in the future (not changing diapers?)– that I’m often living just to get through.

Survival mode. That’s where I’m finding myself these days.

I know it’s just a phase. But I’m longing, I’m trying, to soak in the days instead of counting down the minutes until everyone’s needs are met and the day is done.

Sometimes all I want to do is snuggle my little baby before she starts crawling away (time is flying by), but wait! I can’t because the Four Year Old just tried to “help” the One Year Old do something and instead he smacked his head on the floor and now is wailing. {sigh}

We constantly muse about (in retrospect) how easy one baby was…. but quite frankly it was also, in a sense, boring compared to this crazy, full life we have now. So we quickly utter words of gratitude in those moments, for where we are in this journey of family and life, right now.

Praise the Lord for our mostly quiet afternoons around here. The days when I get to take a breather and have a few minutes of rest are indeed blessed. If we’re home, as we are most days in the afternoon, I’m usually able to get both babies napping and Gigi occupied in her room for Quiet Play Time for at least an hour.

I’m thankful to have a moment when I can stop and reflect on the day, recover from the craziness of the morning and gear up for the late afternoon (and the potential likely 5 o’clock meltdown).

And when I need to eat my feelings, these sure help.

The years are short, but the days are indeed long. is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

8 Years

gidget — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:26:22 +0000

2 lovebirds

+8 years + 2 states + 7 homes

+ 3 kiddos

= a whole lot of blessings

Happy 8th Anniversary to the one I love!

{counting the gifts, #82-102}

8 Years is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Counting Down the Days…

gidget — Mon, 30 May 2011 19:47:24 +0000

I can hardly believe that we will be a family of five sometime in the next few weeks (!!). I’ve finally started doing some nesting… it’s amazing how the daily wrangling of a 1-year old and a 4-year old has made my nesting instinct sit on the back burner with this pregnancy.

I just wanted to pop in here to share a few random little things and then to say that I’ll be taking a bit of a break here to finish tying up some loose ends, mainly trying to get a load of fabulous guest posts lined up and scheduled for Simple Organic, starting a few new Surf Mamas groups, catching up on family photos & blogging {before we are inundated with sweet newborn pics}, and finishing some projects around the house.

Last week we went blueberry picking, which was great fun, and I wrote about here {along with republishing my blueberry-honey ice cream recipe- YUM}.

Then, last weekend we went to a fun picnic with our adoption agency and spent some nice time with Brody’s birthfamily. We even got to meet his adorable biological cousin.

This weekend we’ve been productive yet have relaxed, which is the perfect weekend combo.

We worked in our front yard and will hopefully have a little patch of grass in next weekend, we enjoyed a lovely neighborhood potluck and today we had donuts by the beach and are planning to do some BBQ-ing tonight. We also had some adorable 4-year photos taken of Gigi by one of my oldest, dearest friends, which you can see here.

Recently, I joined Pinterest and am in love. If you haven’t yet and you’d like an invite, let me know. May I also recommend my friend Megan’s fabulous tutorial on how exactly to use the site.

Oh, and I made these yesterday: self-frosting nutella cupcakes. Hm, might need to go snag one right now actually.

*****

And now, here’s a little trip down Instagram lane as I share a few things I’m counting as little gifts I’m so thankful for… #72-81.

#72 :: homemade bread.

#73 :: this guy’s smile.

#75 :: new babies due to be born around the same time as our Hallee {this is a baby shower gift I made for a friend due around the 4th of July}.

#76 :: loads of organic strawberries ready to be made into jam today.

#77 :: family nights by the fire pit {hopefully many more of these to come this summer}.

#78 :: Saturdays at home.

#79 :: a little mama-pampering.

#80 :: these two cuties.

#81 :: my neighborhood– so blessed to live here.

Counting Down the Days… is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!