Learning to Fly by Roxanne Henke

Where did the time go?

Laugh and cry as you remember and anticipate every stage of motherhood, from newborn nights, toddler tales and first days of school to driver’s licenses, curfews, the dating game and the sudden shock of graduation.

Two friends, Susan and JoJo, observe, struggle and attempt to document every stage of their daughters’ lives.  Like most of us, they second guess themselves and how they’re doing as parents, as wives, as friends and with what their new identities should be. 

It always ends up being about wings and roots, doesn’t it?  When do you ground them and when do you let go to watch them soar, cheering them on?  Read this poignant and realistic celebration.

Scripture of the Month:  “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere…for in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay.’” Hebrews 10:35-37

Quote of the Month Seen on a Church Sign:

“Life stinks.  We have a pew for you.”

 Notes from Home

Did you read the scripture for this month?  Really read it?  I’ll wait right here while you go back up there and read it.  “For in just a very little while.”  I love that phrase.  Love it.

It smacks of anticipation.  Brightly wrapped birthday presents with exquisite paper and a big bow.  A surprise that so fills you with joy, you’re about to burst with the secret.  A dream vacation, celebration, birth, wedding or reunion that is just around the corner. 

How I want to be able to sit across from the table from you and listen as you share what you thought of!

Because I’m very sure that just now some of you are reading this and are about to burst with anticipation.  However, some of you are just about to burst, period.  You’re looking for a reason to hang on.  I wish I could hug you.

And that’s why, though I had read this portion of scripture countless times before, this past week that phrase jumped up from Hebrews and curled itself like a blessing around my heart:  “for in just a very little while.”  God has not forgotten you and he sees what’s going on.  Just as the people of Israel longed for a Messiah that seemed forever away, all creation groans today with the weight of longing.  Earthquakes in Haiti and Chile; babies thrown away in one manner or another; riots and terrorism; shifting weather and even shiftier morals.  Mercy!

If that’s you this week, then I beg you to remember and to encourage me too—He IS coming again!  He who is coming WILL come.  He will NOT delay.

Hear the whisper of hope echo in your heart.  Soon.  Soon.  Soon.

In the Dagnan household, the rest of us had the privilege of meeting Greg’s kidney donor.  She took our oldest daughter to dinner and went shopping for, of all things, destructed denim jeans.  Apparently that’s the fashion item on sale at my daughter’s place of employment.

I straightened the house and baked homemade cinnamon rolls, the one item I can be fairly certain not to mess up.

The three youngest girls cleaned their rooms and dressed up.  Little Elexa stole all our hearts when after bath, she announced, “Mommy, I know it’s a little too soon for my new spring dress, but since Trish is coming, it’s a special occasion.”  Yep, she wore the dress.

And when this incredible young woman stepped in our door, I embraced her and I cried.  She and Eden exclaimed, “Ohhhhhh!” at the same moment.  I hadn’t known what to expect, but I was flooded with the enormity of her gift to our family.  What an evening of grace.

Thank you for your prayers; I know that for that, and so many things, it won’t be long.  I treasure you.

Hugs from our house to yours,

Cindy

 SPRING CONTEST

Join me and meet this month’s guest author, Karen Ehman, busy mother and P-31 Woman speaker for your chance to win a copy of one of these three titles:

A Life That Says Welcome

The Complete Guide to Getting & Staying Organized

Homespun Memories

Simply e-mail me or post a comment sharing your BEST hospitality or organizational tip to www.cindydagnan.com

Be sure to read the short interview with Karen on the website too.

 SPRING FORWARD 

 March 14 you need to set your clocks AHEAD one hour.  Start sleeping extra this week in case you need the reserves! LOL

Fast Facts According to the Numbers:

Three sticks of sugar-free gum chewed throughout an afternoon help reduce both hunger and cravings, allowing snackers to eat fewer calories.  Stash a pack!

-Pennington Biomedical Research Center/Louisiana State University

You use SIX times more water hand-washing dishes than you do running a full dishwasher.  Whew – load up guilt free!

FOUR out of five conversations we have are about someone who isn’t present. [Nicholas Emler, professor, University of Surrey] Make sure your words are sweet enough to eat.

What’s on our Table?

Let one frozen loaf of bread dough thaw completely.  Pinch off 10 chunks.  Making a hollow in each piece, fill with 10-12 milk chocolate chips.  Pinch edges together and roll into a ball.  Let rise for 20-30 minutes.  Bake on non-stick sheet or baking stone for 10-15 minutes @ 350 degrees, until golden.  Dust with powdered sugar while warm and serve with tall glasses of chocolate milk for a decadent afterschool snack.

Coming Soon……[as in, by the end of the month]

At www.cindydagnan.com  The Wannabe Woman. Need to laugh?  Peek in on real life that’s a mess?  Get some encouragement?  Giggle with a girlfriend?  Be inspired by the occasional idea? See a new project, preview new writing, watch a cooking disaster in progress?  It will all be there.  Check it out and share it with your friends.

Cindy will be on 500 Radio Stations February 11th and 12th for Phil Waldrep Ministries.   Attached are the stations and times. 

 radio_-_station_list

Scripture: “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” Song of Songs 8:7

Song of the Month: “Words I Would Say” – Sidewalk Prophets

Quote of the Month: “Freshly popped popcorn, cookies from the oven, a fire in the fireplace, all say, ‘I’ve been expecting you.  I’m glad you’re home!’” – Jody Antrim

This Mom’s Life

Those of you out there who are recovering Type As, like I am, will notice that the newsletter this month is reaching you three days late.  Life happened.

And so did death.  My husband spent the weekend with many of his officers and those from other agencies who wanted to help, investigating, getting the bad guy and finally, finding the body of an 8-month-old baby boy, named Eddie.  His dad falsely reported the missing baby as though it were a kidnapping and 120 officers came out to help with the search which ended Saturday, when little Eddie was found in the Spring River.   A baby whose life ended too soon.

     My husband had to disappoint our two middle girls who had been scheduled to go away with him to a Christian Conference; the Police Captain missed out on his 10^th wedding anniversary.  We brought cinnamon rolls, lunches, deodorant, toothbrush, changes of clothes, and our love and prayers.  When my tired husband made it home after being up continuously for 48 hours, he thanked me for my work on the home front and apologized to all of us for missing out on so much.  I’m happy to report that the girls took their disappointments like troopers and that I told him, “No problem, Babe.  I’m just so sorry for you and all the guys who had to work such a sad case.”

     It gave me perspective.  No matter what happened, I said to myself, “I am not the mother of that precious baby boy.”  Compared to that loss, my life was gravy.

     And it reminded me of this month’s theme: love.  There are so many kinds, aren’t there?  Love for our spouse, for our children, and love for our great God.

     In February, we tend to focus all of our attention on romantic love.  Television airs gooey commercials and jewelry stores, chocolate stands and florist shops all call out to us.  It’s fairly hard to be immune to it; I’ve been cracking up my girlfriends by telling them I likely won’t be able to make this month’s accountability meeting as I’m certain Greg has a surprise trip to Paris in the works.

     In all seriousness, we can’t  forget to appreciate a man who puts gas in the car, cheerfully does what we need done [if we ask; alas, the mind-reading thing is still a no-go], who takes turns getting up with the baby or picking the kids up from school or single-handedly cleans up the mess from an exploded septic system. Yes, my husband actually did that.

     Instead of putting premium expectations for this ONE day, see the big picture.  Make plans you’d truly like and let him off the hook.  Or opt for something you’d enjoy doing together – lessons, a movie, an activity, a quiet evening at home.  Make a list of everything you appreciate about him and mail it to him, or just tell him about it over a favorite dinner.  If you’re looking for something more adventurous, consider a singing telegram delivered to his work, a wedding or courtship song.  I had the privilege of delivering one of those to a pharmacist in Indiana and he just loved it!  His customers enjoyed a treat and I heard lots of “when I was a young married man” stories by his precious elderly clientele. Of course you can’t go wrong with bedroom time in an absolutely darling nightie!

On the Homefront:

     Thanks to all of you for your prayers and following the word count during the crazy month of January.  I DID finish the novel and it will be “shopped around” in the coming months.

     Got to kick-off spring speaking season this morning with the great MOPS ladies in Carl Junction, Missouri.  Special thanks to Aimee Brumitt for inviting me!

     I pray that you fall in love with our Savior more deeply than ever this month, and that your family is wrapped in contentment.

*Women Who Received the Copies of Starting from Scratch when you’re Single Again, January’s Give-Away:  

  Holly Wampler

  Kim Jemison

  Recipient of the third copy wishes to remain anonymous

Fun Facts

Did you know that snuggling, hugging and kissing your spouse [yep, sex too] releases endorphins that boost your mood and also lowers cortisol, a prime stress hormone?  Pucker Up!

Four weeks of daily prayer increases your gratitude level, and those who are grateful blessing counters report greater happiness with their lives & relationships.  No surprise there! [Good Housekeeping, March, 2010, 45]

Great Dieting News: One study found that women who put their favorite snacks on the bad list actually ate 40 grams more of them that those who weren’t so strict!  So it’s okay to indulge occasionally and in moderation. Whew!

GREAT NEWS!!!

Cindy’s workshop, Hot Chocolate for Couples, will be aired on 500 Christian satellite radio stations this week: February 11^th & 12^th.  Please help get the word out.  For a listing of stations, check www.cindydagnan.com

Super Mom Fact:  During the 1950s, breakfast was still the most important meal of the day, but a week’s worth of eggs, toast, bacon and juice cost LESS than $3.00!

Swanson invented the forerunner of their famous TV dinners – the pot pie- in 1951.  Sales of this “fast food” came in at 400 million in 1958 alone. [Retro Housewife]

February Contest

Post a comment on www.cindydagnan.com with your funniest Valentine’s Day ever and receive a gift card to STARBUCKS!!! [2 winners]

This month’s scripture: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.” Psalm 111:10

“What are your top three priorities? Have you planned and allowed time for them today?”  -Becky Glenn

The above quote poses an interesting question, doesn’t it?  How long has it been since you’ve actively thought about your priorities, much less cleared your schedule with the intention of having at them?  That’s always a struggle for me, because I want to do everything!  You too?  And when you throw new hassles into your daily mix – whew!  Out the window go the priorities right on the tail of good intentions. For example, we got a new puppy for our girls for Christmas.  Trust me, a 5^th child would have been easier.  I feel leashed to that puppy.  When I am home, instead of having several hours of productive cleaning or writing time, I follow the puppy around making sure she isn’t destroying something, chewing something or doing outside business in the house.  In addition, I signed up for a commitment which is being sponsored by my Writing Group: to finish my current novel by the end of January.  Sigh.  I know this is just a season of over-commitment and it certainly isn’t something I normally practice.  Nevertheless, like many of you, I feel overwhelmed, under-resourced and below par.  So what do we do about that?  Well, in the next season [a new day, week, month], we streamline our priorities.  We cut back on our commitments.  No.  Seriously.  I can hear you snorting up a storm out there in cyberspace!  Do one less thing.  Drop one activity before we take on a new one.  Consider only taking on new tasks which lead you toward your goals or use your callings. Make God number one.  Read from His Word.  Soak up verses, carrying scripture cards with you, posting them on your mirrors and above your sinks.  Dialogue with Him in prayer throughout your day.  The Psalmist says, “In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” [Psalm 5:3] Ah, what hope there is while waiting in anticipation of what the Maker of the Stars has planned for us.  Then, we will appreciate what is, stop living life on hold and affirm our families and those dearest to us by lavishing them with time.  What better gift is there?  Something to think about, anyway.  God’s richest chocolate blessings on your home this 2010!

Fast Fact:

For the past 5 years, Max has been the #1 name for dogs.  In 2009 it was eclipsed by the name Bella, likely after a main character in the Twilight sagas.

Fast Fact:

The average teen sends & receives almost 100 messages every day.  That’s more than 6 times the amount sent in 2007!!  [Nielsen Company, in Good Housekeeping, 127, 12/09]  Yikes.  Set a good example for your kids.  Consider having them turn the phone into you from dinner and beyond.  Make sure that dinner time and family nights are text free and set a good example with your own cell phone habits.

To Resolve:

Get enough rest that I am productive & feel my best.

Read a new translation of the Bible [or at least the New Testament] through this year.

Live my priorities by setting measurable reachable goals.

Clear 5 things out of every room in the house.  Simple means less clutter to clean.

*Cindy’s workshop, Hot Chocolate for Couples will be featured on 500 Phil Waldrep Ministries Radio Stations on February 11^th and 12^th.