Reflection

At MOPS this morning I was reminded that we are constantly on a journey where God is refining us and making us more like Himself. Throughout the past year of my life, I have felt as if this is a different type of refining...more of a "life role refinement" rather than a "situational refinement". I have struggled (but enjoyed) trying to "fit into" this mom role and determine what that means for ME. As I was finishing up Marissa's scrapbook/baby book for her first year I was adding verses that have been an encouragment. It was so great to look through all that I have learned spiritually and relfect on the truths God has taught our family. Here are just a few verses that have encouraged me and hope they help you through a "refinement" in your life.

"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift."Ephesians 4:7

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see deliverance the Lord will bring you today...The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still."Exodus 14:13-14

"Let no corupt word come out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary diefication, that it may impart grace to the hearers."Ephesians 4:29

"Let us come boldy to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."Hebrews 4:16

"...as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to the life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4-3

Birthday Happenings

Turning 28!

For Valentines Day, Dan got us Blazer's tickets for the day of my birthday (clever, huh). So Wednesday, Papa (Dan's dad) came over at 4:30pm to watch Marissa and Dan and I ventured out on a date for the first time literally since last July. As we were driving up to Portland I realized I forgot our camera. Dan didn't feel like we needed one, but I insisted on stopping at a Walgreens to at least get a disposable camera. Once that camera was out of it's packaging, my husband was posing and telling me "hey, hey take a picture of this, no, this will be a good picture". He is such a ham and we had fun with our "fake, digital camera". Since we got a later start that we wanted and I HAD to stop for a camera we went straight to the game instead of going out to dinner first. The game was fun (I really enjoy stuff like that) and we got to see almost half of the actual court over the heads of two tall people in front of us that insisted on rubbing their fingers through each others hair. We ended up switching halfway through the game, so we could see different views of the court for each half. After the game we went to Urban Fondue for some desert, although we ended up getting cheese fondue with fruit and mushrooms (not our initial idea of desert, but REALLY good). Dan took his posing to the next level...out of hand, and we had a great time just goofing around. By the end of the evening we were definitely feeling old and ready for bed. Papa did such a good job with Marissa, she was snuggled in and sleeping soundly when we got home.

*Pictures will come at a later date, due to the nature of the camera and the fact that we have to actually take them to a photo center to "develop" them instead of just downloading. :0)

Logan's Birthday Party

Logan Bennett's birthday is one day before mine and is always celebrated with an amazing themed party. On Saturday we were able to go to the Bennett family home (Ryan and Tara's) to celebrate. Marissa was able to play with the many other little ones there and Dan and I had a great time with all the adults. After the party we hung out for a while and had some pizza. We always enjoy the Bennett birthday parties and hanging out with some great people.

Marissa playing with a balloon at Logan's party. She smiles as soon as Jessica brings out the camera...just like her dad.

Just having a little snack.

Being a Mom

Ok, I am not normally the type to get emotional around anyone but close friends or family (unless it is something I am super passionate about...like teenage souls), but the Lord spoke to me tonight, so here it goes:

I am going to be honest here (that is one of Dan's least favorite sayings...he says "why don't you just be honest, why do you have to say your being honest"), being a mom hasn't been the easiest for me. My daughter just turned one and some of you might be thinking "wow, she's had a year to get accustomed to being a mom". Well this last year has been quite the adjustment in my life. I grew up LOVING kids of all ages. I was the one that said that all I wanted to be was a mother...nothing else. I married a man who couldn't wait to have children and more than anything wanted me to be able to stay home and raise them. Having Marissa was one of the greatest moments. I wouldn't say that things changed or that I expected it to be different. I feel like I have just been trying to find my place, find "stuff" to do, fill my time, find others that feel the same way, find encouragement or a deep friendship, find a place to serve, or find something that might confirm that this is what the Lord has called me to do. Tonight, as I couldn't get to sleep, I picked up a book (one my mom gave me that I just brushed off at first) and found this plea that helped me realize what it takes to be a mother and that I am not alone.

"Please, roll up your mothering sleeves and dive in. Give being a mom your heart, your all, your best, your time, your blood, sweat, and tears...and above all, your prayers! Learn all you can. Do all you can. Hang in there. Don't get discouraged. Don't even think about giving up. And pray always!

God has entrusted you with a new generation. And He's also given you all of the grace and strength and power and wisdom and love you will need for ever step and second along the way. Believe it and own it. Never forget--you are a mom after God's own heart. For this you were born." -Elizabeth George, A Mom After God's Own Heart

I read this and felt as if she knew that I can't do it and am confused. She knew that I desire to be the best at what God has called me to do but don't know how. She knew that sometimes I just want to focus my time and attention on other things to distract from the fact that I don't think I can be a good mom. She knew that all I need to do is pray...not just for me, but for my children. She knew that God made me for this moment and has given me what I need for it. Maybe you won't get the same thing out of these two paragraphs that I did, but I hope that they encourage you in some way where you are now, especially if you are a mom.

We've Been Busy

Over the course of the past two weeks the Schacher Family has been busy with cleaning (yes, Dan included), cooking (also, Dan is included), BSF, Bible Study, our last swimming lesson, hanging out with friends, spending quality time with family, going to a basketball game, getting pictures taken, celebrating Marissa's first birthday, getting back together with my senior girls, decorating for Marissa's birthday bash, and actually managed to squeeze in some nap time. I have been feeling much better (as you can tell from the list of events that have happened), but still "feel-it" by the end of the day. I am normally the one suggesting that it's bedtime, which is HIGHLY unusual, and has gotten some funny looks from Dan. I hope you enjoy the short snip-its of the last few weeks events.

BSF

Bible Study fellowship has been a wonderful way for me to dig deeper in to The Word and I enjoy getting away for a morning. The study this year has been on "the Exodus", now studying in Leviticus. I have been amazed at how relevant this section of the Old Testament is to us today. God's dealing with His leaders and His people is really convicting and also confirming as it applies to my life. I love how God has put Dan and I in a place of "preparation" for the next "ministry" He has for our lives. I have felt such confirmation through the book of Exodus that this is exactly where we are supposed to journey through at this time, preparing our hearts and minds for what comes next.

Bible Study

Every Tuesday night I look forward to getting together with 4 other Christian gals. I have been blessed by the conversations and challenges that have presented themselves through our time together as well as the "off the course" talking about children. The girls in the group have been so encouraging to me and have made me realize that God wants me to serve in capacities that might stretch me while in this time of "preparation". I have felt convicted through this study to start up my Senior girls night again, keep my eyes open for people that need a little bit of love and "service" (my husband is GREAT at this, picking up hitch hikers and recognizing needs all the time...me not so much), and become a better mother and wife. I look forward to what these girls have to teach me in the future.

Quality Time With Family

On Saturday Dan got up with Marissa while I was able to sleep in. He then suggested that Marissa and I follow him into Salem so we could wander around town while he took a company truck in to get some work done on it. Know here is a little background about me...I don't like "browsing" and I really don't like feeling as if "nothing got done during the day". My first inclination was to start making excuses as to why this wouldn't be a good thing for Marissa and that it wasn't something "fun and exciting", but then bit my tongue (BSF is teaching me not to complain so much) and said we would love to. We ended up having a great day together just "browsing".

Celebrating Marissa's Birthday

Since we were celebrating Marissa's birthday on Saturday, Dan and I had talked about keeping her actual birthday pretty simple. We went into Almquist Studio's to get her pictures taken for the kiddie contest and then kept the rest of the day routine. Well with Dan not much is routine. He began the day with 4 different gifts that he bought on his own: a tambourine, 3 books, a puppy, and an xylophone. Then in the evening I had some Senior girls over for dinner and America's Next Top Model. He came in and informed us that Marissa and him had planned out their evening together. They packed up her gear and headed to Chunky-E-Cheese for the remainder of the night. Marissa rode the rides, played some of the games, ate dinner, watched the kids play, and even got some tickets. She is so lucky to have a dad that desires to make her feel "special". Once she got home all the girls wanted to spend some time with her. She got to taste chocolate cake for the first time. I turned out to be a great day for Marissa's first birthday.

On our way to get pictures taken...gets to sit forward today...she loved it!

Unfortunately Dan forgot to take the camera to Chunk-E-Cheese, but this is how they came home...with balloons, Chunky, water bottles, cool hats, and cake!

Her first taste of chocolate cake. (Notice the shirt Dan put on Marissa...it says "My Dad Is The MAN".)

Digging into the chocolate cake on her birthday.

Marissa Turned ONE!

Birthday Bash

On Saturday we had a special birthday party for Marissa. My sister and I had a blast planning the party and couldn't wait to decorate and celebrate. We had planned activities for kids of all ages. There were blocks and beach balls for the little ones, sticker scenes and coloring paper for the preschool aged, sand art for the older kids, and a little game focused on Marissa for the adults. There was an amazing cake and a candy bar for desert, while we had tacos for lunch. I told Dan that this is what he gets when I don't have a classroom to let out all my creativity in...a crazy little party. I think everyone had a great time and we were able to catch up with a some friends in between all the party excitement. Marissa did the regular first birthday stuff, like opening presents, digging into cake, and enjoying her friends. We really appreciated all our friends and family that came to spend part of the afternoon with Marissa to celebrate her first year of life. What a fun time we had!!!!

One of the decorated tables. It was fun for Michelle and I to make these over the course of the past month.

All I told the cake lady was "I would like it brown with pink polka dots" and this is what she came up with for an unbeatable price. I was so amazed!

The "sweets" table. 8 jars of candy and an amazing cake.

Marissa loves her Grandma (most of the time choosing her over mom) and was happy to have her help open gifts.

Pretty excited to eat her birthday cake.

The "family" picture. I think Marissa is more interested with the cake.

Balloons and cake...too exciting.