A look inside: Looking Back

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Looking Back

Here is a picture of the house I grew up in,

in Bend.

Well, not exactly "grew up in". I lived there from birth to eleven years old. Even though we moved to Salem when I was fairly young, I have so many good memories from my time here. We didn't have a TV when I was a kid, so my two older brothers and I spent every spare minute running around outside, riding bikes, making forts, climbing trees, sleeping out on the back deck in the summer, skiing to the grocery store in the winter. I remember even jumping off the roof of our house into the snow. Just looking at this picture brings back so many memories. In fact, every time we drive through Bend, I am always flooded with memories....Good times!

My brother Jeremy on our back deck.

On Mother's Day weekend my two brothers stayed at our house. Nate flew in from Texas and Ben drove down from Seattle. On one of the nights, my adorable little brother Ben cooked an authentic organic, Seattle-hippy-style dinner for all of us. :) I was so impressed: Grilled eggplant with humus, spinach, red peppers, kalamata olives and feta cheese. And it was actually amazingly delicous! Both of my brothers are actually very talented musicians, and can sing VERY well. So the three of us competed against each other singing High School Musical songs on the Wii. Nate was undefeated, so Ben and I kept trying and trying to beat his high score, but no such luck. Although, I did take them both to school in Wii sports as we played into the "wii hours" of the morning. And I must let you know I'm the undisputed tennis champ! Olivia absolutely adores my brother Nate and followed him around everywhere he went.

Daniel and Sarah had their big Spring Piano Recital, and they both did so well. We kept our tradition, and had a big after-party at Konditorei, where the kids get to pick out the biggest, yummiest piece of cake they can find. It's a hoot with Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts & Uncles, because we all order a different kind of cake, and then sample each others...yummmm! I'm so glad I started this tradition. Pure genius, if I do say so myself.

On Mother's Day we all went to my mom's graduation ceremony at Willamette University. I'm so proud of my mom and her amazing accomplishment. She worked very hard for that degree!That's my adorable, little sister Abby on the left. And once again, we celebrated with more food!

It's been a busy, but good last two weeks. Looking back, I have so much to be thankful for.

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

9 comments:

Jen said...: I love that the first thing I do when I get to work is check my google reader...I love Lizzy G posts! Your blog always makes me smile and brightens my stressful days!

I am very inspired by your Mom, is this her bachelors or masters? I long for the day to be wearing that black robe myself...I'm glad to see I'm not the only one still pursue education after age 22. One day, one day...I'll have that Bachelors in Business and dreamingly I hope for my own MDIV...one day!

Happy day Liz! Colby has his spring violin concert tonight...I will try to update my blog soon too..we've been in crazy crazy mode around here.

Bless Ya! Jen Green; May 22, 2008 at 8:37 AM
Anonymous said...: What a great update!

Miss you my friend. I am so glad you were able to spend some good quality time with your brothers!

Hope to see you very soon!; May 22, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Michelle said...: Do you see those cute little "bunny ears" behind your brother in the first picture? Sweet. I love reading your posts. Very cool about your mom. I, too, am one of those who is fighting to finish my education at an 'inopportune' time in life. :) I think it means so much more.; May 22, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Lindsay said...: That's awesome you have such great relationships with your siblings and fond memories growing up together. That is my prayer for my kids as they grow. What a blessing!; May 23, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Anonymous said...: Really appreciated your Blog. Lost one of ourt three grown daughters last April to Lupus.; May 23, 2008 at 3:14 PM
LizzyG said...: Anonymous,

Thank you for your comment. I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. I know first hand the heart-breaking pain caused by the loss of a loved one. I feel it every day. Shortly after my brother died, I read the book "A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss", by Jerry Sitser. He lost his mother, wife and daugher in a tragic accident, and his book is simply amazing. My email address is jonluvsliz2@yahoo.com

Please drop me an email with your address (or any mailing address you feel comfortable giving me), and I will mail the book to you. It's well worth reading.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
~Psalm 34:18; May 23, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Rachel said...: You have been a busy girl! How fun to be able to spend so much time with your family.; May 23, 2008 at 5:36 PM
February Jill said...: What a great post Liz! Isn't it funny how we women grow up but somehow brothers never do?

Jill

P.S. I love Olivia's dress is your family picture!; May 23, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Christi said...: I moved to Salem at that age too!

I had to tell you that I just got my husband a Wii for his birthday...I'll be working on my tennis skills just in case I get to meet you someday and we partake in a little Wii competetion.

I love hearing about all the cool things you've had the chance to do with your family!; May 24, 2008 at 10:58 AM

Words to Remember

"Christ's followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had. Let them not promise themselves more honor or pleasure in the world than Christ had. Let each live a life of labor and self-denial as his Master, and make himself a servant of all; let him stoop, and let him toil, and do all the good he can, and then he will be a complete disciple."
~Matthew Henry,
English Pastor 1662-1714

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
~Martin Luther King

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
~Jim Elliot

"I am a missionary, heart and soul. God Himself had an only Son, and He was a missionary and a physician. A poor, poor imitation I am, or wish to be, but in this service I hope to live. In it I wish to die. I still prefer poverty and missions service to riches and ease. This is my choice."
~David Livingstone

"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others do the same. "
~C.S. Lewis

"I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. May I be happy and contented whether in the homeland or on the foreign field; whether married or alone, in happiness or sorrow, health or sickness, prosperity or adversity - I want Thy plan, O God, for my life."
~Oswald J. Smith

songs with meaning

If you hear one of these songs playing while visiting my blog, here is why it is so special to me:

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman: I would listen to this song as a young teenager and dream about finding a love like this song describes. Guess what? God gave more then I ever dreamed.

Any Song by Keith Green!!! I first heard Keith Green as a young child and knew all his songs by heart. As a teenager, I loved his music because he is so honest and authentic. I also read his autobiography when I was in my teens. He is one of my all-time heroes! I remember my friends laughing at me when they were in my car, wondering why I would be listening to songs from the 70's. Yes, the music is cheesy, but the lyrics are simply amazing!

How Could I Ask For More by Cindy Morgan: My senior year of high school I was on homecoming court with four other girls, who were all good friends of mine. We all picked this song to be played during our ceremony. I still love this song!

Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart: The song Jon and I danced to at our wedding. I smile every time I hear it.

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me: This song was played at Brian Ditchen's memorial service. Brian was Jon's cousin who he grew up with, and who I went to school with, and he was a dear friend. He passed away in March of 2004 in a tragic plane accident, he was only 28. It shook the core of our faith. The only comfort came from knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, who Brian lived his life for: Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated believer, and we can't wait to see him again. Every time we would hear this song, it touched us deeply, it still does. Heaven has become very real to us.

The Scientist by Coldplay: My younger brother, Ben, sang and played this song on the piano at my brother Jeremy's memorial service. Jeremy passed away suddenly in September of 2004, he was only 31. Once again our faith was shaken (see next song)....

Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day: Whenever I hear this song I am reminded of my brother Jeremy...."To everyone who's lost someone they loved, long before it was their time, you feel like the days you had were not enough, when you said goodbye....cry out to Jesus" I am reminded to turn to God in the midst of my pain and loss, and it's OK to go to Him with my questions

We Will Dance by Steven Curtis Chapman: My current love song. It so beautifully describes mine and Jon's relationship.

I'm Not Cool by Scott Krippane: This is Daniel's song.Not in a mean way. He absolutely loves this song and sings along with it every time. The funny thing is, it describes him perfectly.

She's a Dancer by Phil Keaggy: This is Sarah's song! It so sweetly reminds me of Sarah...."she's a dancer, she loves to dance, she's a singer, she loves to sing, she's a lady, walkin' round in mama's shoes, standin' tall in mama's shoes" Sarah has also been caught singing into the bathroom mirror. And when she was younger she put on many "dance performances" for us in our living room.

Olivia by Phil Keaggy: Obviously Olivia's song! I've sang this song to her since she was a tiny newborn. She knows the words and sings along now. Whenever I put this song on, she stops what she's doing and gets a big smile on her face, and says "my song!"

Beautiful by Bethany Dillon: OK I'm 32 now. And sometimes when I look in the mirror, the depression creeps in. I don't look like I did ten years ago, I don't see a beautiful young woman looking back at me. And that can get you down sometimes. This song reminds me that true beauty is who I am in God's eyes. I could be perfect in every way on the outside and yet not be beautiful in the eyes of God, and when it's all said and done, my life would have been lived only for myself. I want to be beautiful in God's eyes, I want Him to look inside my heart and smile, and most importantly, be pleased.

Who Am I?, The Voice of Truth, and Praise You In The Storm by Casting Crowns: All three of these songs are very special to Jon. These are three of his all-time favorites. These songs brought him close to God when he was going through a hard time in his life.

I Am by Nicole Nordeman: The first time I heard this song was at a Women of Faith conference. She played it live on the piano. It was so beautiful and moved me so deeply. God is truly my "I Am", He has been my one firm anchor through every season of my life.