Burlin's mom had surgery at Cleveland Clinic early Monday morning......of course, as timing would have it, it was on the heels of our whirlwind trip to Wisconsin! However, with Amber now home we had the leisure of leaving Sunday evening and enjoying a little "get away" of sorts! After checking into our hotel, we picked up a sub (subway is our new favorite place to eat) and enjoyed a picnic by Lake Erie! The sunset was beautiful! We walked the shoreline until darkness began to fall. We promised our younger children we would look for rocks, shells, wood, etc...priceless treasures in the eyes of a child!
Some beautiful pictures of Lake Erie:
Though I lived in Cleveland my last two years of high school, I haven't been there for several years. I was actually quite impressed with how nice downtown looked - of course, I realize I only saw a small portion of the city. I don't know that I have ever visited Cleveland Clinic before, but I was amazed at how big it is! There is even a food area with a regular hospital cafeteria plus several different restaurants to choose from - yes! they had a subway! :)
The Clinic also had some neat architecture:
This was metal letters joined together forming a man sitting with his legs bent up, and arms around the legs....sorry it was hard to capture on a picture!
This display - though again I really could not capture the image - each suspended row of metal letters are actually "sayings" - there is even a handout provided with a list of the sayings. The surgery went well. Though it was a long day of waiting, I was able to accomplish much! I worked on some blog posts, talked to my sister via live chat, and even read a book! Burlin also had a "reunion" with his brothers and sisters, as they all met in Cleveland in support of their mom. We took a few "walk-abouts" the hospital as well, and looked out over the city from the top floor viewing area.
Some random pictures of the family:
The view from the top of Cleveland Clinic:
Believe it or not I read an entire book: Raising Maidens of Virtue, by Stacy McDonald. I bought this book several years ago from Vision Forum, and may have even started it at some point, but I can now check this one off my list! I like books like this one that have "study questions" at the end of each chapter to think about and/or discuss.
Some highlights:
chapter 1: interesting story about being a "fence dweller"
chapter 2: modern day maidens
*being chaste is more than merely a physical state of being-it is an active virtue that consistently demonstrates purity in thought, word, and deed
*we will not see reform in the Church until we see reform in our own lives and families
*a godly young maiden continually meditates on the truths of Scripture and presents to the world a picture of the goodness and beauty of God
*a modest young maiden makes more than a fashion statement - she makes a purity statement
chapter 3: a noble calling
* what makes any calling noble is its being commanded by God
* contentment consists not in persuading ourselves that our things are the very best in the world, but in believing they are the best for us, and giving God thanks for them
chapter4: homemade homemakers
* good wives are either trained to be successful wives and mothers or they are not
*a young maiden should be well trained, well spoken, well educated, and thoroughly prepared for her future life as a Christian woman who is ready, willing, and able to make an impact on a humanistic culture at war with God
*make certain our goals and aspirations line up with the Word of God
chapter 5: loving your own nest
*we need to teach our children that it is an honor and a privilege to serve one another
*when God brings you through fiery trials, trust Him; pray for His all sufficient grace; be content with where He has you
chapter 6: daddy's fair maiden
*remember, you are a Christian maiden - a daughter of the King; if you imitate the behavior or fashion statements of the daughters of the world, then how are they to know what a Christian maiden is and how she should carry herself?
* need to obey God and parents
chapter 7: fresh milk - personal story about changes in a family
chapter 8: I love me, I love me not
*the world tells us we are to be proud, daring, and full of self esteem; God tells us we are to be meek, selfless, and humble
*the world wants to find some other way to avoid the bad feelings that are the result of sin
*our problem is our response to sin
*we need to stop trying to cover up our sins by making excuses for them or blaming others
chapter 9 - dwelling in unity
*the brothers and sisters God gives us in a family are different - they are a great blessing ad should always be remembered with thankfulness
*God places us in families for a particular purpose
*God uses conflict to stretch us
*a family should have a generational vision
*make yourself available to siblings and be willing to listen
*speak kindly to your siblings
*ask forgiveness quickly
*your family is a gift - encourage and love one another
chapter 10 - taming the tongue
*God's Word gives many examples of what sort of sins pour forth from the tongue
* our tongues can be used as a great blessing to others, or can be contentious or critical
* check your heart for deception
chapter 11 - the cheerful voice of hospitality
* by showing hospitality a family exemplifies the Gospel in a living way
*the Christian maiden at home has a unique opportunity to communicate Christ by her purity, loveliness, and willingness to serve
*service of love
chapter 12 - tinkling feet
*the problem is that we have mimicked the world for so long that we don't even realize we have lost our Christian identity
*if we imitate the world, what are we communicating?
*your affection for your siblings will demonstrate a gracious spirit and a unique maturity that is seldom seen in the world
*the mercy we have received from God should carry over to the way we treat others
* what we choose to wear is actually a reflection of what is on the inside
*"Who am I wearing this for and why?"
chapter 13 - colorful flamingos
*modesty is not only how much flesh we expose or what we choose to wear; it is how we speak and carry ourselves - it is a condition of the heart
chapter 14 - the bath
*a young maiden should develop good grooming habits
chapter 15 - a knight in shining armor
*if you act like a lady you'll be treated like one
*true men of honor are enchanted by true, godly, feminine beauty
chapter 16 - delayed awakenings
* if certain yearnings are awakened too early they can cause all kinds of temptations
*physical and emotional purity are important
* guard your heart
* be careful to not fantasize about the "perfect husband"
chapter 17 - lady of leisure - personal testimony about laziness
chapter 18 - the heart of a maiden - personal example of giving "hearts" to fathers
chapter 19 - excuse me ma'am, but your doctrine is showing
*the state of our culture is a reflection of the condition of the Church
*If Christians were living as God requires, the godly result would be apparent in our society
*the way we view Christ is evident by the way we respond to sin
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