How the Secret Life Came to Me

"Young man, the secret of my success is that at an early age; I discovered I was not God." --Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

About a year ago, I walked into the house and was met by my husband hustling Kezia out the door. He greeted me with a, "Linnie called and said she needs a sitter. Xaccai fell down the deck steps and bled profusely. When she picked him up, he fainted. So she flagged down a stranger driving by to watch the other two children, and left for the hospital. I'll be back in a bit. I started mowing so if you want to finish, I've got to get back to the office after I drop Kezia off."

With that, he left me shaking my head. I checked on the other kids and went out to mow our enormous yard. I mowed the front yard, back and forth, back and forth for over an hour. Then I moved on to the back and side yards. I had plenty of time to think and pray. I prayed for Linnie that she might have peace and understanding. I prayed for the doctors that they might have wisdom and patience. I prayed for Xaccai that he would be calm and well.

And then I thought about what might be wrong with Xaccai. Why did he fall down the stairs? Was he pushed by his older brother? Did he trip? Did he have a seizure and then tumble down the stairs? Why was there so much blood? Did he crack his head open? Did he have bones poking through the skin? Maybe his nose was broken? Why did he pass out when Linnie picked him up? Maybe he had a concussion, or a contusion, or an Who knows? I sure didn't, but I was left to wonder what might have been and wonder I did.

The really interesting part of the whole story was the fact that none of the scenarios I had thought of were correct. Xaccai had simply knocked his teeth up into his gums (which explains why his mother could not find them lying around the patio.) The upside was my prayers were answered. Linnie had peace and understanding, the doctors had wisdom and patience, and Xaccai was calm and eventually well.

I am glad I know the One who knows all things. He does not wonder or worry for He knows the end from the beginning. "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please" Isaiah 46:10. While much of life is a secret to me, God works his plan from beginning to end and back again.

The Cabin in the Woods

The Cabin in the Woods!

The beautiful hardwood floors tie the kitchen, dining, living room together making for a cozy sitting area to lounge around in on long winter evenings. The sofa held a hide-a-bed which we pulled out for the boys along with cot set up in the kitchen area. The whole experience brought our family closer together and we had a marvelous time.
The lovely loo.
The parents bedroom---ooh-la-la!
The girls bedroom.

Our best snowperson ever!
Jeff reading to the children by the fire.

Many miniature snowmen to run over with the van.
Gorgeously warm sun through the trees.

Fireside kids!

Here are the pictures of the Cottage in the Woods at The Inn at Timber Cove. We had a wonderful time in this private location. The children wanted to stay a couple more days instead of going to the hotel with a waterpark. The sun came out and warmed the air to a balmy 40 degrees. The piles of snow were a perfect sloshy consistency to make snowmen so they did. They made one big one on the deck and many, many little ones in the drive. What a treat to drive 400 miles north and experience warm temperatures in this winter wonderland.

We made it back safely on the 30th although we drove through snowstorms for the better part of six hours extending the eight hour trip to nine and a half. It could have been worse.

Hope your holidays are filled with life, love and laughter.

Lori

Reading Material

I was rereading our Christmas letter and always chuckle over the line where I talk about JP enjoying working on sewer pipe. I don't know why that tickles me so, but it does. He didn't like bagging groceries, but he doesn't mind working outside in 20 degree temperatures in the dirt. I would not like to do this. I really wouldn't, but as I think about it, that's okay.

If everyone were like me, we would have plenty of reading material, but no bathrooms to read it in. Think about that for a moment, will ya? NOT good. So while I don't understand engineers, plumbers, electricians, general contractors, cabinet makers, tile layers, etc, I appreciate all they do.

So to everyone who works with their hands this holiday season: Happy New Year!

Lori

Hello From Ashland, Wisconsin

We are on our final day of vacation in northern Wisconsin. We have had a wonderful time. Our first two nights were spent at The Inn of Timber Cove. The children loved the cottage. We came up to visit our friends, the Vik family, who moved up here in November. We miss them very much and thought now would be a good time to see how things are going. I am happy to report that everything is going well. They are getting settled in their new home and the people of their new church are wonderfully welcoming. I have only met them on one other occasion, but felt like I was talking with old friends after services on Sunday morning. Another reminder that as Christians, we are with family wherever two or three meet together.
Brian and Tina Miller own The Inn of Timber Cove and allowed us to stay in the Cabin in the Woods. The hardwood floors and fireplace created a cozy country feeling which charmed the kids. My daughter Tirzah plopped her bag in the beautiful bedroom with flowers streaming from the corners of the room and declared she could just live there. I completely agree with her.
On the first morning of our stay, Jeff took all of them (we only brought six with us as two had commitments at home) tromping through the woods down to hammock haven where they took turns flipping each other out of the hammocks and into the snow. They concluded their outing by building a bunch of tiny snowmen and lining them up in the road so we would have to drive over them to get out. Needless to say, they had a blast and we've been running over snowmen for two days.
For the final two days of our visit we are staying at the AmericInn which houses Splashland Waterpark. Our room has a balcony and a beautiful view of the lake. We've spent hours in the waterpark already between last night and this morning and will probably go back later today.
If you are ever looking for a vacation spot, you couldn't pick a finer one than Ashland, Wisconsin. Situated on Lake Superior, tons of outdoor activities await you all year long. We are headed off to snowshoe (for free--always important for a large family) at the Area Visitor center after we have lunch with the Viks.
Hope you are enjoying your Christmas break. Have a Happy New Year!
Lori

The Mom Magnet

"Children are one third of our population and all of our future."

~Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981

Have you ever noticed, no matter where you go in the house, the children will follow. I sit in the empty living room enjoying a brief respite of peace and quiet and soon children meander in.
First one child will plunk down on the sofa across from me, and then another will plop onto the floor, followed by two more racing through ending in a wrestling, wriggling heap in the middle of the room.
I call this the "Mom Magnet" effect. No matter where you are in the house, the children are magnetically attracted and will find you. This phenomenon, while often frustrating when the children are little, is delightful when they reach the teen years and beyond.
On Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago, a snowstorm caused church to be cancelled. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast as a family and then everyone scattered as normally happens on any given morning, but on that particular morning, I sat down in the living room and waited. Within two minutes my daughter came in and settled on the sofa. Another few minutes went by with children sauntering in and finding a place to sit. By the time ten minutes had passed, all eight children congregated in the living room. Delightful. Eight children ranging in ages from four to sixteen sitting in a room, talking with one another and with us filled my heart with love and laughter. Especially when Justus and Jadon started wrestling which resulted in Jadon getting one of two very loose teeth knocked out.
Since my children are all still at home, I can't say for sure, but I'm guessing the "Mom Magnet" is what brings chidren home again for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Groundhog Day, and any other excuse they can find. What a great gift. The draw of mother to child and child to mom.
Have a holiday filled with life, love, and laughter.
Lori
Small Blessings--Anonymous
Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day
With little time to stop and pray
For life's been anything but calm
Since You called on me to be a mom
Running errands, matching socks
Building dreams with building blocks
Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose
Gitting lids on bottled bugs
Wiping tears and giving hugs
A stack of last week's mail to read
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet when I steal a minute, Lord
Just at the sink or ironing board
To ask the blessings of Your grace
I seen then, in my small one's face
That you have blessed me
All the while
And I stop to kiss
That precious smile

Blogapalooza

Blogapalooza (http://middlezonemusings.com/blogapalooza-wilf-2008/): Try It! I just read about this on my friend Jennifer Dukes Lee's blog, http://www.gettingdownwithjesus.blogspot.com/ and sent in my blogs, one a month for both of my blogs. We will see how this goes.
Has everyone heard about Twitter but me? Anyone know about this, clue me in.
Have a great day and Blog On!
Lori

Silly Selah Sunshine

Selah, our 4-year-old, started life clinging to her mother. At four, she is out to take over the world and boss everyone into helping her. Yesterday, during a good old fashioned blizzard, she was invited to a friend's house. This little friend just so happens to have an older brother the same age as Selah's older brother, Justus. Since Justus was already over there, Selah said, "I will not be scared, but you will miss me." You gotta love her.

The Writing Rollercoaster

"And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." ~Sylvia Plath

Writing is not for the faint of heart. The life of a freelance writer is fraught with obstacles not the least of which is self-doubt. Is my writing any good? Why would anyone care what I have to say? What good am I doing? Will anyone ever buy my writing? When will I have an original publishable thought?

A writer can be her own worst enemy. Keeping focused is my biggest challenge. When I lose focus of my writing goals, I become discouraged and the self-doubt drives me further from them. Last week, I received a notice that a story I had submitted back in August was not accepted. The e-mail was incredibly gracious and encouraging, but since I'd had doubts about the story when I sent it in, the rejection seemed to confirm my suspicions, I couldn't write.

I knew in my head real writers have stacks of rejection letters...e-mails...but it didn't change how I felt. I gave myself a writing time out until after Christmas. After a few days, I'd settled back into my writing groove and started blogging again, started looking through article guidelines, and plotting my next project.

Then, last night, out of the blue, I received an e-mail saying this same story was accepted. I had been on the alternate list, and they now needed my story. I was elated. I raised my arms in the air and did my silent celebration (forgetting my daughter's friends could see me from the TV room!:() My confidence restored, my self-doubt slunk back to the recesses of my mind waiting for another opportunity to strike.

The rollercoaster of writing carried me down and then back up this week. It doesn't always work out so well so quickly, and I will enjoy the moment. Learning to enjoy the ride is the challenge and the secret.

Have a great day! WRITE ON!
Lori

The Plot Thickens!

Pastor found missing head and feet.

Eyewitnesses questioned.

Police continue search for suspects!

First, I thank my God for you!

"Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan" --John Bunyan



I have just been browsing my favorite blogs and came across a recent posting by my friend and mother of six month old triplets, Elizabeth Nebelsick, in which she said, "I just met the husband of a friend the other day and he told us that every night for almost a year, his wife prayed for us to have a child. That touched me to the core. Who am I that such thoughtfulness be given to me? How often have I failed to bring my loved ones and friends to the Lord like that? I pray I can pass on all I have been given and remember to pray often for those in need." What an awesome reminder to pray sincerely for those we know and love, for those in physical/emotional need, and those who are in dire need of the saving love of Jesus Christ--I think that covers just about everyone.



"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world." Romans 1:8(ESV)

Thoughts From the Tub

Just in case you were wondering, the address for my blog comes from the fact that I love to write while taking a nice sudsy hot bath. I set a small children's chair beside the tub, lay a towel on the edge of the tub and balance my laptop on the two. So far I have not electrocuted myself nor damaged my computer in any noticeable way.

The atmospere of being in a bubble brings out my creative muse. Or maybe it is just the peace and quiet brought about by a locked door between myself and my family. I'm not sure, but I get a lot of writing done here and love it.

Have a great day!

Wholly Embarrassing Moments, Batman!

The other day I was simply minding my own business going to pick up my daughter from a friends house. I pulled into the driveway, left the van running because it was cold outside, got out of the van, shut the car door, and ran up to the house (did I mention it was cold outside.)

I got up to the door and saw no lights on in the house. I realized they were not home yet, and I would need to pick up my daughter at another location. I ran back to the car, grabbed the door handle and nearly pulled the handle off. My van had locked itself.

It does this on occasion so we have had spare keys made for just such an opportunity. I, in fact, had one along with me. It just so happened to be locked in the van in my pocketbook. I know, good thinking, eh?

I grabbed my cell phone to call home knowing my husband was 45 minutes away on a hospital visit and my oldest child, who can drive was at basketball practice, I determined to have my athletic 12-year-old with more energy then a new puppy run the key over to me. I mean really it wasn't that far. Any healthy red-blooded American male should be able to run a mile with a little ol' key. Unfortunately for me, he had gone outside to play with his siblings and did not answer my distress call.

Now what did I do? I pulled on the van door like it would magically open if I persisted long enough. I tried to wedge my fingers in and pry the door open. I mean it locked itself. It could unlock itself, couldn't it?I looked around to see if anyone witnessed this embarrassing display. No one.

I quickly ran around to the side of their garage looking furtively over my shoulder much like a burglar on his first crime spree might and tried the door. Locked. I'm not sure what I thought I could do in their garage except possibly get in out of the cold.

I walked around my van. Tried the doors on the other side, the trunk, the driver's side door...again. Still to no avail. I sighed. I called home again. I sighed. I realized sighing does precious little good, and, then, I noticed a van up the street. I knew that van and the people who owned it, and if their van was home, maybe they were home. Brilliant!

I took off down the road my van idling in the driveway. I confidently rang the doorbell. Thankfully, they were home and Mary readily offered me a round trip ticket from her house to mine and back again.

Upon arriving home, I found the other spare key in big van (aka the 15 passenger van.) We zoomed back to my van, inserted the key, and I was back in business. I thanked Mary profusely and vowed to come up with a better key plan.

I always think I'm prepared for any eventuality, and, then, something comes along to prove how unprepared I really am. We have tried the key in the wheelwell trick, but I either can't find the key or it falls off. I'm not desperate enough to wear a key around my neck at all times, but it may come to that. However, I am thankful for friends and their generosity and God's provision in every situation.

Have a great day!
Lori

Lit and Lattes!

I am so excited. The second book that I've contributed to is now available. Lit and Lattes adds faith and fun to your book club with a short description, discussion questions, and fun recipes, decorations, or activities which correspond with the story.

Lit and Lattes has been my favorite project to date. I read five books which I loved, and then I had the priviledge of writing a brief description and a few discussion questions and coming up with a creative idea or recipe that tied into the story. I had a great time on this project.

While this is the most recently published work I've contributed to, Devotions Galore! was my first contributing project. Devotions Galore! came out in June of 2008. If you are looking for a way to spice up your Bible study, Devotions Galore is the book for you. Warm ups, Wrap ups and Prayers on topics such as faith, trust, loneliness, hope, and more had a new flavor to your time of fellowship.

Contributing to books has been a great way to get my foot in the publishing door. If you are just starting out in the writing world, I highly recommend you work diligently at your craft and contribute to every opportunity that comes your way in the beginning. I can only speak to beginners as I am one myself, but there is no greater encouragement in this uphill battle than to see your name in print.

You might ask yourself how does one find such opportunities? I got my start in book contributing by going to the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference in Estes Park, Colorado in 2007. I wrote about this experience in the Christian Communicator and have posted the story, Divine Appointments, on my website www.loripoppinga.com.

At the conference, I met editors, agents, and published authors. Each was encouraging in his/her own way. I think this is the major advantage of Christian writers conferences. The love of Christ shown through in the attitude and countenance of each one and encouraged me tremendously in the writing process. Whether you write secular or Christian work, go to a writers conference and meet the professionals in the field, learn from them, and eventually, you may even work with them.

I learned a ton at that first conference and went back in 2008 and learned a lot more. While I had great plans to write and sell the great American novel at my first writer's conference, God had other plans and so began the long journey to publication I have been writing on for the past two years.

Have a great day!
Lori

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, a woman named Lori wanted to be a writer. She was already quite busy running a household, caring for her eight children, attending to her duties at the church, and administrating her in home daycare. But no matter how busy she was, she still wanted to write.

She thought and thought about writing. She jotted down crazy ideas involving gyms and men and women and murder. She plotted stories while rocking babies and rehearsed dialogue while cycling on the airdyne.

One day, a friend, Angie, asked if she would like to take a writing course with her. Lori pondered the idea. Then, she googled the idea. Lastly, she liked the idea and agreed to take the course.

So for eighteen months, Lori and her friend Angie met once a month and talked about their writing. They talked about articles and novels, short stories and screenplays, grammar and word count. No topic was off limits.

Since then, Lori completed the writing course, published several articles and contributed to a few books. She continues to ruminate upon the dozen or so novel ideas rumbling through her brain, but has yet to complete her first book.

Time will tell if she ever accomplishes this her ultimate goal. Join Lori on her writing adventure and see where her words take her next.

To Be Continued...

The Dreaded Christmas Letter

Today, I am embarking on the yearly detailing of our family's tales of adventure, adversity, and achievement. The difficulty comes in striking the delicate balance between reality, hilarity, and brevity.

With eight children, I could easily write an eight page letter, but no one would read it. I could change the font to 6 and squeeze a lot of words on one page, but still no one would read it as most people refuse to break out the magnifying glass for a Christmas letter.

I think I have found a way to keep it short, readable, and still communicate a modicum of information in the allotted space. It was a challenge, but after only two hours of trying to manipulate the pictures into the right spots, I then was able to squeeze in enough text boxes to tell two sentences for each one.

I am not feeling my usual Christmas inspiration so am thinking the letter will be flat, but it is what it is! Everyone will have the general idea of what we did this year. The main thing to communicate is that we are all well and God is good! What more could a person have to say?

Have a great day!
Lori

Ongoing Investigation

Moments after arriving on the scene,

girl found missing feet.

Police investigate.
So far no one is talking.

Speaking At Mops

Hi!
Today I had the wonderful priviledge of talking about writing, which I love, to a my local MOPS group, whom I also love. We have a fantastic group of hardworking steering team members who provide a valuable service to the young moms in our community.
I just started to going to MOPS last year with my last little one. In times past, I was busy homeschooling or doing daycare in my home and unable to attend MOPS. Now that I my youngest is almost old enough for me to graduate from MOPS I am able to attend and meet the neat ladies in our community with little ones.
I spoke on writing: the four things every successful writer does. I call it RW2 and enjoy talking with others about writing and encouraging others to write. Anyone can write and many write but hesitate to call themselves writers for whatever reason, but I want to encourage you to write. Share you thoughts, feelings, message with others.
Young moms journal your time spent with your little ones. Write down the cute things they say, the funny things they do, and special moments that bring a tear to your eye. Because life moves fast and gets busy and you will forget if you don't take a moment to jot yourself a note.
Busy women of elementary age children write about raising kids age 5-12. Challenging years these are, but oh just wait, the teen years are even more fun. Cherish, through the written word, the times you spend together shopping, cleaning, or going to school events. When you look back, those are the memories you will treasure, the day-to-day happenings that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Mothers of teenagers jot down the tough things you and your kids talk about. The countless talks about drugs, sex, curfew, grades, video games, sports, the future, and friends. When they get older, you will see the results of these conversations in which you wondered if they hear a word your saying....they do:)
Empty nesters/grandparents do your children a favor and write about your childhood. Your children will treasure your words about your life. My grandma often told us the harrowing tale of her birth on the wagon train as her family moved up from Missouri. The harrowing part came in the fact that since they didn't talk about having babies back then, they told her they found her by the Missouri river. Interesting and true. She talked often of writing down her tales, but never got it done and now she is gone never to tell them again. No matter how many times kids hear about the stories of your youth they want to hear them again and again and in time, pass them on to their children and grandchildren. Share your legacy.
Writing captures the fleeting moments of life and allows us to relive them over and over again.
Have a great day and Write On!
Lori

Do Not Be Afraid

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT

As a toddler, nightmares plagued my oldest daughters sleep. Terrifying dreams invaded her mind each night and invaded my sleep as she would wake screaming unable to find rest. Night after night, her vivid imagination combined her daily experiences into frightening pictures.
During these times, we found scripture set to music calmed her fears and relaxed her rumpled spirit. Our favorite verse in the wee small hours of the night brought an incredible comfort both to Kezia and to myself.
Joshua 1:9 says, “…be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The years and nightmares have passed, but this promising verse of scripture remains with us to this day. Whenever I am afraid or discouraged, the Lord brings this verse to my mind. Out of my daughters trying dreams, the Lord imprinted his Word on our hearts and mind.

I hope to always remember that God's word is as real today as it was to Joshua when He spoke it.
Lori

Use Your Power for Good; Not Evil

Nuggets of wisdom lie all around us. In the Bible, books, movies, even comic strips can contain nuggets of truth.
Along this vein, I draw out memorable quotes and repeat them over and over again to my children. While I know more is caught than taught, I believe that instilling truth in our children through catchy phrases helps them remember what they are to do in any given situation.
One of my favorite phrases is from the Star Wars movies, “Use your power for good; not evil.” I figure if it’s good enough for Obi Wan, it’s good enough for me.
So I used this phrase regularly with my oldest son, JP, encouraging him to influence those around him for good. Surely, no harm could come from teaching him this phrase.
One day in middle school, JP came in from school, slammed his books on the counter and said, “Mom, that advice you keep giving me about using your power for good; not evil. Not a good idea.”
“Well, why ever not?” I couldn’t possibly imagine how this sage piece of advice could be bad.
“I was in study hall with Mr. K and M acted up in class, and Mr. K said if M didn’t behave he would take away his field trip.
M said Mr. K couldn’t do that because he had already earned the trip.
Mr. K shot back that a higher power could overrule.
To which, I responded, ‘Use your power for good; not evil, Mr. K.’” JP smugly told me.
Ah, well, I think, now, we will work on “children should be seen and not heard.”