The Family Table, Psalm 128

How important is The Family Table?

Recently I have taken an interest in the family dynamics and how they relate to shaping our culture. Better yet, how they COMPLETELY shape our culture. In our itunes library, we have a great audio message by Doug Phillips called "The Family Table." What an amazing 45 minutes. What seems like just a place to eat our vegetables and balance our checkbooks actually is the key to defining family culture. Especially Christian family culture.

Did you know the table was patterned by Christ through the bible? Doug Phillips explains how the table... your table is the center of peace, instruction, hospitality, discipleship, and cultural transformation.

It was at the table where we were given our first communion and where Christ broke bread. We in turn gather with our families and break bread with them.

In Psalm 128 we read about the gathering of the table and who is to be seated there... The righteous man, his wife, who is the fruitful vine and the sons... like olive shoots. Olive shoots.... did you know that olive shoots were highly sought after in a Hebrew economy? The bible compares children as highly sought after jewels. Blessed is the man who has them...

The knowledge this man pours forth is amazing. Too much to ever include in one post.

We have one precious table in our home. It was our dream to have a big one. So far ours seats 8, but we have squeezed 12. We are never limited. There is always room.

Our table is the center of our home.

Its where we laugh, where we gather to talk, where we teach, where we play and at times where we cry. Each chair has a story. We have welcomed many many people at its side in the couple of years we have owned it.

In the center sits our big red cast iron pot filled with delicious warm food I cooked on my stove. Its used every day.

Every meal is eaten together at this table. Hubby at the head, children gathered at its side and myself on the other end.

All are welcome. We discuss our day and share our souls. The table is our heart.

During the day, we school on it. We learn, we study and we write. What better place than learning at our heart?

I would not have it any other way.

Our table remains the center point in our home. Its worn and a bit stained. Its comfortable. I don't wish for another. 2 tables do not excite me. I love my one.It defines OUR Christian culture. It defines OUR family. Its where dreams and hopes are shared. Its where we break our bread.

How do you define your table?

Coming soon GapGirl on the news!!

Emma

Last week my firstborn decided to follow in her sister's footsteps and get baptized! She was so nervous but knew it was something she wanted to do. Together, we stood behind the tank up in the wall of our church and giggled and whispered. I promised her it would be quick and after we would celebrate with chocolate cake!!!

I was so proud of her when Pastor Jimmy (her youth pastor) dunked her under. She did it!! What a good little follower of Christ. My heart beamed with pride. Its moments like these that make motherhood indescribable.

Happy Birthday Sissy-Cindy Lu

Just want to give a shout out to my big Sissy in NY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Wish I was there to celebrate with you. Enjoy your special day. I love you to bits and am looking forward to our visit next month!

*Cheers* to a fantabulous sister and many more Happy Birthdays...(and Coach pocketbooks=)

13 Years...

In just a few weeks my beloved hubby and I will be celebrating 13 years of married bliss!!! We have 2 wedding anniversaries to be quite honest... 2 weeks apart. Thats a whole other blog, but for now I will focus on the legal one. July 2nd... 1996 we became man and wife.

It was a rainy day and our small outdoor ceremony was set for 6:30. It was a warm Long Island evening. I was thin as can be, tan and 20 years old!

My groom was 19. He had only been home for less than 48 hours. Prior to that he was living in Texas in school on an Air Force Base. I had seen him for only 5 days in the last 6 months. We started dating the end of Summer 1995. 2 months later he was shipped off to basic training. We were separated for 2 more months and then spent Christmas 1995 together. It was then we knew we should never be apart. He left January 2nd 1996 and I was crushed. I sat with him at the airport. Him 18 and I 19. I sobbed and sobbed as he, dressed in full military blues, waited to board his flight. Those were the days of walking to the gate together. I soaked his perfectly pressed shirt with my tears and didn't want to let go. I watched and sobbed as his plane took off. I knew he would not be home for 6 long months . People pointed and stared at me but I didn't care. My heart was broken. I sat by the window as his plane disappeared out of sight wondering how I would survive the wait.

We decided to get married a week later, over the phone. Plans were made. I didn't care what the plans were as long as we were together. My beautiful dress was bought at Macy's for $50. My shoes were classic sandals. And my jewelry of coarse was pearls. Anyone that knew me expected nothing less.

A 2 day visit for Memorial day weekend sealed the deal with a beautiful ring. A ring that I didn't even anticipate but of coarse was exactly what I had wanted.

The decision to say "I do" was of no choice at all. It was what I was put on earth to do... Be his partner through this journey.

I has been quite a ride so far. From being a young military bride, to a mother of 5. We have grown up together and have shared the best times and the worst times.

Some people say you need your own identity in a marriage... I completely disagree. Two become one and with one... you cannot separate.

I believe thats the problem with marriage now-a-days. To get something beautiful, you have to give of yourself. Wholeheartedly. Hold nothing back.

These 13 years flew by. I still am so thankful I can lay down next to him at night and smell his scent and know he is there. The boy who caught my eye at Mcdonalds and made a bet to take me out is now the father of my children,my partner in crime, the love of my life and my everything...

Ronny- You bet Jason a million dollars that he would marry me.... Looks like you won that bet!

Grimace- No, he can't leave me alone...

All those heartbroken girls left in the dust- I won... You didn't even have a chance ;)

My Gapboy- See... Romeo and Juilet CAN have a happy ending...

A Day Downtown

We spent a beautiful 91 degree day downtown enjoying the sights. I love my city. It never gets old. We (as usual) had a fun day enjoying everything there was to see.