TTFN, and a Summer Show & Tell

There must be something about this time of year. This week it hit me that I need to spend time away from this screen for a while. I try other methods (giving myself certain amount of time online, or try to only visit certain sites), but end up frustrated or it just doesn't "stick"... just shutting it off for awhile works better (for me). I've learned that if I do this every so often, I neither overestimate the importance of online activities, nor underestimate the resources, wisdom, and comraderie available here. And if I do this every so often, I don't end up shutting down my blog, only to realize that communicating by writing is a part of how God built me and that I need to get back to it.

Time away helps me to rightly value what's here, and rightly value what's NOT here.

So I'm taking some time away, not sure how long. About six weeks from now, our family is going to Cairo for our family vacation (we found a good deal and quickly snatched it up--YAY, I can't wait to see the Pyramids!!!), so it may be even after that, something like 2 months. We'll just see. And I reserve the right to hop back on, without shame, if there's something that I feel prodded to write about. :) But regardless, I hope you have a delightful summer- full of knowing Christ more, and joyfully loving family and the people around you.


As a parting gift, here are the links I've been storing up since the last Show & Tell (and I'll decorate them with recent pics of my kids):

FEATURED ARTICLE:

• KNOW YOUR BIBLE! Randy Alcorn warns that not knowing the Word of God is a monumental problem in the modern church... and I agree.

CAUSE IT'S INTERESTING:

• Challies explores technology, faith, relationships, distraction, and really knowing God and others: Don't Take Your iPod to Church!
• NEED A GOOD READ THIS SUMMER? Check out my 2009 book reviews for ideas (I'll continue updating through the summer).
• GOSSIP
• Mary Kassian writes about the soft strength of womanhood
• I've been listening to this incredible song about God on repeat for the last few days... Josh Harris noticed it too and written about it: Regina Spektor's "Laughing With"
• A young mom shares about her journey to becoming a better cook.
• Are you crafty? Need ideas? Check out this list.
• Cut out the busyness and spend time with people, says John Piper.
• A good word: Feelings are not good (or biblical!) indicators for if something is true or false!
• Books on a budget
• The abortion discussion is changing, says one formerly-pro-choice atheist
• Tips for hospitality
• You wouldn't pay 1,000 bucks a week to send your kid to x-box camp for kicks... College as merely "enjoyable" entertainment for young adults

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Why the "sexy" part of being a bride should be saved for AFTER the wedding.
• Steps/Counsel for responding to a husband's porn addiction.
• Jenny Sanford strikes me as a woman leaning on the grace of God in the middle of a really yucky situation. As I've watched her responses through her husband's adultery-- something that none of us would like to face-- I've been praying that many people will ask "what is the reason for her hope (grace, kindness, willingness to forgive)?" That kind of character in the face of shame and pain lets God shine through in a big way.
• John Piper recently published this gem: Sexual Intimacy & the Rights Over a Spouse's Body in Marriage

LIFE WITH KIDS:

• Jen (a mom who has had 4 kids in 5 years) shares tips for thriving through the newborn/little kids stages
• Ethical issues continue with prenatal tests -- we keep growing in knowledge and "advancements" in science, and yet our society seems more lost than ever.
• Swedish parents conceal child's gender --Yikes, poor kid!
• Enjoy your little ones, from a mom of five.
• Apparently, through this program, you can host African orphans in your home for a summer. Maybe something to pray about?
• 100 Things to do WITH KIDS in Washington, DC (What a great list! We used to live in DC and I wish we'd have done more while there.)
• "I am not the mother I want to be"-- a friend writes about the beautiful difficulties that come with being a mom of many

HOMESCHOOLING:

• New statistics on the growth & "success" of homeschooling
• Homeschooling your preschooler-- great advice here!
  

GOOD FOR A LAUGH:

• The "Upside" of Violent Video Games :)
• A couple of Lego Laughs: The Busstop, and The Decision
• The mp3 Experiment! Good, creative fun!