Hey all.

Have you ever known someone with whom you hit it off instantly? Someone that, although you’d only known them for a few hours, you felt as if you were already lifelong friends?

About 7 years ago in the fall, I met such a person. She was a college student visiting a huge, annual event that takes place in our circle of friends: The Davis Harvest Party.

Hay rides.

Donuts and cider.

A hot dog roast and old-fashioned square dance.

Many couples have begun their “courtin’ days” at the Harvest Party.

That year, my friend Eileen (mother of 11!) and I chatted while the dance was beginning. Her son Josh had brought home a group of friends from college. In the group was a young woman with the most contagious smile ever. Her name was Lindsey.

I joked with Eileen about this gal being Josh’s ‘girlfriend”. She insisted she was just his friend.

I knew better. College guys don’t wipe their hands on their jeans before holding hands to square dance with a ‘friend’. I knew he had his eye on little Miss Lindsey.

By spring they were engaged.

They got married late that summer.

Fast forward to the present. Lindsey and Josh are now the proud parents of three young girls. Lindsey has a knack for writing about motherhood and musings and finding God in the midst of the mundane. Thus far, her readers have consisted of  family and a few friends who get her weekly family email update.

I’ve decided to ask her to periodically share her thoughts with you.

I was fortunate enough to have a few mentors help get me started speaking and writing. I have never forgotten their kindness.

And I determined that whenever I came across a friend who needed some help or a forum or a blog to chat in (while I took a little breather) I’d happily help her too.

Today will be Lindsey’s first post.

Can I ask you to hop on and leave a comment welcoming her? I’m sure you’ll come to love her as much as I do…..

________________________________________________________________

Hi all! My name is Lindsey Feldpausch.

If your wondering how to pronounce my last name, don’t worry, I was thinking the same thing when I first met my husband. It is said “feld-posh” Like “this party is so posh!” Except that I don’t think I have ever been to a posh party or could really be described by the word posh in any way. Well, I do own some pretty posh salt and pepper shakers that are from France.

Anyway, I am the stay at home mother of three girls ages 4, 3, and 1. So, It’s a barrel of chimpanzees around here (“monkeys” sound much too tame.) I have been married to the most amazing man for 51/2 years.  I love God with all my heart and am continuously surprised at the power of His word, the freedom that He offers and the sovereignty of His plans.

I’m originally from the suburbs of Detroit, but after my husband graduated from Grand Valley State University last spring, God laid it on his heart to come to the Houston area for a teaching job, which is where we are now.

I had never been to Texas until moving here. You can imagine what kind of funny things I find myself getting into and/ or observing.

I’ve taken notice of an interesting food-on-wheels attraction here in Texas. They look like beefed up ice cream trucks (minus the weird music) and sell hot tortilla, cheese, and meat creations. You can find these type of vehicles in Michigan at carnivals. Except down here, they show up without the carnival.

I haven’t sampled anything yet, but I applaud the concept. Why wait for the fair when an “authentic” Mexican food truck could pull right up outside the grocery store? I’m still making up my mind as I stare at the driver wondering if he is the cook as well. I’m tempted to roll down my window and say “I don’t know what that smell is, but just give me whatever fried flour sensation that’s creating that delicious Tex-Mex food incense.” Of course that would go against every frugal and health conscious bone in my body, so I don’t.

The most obvious difference between Texas and Michigan is, predictably, the weather. It is winter, but much sunnier and warmer than any Michigan winter.

Here‘s the interesting part… I still act like it’s winter. You would think that I would be out with my stroller enjoying the weather, but I find myself inside for several days in a row wearing my hoodie and fuzzy socks. If it were in the 60’s during February or March in Michigan, you better know that I would be running around in my bare feet wondering if we could bust out the hose and slip and slide.

Here, though, I just keep doing what I did up in Michigan. I stay inside and have hot tea as if I were snowed in.

Isn’t this what happens in our Christian walk? Just when God lifts us up, transplants us, heals us, or sets us free, we end up doing what we always did because we haven’t known any other way.

It’s like when Jesus healed those who could not walk. Wouldn’t it be absurd of them to have the ability to walk, but just go back to sitting on their mat and begging?

In the same way, God has given me the privilege to enjoy the sunshine, but I keep telling my kids that it is “a little chilly out there”. Either I have acclimated way too fast to the warmer weather or I just need to get up off my mat and stretch my legs.

Mark my words, I am getting out of this apartment tomorrow and if I do see one of those Mexican meals-on-wheels vans, I am at least going to see how much they’re charging. If I’m going to be embracing my new life as a Texan, I better get out, enjoy the sunshine and try something new.

I shall trade my hot tea for a hot tortilla and my mat for the stroller.

Here’s to making the most of the new life and new opportunities God gives us!

Sincerely,

Lindsey Feldpausch

April Fools day this year was no joke at our house.

It was a down-right blast!!!!

Our daughter Mackenzie flew in that day (unbeknownst to her dad and brothers) from Charlotte, NC where she is living with my Proverbs 31 sister Melanie and going to cosmetology school. She got to surprise many dear friends (and her baby brother) that night at a rehearsal for the Homeschool Performing Arts presentation of Seussical this week where he is portraying a Who. (This is the same troupe where she played Maria in the Sound of Music last year.)

She also got to spend Easter at home, see her cousins and grandparents and worship at her home church on Ressurection Sunday. Also,  she will spend many hours this week doing hair and make-up for the show. Not an easy task. Have you ever seen Who hair? Especially the female kind? Brightly colored and coiled as high as a mountain.

Oh, and it must stay in said mountain-top up-do while the Whos dance all across the stage for a few hours.

Oh my.

In addition, this week Mitch has two double-headers and my husband begins a short lay-off from work (a mixed blessing–he is home to run kids which is the bright side of it).

So,  as a result, I am planning a special guest blogger for tomorrow you won’t want to miss and on Wednesday I have a devotion running at Proverbs 31 and on Crosswalk.com. Although it pertains to our regular Weight Loss Wednesday, it covers a topic that well all can relate to. Then, the rest of the week check back in for a simple spring giveaway.

I guess what I am trying to say is if you are looking for some profound posts this week….uh….you won’t find them here from me! (Although, as I said, you’ll want to catch my guest blogger Tuesday!)

Since all my babies are home for over a week, I am zeroing in on them and enjoying the crazy-busy event that is ‘show week’.  (For those of you in the Mid-Michigan area, there are still tickets left for this awesome performance of Seussical the Musical. Click here for more info.)

What is going on in your crazy week?

Spring-has-Sprung Blessings,

I love holidays.

And holy days.

Any reason to celebrate; especially to celebrate an aspect of God’s character. What better season than Easter to reflect on what a very incredible act God performed for us. He sent His only son to die for our sins so we don’t have to.

Mind boggling.

Really.

But how can those of us with children in our lives–moms, grandmas, aunts, teachers, even doting neighbors–make the story of Christ’s death and resurrection come alive for kids?

Here is one fabulous, hands-on activity we have done for nearly the past 18 years both with our offspring as well as neighborhood kids and cousins too.  It is simple and utilizes items you probably already have around your house right now.

While serving as co-editors of a newsletter for at-home moms in the late ’90s, a reader mailed in this moving idea to my college friend Kelly and me. The process of making these “Resurrection Cookies” and retelling the Gospel story will make a lasting impression. Designed to make the biblical account come alive, be sure to begin this recipe on Saturday night, right before Easter morning.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole pecans

1 teaspoon white vinegar

3 large egg whites

Pinch of salt

1 cup of white sugar

Plastic bag with a zip closure

Wooden spoon

Masking tape

Bible

Wax paper

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place the pecans in the bag and close. Read John 19:1-3. Let the children take on the role of the Roman soldiers using the wooden spoon to beat the bag of whole pecans, breaking them into very small pieces while shouting, “Hail Jesus! King of the Jews!”

Next, read John 19:28-30. When Jesus became thirsty He was given vinegar to drink. Have the kids smell the vinegar. Place it in a large mixing bowl.

Add the egg whites to the bowl. Eggs represent new life. Jesus willingly gave up His life to bring new life to us. Read John 10:10.

Read Luke 23:26-27. Give each child a tiny pinch of salt. Let them taste some and then brush the rest into the bowl. This represents the salty tears Jesus’ followers shed.

The ingredients so far aren’t very appealing. Egg whites are bland, vinegar is sour and the salt isn’t good by itself. Now comes the sweet part of the story! Jesus died because of His love for us! Dump in one cup of sugar as you read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. The whiteness represents the purity of those who have been cleansed from sin. Read Isaiah 1:18.

Gently fold in the pecans. Drop heaping teaspoons of the batter onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Read Matthew 27:57-60. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:62-66. Jesus tomb was sealed tightly shut. Place the cookies into the oven, close the door and turn off the oven. Give each child a piece of masking tape and have them help seal the oven shut.

Now it’s bedtime. Your children may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, just as Jesus’ followers were sorrowful when the tomb was sealed shut. While tucking the kids in, read John 16:20-22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and sample the cookies. Notice the cracked surface. Take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter morning, the disciples were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-10.

Finish with prayer, thanking God for His incredible plan of salvation.

He is alive!