Music and Me

I am sitting here having church with Amos Lee this morning.
His song Black River just really gets to me every time.

Thinking about all the things I have to be thankful for.
One of those things would be music.
Not only do I come from a musical family that I am grateful for, but
The ability to express myself with my voice in song is something I don't ever take for granted.

There is something strange that happens when the emotion to sing comes over me.
It is a like a deep gushing wave of water that pushes it's way to the top and I just can't stop it.
I love to sing.
I love to sing best when no one but my Creator is listening.




I love to hear my children sing.
One of the many other things I am thankful for is my children's talent in music.
Emma is currently writing a song for her Auntie Jenny's upcoming wedding and it just makes me smile to hear her practice this.
Isaiah got an electric guitar for Christmas, and I have an old acoustic guitar(thank you Uncle Jimmy) that the kids have been having jam sessions with.
I can't even begin to tell you how happy this makes me.

I should say that,
I am sure because I am their mom it sounds beautiful to me, but to the average ear it would just sound like noise.
So don't go knocking down my door ready to be their agent (BIG SMILE)


If I were the type of parent who lived out their dreams in their children I would have already exploited these
beautiful gifts.
Alas, I am not so the rest of the world will have to wait to hear these Fab 4.

Everything is always made better with music.
Music is powerful.
So powerful in fact that, that is why often times back in the day the musicians would lead the army onto the battlefield.(Glad I wasn't a musician in this day and age)
I remember an old friend told me that certain notes even had the power to break things in us, or fix things (whatever way you want to look at that) spiritually.
I believe this to be true.

So as you prepare for this week ahead
whether it's been one you have been looking forward to for a long time
or one that you have been dreading
don't forget "to put your records on and sing your favorite song"

Dieting, Puppies, and Other MoNoSco Updates

A funny thing happens when you go on a diet.
Food just becomes a tool, rather than something you enjoy.
To some extent life changes entirely and I find myself getting kind of depressed.
This of course makes me realize how much food and drink(can't forget the drink) has become somewhat of an idol in my life.
The diet I am on is extreme, and I would tell you the name but... the only reason I am not sharing it with you is because I don't want that to become the topic of our conversation, but needless to say, it is limited what I can and cannot eat... BUT it's working!


Having a puppy in the house after several years of not having a baby of some sort has made me realize how selfish we all are.
Barley( our new Yellow Lab pup) has pushed us all to the brink of exhaustion.
He is so high energy that even our Jack Russell, Bella (supposedly the most hyper dog around) is wiped out and tired of him by the end of the day!
Still, in the end he brings me so much joy, as does Bella and well Joy is a rare commodity these days!
Those 4 legged friends sure are something, can't quite put my finger on what, but they are SOMETHING all right!

We had a communion moment at church last Sunday.
It started out bad and painful, but I hope ended up good and memorable.
We came home and let all 4 of our kids watch Passion of the Christ.
We of course edited quite a bit and actually only showed them bits and pieces.
This movie still makes me bawl like a baby.
Jesus without a doubt is SO AMAZING!
I know it made a lasting impression because they are still asking me questions.

We, Monosco are still having moments,
sometimes whole days ...
where we are wondering what the H E ..double hockey sticks we are doing in Washington??
But today when the sun is shining and we recently got to visit with a good old friend that feels like family I feel happy to be here.

I miss my mom.
Can you at 36 years old still miss your mom?
Is that legal?

Well, even though the sun is out this cabin has turned into an icebox.
I must go start a fire now to cozy things up in here.
Sure wish I was having this conversation face to face with those of you that might read and comment on this.
If we were, I would have already put the coffee pot on and the smell would be divine because...
Raven's Brew is what I am brewing these days. If you haven't had this brand of coffee go out... RIGHT NOW and get some.
It is Divine!



One more final thought and then I really am going to go , okay maybe two
I am reading;
Fiction-Salamander by Thomas Wharton
and
Non- Fiction-Follow Me to Freedom by Shane Claiborne and John Perkins
both great books so that alone makes me happy to have good books waiting for me late at night.

and really here it is my final thought...
New All Time Favorite Tea
Stash brand Licorice Spice, it's like dessert in a cup

Facts for my 2011( or I guess some you could say are Resolutions)

Here I am re-capping the first week of 2011 and thinking, "WOW what a great week!" Okay, so only one week in does not = a great year already, but you know me, the eternal optimist that I am I think it really will be a great year.

In this year ;

I will have an official teenager in the house, one of my own this time. Not just one of those random teens that show up on my door step! That's right the Scofield's head into the official teen years on May 28th as Emma turns 13.

I will no longer be "forsaking" hanging out with some of the coolest people on earth on Sunday mornings just because I don't
feel like it, or my bed seems more attractive, or because truthfully I just don't want to be vulnerable. I am done with the theme song being "I am a Rock... I am an Island" so not true!

I will have only one child left that is NOT in double-digits, when Solomon turns 10 in October. This is a really, really big deal considering that some of my favorite people on earth are those that don't belong in the double-digit club!

I will reclaim not only my waist, but more importantly my physical health! I am over being lazy and carefree about what I eat. I am done not caring about myself because frankly, if I don't care then no one else will ! BBKH- here I come!

I will see my oldest sister Jenny get married to her "Mr. Brownskin" in June. And will be in the Brown state for that month as well :) Looking forward to this , really so much. WOW, what a treat this will be!

I will master the art of crocheting.

I will have lived 2 years outside the state that I was raised in. Some said,( Alyse Locke) we would be back after 2 years. We shall see!! Tempting for sure, happening probably not, sorry Weezer.

I will be going back to school in the Fall to finally, FINALLY get a stinking piece of paper that says I am an official teacher now ;)
Sheesh, that will change everything!! NOT!! But at least I will have the sense of accomplishment there that is long overdue.

Some of these you could call resolutions, some you could say are promises, and some of this is just plain hard-core FACT! I am one determined person so I am gonna go with FACT- this will happen! And then of course I do plan on doing the work that will make it so!

Sundays, Church, Family, and Community

Sundays. The day of the week where most people either go to church or sleep in and relax at home. It is a day for families. It used to be that many families had Sunday dinner at Grandma's house and everyone brings their favorite dish to share. You get a chance to re-group for that day, for a few hours you remember who you belong to in this big world and it brings comfort. You got a taste of community. Then dinner is over and everyone hurries home to wherever they live to begin their week.

To me that is what going to Church is for. A chance to re-group and remember what family you are from. Where you come from, what you believe, and where you are going together. Churches come in many shapes and sizes. Just like families they have different traditions, cultures, sounds, and histories. Sometimes churches aren't called churches. I was a part of a VW church, whose Pastors are very dear friends and have given me and my family a sense of community and belonging that has been vital to our growth as human beings. We didn't meet on Sunday mornings but still when we gathered I felt just as refreshed as I did on any given Sunday morning after church.



For me this idea of church and sunday mornings has changed so much over the years. It used to be that when I was the child, I tried to do everything I could to get out of getting up and going to church with my mom and dad and rest of the family. Now I am the parent who is trying to get everyone up and motivated and out the door in time for church. Sometimes I revert back to being the child, shh... don't tell my children I said that. Really I am not quite sure why that is that I have reverted back to childhood in recent years, but when it comes to going to church, I just know that at some point church became a chore. Something I checked off my list of things to do in a week. It's not a chore but rather a gift that shouldn't be taken for granted.

I remember when church was the highlight of my week and the pinnacle of my social interactions as a teenager. When I was finally able to go to the church of my choice my sister and I would drive 30 miles from Carson City to Reno to go not only to church on Sunday mornings but then again to an evening youth church that night. I met people and families then that I am still friends with today. I met and married my husband with that family or church. Then we moved on to find a church closer to home and one that we chose together.
That family supported us through the early years of our marriage and into the years of parenting. It was a safe haven and a place that we were healed from so much. I am still good friends with those family members/friends. Finally before moving here to Seattle we became a part of a city on hill or the Hillside family and those years...well they were like nothing I have ever known or will know again. Those years taught me so much. I never thought I would find a place like it.

So you see, Sundays for me have never been just another day.

And now as a parent I don't want my children to grow up and think that Sunday is just another day of the week either. However, I don't want them to be the children that dread going to church and so it is hard for me to find the balance there.



Recently, I have been so incredibly blessed to have found a group of people at Bethany UCC in Seattle.
They are a beautiful group of people that come from all over the world. Today I sat with tears of joy for this church and for the churches before this that have walked along side me and my family for many years.

I am a better person because of some of the people that my life has crossed paths with in these churches, families, communities and clubs. I am full of hope that church really is being redefined for my whole family and that healing is ahead because of it. I am thankful for those who spend their days looking for better ways that they can serve their community whether it's through the forum of a church or not. YOU are to be commended if you are counted among one of those people who is serving your community, church, family, club. I pray all of God's blessings on you for this and many more of the things you do to make the world, our world a better place.

Namaste.

Bullet Points on Superbowl Sunday

I am afraid I may have lost the 2.5 readers that I once had due to lengthy preachy blogs so for the sake of hanging on to the few faithful readers I have I will try to keep this blog down to fun short bullet points;

There is nothing better in the chip department as Tostitos Hint of Lime white corn chips. Mixed with salsa that has cream cheese and avocado and one begins to feel life is worth living again.

Speaking of life and it truly being worth living ,The Giant and I have started taking St. John's Wort. It's a vitamin used for anxiety and depression. I am hopeful it will help.

Me and my kids have gone twice to a church called Bethany United Church of Christ in Seattle. Aside from this church we only tried one other mega church in Everett that was good but just not the right fit. Anyway, back to Bethany UCC, I really like this community of people(no Hillside because nothing will ever come close to you, still I am interested in getting to know this group better) and believe that they are on a track I want to get on.
Emma is not quite on board yet because we sing out of hymnals and she says, "It smells like old people" but I reminded her today that I want to keep going for the things they value are similar to my own. It's different from anything my kids have ever experienced as far as church goes, but to me feels vaguely familiar to my old Catholic days but in all the good ways.

My car has been out of commission for the past 3 weeks. Flat tire, brake lights, another Flat tire and then something engine related that not even the Giant wanted to tackle. We brought it to a local mechanics shop and for under 500.00 I am on the road again. It feels really nice, really nice. I am grateful for my car the Ford whose name is Beastie Boy.

I have discovered quite a bit about myself in this move. One of the things that I have discovered is that I have taken the feeling of comfort one has in being known by others for granted. It is hard and gets old very quickly to always be the new person. It is also quite humbling and has taught me again the value of hospitality.

I don't really watch football AT ALL. Most everyone who knows me knows my true sport of choice is baseball. I am watching today though because well there is nothing else going on, and I am rooting for the Saints. I remember visiting New Orleans a few years back with Moses and it was 2 years after Katrina, still the devastation was so great and it was an eye-opening experience to see what this city has been through so that is why I vote GO SAINTS!! For no other reason and for a completely non-football related reason but there it is. GO SAINTS!!

Pic of the view we have up our hill, pretty amazing.

Approaching the Sabbath

Today was a bittersweet day for me in that it was great to be with everyone but as I looked around I began to feel sad in a way knowing that I won't be seeing everyone for the next few weeks. In sharing communion at second service I began to get a bit teared up which is silly I suppose but then maybe not. This past few weeks have been emotional for our family and as I looked around the room this morning I was very grateful for all the relationships that I have come to enjoy through Hillside. I was feeling the" vitamin love." :)
I am very excited in many ways to have this time because I believe that God is going to do some really big and also very small things to continue to grow me. I am proud to call Hillside my church family/community and I am proud of all of us for answering this call to step it up a notch. At the same time I am very mindful of how much this thing we call church has become a very normal part of my routine, a connection point if you will, and again not being one who is big on change it takes me a minute to get fully on board with any change.
I am on board fully with this change. Mostly because I know it a direct call to obedience but also because I know it is a necessary part of our growth as a church family.
Today some very close friends came to visit Hillside for the first time and thier newbie commentary was so, so positive. It made me really appreciate some things that maybe I have come to take for granted for the last 3 years that I have been a part of Hillside.
All that to say, I will miss you family. Looking forward to our bon-voyage on Saturday and the party that will launch this and also to what lies ahead.

The Family of God

Family of God you are a gift to me.
Just very thankful for the family God has given me at Hillside(and formerly at the Fountainhead). I am so glad I get to be a part of such a wonderful group of people. Thanks each of you for who you are and how much you love Jesus and His people.
That's all!!! Just sharing the vitamin love!!! (my new favorite phrase)

Church Service at the Scofields

Ok let me just set up the scenario for you . First they worshiped as all good church services do. Emma on pink guitar, Chloe lead singer, and Sol singin backup(me and zay in the other room pretending not to notice) They lead karoke style with the radio in the backround while they rocked out to "More love, More power, More of you in my life" They were all standing up on the fireplace like a stage and then when worship was over Em took the lead (as she always does)
Chloe and Sol took seats in front of the fireplace stage, and promply pulled out their bibles ready to learn. Emma began with a good welcome, and then started to read out of the bible, when suddenly Chloe's cell phone rang and the service was interupted.
Who needs Saturday morning cartoons when ya got this kind of entertainment!!!