Who am I?

Dear kids,

This week two monumental things have happened. First, I sat back and let all of you decorate the Christmas tree. Without any direction from me. Secondly, we got a puppy. If you know me well, you understand the significance of each of these. It's like I don't even know who I am anymore.

I'm not sure where the giving up control of Christmas decorating kicked in. I brought all the Christmas boxes down from the attic, and the next thing I knew, I was sitting on the couch watching each of you place ornaments on the tree. You were each very purposeful in where the ornaments hung. There were lots of smiles, lots of noise, and lots of joy.  I realized while I was sitting there, that the world didn't fall apart because I let go of control. And even though I probably would have done things differently, the tree looks nice.

As for the dog...... never in my right mind would I have agreed to an 8 week old puppy in the house. Especially since we already have a cat inside. Which proves one thing - senility is setting in. You should probably take advantage of this time of life before I'm in a retirement home playing cards with myself.

I do hope that years from now (should the Mayans have missed the date of the end of the world) when you're reading this, that you won't remember how much it bothered me to have an ornament on the tree out of place, or how long I tried to hold out having another animal amongst us - but that you will remember the joy of our home and how much I love each of you.

Love,

Mom

I need to practice my pageant wave

Wednesday night is Ellie's gymnastics class. It couldn't be at a worse time - I drop her off at gym, the boys and I meet Kyle at church, eat dinner, then I go pick Ellie up and bring her back to church.

There's a point to this - hang in there.

This past Wednesday, she complained of a sore throat all day. But, I assumed it was for attention, since she also told me she needed to lay on the couch and watch tv all day. However, when it was time for gymnastics, she happily got ready to go and off we went.

I did the normal routine and made it back in time to see the last few minutes of her class.  I could tell she wasn't her normal self - she was actually standing still while waiting in line and not talking to anyone. When class was over, she slowly walked towards me and said her throat hurt.

And here's my mom quote of the year - "You're fine. Get your shoes on and let's go."

That's when I put my hand to her forehead and quickly regretted my statement. She was burning up.

Commence "Mom of the Year" (MOY) celebration.

By the time we got home, her temp was 102. So, not only had I ignored her complaints all day, but I obviously sent her to gymnastics for 1 1/2 hours sick as a dog.

(Has anyone else ever marveled at phrases we use? Just how sick is a dog?)

(Or am I the only one who uses that phrase?)

(Please don't answer that.)

The good news is by yesterday afternoon, her fever was gone and now all that's left is a constant. hacking. cough.

Lest I lead you astray in thinking this is my first win at MOY - let's just say I'll probably start using the extra bedroom as a MOY crown showcase.

What about you? Has anyone else won MOY? Or even been nominated?

Joy in the Midst

As we leave the airport, I try not to make eye contact.  I’ve been here before. This same place. Seeing their dark, curious eyes on me. I know if I look up, I’ll see their faces. Desperate faces. Faces without hope. I don’t want to see that now. Not yet.  I thought I was ready for this. Prepared myself well with memories of the last time. But nothing prepares you for seeing life in the third world.

We drive to our host home and I see the poverty. Poverty that I knew existed but had long since become a faded memory.

We settle into our home for the next week. It is here that we are safe and will have a reprieve from the sights, sounds, and smells of life outside of these walls. I am grateful for a bed, running water - even though I can't drink it, and a real bathroom. But for many, they will have no reprieve tonight. I ache for them.

Throughout the week, we visit with believers. Members of the body of Christ in Guatemala. It is here that I see it. HOPE. I hear their prayers and their songs of praise and worship. I see true joy on their faces. And God says to me "Your circumstances are not an excuse for your lack of joy." 

It cuts like a knife. I am a chronic complainer and whiner to God. I tell him everything that needs to be improved or made better. I suggest better ways for things to work out. I take note of what I don't have, what I need, and what others have that I think would be good for me. And when those things don't happen, I fall into the pit of discouragement. All because of my circumstances. I forget that I serve the One can give me true joy despite what's going on around me.

Yet here, in the middle of desperate poverty, with dirt floors, no running water, and little to eat - there is joy. Maybe it's because they have nothing that they are able to completely depend on the only One who can give them joy and hope. Because even in the midst of nothing - He is everything.

Introductions

This, my friends, is my new spot in the web-o-sphere. The old blog was a bit ... tired. The sort of tired that a person begins to feel as they barrel full speed ahead towards the big 4-0. Not that I would know what that is like - seeing that I am still 29 and all.

So in case you're new in these parts - this blog is a little peek into what goes on in my world. I am married to my best friend (everyone together now, "Awwww!") and homeschool our four kids. Lucas is 12 and growing at an alarming rate. At this point, I'm convinced he'll be at least 8 feet tall by spring. Noah is ten and is the deep thinker of the bunch. Nine year old Jacob is passionate about everything and LOVES sports. And then there's Ellie - our seven year old Guatemalan princess. Except when she's not so much of a princess and is taking down a brother. Literally.

Before being a wife and mom, however, I am passionate about my relationship with Christ. I'm grateful for His grace in my life and humbled that He chose me.


Welcome.