Quotes

Things I never thought I'd say: "Don't lick the cat!" (said to a child who shall remain nameless)

Things I never wanted to hear: "Mommy, your hair looks like a lion's mane!" (said to me by Joy after I had dried but not yet flat ironed my hair)

Today was kind of a tough day. Paul had been gone overnight on a trip for church, and,of course, I didn't go to bed early enough. Faith and Hope are working on speeches for 4-H Demonstration Day on Saturday, and we still have a lot of work to do.

And then our youth minister announced that he is leaving. I've known since Monday, but the youth didn't know until tonight. I know God has great plans for him and for us, but it's still sad when someone leaves. Faith also is sad. He is the only youth minister she has known.

A Matter of Perspective

Yesterday the mailman delivered my new rain boots. Today God delivered some rain. And my feet were warm and dry! Sometimes it's the small things that make me happy.

It's amazing how new rain boots transformed a gray, dreary day that could have been depressing into a day that was kind of fun! So much of life really is my attitude. And far too ofen I allow myself to just see the bad or the hard or the inconvenient rather than seeing those things as an opportunity God is using to develop something new in me.

Consider it pure joy, by brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~James 1:2-4

I Think I Need Another Break!

Thanksgiving Break wasn’t much of a break in our house. We spent several days getting ready for and then performing in the Great Russian Nutcracker. And by we I mean Faith, Joy, and Grace. I just ferried them to the studio and the theater and made buns and bought tights and such. The girls all did such a great job! And afterward Faith and I went to the cast party at our dance instructor’s home. Joy and Grace went home with Hope, Daddy, and Nana. Because for them mingling with Russians doesn’t begin to compare with Nana time! Faith, however, appreciated the unique experience and was able to get many autographs.

I cooked a pretty good Thanksgiving dinner. But without turkey. We had ham and a rotisserie chicken along with homemade bread, cornbread dressing, and that sweet potato casserole with all the butter, pecans, and sugar. And pie, of course!

I was able to get some shopping done. Not the 4 am variety, but some realistic 8ish shopping. I really didn’t need much, but I was able to get my niece’s present and the little girls got some new jeans and leggings. Paul did get us a new TV! We now have a wonderful new flat screen!

We put up our tree on Thanksgiving day, much to the delight of the girls. They put on all of the ornaments themselves, and I must say they did a fine job! I love our tree. It won’t make Southern Living, but each ornament has a history and means something.

We went to a nearby Christmas tree farm as well. We have an artificial tree, but we all enjoy looking at the beautiful “real” trees, eating the biscuits and sausage, and riding on the hay ride.

The girls really liked the Snowman Tree!

Joy and Grace watching some syrup making!

Walking through the trees.

I want to write more, but there’s a piece of chocolate chip pecan pie calling my name! And I don’t think I can ignore it any longer!

Overheard

Some recent quotes:

"And God told Abraham, 'Y'all are going to have a baby.'" ~Grace, narrating the story of Abraham and Isaac. (I always knew God spoke Southern!)

"I'm going to open this card with joy!" ~ Joy, before opening a card from Nana

"Next, I think I want some church heels." ~ Grace, commenting on her desire for shoes with heels

You gotta love 7-year-olds!!

Things I Want to Remember about Camp

*The LONG charter bus ride. We rode all night, and I think everyone slept.
*A great group of middle school girls in my room.
*A beautiful condo to stay in.
*My own king-sized bed.
*Being thankful to be on the sixth floor so we could take the stairs when the elevators were slow.
*Climbing 13 flights of stairs while escorting a friend's daughter to her room.
*7000 worshippers!
*Worshipping next to my daughter! Amazing!
*The Atlantic Ocean. The ocean is both relaxing and exciting and always reminds me of the vastness of my God.
*Coldstone ice cream.
*Chris Tomlin signing our new Compassion Child packet.
*Paul and I getting to meet with Louie back stage.
*Missing my girls at home with my mom.
*Walking on the beach at midnight with my daughter and some other middle school girls.
*Adopting 2 new Compassion children.
*The sun rising over the ocean.
*David*Crowder in concert!

Waves

It seems like our life is like an ocean: a series of never-ending waves. Just when I think things are manageable, a huge wave swells on the horizon and threatens to overwhelm me. And far too often I let it. Sometimes I feel like I can barely catch my breath! We've had a lot of waves this year, some thrilling and exhilarating, others just plain big.

*Dance recital
*Piano recital
*Visiting friends
*Work
*Ministry
*Tired children
*Student Life Camp!
*Allergies
*WinShape Camp
*Dance workshop
*VBS
*Minor illnesses
*Dealing with challenging people in our lives
*Laundry
*Cleaning
*Curriculum choices for the new school year
*Sick elderly parents

I don't always handle the waves well. I can identify with David in Psalm 124 when he writes in verses 4-5, "The flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away." But David didn't say the flood did engulf him or the torrent did sweep over him or the waters did sweep him away. He said they would have. Why didn't they? Because the LORD was on his side. And I know that God is on my side, too. Romans 8:31 says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Then Paul goes on to write in verse 37, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him." ~Lamentations 3:22-24