When Mother's Day Just Is What It Is

Mother's Day... just the mention of it likely brings emotion.  


There are some years when Mother's Day is amazing.  Like my first Mother's Day which involved a Baby Dedication of my then two month old Emily with Grandparents visiting from two different states, my husband preparing to graduate from college, a lovely dinner out and roses and cards. 

Then there was another amazing Mother's Day when my husband and children planned a unique and special gift.  Several years prior a few children were rough-housing and knocked over my teacup tower (why I had a tea cup tower with nine children I will never know!) However, Doug took all the broken pieces to his Aunt Kat who, being the amazing crafter that she is, took a small side table, grouted all the pieces to the top, affixed a plex-glass top to it and made what is now loving referred to as "Mom's Teacup Table." 

There have been many more Mother's Days with flowers, and dinner, and chocolate, and wine.

Then there are years when 

Mother's Day just is what it is.  

This Mother's Day just is.  We are in the middle of a move into our RV for our GREAT ADVENTURE, our house is inching closer to the finish line of readiness for listing, and we are all pretty exhausted. 

The gift this year is the Adventure!  

Today I will work, I will mother, I will cook and clean and do all the things I normally do.  I am thankful and realize that I am ABUNDANTLY BLESSED to be a mother!  


Practice gratefulness this Mother's Day. Tell your people if there is something (realistic) you would like (such as time to write a blog post!) Thank the Lord for the amazing gift of motherhood. 

May the tenderness and graciousness of our Lord be upon you today. 

He tends his flock like a shepherd: 

He gathers the lambs in his arms 

and carries them close to his heart; 

he gently leads those that have young.

Isaiah 40

Puncture Wounds and Patience... Get Growing!

Sometimes things don't work out exactly the way you think they are going to... Okay, so MOST of the time things don't work out exactly the way you think they will... Or at least that's how it is for me.  

When I showed up to the house on Wednesday, I did not expect to see my husband sitting in the chair, his left hand plunged into the cooler of ice. 

While Doug is very handy, he apparently got a little butter-fingered and missed the caulk with the caulk gun puncture-tool and punctured his hand instead.  His hand swelled up nicely, so much so that when it was suggested he remove his wedding ring, it took a good 15 minutes of pulling to remove it which thoroughly bruised up his ring finger.

Since it's been a kagillion years since he had a Tetanus shot I suggested he get one... construction zone, puncture wound, minimal bleeding, Yeah, that was a good idea.  So in we went to Redi-Medi or something like that where Doug got to be The Patient.  The technician who saw us was hilarious.  At least if you have to be in pain at a Redi-Medi clinic it's nice to have a tech, with great bedside manner.  At the end of the appointment she awarded Patient Doug with a Dora Bandaid.  Guess she thought he earned it! 

Meanwhile, I had taken the van in for an alignment and tire inspection because it's had a strong pull to the right for a number of months.  I expected to be there for an hour, I was there for three!  Travis and I played hangman, Angry Birds, and took turns on the tablet until the battery died.  We had some good time together, but again, it was very long.  When I left, the van still had a pull, but now it was to the left!  I called and they said I had to come back in.   Not exactly what I wanted to hear! (I was somewhat IMPATIENT with this errand!) When I went back in, they told me the tires I had on there were RECALLED and I would need four new tires, AT NO CHARGE!  Hallelujah!   So it did take a long time, but we did end up with a very good outcome.  

So my patience has been tried and tested many times this week.  But I'm working on growing that sweet fruit of patience and it's nice when I get a perk, like free tires!

What fruit is growing in your life this week?  

What areas is God challenging you in?  

Rise up to it and get GROWING! :)

Ready! Set! TRUST!

With weeks full of painting and packing and purging the eleven of us are READY to get on the road.  As Doug and I sat the in jacuzzi last night for a few minutes of quiet (while the kids watched Gnomeo and Juliet on youtube) we pondered the possibility that God just so orchestrated our life so that we would be READY to leave.  You see, if we hadn't had all the work and trial of preparations we would not have been quite so READY to pull up stakes and move along.  

God is so good!  

He knows what we need! 

Throughout my years of parenting I've worried about the things I haven't experienced yet.  The list is endless but has included through the years, potty-training, pre-school, elementary, middle, and the dreaded highschool teaching, then the all important ultimate young adult issues of career pathing, courtship,  and marriage.

He's got this!

He's GOD!

The Bible is our guide.  God is our Leader. Following His word and His guidance will not lead us astray.

We can TRUST Him!

Years ago a very wise homeschool Mom who was a little further down the path than I, encouraged me saying, "God is at work in your kids.  He will accomplish His will and you are ONE of His tools to do that."  She went on to explain that my kids are not the sum total of my parenting skills or lack thereof.  What a burden was lifted!  Once again, Stacy discovered, it's not all about her!  

PRAISE THE LORD!  

What are you worrying about?  What do you need God to provide?  What do you lack?  Take it to Him.  Ask for His help and guidance.  Read His word.  Meditate on his principles.  He's already got plan! Trust Him.

So as we embark on our GREAT ADVENTURE, not knowing exactly what it will look like, we do know one thing for sure.  God will use it to accomplish His will in us, for His Glory.  And that, my friends is exactly what we want. 

My son, do not forget my teaching,

    but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

    and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

    bind them around your neck,

    write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name

    in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3

Here Goes Apples!

OK Friends, this is it!  It's one thing to talk about doing something... it's quite another to actually DO IT!  And we are DOING IT! :)  My husband Doug said it right, I'm on the diving board edge, freaking out about jumping in.  

You know, I STILL remember the first time I jumped off a diving board, I was about seven or eight years old and let's just say that was a REALLY long time ago.  As I stood there shivering at Lake Conner Park where we camped in a borrowed camper that summer, I was terrified and exhilarated all at the same time.  I will never forget shouting "Well, here goes apples!"  To this day I'm not sure what apples had to do with jumping, but it's what I hollered.  

I DID IT!  I JUMPED!  

And here I am to tell about several decades later!  You will never know what God has in store for you if you don't JUMP!  When we are in over our head is when we see God work the mightiest.  I don't know what all He has in store for this trip.  But I have a feeling there is something to simplifying, appreciating what He has made, and building relationships that last.  We are learning all about teamwork, we are learning about letting go of stuff, and we are learning about trusting in Someone with a bigger vision for our life than we could ever have. 

What is God doing in your life?  What area are you having a hard time trusting Him?  Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

⁹ 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts."

So whatever it is, a cross-country trip in an RV with nine children or a trip to China to minister to orphans, in my case, God is worthy of our trust.  He's got this.  

Moving is such sweet sorrow…

We are at the part of the Great Adventure where it doesn’t really feel like an adventure at all; it feels like I am sinking in the mire of a million boxes, bubble wrap, and dust while the violins of sentimentality play 

their melancholy melodies over and over in my head.  What are we doing?  Where are we going?  Are we crazy?  Why are we doing this?  And then the “What Ifs” start.  I won’t bore you with all of them, but trust me, there are plenty.

In the midst of the NOISE of moving, it has been a challenge to see the BEAUTY in the chaos.  But I’m choosing to see it. 

Small things have brought smiles… a pair of Heelys found on Kingwoodyardsales.com in the exact size and colors we wanted; a FOUND ipod after praying about it together (it was lost on the college campus and turned in to Campus police.); a friend who came and helped pack; and making a dinner that everyone liked.

As my Facebook status this week I’ve chosen to make a “Gratefulness Challenge” every morning where I list something for which I’m thankful.  It’s great because it helps me think of many things actually. I mean, I  can’t list the first thing that pops into my head because then everyday would say, “I’m thankful for coffee.”

Life is messy.

Adventures are messy.

And there is beauty, even in the mess.

What are you thankful for in the midst of the mess? 

IT'S PAID FOR!!!

MOVING SALE and FUNDRAISER REPORT

See my really cool fundraising gauge there? >>>>>

I think it needs a big 

at the top!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  

The entire amount needed for my trip has been graciously provided.  My family and friends have bought books, donated garage sale items, and given funds towards the trip in July.  

A HUGE 

to all who donated.  I am so thankful.

The moving sale is over and raised almost $500! 

Rejoice with me at the provision and grace of our Great God!

LORD, Your Grace is Enough.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

That is the scripture I posted on my Facebook page this morning.  Seven hours ago when I wrote that I wasn't so sure about this day.  I wanted to say, "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."  But wasn't so sure that would be possible.  Having too much to do with too little sleep and too short on patience, I began recalling scriptures about grace and strength.  Posting them I hoped would be a reminder to me and an encouragement to others to trust in His goodness and grace.  

Praise the Lord, and thank you for your prayers.  His grace truly carried me today.  As I sit and type at this moment I miraculously have a napping baby (who Emily rocked to sleep!  ROCK ON EM!) have two kids at a birthday party, two at play practice, and three littles playing in the backyard with their teen sissy.  

He provides what we need when we lean on and trust in Him.  It seems lately that most of what I have to offer is weakness, tiredness, and chaos that is not so beautiful.  But I'm finding that it is IN the mess, IN the weariness, and IN the moment I call out, that I find the strength I need.  It does not come from me, it comes from Jesus.  He truly is all we need.

Life is beautiful chaos.