Random thoughts and quips since we moved in late December

I am still trying to play blog catch-up since the move.  We're still overwhelmed by all the unpacking and home improvement projects in process around us, but we're in!  We are finally in!  We took the following photo when we left for church that first Sunday after the move.  Our habit had always been to drop by this place after church to check on construction progress, but on this day, we left from this place to go to church, and several different sets of friends dropped by to check on our progress unpacking instead.  What a gift to finally be here! (Gift #466)

Children are a gift from the Lord.  There is no doubt about that, but some days I feel guilty for not enjoying this parenting journey like the country song (scroll down for the lyrics) says I should.  I must slow down and cherish the blessings along the way because when I get in a hurry or in a tizzy over all the work they create for me, I miss the gift and lose the joy.  So, I thought I would share a few recent quotes and antidotes of the kids to remind myself that they still regularly amuse and entertain in the midst of the inevitable trials that come with raising children.

My son started attending our daughter's school in January.  I agonized over having him go to such a strict, scary place and knew I would be so lonely without him. I worried that we should not have made him repeat a grade (he skipped a grade at his previous school) so he could go through the rest of his school years with kids his own age.  But regardless of grade, he certainly got the right teacher, so that is a blessing indeed.  She is so dedicated, loves her students, and has told me that she draws much encouragement from our son's sweet smile and steady focus during her presentations. (Gift #467)

First day at the new school

I have also lamented over how we would afford tuition for two kids at this school which is twice as expensive as the last one they attended before our move. I have interviewed for several part-time jobs but cannot make peace about investing that much time away from home.  I am also lamenting the low pay rates available for part-time work for someone who has been out of the workforce to stay home with the kids for the past nine years compared to what I made ten years ago.  It was a sacrifice I do not regret, but it does make coming up with enough money to offset tuition more time consuming than homeschooling them myself could ever be.  But alas, that option no longer works for our family, at least not at this time.

I am continuing my tutoring business and have added a new student.  I was overjoyed beyond measure to see him raise his failing grades to high As and high Bs after only two sessions.  It is amazing to watch God work such miracles, for I did nothing but offer my time.  God works miracle apart from anything mere mortals could ever do in a way that assures that only He gets the glory.  (Gift #468) 

Now back to the kids' shenanigans:

When my daughter won all those medals at her first gymnastics meet (Gift #469), my husband had the following conversation with the kids:

Dad:  Where should we eat for our celebration dinner?

Kids (in unison):   Zaxby's

Dad:   When have you ever eaten there?

Daughter:     Mom took us there when I was 3 and she was temporarily not into health so much. Those were the golden days!

Speaking of food, my 7-year-old recently had the following things to say about food: 

"I feel really sorry for my new friend at school because he ate two hotdogs for lunch today which means he just cut his lifespan by 14 years."

(So I guess my lecture on nitrites, nitrates and leftover pig parts was a little too much for him a few years ago.)

When I asked him if he wanted steak or pork for dinner one night, he said, "I want pork because eating steak is against Chick-fil-A laws."

 I also recently over heard my son tell his neighborhood friend, "You really should start eating breakfast. Don't you know breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it's the only meal that doesn't involve vegetables."

I guess I need to start serving vegetable omelets, zucchini pancakes, and sauteed mushrooms and tomatoes for breakfast.

Should potty antics come after food comments?  While my kids are using the restroom, I have heard them singing praise songs, history facts, Latin declensions, math tables, and attempts at opera. There they have read books, studied science, written papers, and built Lego boats. Recently I heard squawks from the tin whistle blasting from the girl's jungle themed bathroom. Is the bathroom simply that inspiring or do kids retreat to the bathroom to avoid chores in the same way moms of small children retreat to the bathroom for a brief moment of solitude?  Whatever the case, I'm thankful whenever my kids feel intellectually inspired, even if the inspiration happens in the bathroom. (Gift #470)

Now that we have just moved to the other side of our new town, I have been using GPS often as I run errands.  When I got into the car the other day with the kids to do some shopping, I turned on the GPS unit, and the route guidance immediately started directing me to Disney World!  My sneaky kid struck again and made me laugh. (Gift #471) 

While I have thoroughly enjoyed tutoring high school math, I have been at a loss as to how to help my daughter improve in penmanship since her teacher's standards are so high that I would likely fail penmanship were I her student. Then my little gymnast decided to pretend the lines on her notebook paper were parallel bars and the letters were various positions of a competitive gymnastics routine. Straight body lines and perfect arches are key to scoring a perfect 10, so now the subject she once hated has become a fun gymnastics routine she loves.  I love the way that girl thinks, and am always thankful for an educational breakthrough. (Gift #472)

The kids bring love, joy, and laughter, but nothing compares to nuggets of truth gleaned from God's word.  Here are a few inspirational thoughts that have held me recently:

Perhaps the reason our culture's perspectives of beauty and freedom are so skewed is because we have lost respect for true holiness and He who possess all holiness and bestows it through the work of His Son. See Psalm 27:4, 1 Chronicles 16:29, and 1 Tim. 2:9-11.

 "Holiness is at the core of beauty and freedom, for these are the result when evil is absent or has been cut away....Consider, for an earthly example, a sparkling mountain stream fed by melting snow. This picture stands in sharp contrast to the ugliness of a stagnant, murky pond filled with smelly waste." (Myrna Alexander) 

I keep a similar reminder up on the wall of our exercise room.  Pursue holiness which is only given through the blood of Christ above all else.

This post, "Lover or Prostitute: The Question that Changed My Life" has had me thinking about my personal relationship with the Lord and how I can help my children enter into a more intimate relationship with Him out of love, not just want...the want for what He gives instead of who He is.  I am so thankful for the way that post has me seeking Him deeper.  (Gift #473)

I recently wrote a set of devotionals for our women's ministry at church about our journey from the old house that would not sell to the apartment and then to this house and how God gave me a vision for what He wants us to do here.  He painted a clear picture of what our community would be like in terms of diversity of worldviews, and it has turned out to match that vision perfectly.  I am so grateful that He chose to give me a forewarning so that I could prepare myself to engage lovingly cross culturally (Gift #474).  The  prospect excited me as I have always loved meeting people from all over the world, but I do better when I have time to pray and ponder over what lies ahead.

I did specifically ask for one like minded family to join us in this community, and I only asked for one.  That prayer has been answered, and I am so glad the Lord revealed one family to me as soon as they moved in.  Specific answers to prayer are such a gift as they strengthen our faith.  (Gift #475)

Part of the vision, which I believe came from God,  I had for our new home was that it should be a gathering place, retreat, or safe house for the neighborhood, community, or anyone passing through from the uttermost parts of the world.  Recognizing what a gift this home is, I am to share it willingly. I desire God's will, and we built this house with that vision in mind, but I am also fallen and entirely selfish.  I do not like to share what I work so hard to build and keep clean, but joy comes in giving, so share I must.

I had no idea how this vision would unfold or how others would begin coming to our home, but like the famous movie line says, I had to believe that "if you build it, they will come".  My faith was tested when little things occurred outside of my control which I feared would scare all the neighbors away.  Within a few days, despite my concerns, that vision has come to fruition without even having to extend an invitation.  People just keep coming, so I guess God is sending them. I've never cooked so much or hosted so many people in such a short time frame as I have in this home even in the midst of all the chaos of home projects underway everywhere.  The DIY construction mess is driving me crazy, but I am learning that a house doesn't have to be in perfect order to be a home or a respite for visitors.  Thank you, Lord, for clearly giving me the opportunity to learn to love my neighbor as myself.  (Gift #476)  Please use our home, our family, our time, and our resources (which are not really ours anyway but yours) for your greater good and for our spiritual refinement.   

You're Gonna Miss This Lyrics

She was starin' out the window of their SUV
Complainin', sayin', I can't wait to turn eighteen
She said, I'll make my own money and I'll make my own rules
Momma, put the car in park out there in front of the school
And she kissed her head, and said, I was just like you

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days
Hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In her one bedroom apartment and her daddy stops by
He tells her it's a nice place, she says, It'll do for now
Starts talkin' about babies and buyin' a house
Daddy shakes his head and says, Baby, just slow down

Cuz' you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days
Hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber
Workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin' and one kid's screamin'
And she keeps apologizin'

He says, They don't bother me
I've got two babies of my own
One's thirty-six, one's twenty-three
Huh, it's hard to believe

But you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days
Hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

You're gonna miss this
Yeah, you're gonna miss this

Songwriters
GORLEY, ASHLEY / MILLER, LEE THOMAS

Published by
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., EMI Music Publishing, WINDSWEPT HOLDINGS LLC