From Jack...

Waiting

I have noticed lately as people ask about the job-hunt process that where a few months ago I was excited about the possibilities, I now feel tired and weary of this process and ready for it to be over. It has been looming ahead of us since we came to seminary and for a few months since we actually began seriously looking.
A song we sung in worship this morning has a line that the Lord used to both convict and encourage me- not that those two things are separate. Really, they should go together. Anyway, the line reads "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord." That stopped me. I thought about it a lot and realized that waiting on the Lord as He has ordained it should produce strength. Not weariness. My weariness is a symptom that something in my own heart is not right. Am I truly waiting on Him-resting in prayer? Or have I let anxiety weigh me down?
How many times have I read Isaiah 40:31? Somehow, this time is different. I can see something I hadn't before.

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I saw this quote recently and like most moms, can relate to "the noise and clutter of my kitchen!" I pray for that same tranquility.

"The time of business," he said, "does not with me differ from the time of prayer. In the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were on my knees at the Blessed Supper." from The Practice of the Presence of God by brother Lawrence

Together

I heard that soft, sweet voice.

"Mommy, what can we do together?"

I thought for just a moment

and remembered

"How about making our pumpkin bread?"

Big smile. "Yes."

Kayla loves pumpkin bread. We put it on our Walmart list this week. She also loves to help in the kitchen. So, we mixed and poured and stirred. Together.

She really wanted to have it with dinner, which was hamburgers and hotdogs. Not a choice combination for me- but hey, the kids loved it!

My Oxen

I am having one of those overwhelming moments of: my house is a wreck...there is no hope for it. A friend and her son were here for lunch after bible study today. I found my eyes resting on places of disaster: the toys, the kitchen counter, the foyer, the toys, the computer desk, the bathroom (oh no!), etc... Did I mention the toys? And the laundry- can I not get it all put away just once?
I know in my head the right answers to this issue. Which is really a heart issue more than anything. I think I should be able to do this. To handle my home. To keep it in order. The condemnation rushes in and I find myself weighed down by the things that do not matter. The momentary things. Doesn't Romans tell us there is "now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?" Even in something so small as how my house looks? Oh how I need grace.
Grace to enjoy lunch with a dear sister and to care more about her than what she may think of me or my home. Grace to admit my shortcomings and trust the Lord for all that I need. Grace to enjoy my family, even when it means letting things go around the house sometimes. Grace to learn what God would have me learn.

"Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty..." Proverbs 14:4

The Climber

I am enjoying Samuel so much right now. He has got quite the personality. He is either very happy and playful or...he is not and he let's you know it! I feel sure that when he learns to talk, he will have plenty to say!One of his new favorite things to do is climb. Loading the dishwasher is a challenge because I can turn around for a second and find him sitting on the open door. Or, as seen here, he climbs on his activity table and tries to sit on it, which you would think would not be very comfortable. I guess challenge is more desirable than comfort sometimes!

Although comfort often wins out. He is one who loves to be held. It is said that he is attached to my hip. Which is true. Sometimes inconveniently so. And though I cannot always hold him when he would like for me to, I do when I can. My 6 year-old too quickly grew up and doesn't really want to be held anymore. And I guess in some ways, that is as it should be. But I know a time is coming sooner than I would like when I cannot make it all better by picking Samuel up and letting him sit upon his perch. When it will take more than something so simple.

So, I will hold them while I can.

On the Other Side...

A sweet three-year old's birthday party. (Happy Birthday, Emily!) A moonbounce. An energetic 6-year old. Netting on the side of the moonbounce. An innocent game with a grown-up friend. A yanked out tooth.

And now we are on the other side of the drama and able to smile about it but I can tell you there were no smiles from Jack for a while last night. The tooth wasn't loose. Or if it was, barely. It got caught in the netting and out it came! An unexpected twist in the evening.

We heard, though, that the tooth fairy pays more for teeth that get knocked out unexpectedly-and she did!