Right Now

Right Now:
Hubby is making a whole lotta ribs for the Viking (not football) Dinner here tomorrow night. I was relieved to hear they will be eating outside since no plates or silverware are allowed.

I'm catching up on my friend's blogs - it is fun to know what is going on in their lives. You should write one too so I can read it!

T123 are all asleep. Blissful quiet. T1 is getting really good at being a lefty and developing some good self-esteem overcoming new challenges. T2 is thriving at preschool - at least I assume so since he can't wait to go every week and I haven't gotten any notes sent home yet. Well, I got one, but was relieved when it was because someone else bit HIM. Ironic...yes, I know. Knowing his history...if I believed in karma, I'd say "what goes around comes around," but I don't so I won't say it. T3 had a pretty rough afternoon. We spent two hours at the doctors office after he spiked a 104 fever. We left after lab work, two shots of antibiotics and a prescription for even more. Poor kid. I'm thankful for modern medicine and will wait as long as needed for it any day (esp. when my other kids are happily occupied elsewhere...once again, hubby is my hero!).

Quick Update

(Here is a recent photo in our Sunflower patch...formerly known as our garden)

I'm so grateful for all the prayers and support we have received regarding T1's broken arm. Thanks for caring and thinking of us. I wanted to give you a quick update since so many have been asking. We went back to the doctor today and had it re-x-rayed and everything looked good. It is healing well and so we don't need to have surgery (as long as things cont. this way). He will have it splinted and in a sling for two more weeks and then we can move to a different kind of brace. In the meantime he is working hard in his "right mind" learning to be a lefty!

Joy - Not Just my Dish Soap Anymore

You know when you hear the same message or scripture a few times in a row that God is trying to get your attention. That happened this past week...not so coincidentally aligning with several little challenges that have come our way. Most of these aren't big things but you know those weeks when all the many little things start to add up. Yet in the midst of it all I kept running into the message of the resurrection and our source for joy. I literally heard three different messages and read it in my regular daily reading all in a matter of days. God, graciously reminding me that despite the little and big hard things we face, I can choose joy. Why? Because I know how the story ends, the victory is already won. I admit some days it is a physical struggle to choose joy over focusing on the whiny teething toddler wrapped around my knees, the attention deprived middle child jumping on the couch AGAIN, and the oldest who can't understand why I won't let him go down the slide backwards at school with a broken arm. And knowing some of the enormous struggles others face these all seem tiny and I feel like a big whiner for even struggling. BUT God is gracious. And in all these little reminders I sense His love and care and am reminded of one of my favorite verses, Isa 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young." I'm feeling gently led to choose Joy and make it more than just my dish soap today and every day.

Feelin Kinda...not so SNAZZY

For weeks now we have all (well, the boys and I at least) been psyched up to see Go Fish in concert. And to add to the hype the church hosting them put on a carnival complete with inflatables, cotton candy and snow cones to enjoy before the concert.




We were all having a great time and in the words of Go Fish "feelin kinda snazzy" and then...with two hot dogs in my hand I heard T1 screaming across the lawn in the inflatable bouncy thing. I scooped him up as he was screaming that his arm hurt. In hindsight had I known I was going to have to recount all the junkfood I allowed him to consume to go down on his medical record I think I would have at least fed him a banana or something in there...not one of my shining mommy moments. But oh well! Sooo instead of rockin the night away we ended it like this:

He ended up with some dislocation in his elbow I think and two breaks right above the elbow. Lots of drugs, some gruesome doctoring to get things back in place and way too much pain for my little guy (before the drugs) and we were on our way home.

Thankfully some great friends were on hand to keep T2 with them at the concert and they thoughtfully bought him his own glow stick, cd and dvd which he enjoyed when he got home.

And when you are down and out you might as well have a neb treatment or two for that darn asthma. Poor guys...some days are just like this. Thankfully most of them aren't.

We are praying that all stays in place the way it should so we don't have to do the surgery thing. Thanks for praying with us. And while you are praying here are some praises: We are thankful for good medical care, drugs, friends in place to take care of the other Things, the 30+ college friends who were at our house for a meeting when we got home that were praying for him, our staff team that stepped in place to lead the meeting at the last minute...the list goes on and on.

As I look at that list I'm reminded once again that God never fails to meet our every need in times of need - despite our distance from family that we would normally rely on in times like these. He is good and faithful.

My little faith is trying to shrug off feelings of guilt that if I had been praying more for my kids protection this wouldn't have happened...I know, crazy thoughts, but there they are. Thankfully with a curious, climbing toddler, an active 4 year old and an injured six year old trying to figure out life without his dominant hand, there isn't much time for thoughts like those anyways...just quick prayers for more hands and lots of patience!

The Almost 13th Disciple

Mark 10 describes what we commonly refer to the rich young ruler. You know, the guy whom Jesus invited to come follow Him, or as the amplified says, "walk the road that I walk." But as the story goes this man loved his life as it was too much – he was very wealthy and didn't want to give up all he had to be with Jesus. This begs the question in my own heart, what is it that I love too much that keeps me from walking the same road that Jesus is walking? Is it the comfort of having similar friends, all with the same interests and political points of view that keeps me from walking across the room with Jesus to the woman who very different than me and extending a hand of friendship? Or do I love my "downtime" too much – those few precious hours when the boys are all in bed – that I don't want to put down my novel and read something a bit more mind shaping?

Don't get me wrong, we all need our downtime, but do I want to it too much to heed Him when He does call? And there is nothing wrong with nurturing friendships with women that are like me….but do I do it to the exclusion of the woman that Jesus really wants me to get to know and love on? This man loved all he had…just a bit too much. It literally kept him from walking where Jesus walked.

Change my heart, Abba, so I don't miss the chance to walk with You wherever you are going.

Too cool for school...and back to it!

Hubby calls this his Chief Shakazooloo outfit.

For a kid who won't keep a hat on for me - he seems to have found a compromise. Good thing the helmet came with a built in pacifier window.

Of course they each wanted a picture of their new backpacks which took up 3/4s of their bodies.

Thing 2 - the big day finally came and he was the very first into the door at preschool...as he zoomed past the director said, this must be "Thing2". Hmmm, now how did she know?

Thing 1 on his first day of K. He loves it and hasn't looked back...to see me sniffling behind him. sigh...

Counting My Blessings

A new year is a good time to stop and count my blessings...so here it goes in no particular order - 35 things I'm thankful for:
1)God's love
2) Hubby's love
3) Thing 1
4) Thing 2
5) Thing 3
6) Mom and Dad
7) Brother and family
8) Mother in law, FIL and the rest of my crazy family
9) A ministry I can be a part of
10) The opportunity to stay home with my boys
11) T1 is liking K so far and I'm getting used to him liking it
12) T2 will fulfill his lifelong dream next week and start preschool
13) The UPS truck just stopped in front of our house...hmmm
14) It was a box full of Nav tshirts - I guess I can be thankful for that even
though the color is all wrong - black and white! (sorry - inside joke) Brad your design has been re-birthed!
15) The giant - and I mean GIANT - sunflowers in our garden, I finally planted something that will outgrow the weeds! And they are really fun and pretty.
16) Watching my boys wander out to the backyard and eat all the raspberries
17) Enjoying a few when they remember to share...
18) My new ipod touch - very spoiled
19) Making some progress on the TMS - again - so far it has taken 35 years, hopefully it won't take 35 more for me to get all the way through it without forgetting the beginning.
20) Living the dream - even if there are some unexpected storms - He Holds me even closer on then
21) Pandora
22) One Place - how did I ever get time in the Word before this?
23) Hymns
24) Friends!!! Oh- I can't make it without them!
25) My Bible study - you ladies rock my life!
26) The sunrise this morning - it was even better when I went outside to watch it.
27) Making cookies
28) NAPS - theirs and mine!
29) Writing
30) Pictures of those I love
31) Generosity - toward us and from us
32) Good books
33) Chocolate
34) Running
35) Wrapping up my baby after a bath and smelling his head

Capturing their Hearts

If someone were to make an action/ adventure film about Jesus' life, they would probably use Mark as the script. It is full of action, always something happening and told in a dramatic way, capturing my attention the past few days as I spend time in this book.

"And passing along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea, for they were fisherman. And Jesus said to them, Come after Me and I will make you to become fishers of men." Mark 1:16, 17

Here they are, two brothers out fishing just like they do every day, day in and day out. And then on this ordinary afternoon something extraordinary happens, Jesus appears. They had probably heard Him speak before, teaching about God and repentance. But this time He speaks directly to them! And not only does He speak to them, He invites them to come follow Him. And not only does He invite them to come follow Him, He even promises them a new identity in their following.

Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew in a word picture that would grip their hearts. They were fishermen through and through, it was who they were and how they lived. When Jesus recruits them to be His followers He paints a picture that they can immediately identify with, casting a vision for them that they can grasp and get excited about. He asks them to leave their nets behind and learn to become fishers of men.

Jesus didn't have to promise them anything, didn't have to tell them why He was calling them or what they would be able to gain from leaving all they knew behind. But Jesus did. And I love that about Him. He doesn't owe us any explanation but gives it anyways. He gives us just enough information to help us surrender to Him and enter into a whole new life beyond our wildest imaginations.

This encounter with Jesus challenges me as I seek to lead others to Him. Do I call to them in a way that they can identify with? Do I describe…or even more convicting, do I model being a disciple of Jesus in a way that grips their hearts just as Jesus' word-picture of becoming a "fisher of men" must have struck Simon and Andrew? Or do I just blithely quote Romans 6:23, draw out a little picture of their depravity and expect them to sign up immediately? I don't really want to confess right here and now how many times I've miserably failed in this area….so I won't!

From Mark's description of Jesus' calling I am challenged and motivated to do a better job next time – starting with today. And I'm praying for inspiration – insight and knowledge into each heart that will help me paint word pictures that will capture them for the LOVE of a Lifetime.

Reflections on Suffering

I wrote this article about suffering...and about Heather, of course, for SAGE. Check it out here along with a lot of other great articles and resources:

http://www.sageministries.org/sunshine-in-a-dark-room

Just for Laughs

The other morning I informed Thing 1 that he was going to the doctor for his Kindergarten check up. We reviewed things that the Dr. might look at, i.e., his eyes and ears, etc. to which T1 replied, "Is he going to look at my butt?!!!" hmmm, 6 yr olds.

T2 came upstairs that same evening after taking longer than usual to get his pjs on. I called down once to see how things were going and got no reply. A few minutes later he emerged and saying, "I got dressed....but don't check!" Hmmmm...
"Don't check what?"
"Don't check my underwear."
"Okay." without checking I could tell he had on enough underwear to last a good week and a half. Upon further inspection it was 12 pairs exactly. Why is it that he either wants to wear none or a dozen? There is no in between in anything with that kid.

Hellos and the lingering Goodbyes

Last night we had the privilege to host a going away party for some dear friends. I got off pretty easy as all the planning was done while we were on the road - I just had to open our home.

It was bittersweet of course watching everyone chat and have a great time knowing the whole point of the evening was to say goodbye. The kids bounced and splashed and sprayed the night away in the backyard...and it seemed totally normal to look out at one point and see spider-man (T2) spraying a group of kids on the trampoline to every one's delight (well except maybe for the one mom who wasn't planning on her son getting wet that evening...sorry Julie!).

As I contemplated saying goodbye to a close friend and confidant for three out of our four years here, I of course spent time remembering our first encounters and steps into a growing friendship. It all started with a hello. You never really know with that first hello what will follow. Will the final goodbye be just minutes behind, a one time encounter...or will it become a periphery friendship or maybe mature into a trusted inner-circle friend. With these dear friends I'm thankful that our final goodbye (at least to this season of friendship...it won't end, just change) was three years down the line from our first hello.

I can't help being sad. I know it wouldn't be normal if I wasn't but I put it off as long as possible anyways. In fact I refused to even say my goodbye last night knowing they aren't really leaving until Friday so I can stop by one last time today or tomorrow....probably tomorrow. :)

Again I'm faced with the reality that this world isn't all that God originally intended. A goodbye to a friend who is moving is a lighter shade of the separation that sickness and death bring. The separation that sin ushered in giving free reign to death in this world.

It is good to ache with goodbyes, and awaken my heart once again to the pain that God feels with His separation from us. We were created for relationship. Relationship with each other. Relationship with Him. And with each goodbye that I say this side of heaven I long even more for the next life when there will be no more goodbyes lingering behind the hellos.

And yet His grace ever present in my life is the presence of love and friendship. Even amidst a broken system, there is joy and life and relationship. Each a gift from Him. I'm thankful for these dear friends who have been another extension of His love and care in our lives. God be with you my friends, and I look forward to our next hello.

Home Again, Home Again.

Today I: heard the words, "get the frog out of the house" leave my lips, discovered all the grasshoppers my boys busily collected all afternoon had been stashed in my mudroom (thankfully all still the bug cage (I hope), rescued above said frog from kiddie pool in backyard. Ahhh - life is pretty much back to normal around here. It IS good to be home.

Thing 3's One Year Pictures

Well, since T3 turned one 2 months ago I've been meaning to get his picture taken. It finally happened last night - of course in my usual last minute fashion I was knitting the last rows of his leg warmers while the photo session began! But it was worth it because the pics turned out great thanks to one amazing photographer and one adorable baby (if I may say so myself, and I just did).

He isn't acting much like a baby anymore, in just the last few days our world has gotten a lot crazier with a new walker and expert climber and trash can obsessed toddler! Where did my baby go?! And he looks so innocent in these pictures...

Every last Drop

Somewhere in 2 Timothy chapter 4, maybe verse 7? (Phillips) "As for me I feel that the last drops of my life are being poured out for God. The glorious fight that God gave me I have fought, the course that I was set I have finished, and I have kept the faith."

What a beautiful picture of a man fully dedicated to God to the end of his days and the beginning of Paradise. To the end of himself and the beginning of Him. To the end of aimlessness, wasted days and years and to the beinning of making every day dedicated to Him for His eternal purposes.

This verse reminds me to take on the routine tasks of daily living with the same heart and passion for God that Paul expresses here...till every ounce of me is poured out in dedication to Him. It starts each day with the end of me and the beinning of Him. Making myself open to God putting His stamp of eternal value on that day. I often can't see the long-term worth of another load of laundry done (there probably isn't any!) but if my heart is dedicated, my mind is focused and my spirit is committed to Him - then I've done my part (by His grace alone) and will be out of the way for Him to do His...to the end.

Months of Milestones!

Lately I've just been trying to keep up with all the celebrations! I don't know who's idea it was to have all spring bdays - but it sure makes for a hectic time of year for us!

At the end of March Thing 2 turned four. He requested a knight party and can't wait to start preschool in the fall...sigh...

In the begining of April Thing 3 turned one despite my pleadings that he stay a baby a little longer. He is getting really close to walking on his own and can clean out my kitchen cabinets almost as fast as he can crawl when he knows you are after him.

T1 turned 6 just this last week. He requested a Batman party and the silly kids all just wanted to jump on the trampoline in lieu of eating cake and ice cream.

T1 also just graduated from Pre-K last night. Goodbye preschool, lunches at home with mom every day, and life as we know it...hello all-day Kindergarten. Sigh...again...
The highlights of the ceremony included T1 being annoyed with the kid standing behind him because his cap kept getting knocked off...luckily it didn't come to blows. He also decided to leap off the middle bench to receive his diploma...of course. Why walk calmly when you can jump from "up high". I'm sure he will be doing the same thing 13 years from now at his HS graduation.

Is it really possible to get a family shot with everyone looking? As we walked up to the building for the ceremony, T1 and T2 were in a footrace to the door as usual and I turned to hubby and said, "Why do I have a feeling they will still be doing that 20 years from now?" To which he replied, "Try 30 years!"

Five Dollar Fountain of Youth

For just five bucks I feel fourteen again. Since it doesn't seem like it is ever going to get above the 40s again here (those two weeks of summer in the 70s last month were great while they lasted) I broke down and bought some leggings yesterday. All my spring and summer skirts were sadly hanging in my closet pressed (ahem, okay, fluffed in the dryer with a damp rag) and ready to be worn. But with the chilly weather I just couldn't bring myself to wear them. Sooooo, enter the 80s and my new leggings and the freedom to wear a skirt while building a fort with my four-year-old, crawling after my one-year-old and playing geo-trax with my six-year-old. Thankfully no urgings have arisen to bust out the scrunchies I'm sure are waiting to be unearthed in my caboodle. Though I am thinking that a couple of pairs of thick socks in coordinating colors with my shirt and skirt would really keep my feet nice and warm on this chilly "spring" day!

Spiritual Gifts Devotional

Recently I went away for a glorious 3 days sans kids. It was hardest to leave T3 since he is still so little - but not so hard that I didn't enjoy myself. I attended a wonderful staff retreat for all the women laborers in our region. AND - bonus - I got to write a devotional for our time and share it with them. Funny how when you are going to teach on something God ends up teaching you a lot more on it than you ever thought possible.

The devotion was on spiritual gifts and this is what I shared (sorry it is in "speaking" form so just imagine my voice in your head reading it to you):

The Treasure that You Are – how God has gifted each of us.

I.
Recently my middle son Ben turned 4 and he had his first friend party. Four or five little people came over each with their gift just for Ben. Incidentally his older brother Gabe watched longingly with green eyes as Ben opened each gift that was given just to him. Well, unlike trinkets and toys that we can give each other for special occasions like birthdays that are intended “just for us”, our spiritual gifts are really for the benefit of others. Lets read Romans 12:4 -8 and Eph. 4:11-13 to see what I mean.

As we read Romans and Ephesians the first thing that I notice about the gifts God has given us is that it isn’t a gift for us! These gifts that we have been given aren’t just for our own benefit so we can feel special or have a little piece of Jesus in each of us. They are there to help those around us. Each of these listed really benefits those around us more than it benefits the gifted one.

Let’s look at the list of the different gifts God has given us: serving, prophesying, teaching, encouraging, generosity, leadership, mercy, apostles, evangelists, and pastors. Serving – Outward focus. Prophesying – how many of you prophesy to yourself? Outward focus. Encourage – outward focus.

Whenever gifts are mentioned they are for the benefit of the body of believers, not just a blessing to one individual. When we keep this in mind we don’t need to be shy about them. We also don’t need to look with “green eyes” when our sisters develop and grow them because that gift she has it isn’t really for her anyways – it is for me! And we all have a gift – and we are all in the process of figuring them out and fine tuning them. As we do that we need to use them as they were intended, to bless others around us.


II.
Just a few days ago I was so blessed to hear a speaker share Jesus’ heart for all of us. She used her unique talent for pottery along with her hard earned intimate knowledge of God’s love to bless and propel us toward Jesus. I left that time feeling closer to Jesus, more aware of His Intense love for me, and lighter in spirit in heart. I couldn’t help but bubble over His love on others for the rest of the day.
That is the effect we want to have with our gifts! We want to bless those around us but not just so they will like us or tell us how wonderful we are though let’s face it we all like that side-effect! We need to keep in mind the end goal is unity and maturity as we grow in our knowledge of God. We should aim to PROMOTE growth with our gifts.

Eph 4:12 (our gifts are there) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Eph 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So this is what we are aiming for when we use our gifts. We are to “prepare” others for His work. Other versions say: equip, perfect, and train God’s people. When I use my gifting I should be focusing on equipping my sister with it. Be it through encouraging her. Helping her get organized with my gift of administration (this is not MY gifting btw). Taking her with me to share the Gospel because God has gifted me in evangelism. Drawing out nuggets of truth from His Word to bless someone else in the body.

Those are all examples of “preparing” God’s people around us.
I like how the MSG puts 4:13: MSG - 13 until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
I’m sure we have all experienced a time or two of working on a team that was just going nowhere. Discord and miscommunication were the hallmarks. In the end nothing is accomplished. This verse casts the vision of what can be achieved when everyone brings their best to the table for the purpose of promoting the growth of the body. It reminds me of one of those wonderful “Jane Austin dances.” Everyone moving in rhythm with the music and knowing their part. It all flows perfectly and everyone is blessed by the beauty that is achieved. (not to mention the really cool outfits they all wore!).

Ladies, when we are working within our sweet spot – our gifting which is just pouring through us, we will empower our sisters and brothers to move more gracefully in response to Jesus.

But sometimes we hold back, don’t we. Different things keep us from using our gifting to our full potential. I want to end our time talking about that.

III.
I have always loved to write. As a young girl my friends and I would often write short stories to amuse ourselves and pass the time. Words have always come easily to me but only in the last 4 or 5 years have I given myself permission to explore and grow this talent. I had to work through fears of vulnerability, rejection and even seeing the worthiness of this pursuit. After all the world is filled with writers – and writing is just a talent, not even mentioned in the list of spiritual gifts.

The turning point for me was when I began to see that I truly could benefit the body with my writing craft. I became more confident and gave myself more permission to develop this skill. I also felt more confident to offer my help to others with their writing and in turn am blessed to know I’m helping them grow their God-given gift of teaching.

When we let our fears hold us back from trying out our gifts and talents, it reminds me of the parable of the talents in Matt. 25 – when the master gave three servants money to invest. The third servant was afraid and hid the talent and gave back to his master only exactly what he was given. The master was not pleased. Mat 25:29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

I hope I’m not making too much of a stretch in applying this to our gifting and what we do with them. Obviously Jesus is talking here about the kingdom of heaven. But I think the same principle can apply. We can’t let fear stand in our way of investing our gifts in people around us and reaping a harvest with them.
So often we can get tripped up – comparing our gifts or who is better at what, we think well she is soooo good at that and I’m on her team. That is my gifting too according to this test but obviously it isn’t needed. Shoot – even when I got an email yesterday that said Ronni and Marcia were the other two ladies sharing devotionals I had a small panic attack in my heart. What could I possible share that would even slightly measure up to the wisdom they will bring to us. See, I’m still learning to move past this one myself. Well, God uses multiples of things all the time doesn’t he? We have two hands, two eyes, two feet. Etc. This weekend will provide plenty of opportunity to watch each other with “green eyes” if we let it, just like Gabe watched Ben open his gifts. But lets move past that, shall we?!

Or maybe you are stuck in fear of failing yourself or Him. When I first came on EDGE that first “E” in EDGE really scared the heck out of me. I wasn’t sure what I even felt about evangelism, nor had I ever shared the gospel with a complete stranger before. But as I moved passed my fears of failure I discovered it is really pretty fun. And I even got to see gobs of women come to know Jesus that first year. I’m actually – this is a little embarrassing to admit – but I’m a little disappointed when I make an new friend and she already knows Jesus. I think, darn! I’d have loved to lead her to the Lord!

One last fear that trips us up is appearing self promoting. This was something I struggled with with my writing. How do I put my writing out there for all the world to see without appearing proud, etc. I’ve discovered that when I stop worrying about how I will come across and focus more on blessing that sister or brother next to me, I am free to use my gift how God intended – and it is all to His glory.
If we stay stranded in our fears of failure or rejection we will never use the gifts for what they were intended. Let’s use this weekend to let Jesus move us past whatever hinders us and lets encourage one another as we grow closer in unity and service to Him.

I pray we will all leave here more confident of His incredible love for us, more confident in the special gifts and talents He’s entrusted to us, and better prepared to bless others with those gifts and talents.

4:13: MSG - 13 until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

Proper Order

Well, I didn't win that writing contest. Shucks - no free writing conference for me. I knew it was a long shot but hey, you gotta try, right? I'm not trying to gloss over any disappointment here - it would have been fun to win and all - but I feel like I realized a few things about myself from not winning.

When I read the email saying I wasn't selected as the winner my very first reaction was shame. Whoa - where did that come from??? Why am I ashamed that I didn't win? It was fleeting but it was still there. What is it about failure that is so hard? Could it be that even after walking with God all these years, memorizing verses on my identity in Christ, spending countless hours studying and meditating on my value in Him - after all this my self-value is still wrapped up in my performance? When will I get it?! The feeling was fleeting - but it was still there.

I think I'm growing up out of this though...to "my" credit (really, Who is in charge of the Growing here, we all know it isn't me) - a few years ago it would have taken me a week to even tell Jeff I didn't win...I told him within a few minutes. A year ago I wouldn't have even entered. And if I did, I wouldn't have told ANYONE about it, much less posted it for all the world to see. Much less encouraged anyone else to join in bc after all they will probably send in something way more impressive than I could ever write. After I read through the "rejection email", digested it, I looked around (literally at all my Things and hubby) at how abundantly blessed I am and I thought - "oh well. my life is pretty darn good."

I think I'm getting a little more used to rejection - which from what I here is essential to surviving in this world of writing. Partly, I'm just more confident that writing is something I should be doing and rejection is just part of the deal. Partly I'm realizing that the world's acceptance and praise isn't quite as important to me as it once was - things have fallen a little more into their proper order. I look around and see all the THINGs that are most precious to me and I feel a lot better about the day. Even more importantly, when I focus on who He is and what He has asked of me I'm not so worried about being accepted by everyone else. This frees me up to write, put myself out there, and keep on doing whatever He asks of me.

What has He asked of you? Do you have things in Proper Order so you are free to do it? I'd love to hear from you...and not just so you'll praise me (though that would be nice too! ;) )

65 degrees - that is swimsuit weather here on the prairie

We have so been enjoying the spring weather the past few days - actually, in the mid 70s it is pretty much like a cool summer day. I've been ignoring the housework and just enjoying our patio view of the boys running from the sprinkler to the trampoline to the sandbox and back again. I'm surprised they haven't worn a path in the grass between the three. The great thing about being outside soaking up the sun and blowing bubbles with your one-year-old is that you can't see all the dishes you haven't down yet from out there in paradise!
Happy spring!
p.s. - I'm holding off packing up the winter coats just yet - just to make sure spring stays (you know as soon as I do it will snow again!).

Please Pray Right Now

"On April 19th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments to decide whether groups like The Navigators, InterVarsity, Campus Crusade and others can be removed from college campuses because they require their officers and voting members to share their core religious commitments. According to some universities these core religious beliefs violate their affirmative action policy.

Seventeen organizations and 13 state attorney generals are working together on this case. Pray for the justices to rule on the side of religious freedom. For more information on how to pray, go to http://www.intervarsity.org/news/campus-faith-freedom-alert. This case has far reaching implications for religious freedom in all areas.

Let’s pray,

Bill Tell
Chief of Staff"