Friendly prayers

I was running errands,  when I entered our local grocery store and spotted a friend's son, who just finished basic training and was home on leave.  He seemed a little down, but said he was getting groceries with his two younger brothers.  So I gave him a side arm hug and told him we'd been praying for him since he entered the Marines.  The button of his jacket scratched my arm as I felt tears hit at the same time.  I started to pray for him then, but I felt something scratching my face...

Sheesh!  I woke up to find our daughters coon hound pup practically sitting on me, licking my face.  I need to find a safer place to nap!

Lynnet 

Inspired to action: Praying for your kids

I remember vividly the months prior to when the kids were born.  We decided to not find out where we were getting a boy or girl... we liked the surprise element!  There is just something about carrying this precious unborn child in side of you,  You growing as the baby does, feeling those little pokes, and feet plants in all the wrong places.  I remembering dreaming, wondering, thinking, about this new little one soon to make their appearance.  Who they would look like, would they have hair, will they scream and cry or snuggle close.  I think in those moment, it didn't think about "so far in the future" when they will actually grow up and be real people. ...

I must have blinked my eyes at some point because those beautiful babies that God granted us, drove us to the brink of not even knowing who we were or that we had a life outside of our children.... Those children have grown up and now we're dealing with college, work schedules, homework, test, study groups, and ... GASP  - a boyfriend in the mix!!!!

When the kids were little, I remember praying for them - to accept Jesus in their hearts, to be kind and loving, to listen to what God is whispering in their hearts, to serve, and more, but in the back of my brain was this little voice niggling me in a whisper..."Pray for their future spouses" and I would always think that time would be so far away...

It's not so far away now and it really sends a cold wind ripping through my heart. Many years ago, a good friends gave us Watchmen on the Walls: Praying Charter into Your Child  by Anne Arkins and Gary Harrell. and used it and really liked it.  But  Recently I found  a calendar I could tape to my kitchen cabinet so I could refer to and remember each time I was in there.  Inspired to Action: Praying Daily for your Children.  from Inspired to Action email I receive.  It is simple, to the point, back with scripture.

So if you come into my home and you notice a calendar taped to my cabinet, it's my reminder each day how to specifically spray for my kids.  When I read it, I include their own names as it makes it more personal and helps to pray for each child specifically instead of lumping them  all in the same prayer.  I also pray the same pray for the little girls I keep.  While they are not physically mine, they do spend  much time here and they are part of our lives.

 Lord, please clothe my                                      Lord, please clothe Only/Youngest/Oldest
children with the virtue of                                with the virtue of compassion. Col. 3:12                    compassion. Col. 3:12                           

 You can also go as far as to pray for your kids future spouses... It's NEVER too early!   We do not assume that each of our children will marry or do we want to pressure them that they are only "complete" if they marry (but that is a whole other conversation).  If you do not have a reminder to help you remember to pray specifically for your children/grandids, etc, please download, print, and tape it where you would see it the most and use it.                                  



PS,  there is also a calendar Praying for Your Husband

$2,000 can of 7 oz Pepsi

Our most expensive can of Pepsi

 A little over a month ago , Honey told me his eye appt revealed he had a cataract.  Yes, I know, 45 isn't really THAT old, but we certainly felt old after this! We were a slightly stunned, but relieved that the issue he was having was fixable.

He was actually quite frightening before his surgery.  Think about it.  Here is a stubborn, quiet, dedicated man, who scared the daylights out of me when he drove because he couldn't see and didn't want to admit it. There was a horrible glare on his at night, and to make matters worse, he began to GLARE at me each time I suggested or hinted that I would like to drive.  When we drove up to Springfield, MO for a car show Memorial Day weekend and to visit with siblings (it was a blatant, "we're leaving the kids home alone, in order to get away by ourselves" weekend) I was terrified. I literally was so thankful for my iPhone and all the books and games on it, because I couldn't stand to watch the road and how bad his driving had gotten.  All I could think was "Our children are going to be orphans and will have to move to TX to live with family."  To say that Honey was more quiet and apprehensive leading up to his July 5th surgery was a gross understatement.  He had not had any type of surgery since he had his tonsils out as a young child.

Our experience?

1. They don't knock you completely out for this type of surgery.  This part really freaked him out before they gave him the meds. After the meds he cared less and says all he saw were "pretty rainbow colors". 
2. It takes less than 20 minutes to have this done (barely time to open a book or let family know he had gone in).
3. Honey is a blast under anesthesia (somehow took on the sense of humor of his older brother), which made him even more funny.
4. His demands of Sweet Tea via I.V. (after the anesthesia hit and prior to surgery) were not met and then said he could not trust me to drive him home.  He really thought he was going to drive himself home until our pretty nurse told him to hand over the keys. I did stop on the way home at McDonalds and got him a sweet tea "because I need it," he demanded.
5. Honey's complimentary can of "you're waking up from surgery, drink this, keep it down and you can go home" can of Pepsi cost us $2,000.  He swears it was awesome!  
6. I laughed so hard just trying to get his shirt back on him, I cried. I'm sure we provided MUCH entertainment to those around us. Next show will be Aug. 2.
7. He accused me of driving like Mario Andretti going over every speed bump I could find.
8. After sleeping from 1 p.m. until 3 a.m., he couldn't sleep anymore and decided to go in to work to do some paper work.  Seriously!!!  The man thought he was going to DRIVE himself!!!  Rather than argue, I got up and took him.  I was awake anyway from his mumbling and trying to find his wallet. We finally got back home at 5:30 a.m. at which he promptly went BACK to bed and I was WIDE awake.  ARGH!!!  
9. We have the sweetest friends who came over that same morning to help organize and put stuff back in our attic (another story).  What did Honey do during this?  He sat AT the kitchen table, calling customers, letting them know their vehicle was ready, giving estimates, and updating them on progress of their vehicle. We were all literally shaking our heads in disbelief. !   I really think he wanted to keep busy because he wasn't able to help or "take charge" and wanted to keep his mind off what we were really doing.



Honey's attractive eye patch and attire

10. The eye patch???? We're keeping it, so I can paint it black and he can masquerade as a pirate at his next birthday.

  We've seen such a remarkable improvement in his vision now from -200 something (he couldn't even see there was a wall with a Big "E" on it)  to 20/30 without any type of corrective lenses that he is actually looking forward to having his other eye done.  I kid you not!   We are incredibly thankful for all the prayers and God's hand in all this. 

 I'm fairly confident he'll never read this post, but please don't forward it to him.  We still have his other eye to have surgery on and I really want to stay married to this man. 

Remembering...

I glanced down the grocery aisle and saw them.   Their backs were to me, but they looked like an ordinary couple in the baby aisle. Heads bent together, comparing bottles, glancing at their watches - in a hurry.  I was too.

Bethany and CW

Our carts nearly collided as our eyes met and I knew her, an old friend.  Our kids used to play together as we spent time at each other's homes.  She was always great at pinching pennies and just a great practical mom.  Sadness rested in her eyes, though a smile was on her lips.  I wanted to give her a hug and hold her, because I knew her  and her story, though not because it was in the news. Sadness rested on my heart as her familiar greeting reached my ears "Hey Lynnet!  Good to see you!" peppered with a thick Indiana accent.

We talked a while about their toddler grandson  and some of his struggles to gain weight and find the right foods and taking him for GI test at ARCH. I didn't want to say the wrong thing and bring her more pain. I asked about her college age son, who is just a year older than Oldest.  They were playmates in the church nursery and even went to HS together - friends on FB.  She said he was doing okay and thinking of changing his major to law.  That should not have been a surprise.

I push my cart to the middle of the aisle, out of the way of the floor cleaner, and settle in for a long chat.  Hurrying home seems so trivial now, but yet our conversation made me want to rush home and hug my kids. Even now as I write, it is difficult - remembering, my heart breaks. The hurt was still raw. Remembering, makes the gifts more precious...

September 18, 2010  
Today is a day that we should be celebrating Youngest's 12th birthday.  A day to celebrate the miracle that God performed yet 9 months before he was born, forming that beating heart.  Celebrating the amazing hand of God as He worked through the surgeons, Life Flight helicopter attendants, nurses, and family and friends as we prayed...

How is it possible that, while we should be celebrating, we were actually mourning the loss of a young lady, her family still numb from the tragic and horrifying events. The car-lined streets and parking lot of the church made navigating difficult. We ontered the small packed church, scanning for seats near friends.  The TV station was already setting up discreetly at back of the church, ignored by most. Whispered conversations floated through the hushed worship center.  My eyes wandered to the table up front where her family had displayed pictures of her short life, a video replays, her favorite country songs cut through the air.  We laugh at some of her choices and toes tap.  The mood lightens momentarily, until their minister step to the front.

One by one, memory by memory, photo after photo, salty tears pool and fall.  None are hidden. Grief, and sorrow blend, there is no division of race or stature. Peace and answers elude us.  Emotions crash likes waves on a reef. Sharp, cutting the soul.  I fight to keep my grief from escaping my throat. 

Her momma, Bethany, makes her way to the front, following the memories from her two remaining children. It all seems unreal.  Funny memories are recalled, laughter titters, her momma seems in a fog, memories cloud over the pain, but her smile doesn't quite make it to her eyes.  She looks at
no one, but rather at a place in her heart - a swing sets, silly songs, dress-ups, sweet baby smells, siblings silliness, teenage life.  It all meshes together in one moment in time - a memorial service for her murdered daughter, Briana. 

My phone vibrates and I turn back to my forgotten cart.  It's Only wanting to know when I'm coming home.  I cannot believe I've been standing there talking with them for over an hour. Our carts clank as we attempt to turn them,  Bethany and I hug - holding tight.  We have lived day to day, laughed, played in the snow, slept comfortably in our beds, dreamed, When you stop to think about it, our lives have gone on. But they have not.  They live each day and night listening still for Briana - out of habit. Their lives are on hold as they go to counseling, work their jobs, learn to live, and endure a long wait for justice.

"Some people say really dumb and hurtful things.  It's only been 6 months and it will take us years to heal. We'll forgive, but we can't just forget."  It's a different hurt and loss from a miscarriage or losing a parent, which she has both experienced.

You really never think it will happen to someone you really know.  It will always be someone else right?

ǝʌoɹƃ ǝɥʇ oʇuı ƃuıʇʇǝƃ: Entitlement or blessings

Have you had any major changes in your life lately? Have they thrown you for a loop? Maybe thrown schedules off. Has it ever thrown your corner of the world upside down? 

Two and years ago (gee I'm a slow learner) I agreed to take in a young boy to home school. Neglect from his mother, while his father was stationed overseas, caused him to miss 2 years of schooling (I can't even begin to explain this one).  It's not been easy.  It's been stressful, sometimes irritating, many times mentally and physically exhausting, and I've been resentful at times.  Not a great attitude.  I told Youngest a few weeks ago that "W" is a mission field that God has placed us in, and we need to adopt and accept the mission He has placed us in.  It's not the mission field I thought I would be in, but how many of us are where WE planned we would be.  I'll be the first to tell you that special education was not my specialty when I went for my teaching degree, but I feel I've researched enough to received an addition to my original degree. Thankfully, after some extensive testing at a special facility, we are getting some answers.  Most of them have confirmed some suspicions that I've been noting, and more testing tomorrow will give us further answers.  I'm still not sure about the direction to go or if I'm heading in the right direction, but I'm still searching. What expectations should I have, what is he really capable of, how far do I go in modifications, have I done all I can or should...

 ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
 ¹⁵Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
 ¹⁶however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 

Philippians 3:14-16

"Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.”
- William James

A little over five months ago, I agreed to watch a "H" for a family we've known for 10 yrs.  It has sure put a new sense of busyness to our house.  I wasn't pursuing adding another little one and it has been an adjustment.  The Princess has been with us for two years and I must confess that we've been spoiled by her - easy nap time (read - no rocking).  This new little one LOVES to be rocked and held, pretty much all the time, and I nor Only, have time.  I was actually getting to the point of despair - trying to get  it all done was suddenly an impossible place to be.  I would break off from doing school to rock "H", taking sometimes a whole hour, only for her to wake up within 15-20 minutes after putting her down, leaving me to repeat the process...  I started dreading my alarm clock and seeing car lights illuminating the kitchen window. It's like working three jobs and I was fast loosing it.

The Princess' sweet momma (please read at the bottom for a urgent prayer request), Only, and I were talking one afternoon and it became clear.  During Christmas break, "H" and I came to an understanding and now she goes down for naps by herself, she sleeps for for two hours at a time, and wakes up happy.  We started teaching her simple signs (eat, drink, more) and this has been a blessing as well.  I'm so thankful that God gave me such a beautiful daughter with a spirit of love, kindness, and giving, that Honey is so understanding, that Youngest is able to be independent in some of his studies. Sometimes when Oldest gets home, he'll hold "H" and play with her.

One of the last sermons that Pastor Paul shared with us was about seeing the blessing in where we were.  It may not be the situation we thought we would be in or wish for.

"... rejoice in all the good things that the Lord your God has given to your household."  Deuteronomy 26:11 

Does God need the best of the best from us? How about our "first fruits"?  This is not because God NEEDS our offerings, but that we can remember to be thankful for what He has done.  I need to give so that I can be thankful for what He has given me."   When we are not thankful, blessings become entitlements." Rejoicing in all the Lord has done for us....  Almost everything that starts out as a blessing, when we lose our thankfulness for that blessing, turns into an entitlement (thinking we deserve it).... 

He went on to say (my paraphrase version) What if our job, the cars, homes, bills, frustrations in life, instead of an entitlement mentality, we remember to be thankful instead of treating it as a curse.  We're looking forward to this year as strive to see the blessings in our circumstances.  God has provided three jobs for me to do at home, so that I may stay home while our kids are school age.  I confess that I'm not always thankful for the blessing God has given us: Medical bills, high electric bill, the constant stream of activities, a sink full of dirty dishes,  taking care of two little ones and trying to teach a special needs child... What this translate as - we have a home and all it's comforts, health care facilities when we need them, jobs, dirty dishes represent the food that God has provided... Does this mean I see everything with rose colored glasses?  Not hardly, but I'm trying to see things a little differently.

Would you join me, keep me accountable, to keep those blessings from becoming entitlements?  Do you have some blessings that you can share?




Prayer Request: The Princess' Daddy, Kevin, is having surgery to remove a tumor from his hand at 5:30 a.m. Thursday.  There are many complications and situations that could arise with where it is.  Please be praying for peace for her family and Momma, for the two surgeons performing the surgery, and those caring for him, and direction.  My personal prayer would be that everything goes smoothly with no complications or nerves cut that would leave him with a paralysis of his arm (he's a band director and trumpet player), and that it would not be cancerous.

the quilt story

This blog has been temporarily hijacked 

by Lynnet's friend, Tracy, who wears many hats.

Momma, wife, friend, chief cook and bottle washer, quilter, teacher

and every great once in awhile, Storyteller.

~

Once upon a time

there was a

little baby

.

Olivia had a very special place in Lynnet's 

and she wanted to do something special for her.

She decided to make her a

She was a little overwhelmed at times

but she set out with 

knowing she could call on her friend anytime

if she needed a little support.

The result of that desire,

some fabric,

and many hours

(she spent about as much time with the seam ripper

as she spent with the sewing machine.

Mostly due to machine, not operator error :-)

is this lovely quilt

Made by

with lots of

Fortunately for Olivia,

Lynnet is a much better quilter

than I am storyteller :-)

~

I think this quilt will be treasured for many years to come.

And I will treasure the deeper friendship I have with 'Net

as a result of the making of this special gift.

Olivia and her new quilt

Something Possitive

Monday   Does that word bring you dread or anticipation?  What is it about that word that makes us groan? 


I knew the day would be frantic or at least terribly busy.  Disregard the fact that it was Monday, but I had a new little one, a 7 month old chubby baby, joining our crew.  I wasn't sure how it was going to work with The Princess, homeschooling, and everything...

But when my eyes popped open at 5:45 (argh!  45 minutes before the alarm was supposed to go off) my first thought was "Lord, please help me find something positive in this day."

Let me tell you how God wrangled my day!

The Princess arrived 20 minutes later, which allowed me to clean up the mess in the kitchen from the weekend. Only got up early and I was able to vacuum before everyone arrived (hate to do it while she's sleeping), and start a load of clothes.  I think they are still there.

Both girls took a nap at the exact same time and we were able to get our science experiment on Chemical Reaction completed with little interruptions and much fun!  Who knew you could have so much fun with cabbage, vinegar, and balloons! Fixed dinner during lunch, so I was feeling pretty good at that point, if we could just get through school with no tears. 

 Whew!  Made it till 4 p.m.  Time to relax... No wait - the student I tutor just pulled into the driveway... After that, a quick dinner and then Boy Scout meeting in town... 

What was the blessing in the day?  The girls napped AND later had dirty diapers at the same time, the science experiment actually turned out the way it was supposed to, Only (she's my right hand girl and knows what needs to be done without being asked), a short meeting, glorious rain to soothe our dry area, and a short meeting.  I'm so thankful that God turned a day I dreaded into something to enjoy.  It may take us a while to get our schedules in sync.

Tuesday?  I was nothing like yesterday and it was a struggle from the beginning, but I'm looking for the positive. The "work" day is almost over and we completed all of our school work.  I got to see Honey at lunch, and I have been blessed to be able to stay at home while my kids are school age.  I love it when all my kids are home, hearing the laughter around the dinner table, the kidding, the interaction... I love seeing the excitement of Oldest joke around with Youngest while they clean up after dinner, seeing Honey smile, and believe it or not I love to see him tinker in the garage because that's what he loves to do.  It doesn't look like much fun to me, but it's his kind of relaxing. 

Today?  Got bran and banana muffins made for tonight's home group, am part way through school, schedules are way off and I'm not sure where Youngest has wandered off to. The Princess is croupy and grumpy, the cat threw up on the floor but has stopped peeing in the dog food (we think it's because of a UTI and not rebellion), it's raining again (we could use that) and the dog is ready for the padded cell because it's lightening and thundering and she's  a scardy dog... life will go on and I'm looking for the positive on another day in paradise.   The difference between Monday & today from yesterday - I didn't start my day talking to Him.  I knew better, but let the craziness of the morning take hold.  While not every day will be great, but it sure is better when I give it to Him... and you know what?  Just because I do give my day to Him, it may still be crazy... but how am I going to let it define me and how I handle it?

For He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble.   Psalm 27:5

Keli from Internet Cafe Devotions stated:

  "I hear Jesus whispering in my ear, “Abide in me. Don’t let your circumstances define you or expect them to nurture you. Don’t sit back and hope the rains will come. Set your roots deep into me. Listen to me, follow me, love me. When you do, I promise you’ll not only survive, but you’ll thrive. When you’re…

…filled with sorrow, rest in me.

…overcome with worry, trust in me.

…drowning in despair, follow me.

…thirsting for a fresh word, listen to me.

…dabbling with doubt, obey me.

…a swirl with apathy, seek me.”

 I guess what I'm so slow about it realizing I need to bloom where He has planted me.  Some people are missionaries in foreign countries, people are talented and gifted leaders, artists, businessmen/women, sanitation workers, photographers, teachers, and more.  Me?  I'm learning to love where He put me, in a place that I prayed for when I was young, with my own mission field of kids being brought to me in the form of babysitting and tutoring.

Love Dare

This morning as I was reading in The Love Dare, I was struck by the thought about how much this not only applies to my husband, but to my children as well.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

It states that love is built on two pillars, patience and kindness, that best define it. I know that I'm an impatient person and it probably shows daily with the ones I should show love to the most - my children. The Love Dare states: The irony of anger toward a wrongful action is that it spawns new wrongs of its own... It usually generates additional problems. But patience stops problems in their tracks. Anger is usually caused when the strong desire for something is mixed with disappointment or grief. It is often an emotional reaction that flows out of our own selfishness, foolishness, or evil motives. As I was reading this morning, I knew I was in for it! I'm not sure if Satan is testing me today or what, but I'm biting my lip a lot and I'm particularly guilty when it comes to my children and the student that I am teaching. I'm impatient when I have to repeat things a couple of times, when they don't mind or do what they know they should (aka: chores, helping out around the house, or even stuff that we do every day). I struggle with this daily, sometimes hourly. I'm struggling with this word Patient as I type and teach. So this makes me wonder what is my problem? It goes on to say that Patience makes us wise, and that we listen to what the other person is saying. That we wait to see the whole picture before passing judgment. Today I'm not really feeling wise, but I'm feeling anxious. I'm so thankful that God is full of Grace because I really need His grace and love today. I don't so much struggle with this toward Honey, but he may struggle with this in regards to me! I think there should be a Love Dare for Parents towards their children... I would be one of the first to buy a copy and start working on it. I'm definitely going to do some more praying at lunch than I did at breakfast!

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another" 1Thessalonians 5:15

Oh God, Please give me an extra measure of grace this day and this week as I continue to struggle with giving up myself and learn to love others more.

One of those days...

I know I'm not the ONLY one that is having one of THOSE days...

• not funny

got info in the mail from The Scooter Store (I'm only 42 and "perfectly" healthy)

• disbelief

dog escapes and makes friends with a skunk

• Headache

packing for a trip and still doing laundry

• heartache

friend from church died from massive heart attack last night

• Praise

McMama from My Charming kids had a Healthy baby boy yesterday!

• Thankful

School is over for the day, the dryer works, and I am loved

• Grateful

Jesus will sustain me and love me in my failings

A sprinkle of rain, staving off a downpour...

This week I felt a few sprinkles of the rain I wrote about earlier. I've actually felt the sprinkles and a few downpours since November, but now I need to learn to dance in the rain. Why do I let a little bit of rain pull me down? I actually love those gentle Spring rain showers, it's the torrential downpours that causes me to tremble. As a child, my mother would let us go out into the rain and play. We didn't care how wet we got. We were glad to get out into it. I remember we used to catch the rain in barrell and use it to wash our hair - thinking it would make it softer. I'm not sure if my hair was ever any softer, but Brrrr! Was it ever cold! There are things that I know. With rain, comes renewal, refreshment, and life. Now, mind you, this is not the total scope of my knowledge. But then again, my family may agree. I tend to associate the torrential rains with devestation and defeat, but also determination. The determiniation to rebuild and regrow can be slow. The haunting reminders can be there for years. I could go into long and boring details - let's face it, my life isn't THAT exciting! Tomorrow I'm having surgery for a deviated septum, and while that will be painful, I'm excited about getting the chance to really breathe - to smell the sweet spring rain. Who knows, maybe some of my brain cells will return and I won't seem so ditzy to others. We have some other decisions to make. The pulmonologist said one spot on my lung (mind you I've never smoked) doesn't seem to be cancerous, but they found a place on my hilum on the lung, that they're not sure about. He said we can either just do another CT scan in 3 months or have a consult with a surgeon immediately. To be honest, there are days that I just want to curl up in a ball, hold my children just a little tighter, hug my husband a little longer... So what's a girl to do... PRAY, PRAY, PRAY... and learn to dance. We're holding fast to God's promises... We know that life is not filled with only moutaintop experiences, but after we go through this valley, we are looking for the rainbow after the rain.

James 1:2-5 (New American Standard Bible) 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,