A Wonderful Weekend

We had the best Memorial Day weekend! Alan has vacation time he needs to use up, and we were ready for a little getaway. So, we packed up and left Friday to visit some friends in Kansas City before our weekend of Bible study with the church. They made us feel so welcome and we really enjoyed the relaxing escape from responsibilities.

Alan and John had the kids in the backyard and Alan heard a tinny song. "Is that an ice cream truck?!" he asked, surprised. John tried to warn him they are overpriced, but Alan was too excited about the experience to listen. He stuck to the dollar row, and all the kids were tickled at the treat. I think John and Amber think we need to get out of the country a little more often! chuckle
The kids had great fun playing with their friends, enjoying new toys (Easton went straight for the train tracks and trains--surprise, surprise), and their various pets. Easton and Kiana were so happy to discover their friends also have a "hop toad"!!
Our next bit of fun involved all thirteen of us piling into their van and going to Krispy Kreme donuts, hoping to catch them making donuts so we could eat them hot off the belt. (Should I mention this was after supper, the ice cream treats, and it was bedtime for the kiddos? No. . .let's not mention that!)
It's funny to me, because I have talked several times about getting another family or two together to go to Des Moines to the science center and Living History farms for a field trip day, and topping it off with a trip to Krispy Kreme to see them make donuts. I've never been able to convince anyone to join me on this great homeschool idea. But the workers were very patient and generous with us.
They explained every step of the process, how the equipment worked, and how they make different types of donuts. They gave us special demonstrations on how to fill different kinds of donuts.
They also gave us free hot donuts!!! Oh, they were so good! They were so hot and sweet they practically dissolved in the mouth and slid right down. My sweet-toothed little Easton dove right in!Kiana wasn't shy either, and of course got all sticky.Look at all these donuts!!! He must have thought it was his birthday all over again.

Sweets aren't really Alan's thing, but no one can resist a hot donut. He enjoyed the process and the kids' excitement. He also really enjoyed time just relaxing and hanging out with his friend--one of those "iron sharpening iron" friends.They also treated all our kids with hats and balloons. We left a very happy (sugared-up) bunch and took the kids straight home and put them to bed! chuckle
Saturday we enjoyed more time playing and building relationships before we headed out to the Bible study at 2:30. We were so blessed by the men who shared their studies with the group. There were great lessons all the way around, my favorites involved practical ways to love our brethren, training children for the Lord, turning the other cheek, the place of grace, and setting goals for eternity. The lessons were rich with Scripture and application. I learned a lot and there is so much I want to remember and apply--I thought my head would explode by Sunday evening! I am looking forward to listening to these five again in my personal Bible study these next couple weeks. This was just what I needed!

In between study sessions, the children ran and played and adults visited. This was my favorite picture of Kiana from the weekend!
This is how the dads watch their children, in case you wondered! chuckle Seriously, I love seeing men who share the bond of Christ enjoy talking to one another, sharing burdens, and building one another up.
After the Bible study was all over, we went roller skating from 8-10 pm. (yeah, bedtimes, schedules, etc. are just out the window on a weekend like this--the kids did great though) It was the first time skating for both Easton and Kiana.
They thought it was pretty fun, and Alan thought it was quite a workout skating hunched over half the night!
Part of the time Easton enjoyed watching Daddy, big brother, and big sister skate around, and then getting singled out for Daddy to skate over and talk to him.
He really got to rolling when Daddy and Rick each held a hand for a couple trips around the rink.
Typical kids, the little ones found the video games too.
They were awfully cute "pretending" to play. Easton and his little friend Tirzah really giggled at the silly-looking guys on the screen. It was definitely the end of a big weekend and past bedtime, but I prefer giggles to tired crying any day of the week!
We feel refreshed and recharged to get back into the world this week!

Crashed

Ahhh, the sweet, sweet sleep of the innocent!

Now That is Interesting

I read a post this morning that sure has my wheels turning. In a nutshell, she is talking about how we can sometimes care too much what others think about us, and how we can over-analyze what other people are doing or not doing (as their actions might be "judging" us). Sometimes words are even redefined in our overly sensitive society. I especially liked this section:

Sometimes, when I play close attention to those buzz words, I'm reminded of a line uttered by one of my favorite characters Inigo Montoya: "I do not think that word means what you think it means." Of course, you don't have to watch The Princess Bride to do a double-take when you hear this vocabulary being thrown around. Sometimes, I think that certain terms have taken on entirely new definitions:

| legalist: a Christian whose zeal for Christ's commands dwarfs mine

| tolerance: the indulgence of the beliefs and practices of others insofar as they do not challenge too many of my presuppositions

| judgement: the process whereby someone forms an opinion that convicts or offends me

| theology: divisive hair-splitting

| gospel: whatever interpretation of God's Word that works for me

And just like the little girl in school who gets picked on for getting straight A's or raising her hand to answer every question, we Christian young women are often guilty of keeping our hands down in class so we don't get labeled as little know-it-alls.

We keep our zeal for the Lord and his commandments a little quieter so we don't get labeled as "legalists." We keep our mouths closed when we see something we don't agree with so that we can be seen as "tolerant." We don't encourage our sisters in Christ towards godliness because we don't want to be "judgmental." That theology stuff? That's for preachers and know-it-alls -we just stick with the rudimentary knowledge because it's more spiritual than delving deep anyhow. Gospel? The Lord saved me... you have to do what works for you, but Christianity could be a good fit.

Do you make it hard for your sisters in Christ to share their passion for the Lord? If, for instance, she decides that she is going to restrict her wardrobe to wearing skirts only so that she can better display her femininity to the outside world, do you:

1. follow the crowd -more law equals more grace, so more restrictions must be right!
2. mark your friend as a judgmental legalist whose conviction obviously means she's looking down on you -you don't like to be held down by a bunch of rules that aren't gospel, or
3. realize that righteousness is the result of saving grace (not the cause of it) (Romans 4:1-8), and search the Scripture for guiding principles while supporting your friend as she searches God's Word for herself?

Which one of those responses do you think is going to encourage your sister to godliness and give you an opportunity to grow in grace as well? Now, be honest: which reaction best fits you?

You can read the entire post here. It sure is making me think--what do you think? And keep in mind, it's not about the "issue" (ex: wearing skirts), but about the underlying attitude and how we relate to one another.

The Simple Things

Mud, mud, glorious mud,
There's nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.
So follow me, follow, down to the hollow
And there let us wallow in glorious mud.

I didn't take a picture after Kiana FELL in the mud--I was a little busy at that moment! But I love that the weather is nice and they get to be kids and explore the outdoors.
They called it their "hop-toad" and loved it (perhaps a little too much!).

Disadvantages?

Sometimes I think I am raising my children to be at a disadvantage in this world. I have a competitive streak, so I'd really like them to do well, to succeed, indeed--to excel--in many different areas. God is still really working on me, and too often, my old self wants to rear her ugly head and get priorities out of whack.

I look around at the world and see that it's a 'dog-eat-dog' society we live in. Everyone is in a scramble to the top, no holds barred, look out for number one. An increasingly socialistic mindset demands that everyone be equal. All should receive the same pay, for example, regardless of risk, skill, or education. There should be no difference between white collar and blue collar, management and labor force, or new employees and seasoned. People whine about fairness now, and when this generation enters adulthood, it's going to be even worse.

I tend to watch people, and listen to things that are said. When discussions about parenting come up, I get more and more quiet. I hear absurd things like "I want to be my child's friend" (he is TWO) and "I don't want to have to tell him no." I observe that the children who are most likely to hit others are the ones whose parents proudly claim they don't 'hit' their children. I highly doubt I or my siblings ever hit our parents--we knew better! And it wasn't because we were 'hit', it's because we knew a healthy respect for discipline for obedience. Not one of my four children has hit me. They might have tried, and I caught their arm and firmly told them 'no' and they decided it wouldn't be a good idea. Boundaries, structure, and expectation are GOOD things--not bad things. They are selfish just like anyone else, don't get me wrong, but I am not afraid to be the parent and say 'no' or spank them for disobedience. I'm not their friend--I'm their parent.

I took Easton to the dentist yesterday (he bumped his tooth on the merry-go-round and it has a dead nerve) and was embarrassed for our society at the reaction we received. They treated him like he was a bomb about to go off. That seriously is how I would describe it. They wanted to cater to him and cajole him about everything. I finally looked at the hygienist and said "He's a big boy. He knows how to obey," and I told him to get in the chair (which he did). She showed him the tools, the light, how the chair moved, etc. and he followed her instructions, was fascinated, and asked questions. Then she started it again--thinking she needed to bribe him to open his mouth (you have got to be kidding me!). The next step was (in a doubting and halting voice) "I'm going to show him the x-ray and we'll see if he'll let us take a picture of his tooth." Of course he'll 'let' you take a picture of his tooth! That's why we're here!!!

I was getting frustrated until it occurred to me that this is the type of adults our society is producing. People who have to be bribed, cajoled and catered to in order to do any little thing. People who will pitch an absolute screaming fit if they have to do something they don't want to do. People who whine and tattle and complain until they get their way or what someone else has that they want. People who fully believe the 'squeaky wheel gets the grease'.

The dentist and hygienist adored him. They commented that he was well-behaved, inquisitive, and such a bright little boy. Easton climbed into the chair, opened his mouth for the examination, bit down on the cardboard and held still for the x-ray, then cheerfully walked out when time was up. No bombs went off. He thinks you do what you're supposed to do when you're told to do it. He thinks throwing a fit is going to get you something you *don't* want. He thinks you are supposed to obey and submit to the authorities God has placed over you.

Yep, he's in the minority and this life may be a little tough on him.

Right Where You Are

I reviewed the book "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris some time ago, which you may read here. I really liked the book, and was especially impressed by their message that teenagers don't have to be rebellious, wild, irresponsible, and feared; rather they can learn that life is not about them and use this time in their lives to prepare for adulthood and serve others. I appreciated the first book for the foundation and the vision.

I recently read the sequel, "Start Here", which I actually liked even more. It is more practical and seems to hone some of the ambitions and fires that might have been lit by the first book. They continue their message that "As young people, we're in the season of preparation. Our main focus during this season is to prepare for mature, effective adulthood: work, marriage, family, service to others, leadership, and ministry" (13). But they also give some excellent advice and guidance regarding the spirit in which one should do hard things in addition to just nuts and bolts of getting it done.

There were three main points that stood out to me as things that are great for teens (and even us parents!) to realize:

• It's about God, do it for Him, not self or pride or acclaim.

It can be tempting to start thinking about self and the glory we can gain by 'accomplishing' some big thing. But ultimately "we're doing hard things to glorify God and become more of who He created us to be" (6). The hard things God calls us to do are about Him, not us" (18). I especially liked the thought that it is God working through us more than it is us working for God. They said it better with "The history of David is not about what David did for God, but about what God did for David. Our humanistic dream is that we may do great things for God" (53).

• Do what is in front of you right now, don't go out creating something 'big'.

"You don't have to engineer something--you can trust Him, be faithful, and be ready for His timing" (6). Sometimes it's hard to be content with doing the "small" thing that is right in your path. One can be tempted to manufacture an opportunity that seems bigger and more productive, but the Harris brothers caution teens to "be faithful in what He's already given us to do, not embark on a big new adventure" (7). The seemingly little things will help one to grow and develop talents to prepare for the next thing that will naturally occur. "Start with a new attitude, a new heart, and a mind open to how the everyday hard things available to you right now will lead you to the next step" (9).

• Be an example, not an exception, and don't seek disapproval.

I was especially struck by this encouragement as it can be tempting to merely assume the role of being an exception to the rebellious teen stereotype--indeed, one might even be tempted to take pride in that difference. The Harris brothers remind us that "we are called by God to be examples, not exceptions. The message of the Rebelution is that all young people have the ability to accomplish far greater things than our culture would have them think. We live a different way to show our culture a better way" (62). It seems the distinction here would be in inspiring and drawing others to also live for God, not standing alone or (dare I say?) above.

This concept segued nicely into the martyr complex chistians can have about 'being different'. Just as I don't think my mission should be to be popular, neither should my mission be to alienate those who don't share my beliefs. "Jesus and the apostles did not seek the disapproval of others. . .Romans 12:18. . .We live to draw others to God. . .Am I being persecuted because I am doing something for God or because I am being a difficult person to live with? Am I holding on to my cause so tightly that I can't see how it is hurting others, or are my actions showing others who God is? Am I more interested in what God thinks of me than in whether I am popular or unpopular?" (99) I think we all have known people who say others don't like them because of lifestyle choices they are making for Christ, and you really want to say 'No, it's not WHAT you're doing, it's HOW you're doing it.'

There were many, many other excellent points in the book. They shared ideas on involving others in your vision and projects, fundraising tips, and questions to ask yourself to realize your dreams and abilities. They talked about a season of preparation and living intentionally ("Putting God at the center of our lives does not mean we live perfectly. It means we live intentionally. And it will cost us something" (66)). I'll try not to extend this review any more, but encourage you to read these books yourself as there are principles that can be applied regardless of age.

I'll leave you with one last idea, which could produce a post of its own. Sometimes we have to examine what we are doing and discern "the difference between busyness (having a lot to do) and fruitfulness (accomplishing something of eternal significance)" (55). "Even good activities might not be the best activities for a particular season of life" (57).

May I be discerning and choose the best over the good so I can be fruitful in the kingdom.

Four, Fabulous Four

We had so much fun for Easton's birthday last Saturday. I don't know if it's just his particular personality or his age, but he enjoys his birthdays so much it is contagious for the rest of us! He is the most precious little boy and I truly can't imagine our lives or our family without him. Isn't it amazing how God blesses us so much by 'setting the solitary in families'?!

I get such a kick out of this little guy. I always let the kids choose their 'birthday dinner' when grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins come to celebrate with us. He picked the easiest meal ever--ham and cheese sandwiches! He was sure his cousins would also appreciate this 'gourmet' meal, and he thought everyone was big enough to make his or her own sandwiches.It looks like cousins Isaiah and Adi agreed with his plan.He was "just a little bit" excited.He desperately wanted a train cake, preferably with Percy on it. Momma copped out and let Walmart make it. I don't know if he was excited about it or not. . .
He was, as usual, blessed with perfect gifts from the family. His joy and excitement over each thing was so precious. He would have been perfectly content for the party to be over and just leave him to play with his new toys for hours.
We couldn't resist a silly 'pin the tail on the donkey' game from Walmart for one dollar. The kids had great fun peeking through the blindfold after being spun in wild circles by crazy Uncle Alan/Dad.

Above, my nephew Isaiah and below, my nephew Nathan.

And the punching balloons were a well-received prize.Even some of the grown-ups got into the Twister game.
Kiana jumped into Twister with abandon (if not color-sense).While the children were napping, the grown-ups got into some silliness of their own by dusting off an old game of Pictionary. Here is the winning drawing that got the most hoots and giggles.
I will never again suffer through the flu without fond memories of you, my dear sister-in-law and friend, Marcy! I am so grateful for my crazy, fun, and loving family.