I often wonder what makes us (moms) ask other moms for advice....esp for things like potty training. I mean, seriously?!!? What makes a mom an expert at potty training? But you know I suppose there is always some advice to offer, something wise to pass along, but sometimes (ESP with the issue of potty training) I just want to beg God and ask Him why? Yes, that's right, I don't usually ask why God a lot, I understand that we live in a fallen world, a world full of sin and destruction and I get that bad things happen. I really think my favorite saying from my days on Facebook is "Things happen for a reason, and sometimes the reason is you made a dumb decision". LOVE IT! But for real. WHY did God have to send kids to us who weren't able to pee on the potty? I really feel like that would have been something nice to throw in with the blessing of motherhood.
SO, now you are wondering why I am posting about potty training. Well I told you I would and now I am. And the reason is, my precious little princess will be four on Friday and she STILL has issues. We were completely trained until about January of this year and we lost it. The details don't really matter, but it has made me wonder why we have "normals" what exactly is normal in the realm of potty training? I have (or have attempted to) potty train three kids now. And each time has been different and harder. My first one pretty much did it himself. Easy Peasy. DONE. No issues. My second on was um, a challenge, but we mastered it a little before his third birthday, b/c I felt sure that was what we were supposed to do. But my fourth is less than a week shy of her fourth birthday and I am hesistant to say this "out loud" but she has had dry panties for two days in a row now (thanks to a HORRID diaper rash that she got from wetting her panties SO much)!
So what makes normal? WHY do we feel the need to be normal? I am thinking about all my different experiences and can't help but think about my friend who has had her fair share of potty training drama, she now has an alarm to help her child learn to control things at night. I have another friend who successfully potty trained her child at 18 months (well as successfully as an 18 month old can be potty trained). There are all different ways and ages.....and I, for once, plan to just chill out with this number four of ours and let HIM decide when HE wants to pee in the potty. I can't handle another dramatic experience....so could you remind me of that when it is his time? PLEASE tell me to chill out and take my time and not worry about it! After all you can lead a child to the toilet, but you can't make him pee.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Why I'll never be a good blogger
So, I am no longer on Facebook, I am two weeks into a new Bible study that truly digs into the Word of God and overall our days are much better. They run smoother and I am just plain happier! I also have to confess that we got to camp TWICE in May (which those who know me well, know that is where I am most "ME") and it is NOT my time of the month (which tends to make me a little grouchy). But I also must tell you that we (well I-really, but for the sake of the blog I'll say the whole family) are going through a bit of a transition here. My sweet hubby has worked crazy shifts our entire married life. But the past couple of years he has for the most part worked from 5am-1:30pm. Which meant that about the time of day where I was thinking about pulling my hair out and using it to tie the kids to the fans, my hero walked through the door! Yes, I was a spoiled rotten little brat and I knew it and loved it. But that has all changed. He now works mostly from 9am-5:30pm. I know most of you are laughing and saying so what? But that is new to us and hard for me. That's an extra 4 hours per day I get, ALONE, with my kids and without my husband. It's been a little rough, but we're dealing with it.
Yesterday we had our inflatable pool out in the yard ready for use! We (the kids and I) were REALLY looking forward to enjoying some time out there! We finally got the morning chores done and got out there and we all were really enjoying the time in the sun and water. I was beginning to think THIS is the life. I started thinking about enjoying some sun and water solo during nap time, but wasn't really sure I could swing it. I laughed to myself when I thought about a SWEET friend (you know who you are) and how she used to lay out in the pool, pre kids. I missed her and wanted her to come lay out with me. YES, those of you who know me well, I was thinking about laying out. No, in my entire 30 years I am not sure that I have ever had this desire before, it was strange...VERY STRANGE.
I finally got the kids on the back porch for lunch and I started to explain how this was going to go down. They would go to rest...no talking, no getting up and I would go outside to do my Bible Study with Joshua in charge. I didn't expect much, but thought it would be worth a shot. Everything went EXACTLY as planned. The younger three fell asleep and Joshua rested with his books. I enjoyed 45+ minutes outside in the sun and water with my Father. Sisters, this was SO close to heaven on earth. It had to be. I loved EVERY second. All 2,700 of them. BLISS. I thought about blogging to tell you about it, but I refused. I can't stand the whole "share your best moments - hide the monstrous ones". So I decided it was best just to not tell you.
Then today came. We were planning to go to the park this morning, mommy needed some exercise. I got some good workouts in this week and I am trying to keep up the momentum. Whew. It is HARD! Anywho, about the time we were getting ready to go the rain started. Strike one. (which was after the baby had SCREAMED through breakfast--still have no idea why). Anyway, so I decided I'd work out on the wii fit while the kids played or whatever and the baby napped. Good plan. Baby down for nap, mommy on wii. Yes, this will work. The kids were SUPER encouraging to me and pushed me to work harder and do better. It was good....and fun! I like this. Note to self, do this again. The baby woke up and I was EXHAUSTED after 50+ minutes of a HARD workout. I let the kids take over on the wii and I went to get the baby. I opened the door and I smelled it. I knew what had happened, I didn't need to see anything at all. STRIKE TWO (or is this three?) anyway....there I was, worn out, starving (b/c it is noon) and the baby has taken off his diaper and pooped and peed ALL in the pack-n-play. SERIOUSLY. I put the baby in the tub and started cleaning up. The girl peed in her pants, for the fourth time today-yes it is only noon (more on that in another post). I had promised her that if she peed in her pants again I would get out the XL happy heiny diapers and she would be wearing them again. I was TOTALLY serious. So I did that, finished cleaning up the baby and started lunch.
Sisters, let me tell you. That work out.....I still haven't quite gotten over that. Got lunch served and asked my oldest to get something out of the fridge. I seriously was just too worn out to go get it myself....and that precious child of mine.....he managed to spill an entire gallon of SWEET (sticky) tea on our kitchen floor. sigh.
This is just a small glimpse of the strikes that have happened in our little day (and I didn't even bother with the "little" things) and I still have THREE+ hours before my sweet husband gets home. I promised him last night that I wouldn't let the three biggest kids sleep today b/c we want them to go to bed early so we can have a little date night....so the marathon continues.....this should be fun.
And this is why I'll never be a great blogger. I can't just share the things that make my life look perfect. I want to be real, but then when I do.....it looks like this.....a small dissertation. It's okay. Really, I blog b/c it helps to tell someone. And, I can honestly say, this day would have been 10xs worse had I not started that new Bible study. God has given me the grace I needed to smile and keep going. After all these precious children are a gift from God. God is good and gives good gifts.....and I can't help but think that He is enjoying you laughing as you read (and likely picture) how our day has been.....truth is....I am sure He is happy that I am laughing! A few weeks ago this would NOT have been laughable at ALL!
Yesterday we had our inflatable pool out in the yard ready for use! We (the kids and I) were REALLY looking forward to enjoying some time out there! We finally got the morning chores done and got out there and we all were really enjoying the time in the sun and water. I was beginning to think THIS is the life. I started thinking about enjoying some sun and water solo during nap time, but wasn't really sure I could swing it. I laughed to myself when I thought about a SWEET friend (you know who you are) and how she used to lay out in the pool, pre kids. I missed her and wanted her to come lay out with me. YES, those of you who know me well, I was thinking about laying out. No, in my entire 30 years I am not sure that I have ever had this desire before, it was strange...VERY STRANGE.
I finally got the kids on the back porch for lunch and I started to explain how this was going to go down. They would go to rest...no talking, no getting up and I would go outside to do my Bible Study with Joshua in charge. I didn't expect much, but thought it would be worth a shot. Everything went EXACTLY as planned. The younger three fell asleep and Joshua rested with his books. I enjoyed 45+ minutes outside in the sun and water with my Father. Sisters, this was SO close to heaven on earth. It had to be. I loved EVERY second. All 2,700 of them. BLISS. I thought about blogging to tell you about it, but I refused. I can't stand the whole "share your best moments - hide the monstrous ones". So I decided it was best just to not tell you.
Then today came. We were planning to go to the park this morning, mommy needed some exercise. I got some good workouts in this week and I am trying to keep up the momentum. Whew. It is HARD! Anywho, about the time we were getting ready to go the rain started. Strike one. (which was after the baby had SCREAMED through breakfast--still have no idea why). Anyway, so I decided I'd work out on the wii fit while the kids played or whatever and the baby napped. Good plan. Baby down for nap, mommy on wii. Yes, this will work. The kids were SUPER encouraging to me and pushed me to work harder and do better. It was good....and fun! I like this. Note to self, do this again. The baby woke up and I was EXHAUSTED after 50+ minutes of a HARD workout. I let the kids take over on the wii and I went to get the baby. I opened the door and I smelled it. I knew what had happened, I didn't need to see anything at all. STRIKE TWO (or is this three?) anyway....there I was, worn out, starving (b/c it is noon) and the baby has taken off his diaper and pooped and peed ALL in the pack-n-play. SERIOUSLY. I put the baby in the tub and started cleaning up. The girl peed in her pants, for the fourth time today-yes it is only noon (more on that in another post). I had promised her that if she peed in her pants again I would get out the XL happy heiny diapers and she would be wearing them again. I was TOTALLY serious. So I did that, finished cleaning up the baby and started lunch.
Sisters, let me tell you. That work out.....I still haven't quite gotten over that. Got lunch served and asked my oldest to get something out of the fridge. I seriously was just too worn out to go get it myself....and that precious child of mine.....he managed to spill an entire gallon of SWEET (sticky) tea on our kitchen floor. sigh.
This is just a small glimpse of the strikes that have happened in our little day (and I didn't even bother with the "little" things) and I still have THREE+ hours before my sweet husband gets home. I promised him last night that I wouldn't let the three biggest kids sleep today b/c we want them to go to bed early so we can have a little date night....so the marathon continues.....this should be fun.
And this is why I'll never be a great blogger. I can't just share the things that make my life look perfect. I want to be real, but then when I do.....it looks like this.....a small dissertation. It's okay. Really, I blog b/c it helps to tell someone. And, I can honestly say, this day would have been 10xs worse had I not started that new Bible study. God has given me the grace I needed to smile and keep going. After all these precious children are a gift from God. God is good and gives good gifts.....and I can't help but think that He is enjoying you laughing as you read (and likely picture) how our day has been.....truth is....I am sure He is happy that I am laughing! A few weeks ago this would NOT have been laughable at ALL!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Radio
Now that I have scared you all off and I know you won't be reading anything else I write, I feel "safe" writing here. I'm not a great writer but sometimes it's just nice to have a place to get things off my mind.
I was coming home last night from a women's bible study I am doing and running a few childless errands (yes it was VERY NICE!) and I heard something that really struck me....actually it hit me square in the face. Kinda scared me a bit.
I don't know who said it, I was only half listening and then I heard something like this--many Christians today can't make a stand on scripture because they aren't reading the scriptures. They are simply reading what other people say about the scriptures, and not reading it for themselves. So they don't know what the Word of God actually says.
OUCH! That hit me square in the face. I have read a few things lately, and planned to read even more that wonderful people wrote. These books are NOT bad, and God has used them to many great things, but they are not scripture. I personally had sorta replaced scripture with these books...not that I thought the books were as important as scripture, but more that I thought since I was reading and learning from them it was good enough....how scarey. I am actually ashamed to admit that "out loud." But it makes me wonder how many of us are doing that?
I am really excited b/c just last night I started a new Bible study with a group of moms. I am really looking forward to it. And ironically as I sat in the room last night I was sorta confused b/c they didn't hand out a book...you know a Bible study book? I thought it kinda odd that we would begin a study without a book. Later they handed out a "plan" if you will, that showed what they study would look like. I was puzzled that we would be studying just a verse or two each day. Yes, we are getting a book sometime soon, but for starters they just want us studying the Word of God. How simple. How amazing. How just what I needed at the moment I needed it. God knew what his girl needs. He gave it to me, then He told me why.
I have started this "simple" study. WHEW. I think it's going to be really good. And you know what is even more exciting? I have "studied" two verses and now I can't WAIT to get to another one tomorrow! God is growing my desire for His word! Which is the very thing I have been asking Him to do for weeks! Maybe now I have gotten some of the distractions out of my way and I can truly love Him more!
Now, if I can just keep from comparing myself to the other moms in the study!
I was coming home last night from a women's bible study I am doing and running a few childless errands (yes it was VERY NICE!) and I heard something that really struck me....actually it hit me square in the face. Kinda scared me a bit.
I don't know who said it, I was only half listening and then I heard something like this--many Christians today can't make a stand on scripture because they aren't reading the scriptures. They are simply reading what other people say about the scriptures, and not reading it for themselves. So they don't know what the Word of God actually says.
OUCH! That hit me square in the face. I have read a few things lately, and planned to read even more that wonderful people wrote. These books are NOT bad, and God has used them to many great things, but they are not scripture. I personally had sorta replaced scripture with these books...not that I thought the books were as important as scripture, but more that I thought since I was reading and learning from them it was good enough....how scarey. I am actually ashamed to admit that "out loud." But it makes me wonder how many of us are doing that?
I am really excited b/c just last night I started a new Bible study with a group of moms. I am really looking forward to it. And ironically as I sat in the room last night I was sorta confused b/c they didn't hand out a book...you know a Bible study book? I thought it kinda odd that we would begin a study without a book. Later they handed out a "plan" if you will, that showed what they study would look like. I was puzzled that we would be studying just a verse or two each day. Yes, we are getting a book sometime soon, but for starters they just want us studying the Word of God. How simple. How amazing. How just what I needed at the moment I needed it. God knew what his girl needs. He gave it to me, then He told me why.
I have started this "simple" study. WHEW. I think it's going to be really good. And you know what is even more exciting? I have "studied" two verses and now I can't WAIT to get to another one tomorrow! God is growing my desire for His word! Which is the very thing I have been asking Him to do for weeks! Maybe now I have gotten some of the distractions out of my way and I can truly love Him more!
Now, if I can just keep from comparing myself to the other moms in the study!
WHY?
Why are you here? Haven't you given up on me yet? Seriously....in MARCH I told you I was making a comeback....here it is almost JUNE (three months later) and I am FINALLY making another post. Oh, no! I am glad you are here, I am just baffled that you would choose to read ANYTHING I might write.
Truth is, I have thought about MANY things I would LIKE to post on here, so many, I just decided to not. Due to lack of time...or maybe just plain laziness. Then I thought I would just post and say, goodbye. That I won't post anymore. Again, not because I didn't want to, but more b/c I just didn't have time. But I didn't want to....truth is, when I look at those of you who are following me here, many of you are some of my life long friends. There's one or two of you I don't know, (which by the way it amazes me that you would be here and stick with my randomness even though you haven't met me!!), two or so that I count as mentors, but the truth is, I really do care about the twelve of you that follow me here. I love you ladies and I love feelings somewhat connected to you :)
And so, now you are wondering why I chose to post....aren't you? Well, you see, Matt and I deleted our fb pages. No, we didn't deactivate them we deleted them. They are gone, well they will be in about a week. It will be like fb never even existed in our homes. Except it did. And, oh it kills me to say this, but....I miss it. GAH! I didn't want to miss it. . .but I do. I could go back.....I have one more week till it is completely gone. I could sign in right now and it would ALL be back, but I can't. See, this has been one of the BEST weeks my family has had in a LONG time. A LONG time. I have done much better keeping up with housework, and being nice to my kids, I have found time to post to our family blog and I have just been a happier mom. So I can't go back. I know for sure if I did things would head downhill FAST. I just don't have the self control to do it anymore. I would read all about everyone else's BEST days and compare them to my worst. I went to bed at night frustrated that my husband didn't do the things those men did, that my kids didn't do the things those kids did, that I didn't do the things that she did, that my friends didn't do the things that those friends did and so on....you get it, don't you?
I now realize that I am thankful that my _____ didn't do what so-and-so's _____ did b/c my ________ is mine. And this is my life. Not theirs....so I shouldn't compare. I don't know why I ever did....and I know I won't stop, but this is MY life that God has blessed ME with. And I love it. I love it even more now that I am not reading all about everyone elses!
And then....oh gosh, then I would JUDGE others based on what they posted.. SERIOUSLY?!? That was just NOT okay at all. I would see someone in person and suddenly be upset about something they posted or said on fb. WHAT in the world? SO, that settled it. I had to be done.
Now don't take that the wrong way, I LOVE to know what is going on in others lives, and I miss it terribly. But I just can't (for me and my life) spend my days reading all about everyone--and yeah, I mean everyone. I had over 500 friends. THAT my friends is a bit over the top for me!
So why am I telling you this? B/c my mind still works in fb world. There are things I want to tell people. Things that are going on in my world, things that are important to me, I want to share, but not with 500+ people! That is where all this comes in. I just want to get out of my mind a few things now and then. And, I like being able to share with you :)
This isn't my new fb. I promise that. It's just a way for me get some of my need to express myself out!! I promise I won't post everyday...probably not even every week, but I want to post some....here and there. It won't be regular, I don't think.....shucks it may even be three more months before I post again...but maybe not. ;)
whew. I am glad I got THAT out. OH! And one other thing...I don't think facebook is bad. I think it is AWESOME...for some people. Just not for me! Now...I am going to post something totally different...I think ;)
Truth is, I have thought about MANY things I would LIKE to post on here, so many, I just decided to not. Due to lack of time...or maybe just plain laziness. Then I thought I would just post and say, goodbye. That I won't post anymore. Again, not because I didn't want to, but more b/c I just didn't have time. But I didn't want to....truth is, when I look at those of you who are following me here, many of you are some of my life long friends. There's one or two of you I don't know, (which by the way it amazes me that you would be here and stick with my randomness even though you haven't met me!!), two or so that I count as mentors, but the truth is, I really do care about the twelve of you that follow me here. I love you ladies and I love feelings somewhat connected to you :)
And so, now you are wondering why I chose to post....aren't you? Well, you see, Matt and I deleted our fb pages. No, we didn't deactivate them we deleted them. They are gone, well they will be in about a week. It will be like fb never even existed in our homes. Except it did. And, oh it kills me to say this, but....I miss it. GAH! I didn't want to miss it. . .but I do. I could go back.....I have one more week till it is completely gone. I could sign in right now and it would ALL be back, but I can't. See, this has been one of the BEST weeks my family has had in a LONG time. A LONG time. I have done much better keeping up with housework, and being nice to my kids, I have found time to post to our family blog and I have just been a happier mom. So I can't go back. I know for sure if I did things would head downhill FAST. I just don't have the self control to do it anymore. I would read all about everyone else's BEST days and compare them to my worst. I went to bed at night frustrated that my husband didn't do the things those men did, that my kids didn't do the things those kids did, that I didn't do the things that she did, that my friends didn't do the things that those friends did and so on....you get it, don't you?
I now realize that I am thankful that my _____ didn't do what so-and-so's _____ did b/c my ________ is mine. And this is my life. Not theirs....so I shouldn't compare. I don't know why I ever did....and I know I won't stop, but this is MY life that God has blessed ME with. And I love it. I love it even more now that I am not reading all about everyone elses!
And then....oh gosh, then I would JUDGE others based on what they posted.. SERIOUSLY?!? That was just NOT okay at all. I would see someone in person and suddenly be upset about something they posted or said on fb. WHAT in the world? SO, that settled it. I had to be done.
Now don't take that the wrong way, I LOVE to know what is going on in others lives, and I miss it terribly. But I just can't (for me and my life) spend my days reading all about everyone--and yeah, I mean everyone. I had over 500 friends. THAT my friends is a bit over the top for me!
So why am I telling you this? B/c my mind still works in fb world. There are things I want to tell people. Things that are going on in my world, things that are important to me, I want to share, but not with 500+ people! That is where all this comes in. I just want to get out of my mind a few things now and then. And, I like being able to share with you :)
This isn't my new fb. I promise that. It's just a way for me get some of my need to express myself out!! I promise I won't post everyday...probably not even every week, but I want to post some....here and there. It won't be regular, I don't think.....shucks it may even be three more months before I post again...but maybe not. ;)
whew. I am glad I got THAT out. OH! And one other thing...I don't think facebook is bad. I think it is AWESOME...for some people. Just not for me! Now...I am going to post something totally different...I think ;)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Making a comeback!
A friend of mine Sharmin has a blog and she has started a little challenge! She is challenging us all to take the next four weeks to clean out and clean up our homes! Since we moved, (I know you had NO idea) ;) Matt and I have really been striving to have a more simple lifestyle. This means REDUCING CLUTTER. Things that we don't need haven't needed are GONE. They are leaving our home. FOR GOOD. So far we have gotten rid of 8 boxes of clothing. About 5 boxes of toys and I don't know how many boxes of other stuff that we just don't need. Just STUFF! SO I am excited to join Sharmin on this little challenge! I'll be posting before and after pictures. This really should be fun! Now, off to sort through (and organize) MORE kids clothes!!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
100% Whole Wheat Bread
Do you make your own bread? Do you want to? Well, as I think I have shared before we grind our own grain, and I like to make our own bread. However when I make my own bread I like to use all whole wheat, that I have ground. MOST of the recipes I have found are not what we want....they include a different kind of flour, or they are way to thick and crumbly. It has been driving me crazy!
But now....I have found a recipe that we really like and is really simple! Want to see it?
100% Whole Wheat Bread
ingredients
1 3/4 C warm water (110 degrees F)
1/4 C honey
2 tsp. instant yeast
6 C Stone ground whole wheat flour
6 T Vital wheat gluten
1 T Flax seed
1 T Flax seed mill
1 T rolled oats
1 T sesame seed
1 T quinoa (I use some type of substitute)
1 T Sunflower seeds
1 t salt
2 T coconut oil, melted
Directions-
Pour warm water and honey into a large bowl, and stir to dissolve honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the top of the liquid and let stand until the yeast bubbles and forms a creamy layer.
In a bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, gluten, flax seed, flax seed mill, rolled oats, sesame seed, quiona, sunflower seeds and salt until the seeds are dispersed evenly. Pour the flour mixture into the yeast mixture, add the coconut oil and mix everything together. Scoop the dough out onto a well floured surface, and knead until smooth and springy (which I would just say need for about 15 min). Allow dough to rest for 15 minutes and then knead for another 10 minutes.
Form the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, and turn the ball over several times to coat with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 30-45 min.
Grease two 9x5 loaf pans. Punch down the dough, and cut into 2 pieces. Form each piece into a loaf and place into the loaf pans., seam side down, and cover the pans with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled, about 30 min.
Preheat oven to 350. Bake the loaves in the preheated oven until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. 30-35 mins. I brush mine with coconut oil after they come out of the oven....mmmm...
I love that my children are growing up with the smells of freshly baked bread. THAT makes me smile!
Okay now I am off to bake! I am planning to make at least a double batch of this today. Four loaves should do it.....hmm....maybe I will make six.....
But now....I have found a recipe that we really like and is really simple! Want to see it?
100% Whole Wheat Bread
ingredients
1 3/4 C warm water (110 degrees F)
1/4 C honey
2 tsp. instant yeast
6 C Stone ground whole wheat flour
6 T Vital wheat gluten
1 T Flax seed
1 T Flax seed mill
1 T rolled oats
1 T sesame seed
1 T quinoa (I use some type of substitute)
1 T Sunflower seeds
1 t salt
2 T coconut oil, melted
Directions-
Pour warm water and honey into a large bowl, and stir to dissolve honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the top of the liquid and let stand until the yeast bubbles and forms a creamy layer.
In a bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, gluten, flax seed, flax seed mill, rolled oats, sesame seed, quiona, sunflower seeds and salt until the seeds are dispersed evenly. Pour the flour mixture into the yeast mixture, add the coconut oil and mix everything together. Scoop the dough out onto a well floured surface, and knead until smooth and springy (which I would just say need for about 15 min). Allow dough to rest for 15 minutes and then knead for another 10 minutes.
Form the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, and turn the ball over several times to coat with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 30-45 min.
Grease two 9x5 loaf pans. Punch down the dough, and cut into 2 pieces. Form each piece into a loaf and place into the loaf pans., seam side down, and cover the pans with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled, about 30 min.
Preheat oven to 350. Bake the loaves in the preheated oven until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. 30-35 mins. I brush mine with coconut oil after they come out of the oven....mmmm...
I love that my children are growing up with the smells of freshly baked bread. THAT makes me smile!
Okay now I am off to bake! I am planning to make at least a double batch of this today. Four loaves should do it.....hmm....maybe I will make six.....
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Sweet Old Lady
There is an image. A lady you have known forever. She has "always" been old. You don't remember her without silver hair. You probably remember her in your home church. In the same spot she had held for years. Right? Do you see her?
I do. I see that precious lady. I am reminded of her this morning. This woman loved the Lord. She was precious. I don't really remember not knowing her. She has always just been a part of my childhood memory. Her grandchildren were my friends. They are just mixed in my memory like so many other familiar things. I can't tell you about anything from my childhood that she did that was extra special, but she was just there.
What I can tell you is that, this morning that sweet lady is dancing at the feet of her savior. For those of you who know who I am talking about you are now smiling. Can you see her? Dancing? I don't think I could have ever imagined her dancing here. But I can see her this morning and it brings a smile to my face.
You see, this woman really stamped a BIG place in my heart almost 8 years ago. I was married and had moved a LONG way from home. My husband had decided that he and I would go on a mission trip, and we would need to raise funds to go. We sent out TONS of letters and told people about what we were doing, we begged them to pray and if God led, help us fund the trip. My church back home knew what we were doing and obviously announced it in church. I really don't know the details....they really don't matter. What I do remember is that I did NOT send this sweet old lady a letter. Never really occurred to me to send her one. But I got an envelope from her. There was a hand written note and a $10. She wrote about how she wished she could give more, and how she hoped that what she gave would help. It brings tears to my eyes even now to remember that gift. I know, I know, $10 isn't what bought the airline tickets or even breakfast one day, but $10 is what she had to give and she gave it. She reached down deep and gave what she could. Sure others gave more money, and likely some gave only a fraction of what they could. But God truly blessed my heart more with that $10 gift than with any other gift we received. She had heard about us, and what we were doing and she chose to give.
God blessed that trip, we were given all the money we needed and even extra we used to buy supplies for the missionaries that were there. God truly was glorified through His children, both old and young.
I just read on Facebook where that sweet old lady left her earthly body and stepped into eternity last night. I can only imagine how hard that is for her family this morning. I have only lost one grandparent and it was HARD. HARD, hardly describes it. I still miss him terribly. I know they are mourning their loss. However, I know that this sweet old lady, just like my grandfather, has reached a place of no more tears, no more pain, and no suffering. They can spend their days worshiping our Heavenly Father and for that I am so grateful and jealous! :) Their days are spent with endless praises to our Father! What a wonderful thing to remember!
I do. I see that precious lady. I am reminded of her this morning. This woman loved the Lord. She was precious. I don't really remember not knowing her. She has always just been a part of my childhood memory. Her grandchildren were my friends. They are just mixed in my memory like so many other familiar things. I can't tell you about anything from my childhood that she did that was extra special, but she was just there.
What I can tell you is that, this morning that sweet lady is dancing at the feet of her savior. For those of you who know who I am talking about you are now smiling. Can you see her? Dancing? I don't think I could have ever imagined her dancing here. But I can see her this morning and it brings a smile to my face.
You see, this woman really stamped a BIG place in my heart almost 8 years ago. I was married and had moved a LONG way from home. My husband had decided that he and I would go on a mission trip, and we would need to raise funds to go. We sent out TONS of letters and told people about what we were doing, we begged them to pray and if God led, help us fund the trip. My church back home knew what we were doing and obviously announced it in church. I really don't know the details....they really don't matter. What I do remember is that I did NOT send this sweet old lady a letter. Never really occurred to me to send her one. But I got an envelope from her. There was a hand written note and a $10. She wrote about how she wished she could give more, and how she hoped that what she gave would help. It brings tears to my eyes even now to remember that gift. I know, I know, $10 isn't what bought the airline tickets or even breakfast one day, but $10 is what she had to give and she gave it. She reached down deep and gave what she could. Sure others gave more money, and likely some gave only a fraction of what they could. But God truly blessed my heart more with that $10 gift than with any other gift we received. She had heard about us, and what we were doing and she chose to give.
God blessed that trip, we were given all the money we needed and even extra we used to buy supplies for the missionaries that were there. God truly was glorified through His children, both old and young.
I just read on Facebook where that sweet old lady left her earthly body and stepped into eternity last night. I can only imagine how hard that is for her family this morning. I have only lost one grandparent and it was HARD. HARD, hardly describes it. I still miss him terribly. I know they are mourning their loss. However, I know that this sweet old lady, just like my grandfather, has reached a place of no more tears, no more pain, and no suffering. They can spend their days worshiping our Heavenly Father and for that I am so grateful and jealous! :) Their days are spent with endless praises to our Father! What a wonderful thing to remember!
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