Josh and the Jeep: An Update

He got a job!

Starts training the weekend after Thanksgiving.

And he's excited. Because he'll be able to start making car payments.

So he can start driving this:

OK. Not that exact Jeep.
I got the picture off the internet.
It's entirely too cold outside to go take a picture of Josh's Jeep.
But his is blue and the same year as the one pictured. And that's good enough for me on this cold day. *wink*
I am proud of my boy for getting a job. I look forward to how this added responsibility and freedom will grow him. I can't wait to see how paying for his own gas opens his eyes to the value of good planning. Annnnnnd, I'm probably going to be a nervous wreck while he's driving around in this Michigan snow over the next several months.
But at least he'll be doing it in a vehicle with 4-wheel drive!

Learning to Trust

I had a great conversation with a teller at the bank yesterday.

Honestly, I don't even remember how we got started, but he was asking me questions about God and my faith - and the Holy Spirit just took over.
Early on, "R" asked me about how a person can keep the faith in the midst of struggles. And later, he pressed me for a more complete answer. He wondered, How can a person trust God to get them through difficult times?
At that point I think I leaned on the counter to get a little closer to him. And I told R I think it's important to remember what God has brought you through in the past. I believe there is a lot of value in recalling His faithfulness, so you can have confidence for your present circumstances.
Then I looked into his beautiful brown eyes and said, "It seems to me, we have a choice. We can either keep pushing God away and not trusting Him - which will likely result in Him allowing more difficult circumstances into our lives so we have more chances to learn to trust - OR, we can surrender. We can say, 'OK, God. I can't do this on my own. I'm going to trust You to take me through it.'"
That is the way God worked in me to build my trust. I remember it was mostly in hind-sight that I recognized the succession of events in my life which had shown me how trustworthy God is.
Yes. I'm a slow learner.
And at that point, it was rather undeniable. My God had been faithful through big things and small ones. Something in me (I think it must have been the Holy Spirit!) had me completely convinced I could trust Him with all my future needs, too. And so I came to the place of surrender, where I made the decision to trust Him. No matter what.

Before I left the bank, I promised R I was going to be praying for him. And I am. I am asking God to convince R of His love for him, and to help R come to that place of surrender. The place where he will know God is completely trustworthy and faithful.

How about you? How has God been teaching you to trust? Is there any way I can be praying for you today?

Just a Minute

So, the trouble I mentioned yesterday?
My heart was heavy because of it. The situation weighed on my mind.
It was the subject of nearly all my prayers.

And our God is faithful. Amen?
HE moved in me to simply share my heart with my son. To just tell him my thoughts and intentions. Honestly. Without rehearsing my wording, or trying to come up with catchy analogies.
It went something like this:
Me (entering room): Hey, can you take a break from your homework for a minute?
Son (guarded): Uh, why?
Me: I just want to talk with you.
Son (moving computer): OK.
Me (sitting on the bed): First, I want you to know I love you. Even when I do and say things you don't like; when I ask you to do things you don't want to do - I love you. Every decision I make for you is because I love you and I am trying to do what is best for you.
Son (Almost blank stare. Seems like he's listening, though I can't be totally sure.)
Me (trying to make connection) And I want you to know, I do understand you. I remember when I was 16, and I thought my parents didn't know anything. Like, really. They.didn't.know.any.thing.
Son (Kinda grins a little. Ahhhh, he's listening!)
Me: I am for you. Always, always for you. Never against you. I want to help you make good decisions and become the man God has created you to be. Please remember that. Even when you don't like - or don't understand - my reasons, please know that I love you and I am trying to do what is best for you. OK?
Son (relaxed): OK. (pause) I love you, too.

And that's all there was to it.
Quite simple, really.
But I felt like we made great strides with that conversation. There were no raised voices or hurt feelings (like so many of our interactions these days) and it felt as if my son actually listened to me.
Oh, I know we will still have conflicts in the future. But that one or two minutes sitting together, when I could be honest and open about my heart's desire for him was so good. So good. Like we were establishing a foundation for the years (and trials) to come. And I trust God will keep building on it.

Thank You, God, for your faithfulness in every moment. Even the hard ones.

I'm Jealous

Lessons From the Edge

Everything's better with a buddy.

I have a new co-worker!
Monday, Tia joined the staff of Vista Springs Edgewood. She shares my job title, but is full-time in hours. Which means - pretty soon I am going to be back to working 24 hours a week.
And I am so looking forward to that!
For the past couple months things have been rather overwhelming at work, as we've been going through staff changes and shortages. I have worked long days - and still felt like I wasn't getting everything done. Only to come home feeling kinda grumpy because "work" wasn't finished even though I was exhausted.

That's why I was so glad to have Tia on board.

Then a funny thing happened.
Tuesday was Veterans' Day and we had a special afternoon planned for our Veterans. It involved lots of work in the way of planning and moving furniture and gathering people together. Which also meant lots of work executing the event and then moving all the furniture back into place.
Needless to say, it was another long day at work.
But I had Tia there helping me with it all.
And, at the end of the day as I walked to my car - tired body and sore feet - I realized I wasn't feeling grumpy. At all. Because I hadn't done the whole day of activities by myself.
I had Tia there helping me with it all.

Everything's better with a buddy.

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.

I Keep Forgetting

So, I had this great idea a couple weeks ago.

It happened on an evening when I was making dinner and certain teenage occupants of my home were not doing the things I'd asked of them. Or the things they were supposed to have done without me even asking.
Or something along those lines.
And I stood over the stove slaving away making dinner when I had the thought. Hey, no one ever has to ask me to make dinner. Nobody ever reminds me the job needs to be done. I just do it. Every day.
I entertained myself for a few minutes with my self-righteous pity party. And then it came to me!
I'd show them. Yes. I would teach these teens a lesson.
I would "forget" to start making dinner.
And when someone asked about it, I would tell them, Oh, yeah. I'll do it. But then I would allow myself to get caught up in something else, or just wouldn't stop doing the thing I was already doing. And I still wouldn't make dinner. I would let them ask me again. And again. Until they were really frustrated with me. Then I'd say, This is exactly how I feel every time you don't do the things I ask of you, and the things you're supposed to do because it's your job. Get it?
And in my imagination, a light bulb would go on in their heads. They would understand how I feel. They wouldn't want to put me through that kind of nonsense ever again, and from that day forward they would always do their chores in a timely fashion.
Sounds great. Don't you think?

The only problem is, I keep forgetting to forget to make dinner. *ahem*

Bath Time

I heard a great illustration in church Sunday.

It went something like this:
A shepherd - in caring for his sheep - was required to immerse them completely in an antiseptic bath. That is, he had to lead them into the bath, then coax them in over their heads and hold them under so their eyes, ears, and noses could be saturated by the antiseptic bath.
You can just imagine how those poor creatures must have been feeling. This shepherd - whom they had trusted fully - now seemed to be drowning them.
They must have been so scared. So confused. Wanting so desperately to run away.
Yet the whole ordeal was for their good.

Now imagine the shepherd trying to explain to the sheep the reason for what he was doing.

Yeah. Not gonna happen.
Even if he tried explaining, they would never understand. They just had to keep on trusting the shepherd. Even when it didn't make sense.

Any idea what this illustration was used for in the sermon Sunday?
Yes. As a picture of our need to trust God. Even when it doesn't make sense.
I wonder how often I am like the sheep being led into the antiseptic bath - which is for my good - but which scares me and makes me want to run away. And while I am kicking and trying to escape, my loving Father gently holds me under until the antiseptic bath has done its job.
Only HE knows the reason.
Only HE really understands.
And I only need to trust.

This illustration was a great encouragement to me, and I pray it is for you, too.

Two Dinosaurs and an Eskimo

This past weekend was "Family Weekend" at Wheaton, so Brian and I and the boys (and Nick, a.k.a. "Beau") made the westerly trip to see Elizabeth.

It was tons of fun. :)

On Saturday afternoon, Elizabeth wanted to take us to a park she's discovered. It is full of great playground equipment, including a "zip line" for little kids. (On which all the big kids played!) She got us all to roll down the sledding hill. (Which was super fun, if not nauseating. Might have been a good idea to NOT attempt such a feat right after lunch. *ahem*) And then she showed us how to make "dinosaur masks" out of leaves. (I was chilly and opted for the role of "Eskimo" so I could stay bundled up.)

Like I said, it was tons of fun. But I did wonder - as I contemplated my daughter's excitement about all things park and playground - How much are we paying for this fun she's having?

Ahhhhh, I jest. We are simply delighted with Wheaton College and every single part of Elizabeth's college experience. I thank God, as I trust Him to bring to completion the good work He has begun.

HIS Instrument

Lessons From the Edge

As long as we're living, we need to keep living.

Yes, I know. That statement either sounds redundant, or nonsensical.

Stick with me.

This week I had the opportunity to talk with a woman at Edgewood who is facing death, but isn't dead yet. The thing is, she was feeling depressed because she viewed herself as sitting around waiting to die.
Not able to do much on her own.
Unable to stop her tears from falling.
Just kinda stuck in a depressed state.
I shared an experience and Bible verse with her which I hoped would be encouraging. I prayed for her. We talked and laughed a bit. We talked about her glorious future when she won't need her oxygen tank, when her legs will work properly, and when she'll have no more tears.
But we also recognized that she's still here. In her broken body. With tears running down her cheeks.
And we reaffirmed the reality that God is here, too.
HE is faithful.
HE is kind.
HE gives peace.
And because of who HE is, we can keep living. Even when the living is hard.

Honestly, I don't expect this dear woman is going to face the rest of her days without a tear or moment of sadness. Indeed, I will keep visiting with her and asking the Holy Spirit to encourage her through me. Because now that I know how much she's hurting, I can't bear the thought of her wasting the days away - waiting.
She has a beautiful spirit, and I pray God will move in her to share it until her very last breath.

As long as we're living, we need to keep living.

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.

Go Ahead and Laugh

I was reminded of this joke last night, and in light of my post Tuesday I thought it would be fun to share.
Go ahead and laugh. *wink*

Why was Abraham commanded to sacrifice Isaac when he was twelve?

Because if he was a teenager, it wouldn't have been a sacrifice.

Have a great day!

Mr. President, I Have a Question

Just to clarify: This post is NOT a political rant. At all.
I think some people have taken me more seriously than I intended.
It's just when I saw the phrase "residents who are not eligible...under the Affordable Care Act" and thought about the sweeping promises which were made, I couldn't resist pointing out the irony.
OK. Read on. *wink*

I'm sure you've noticed I don't get into political discussions on this blog. Politics is simply NOT what this space is about.
But today, I can't resist.
Honestly, I had not been paying much attention to the "issues" which would be on the ballot yesterday, so Monday night Brian and I sat down to familiarize ourselves with the proposals on which we would be voting Tuesday. And one of them read as follows:

This millage funds basic health care services to county residents who are not eligible for Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act, and for individuals who make less than $28,000 per year and don’t have medical insurance.

I read, and re-read, that statement a couple of times. Then I looked at my husband and said, "I thought the Affordable Care Act was supposed to provide insurance for everyone. Isn't that what the President promised?" I was being sarcastic.
"Yeah, that didn't really work out like he said it would."

Oh, those wonderful, lofty promises.
This website summarized the health care policy commitments. And the assurance which I recall hearing touted the most during a certain election campaign was this one:
Quality, Affordable and Portable Coverage for All
And if, somehow, this goal wasn't quite attainable, the following caveat was inserted:

Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance will receive an income-related federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan.

Those words all sound so nice. So compassionate. So caring.
But, Mr. President, I have a question.

If your Affordable Care Act is supposed to deliver on everything you promised it would, why was the Health Services Millage Renewal proposal on my ballot Tuesday?

I'm just wondering...

Parenting Teens

Whoever said parenting kids gets easier when they're older...lied.
(Sorry to break the news to you if you are in the camp of moms who still believed that line. *ahem*)

When my children were small, I dealt with things like temper tantrums in the store when I said "no" to a toy or piece of candy. Bed time and clean-up were arenas for testing, often including tears and fits. (And sometimes those tears and fits even came from the kids. *wink*) And who can forget the pouty, pudgy, tear-stained cheeks of the child who faced "Time Out" again for hitting his sister?
Oh, mother-friend, I do not miss those moments!
I thought for sure when the kids were older, I wouldn't have to go through those trials anymore. I kept listening to those who said, "This, too, shall pass," and I believed once it passed things would be easier.

Oh, silly me!

The truth is, we don't go through those trials anymore.
Now, we go through different ones.
These days I am facing life as the mother of teenage boys who are on the road to manhood. Needing/ desiring/attempting more and more to separate themselves from me. The toddlers who were the cling-ons when we played Star Trek are now teens by whom it feels like I am being pushed away.
Nowadays I find myself wanting to give direction on doing the dishes properly and setting the table and making beds and folding sheets (because I see the effects at work of young 20-somethings who don't know how to do these things). And when I'm riding with my 16-year-old driver sometimes I give (what I think are) gentle reminders about speed and head-checks. And for the most part, these words of mine are met with stiff arms and I-already-know-it attitudes. The toddlers who used to ask me "Why?" every other minute because they thought I knew everything, are now the teens who seem to see my words as obnoxious and unnecessary. Once they wanted to hear me, and now they think I'm a nag.
And I don't want to be a nag!

It is not news that being a mother of toddlers is draining and tiresome (mixed with moments of laughter, joy, and precious memories). But I'm telling you, being a mother of teens is painful at times, too. I so long for these boys to trust that I am for them - not against them. I wish for them to believe that the things I say to them are meant to help - not to belittle or to insult. Oh, if they would just understand I am simply a woman who has never had teenage boys before, who wants to do her best to help them grow up to be honorable and God-fearing men, and who really does love them - all the time.

Yeah. This place and time in life is hard.
Just like it was 10+ years ago.
How thankful I am that the God who carried us through those trials is the same God here with us today. And just as He was faithful then, I trust He will be faithful now.

God is our refuge and strength,
An ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3

Excuses

Soooooo, Thursday was a really busy day.
Spent a great deal of time getting my costume ready for our Halloween Party at Edgewood on Friday. Shopping for pieces, sewing fleece over "Michigan State" on my sweatshirt, sewing a tail, and making mouse ears. And searching the internet for a face-painting sample to use Friday morning.
Ooooo, and the time I spent painting Friday...waaaaay longer than I usually spend on my make up.
But worth it.

Anyway, I figured I could record a video Saturday.

Until Saturday happened.

I went to work in the morning, got home around 3:30, made my grocery list and went shopping, got home shortly after 5:00, put the groceries away and started making dinner. By the time that was all finished, I just didn't feel like making a video.
And Sunday proved to be busy with good things.

So, there is no video today. And I realize I could have skipped the explanation and just not posted anything. But I figured someone could sympathize. And decided I'd rather not suffer alone. *wink*

Lessons From the Edge

Doing "nothing" can be wonderful.

We're in the process of lots of construction at Vista Springs Edgewood. They're going to be expanding the dining room, making a new entry, turning the library into an activity center, and I've even heard reports of a little bistro. It's going to be so nice!
Cosmetic work has already been done all over the place with newly painted walls, new carpeting and hand rails, and new light fixtures. And just this week, construction has begun in my neck of the woods. They're building a cage office for me. That is, the current activity room is being transformed into a therapy room so my corner is being walled-in as an official "office". I think the intention is to separate the therapy area from my work area - for privacy.
And I get that.
But I'm going from a great big open area to a space probably less than 9-feet-square.
And I'm already claustrophobic. I might need my own therapy sessions before I go "into" work every day. *wink*

OK. I'm finished whining.
On to this week's lesson...

On Wednesday the man doing the construction on my cage (Oh! I said I was finished whining, didn't I. Guess I lied. *ahem*) office was busy framing it in. Measuring, sawing, and nailing the two-by-fours into place. And when I walked into the room, I saw B (from down the hall, not the B across the hall) sitting in a chair. He wasn't doing anything, really. Just sitting there. I didn't have any activities planned in the next few minutes, and I wasn't sure what he might be waiting for.
I asked B if he needed any help.
He smiled and said, "No. I'm just watching him build."
So I went about my business, which involved lots of going in and out of the Activity Room. And every time I came back in, there he was. B, sitting and watching the construction. Doing nothing, but happy as a lark.
As in, I think he sat there for a couple of hours!

Back in the day, B was a civil engineer. But I don't think he was ever in construction. Still, something about the frame going up for my office intrigued him, and held him in place for a couple of hours.
And then I got to thinking.
How many hours have I spent doing "nothing" while I sat watching a fire, or listening to music, or observing birds, or staring at a sleeping baby?
And suddenly I felt I could understand B - just sitting and watching.
Because I realized, Doing "nothing" can be wonderful.

Think you might be able to find time to do "nothing" for a while this weekend? Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.

HE is in the Details

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

~Psalm 115:1

Please note: Nothing in this post is intended to bring glory to myself; nor am I seeking praise or pats on the back. My heart's desire is to testify to God's faithfulness, and attention to detail.
All glory to GOD!

For my birthday, my mother-in-law gave me money to spend however I want.
(LOVE when she does that! *grin*)
My intention was to spend it on some new clothes. And when I got an email from my favorite store last week that they were having a 40%-off-everything-sale, I knew it was time to go shopping. *bigger grin*
So I went.
With every intention of using my birthday money.
The thing is, when I finally found something I liked we had to order it on-line because they didn't have my size in the store. Which meant, I couldn't use my birthday money. I had to use my credit card - can't pay cash on-line, ya know.
So I left the store, and still had Ben in my wallet.

The next day I was sitting in church listening to a sermon from Acts 4 - in which, "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had." (v.32) And God's Spirit reminded me of that money in my wallet. And I began to wonder if someone in the church had a need which could be fulfilled by that money. Which God had kept me from using.
As the sermon continued, I found myself convinced that I needed to give that birthday money to someone before I left church. And I prayed God would show me who that "someone" was. Often at the end of the service, an announcement is made that anyone needing prayer may come forward so a member of the prayer team may minister to them. I figured that would be a great time for me to meet the one God had put on my heart. And several times as the service went on, I prayed God would lead me to that one person.
However, this week that announcement was not made.
The service ended, and I wondered, How am I going to find who needs this money?
At that moment I stood up and glanced across the sanctuary. In the section adjacent to mine I saw a girl who used to be in my Sunday school class, standing with her grandmother. We waved to each other and I went over to say, Hello. As Grandma and I were talking I had the feeling she was "the one" and I asked her if she had a financial need. She did. So I took hold of her hand and put the birthday money in it.
We hugged, and said good-bye.
A few minutes later, I saw Grandma again. Only the smile on her face was twice as big as what it had been before. She had looked at what I'd put in her hand and was delighted. Told me she had a bill she needed to pay Tuesday, and now she was going to be able to pay it. So I told her about how the Holy Spirit had been speaking to me through the sermon, and she told me how God had been telling her to trust Him.

We rejoiced together over our Father's wonderful faithfulness.

And as I thought back to the previous day's shopping trip, I rejoiced again over God's attention to detail. Every.little.detail.

When Needing Endurance Meets Desiring Immediate Gratification

OK. So remember last week when I wrote about how motivated Josh was to get a job? You know, so he could start making car payments and driving his Jeep?

Well, a funny thing happened.

After 24 hours, and no job offer, he started coming up with alternate plans.

Josh proposed to us that he do odd-jobs around the house to earn money for gas so he could start driving the Jeep. Just until he found a real job, of course.
Unfortunately (for Josh) Brian and I are sticking to the original plan:
1) Get a job.
2) Start making car payments.
3) Drive the vehicle.

Guess this kid needs a dose of endurance to go with his motivation. *wink*

Praying for Kids

Lessons From the Edge

Never give up.

Oh, I am quite sure I will never tire telling stories of the lessons I've learned from the men and women I serve and love at Edgewood. Because these folks inspire me in ways too numerous to count.

I've told you before about B, the man who lives across the hall from the Activity Room. He's the one who used to be a preacher and has suffered two strokes - which have left him unable to communicate verbally (Except for saying yes, no, I don't know, and "For dinner, for dinner, for dinner".) and unable to use much of half his body.
The one thing we know for sure is, when B is yelling, "For dinner, for dinner, for dinner!" he wants or needs something. And when I hear him yelling that way, I often go across the hall to see if I can help his wife determine what he's trying to communicate. So, the other day I heard his familiar call and went over to see what I could do. Ooooo. That one was a toughie. Each of us felt like giving up several times, but we kept at it and finally figured out that B wanted a drink of water. And when his thirst was satisfied I suggested a sign he could make with his hand when he wanted a drink. Then he (we!) wouldn't have to get so frustrated trying to communicate. B seemed to like the idea, and I reminded him about it (and had him practice) a couple more times when I saw him that day.
After one of our practice sessions, our office manager asked me if I'd ever heard B sing. I smiled and started singing "It is Well with my Soul" and B joined in with gusto. It was beautiful. Then the office manager started singing "You are My Sunshine" and about four or five of us standing around all joined in. Including B, of course.
That was beautiful, too.
Then it was time to get back to work and I made my way back to my desk.
Moments later, I heard B coming down the hall. And it wasn't just his wheel chair I heard. It was his voice. B was singing "You Are My Sunshine" all by himself. Over and over again.
That was the most beautiful thing I'd heard all day!
And I called the office manager to share the moment with her. *smile*

But, wait. It gets better.

Not too long after I heard B singing on his own, I was back in the office for some reason, or another. The office manager handed me a piece of mail for B which hadn't been put into his mailbox because it didn't have his apartment number on it. She asked if I would take it to him when I went back down the hall. And I was happy to do it.
I knocked on the door and slowly opened it, to see B sitting in his chair, and U napping in the chair beside him. So I entered and explained what I had, and handed B the piece of mail. He said, "Thank you," I said, "You're welcome," and I turned and left the apartment.
As I was closing the door I thought to myself, Wait a minute. Did he just say, "Thank you" to me? That isn't one of his phrases. Is it? And I asked one of the ladies who was playing cards in the Activity Room, "Does B say, 'Thank you'?" She looked at me as if I were a little crazy and said, "No." And I said, "But he did! B just said, 'Thank you' to me!" And we had a little celebration there.
See, we've all been praying for B for quite some time. Asking God to restore his ability to communicate. Not just so he can express his needs and wants without frustration, but so he can proclaim the Name of Jesus again. And these new words which he had just spoken brought so much hope.
I quickly realized THAT was the most beautiful thing I'd heard all day.

I don't know if all the singing we'd been doing had anything to do with B's break-through, but you better believe I'm going to be singing with him on a regular basis. Yes, singing and praying, and trusting God to bring his words back.

Never give up.

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.

How To Motivate a Teenage Boy

Buy him a car, with the understanding he cannot drive it until he gets a job and starts making car payments.

So, I mentioned Tuesday that Josh wants a car. Well, the scam one didn't pan out, but he found another great deal. It is presently sitting in our driveway.
Here's the story:
For several months, Josh has been talking about wanting to get a job. He has talked and talked and talked. Once, he even went out and filled out an application. But he didn't get that job.
More recently (the end of the summer) he looked into another opportunity. But that didn't work out.
Besides those two instances, Josh's job search has mostly been talk. And it has included talk about needing a car to get to said job. Because he can't doesn't want to walk to it.
The problem is, how does a boy buy a car when he doesn't have a job? And how is he supposed to get a job if he doesn't have a car? Oh, the dilemma!

*Here comes Dad, to save the day!*

As I said, Josh has been looking for the perfect vehicle for himself, and finally found it.
And Brian agreed to buy it for him.
HOWEVER, Josh is not allowed to drive it until he has a job and starts paying us back.
I'm telling you, I have never seen that boy so intent on anything before in my life. I got home from work and saw the Jeep in the driveway, and walked into the house to find Josh at the computer putting the final touches together for his application. Then he drove (Using my van, of course!) to the store to submit the application. And I'm willing to bet he'll make follow-up phone calls without being prompted to do so.

I have one very motivated teenager on my hands.
And I love it!

Under Conviction

Conviction by the Holy Spirit is such a wonderful thing to me.

Just knowing God knows what I need - and cares enough about me to make that need clear to my heart - fills me with gratitude.

But sometimes the conviction leaves me feeling a little silly. Like, Gee, God, I'm kind of embarrassed that You had to remind me about this concept. Again.
So, today I find myself eating a slice of heavenly humble pie. Again.

See, last week I began a new study with the Women's Group which is meeting Friday morning's at Edgewood. We're watching and discussing Jennifer Rothschild's DVD series, Walking By Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark. The key concept from the introductory session is: "It can be well with my soul, even when it may not be well with my circumstance." I love that concept. I fully agree with it. And I loved the time we spent talking about it Friday morning. It is so good to remember the importance of keeping our focus on God, rather than our circumstance.
But then a funny thing happened. (OK. It isn't really "funny", except in the ironic sense. *ahem*) I got busy with my day - making final arrangements for the next day's festival, returning phone calls, following up on email, making plans, and carrying out activities. The day got so hectic, and I began to feel anxious. Running here and there, doing this and that, even getting help from a couple co-workers but not feeling like I was going to be able to get it all done.
And by the time the day was over (late!) my soul was not in a condition which I would describe as "well".

Can you see the problem?
Do you have an idea what the Holy Spirit was about to say to my heart?
I had just sat through a lesson about walking by faith. I know very well what it means to keep my focus on God. Goodness, I have led Bible studies and women's retreats on that very thing! And here I was, allowing my circumstance to steal my joy. It was not well with my soul because it was not well with my circumstance. And that correlation just should not be.
So gently, but with undeniable clarity, the Holy Spirit convicted me and I knew: It can be will with my soul, even when it may not be well with my circumstance. Eyes up, Karen. Eyes on Me!

Here I am now, sitting down to eat that heavenly humble pie - and get my focus adjusted.

Will someone pass me a fork, please?

Playing With an Internet Scammer

Josh is presently on the hunt for a car.
He has been busy searching the internet for just the right vehicle:
*not too old
*good condition
*at least 22mpg
*big enough to carry a canoe on top
*kinda sporty
and, of course,
*low cost.

And one evening last week...He thought he'd found it.
A 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee; 92,400 miles; body looked great in the photo; $2,500

It almost seemed too good to be true.
Brian began a conversation with him about that very real possibility. You know, perhaps the side of the vehicle NOT shown in the picture had a big dent in it. Or maybe the brakes were shot. Perhaps it had been totaled in an accident and given a cheap make-over. Matthew asked, "Are you sure it has an engine?"
So, Josh contacted the seller, and this is the response he received:

Hello!
I'm emailing you about my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited I have for sale. It has all books, complete set of tools and keys and 92,400 miles. The price was reduced at $2,500 as I need to sell it before October 25th, when I'll be leaving with my unit back to Baghdad replacing the troops scheduled to come home...

The message went on to explain that the seller did not need to be present to complete the sale, the vehicle was located in Memphis, TN, it would be shipped to Josh in 2-3 days - at no additional charge, and everything would take place through Google wallet.
Needless to say, we saw lots and lots of red flags, but before he deleted the email, Josh decided to have some fun with it. This was his reply:

That sounds great! I'm 30 minutes away from Memphis right now. Give me an address please and I'd love to see it.
By the way, my dad was also in Baghdad. He unfortunately was declared missing in action. October 25 will be the one year anniversary. He had a jeep almost identical to this one and it would make me so happy to have this one!
When I saw your message I knew it was meant to be. Please respond as soon as possible, and thank you so much for serving our country. It shows I can really trust you. Best of luck in Baghdad, my prayers will be with you.

So, even though Josh was extremely disappointed (and a bit angry) that this deal of a lifetime was just a scam, we all had a good laugh as he constructed his response.
And his writer-mom was super proud of his creativity! *wink*

It's OK to Say No

Lessons From the Edge

Things aren't always as easy as they seem.

The fun part of this lesson came from a "Donut Eating Contest" we had Wednesday afternoon.
We tied donuts from the ceiling and challenged people to eat them from the string.
Without using their hands.
And, while at first many folks thought it a strange game, no one realized how difficult it would be.
It was kind of funny to hear audience members "coaching" the contestants.
Just bite it!
Use your tongue to grab the donut!
They had no idea.

When all was said and done, everyone had a great time - and enjoyed LOTS of laughter.
But the recurring phrase that afternoon was, "Wow! That was harder than I thought it would be!"

Like I said, that was the fun part of the lesson.

The not-fun part came earlier in the week.
I had the day off Monday so I could attend my uncle's memorial service, and when I came in Tuesday I had notes from Monday morning's staff meeting in my email. As I read through them I was surprised to read, "D moved out Sunday". I mean, I knew her move-out was coming. I knew I was going to have to say good-bye. And, while I wasn't happy about the prospect of it, I knew she needed to move. (We are going to be adding a memory-care facility to our property in the next year-or-so. But until that happens, I have to say good-bye to folks whose needs have gone beyond what we're able to do. *sad face*)
But I've seen people leave before.
And it's always been OK.
However, this time the actual move happened without my knowledge. And I didn't get to say good-bye. And I want to go give her one more hug. But D is having a difficult time adjusting to her new home, so for me to go over and see her really wouldn't be good. And the idea of just *bam!* ending the relationship breaks my heart.

This isn't as easy as I thought it would be.

And there's that lesson, again. Things aren't always as easy as they seem.
Thankfully, I have hope and trust in God. I know He is watching over my lovely D. And, although I cannot wrap my arms around her again and tell her I love her, I am praying for her. Believing God will wrap HIS arms around her and love her through this transition.

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.

Beauty and the Beau: Surprise! Edition

I had a little challenge last week.

I was in on two surprises, and it was difficult at times to keep the secrets.
In fact, I almost let it slip a time, or two.

The surprises started with Beauty. She was planning a visit to Beau for the weekend, to celebrate his 18th birthday. The plan - as far as Beau knew - was for Beauty to come into town after she finished classes on Friday. What he didn't know was that, since I was speaking Thursday in a town just minutes from Wheaton, I was picking up Beauty and bringing her to his house THURSDAY.
Beau was very unsuspecting when he came to answer the door.

And very happy.

The second surprise was one Beau had planned for Beauty.
He knew we were all coming to his birthday party Friday night, so he contacted Beauty's BFF and encouraged her to come along with us. M was as excited to see Beauty as the rest of us, and I was so happy for the surprise in store for my girl.
Because she'd just told me on Thursday how much she missed her BFF.
When we arrived at the party, Brian found Elizabeth and asked her to come with him to the van. (Where M was hiding.)

What a precious sight to see friends embrace.

But, honestly, the most precious thing to me was to see Beauty and Beau planning a surprise for one another. It was sweet to see them thinking of what would make the other happy, and then working out the details to make it happen.
I'm telling you, these two bless my heart!

For Moms Who Struggle with Guilt and Shame

Last Thursday I spoke for a group of moms in Lisle, Illinois. It is always a joy for me to share my story with other moms who are struggling, and to show them that HOPE is possible - even in the hard times. Often when I am speaking I am able to make a connection with particular moms in the audience by noticing their body language (or tears...) and I will aim specific encouragements toward them.
When I was in Lisle last week, I was able to speak directly with one of those moms during discussion time at the end of the meeting. This woman shared with all of us who were sitting at her table that she loses her temper and yells at her children on occasion. And every time she yells, she is then filled with feelings of guilt and shame.

GUILT and SHAME.

Feelings which leave her believing she is not worthy of love from her children, her husband, or God. The guilt and shame she feels over losing her temper threaten to keep her from receiving love, and equally keep her from giving love fully. Guilt and shame become paralyzing forces in her life.
I understand.
Because I have been there.
And the truth of the matter is, I know this mom and I are not alone. LOTS of moms have been bombarded with guilt and shame. Perhaps the mom who is reading these very words has also struggled.
Maybe you are right now.

I will be forever thankful for my mentor, whom God used to free me from the bondage of guilt and shame. She led me in a time of prayer and contemplation through which I came to understand that when I was frustrated and at my wits' end, God wasn't angry at me. Rather, I found that He knew my heart - my desire to love my children, not hurt them - and I finally "got" that He was able/willing/wanting to help me in those moments.
God was not throwing darts of guilt and shame at me. They were coming from my enemy, the devil. And in that moment, God showed me that He would be my Shield to protect me from those darts.
It was as I recognized my absolute inability to hold myself together, and as I surrendered all sense of control to God, that I was finally free from the terrible grip of guilt and shame. When I recognized I cannot do this mothering thing on my own, and when I believed God wanted to help me with every step and hurdle, I began my journey of trusting Him to deliver me from guilt and shame.

Soooooo, fellow mom, are you struggling with these burdens today?
Please hear me when I tell you, those feelings - those thoughts which say you are too awful to be worthy of love - are lies from your enemy. The One who loves you (And who always will!) doesn't want you walking around burdened by guilt and shame. Yes, Jesus died even for your failings as a mom and He will help you overcome them. Please accept this invitation to lay your burdens, your failures, your short-comings at His feet and take up His offer to help you.

"For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

~Isaiah 41:13

If you'd like to talk further about this issue and don't feel comfortable doing so in the comment section, please feel free to send me an email. The link is in the right-hand column.

Discombobulated

My heart and emotions are so confused right now.

Because the circumstances in my life and both horrible and wonderful.

So much so, that I actually found myself in tears at work on Monday.
And that hasn't happened in a looooooong time.
Amidst the stresses I have been trying to be strong, trying to do my best, trying to fill the holes as best as I can. I've been plugging along like that little engine, I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.
And I finally realized, I can't.
But GOD CAN.

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
~Psalm 118:13-14

On the other hand, I am leaving tonight to go to Illinois. I'll be speaking for a parents' group in Lisle, IL tomorrow morning, and then I am going to see my girl in Wheaton. *smile*
I have a birthday party to attend Friday night, and a wedding Saturday.
There is lots of celebrating good things coming up in the next days.
And that's wonderful!

So, in the midst of the confusion - when my heart can't decide whether it should be "up" or "down" - I am frequently remembering Psalm 118:13-14. The LORD is my strength and my song.
Let us hold firmly onto HIM.


P.S. I cannot see any realistic hope that I'll be able to do any blogging for the next several days. LORD willing, I'll be back sometime next week.

Or a Son...

Yes, for me it's a son.

Definitely a son.

Of the 16-year-old variety.

And some days I wonder which one of us will make it to our next birthday. *ahem*

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that Josh and Matthew have taken over washing the dishes since Elizabeth left for college. And that my concern with Matthew is the copious amounts of water he uses to get the job done.
Well, Josh gives me a different concern. That is, he often doesn't really do a complete job. As in, I look at the dishes after he's "finished" and there's still food on them. Usually on the outside. So I call him back to the kitchen and have him re-wash.

And that NEVER goes over well.

Most recently (two nights ago) he was annoyed with me for making him re-wash the pots and pans - including the OUTSIDE. To him, the grease on the side of the pan looked like water and he thought it was clean. So he thought I was unreasonable for thinking he should have washed it anyway. Not to mention my demand suggestion that he ought to have checked the shiny surface by swiping his finger over it to see if it really was water - at which time he would have realized it was grease and would have known it needed washing and would have saved us from another argument discussion about how to wash dishes.
Needless to say, that interaction was not a pleasant one. Both Josh and I were extremely frustrated with each other. Though, I must say, he did a great job re-washing the pots and pans when I stood there watching him. They came out very clean. And I told him so. (But he was still annoyed with me.)

So, as the night wore on and we both calmed down I decided I wanted to address the situation one more time. I was thinking about the occasions when I thought my own mother was annoying for "making" me clean things and take care of items that didn't seem like they needed it. I recalled finally understanding her ways when I began being responsible for maintaining my own home. And I prayed God would help my son see my heart as I made that explanation to him.
I walked out to the living room where Josh was doing his Chemistry homework and sat down beside him. Then I shared my heart, and told him once more that I appreciated the way he washed the pans the second time.
Josh didn't throw his arms around me in a hug. He didn't tell me he understands, and will keep my words in mind the next time he does his chores. He didn't promise to never be annoyed with me again because he trusts that I always have good intentions. But we ended the night at peace with each other, and that was good enough for me.

Besides, I'm still holding onto the hope that by the time he's 40 he'll realize I was right. *wink*

Let's be Light

Lessons From the Edge

Nothing pushes God off His throne.

So, we've been going through some significant shake-ups at Edgewood over the past weeks.
*Staffing changes, which have left some holes.
*A couple community members moving out because of behavior issues.
*Changes in condition/mental state of others.
*Increased stress levels stemming from the holes left by the staffing issues.
And, quite honestly, some days I have felt like I was walking through the building in the dark. The light-hearted atmosphere to which I have grown so accustomed seemed to be missing.
As I walked though the halls Monday, feeling particularly burdened, I began singing, Jesus, Your Name is power. Jesus, Your Name is might. Jesus, Your Name will break every stronghold. Jesus, Your Name is life. And I decided that the next day for Bible study, we were going to examine Philippians 4:4-9.

We sat there in the library - I think there were 18 of us - talking about our real feelings regarding the turmoil around us. We discussed what it means to rejoice in the LORD, rather than in our circumstances. We shared experiences of bringing our anxiety to Him. We contemplated how we might focus our thoughts on only those things which are true and good and pleasing and praiseworthy.
And, together, we determined there is still hope even in the midst of uncertainty.
Because...
Nothing pushes God off His throne.

NOTHING.

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.

Prayer ADD

Do you ever pray, and then find your mind wandering to another subject?
Like what the person you're praying for said to you the last time you were together.
Or, when the two of you are going to see each other again.
Or, how long it's been since you've prayed for Aunt Betty.
Or, what's for dinner.

I call it Prayer ADD, and hate to admit that I am afflicted with it much too often.

But last week, it totally wasn't my fault!

I had just gotten a text from my brother and was reading it as I walked to my van. The subject of his text was something about which I wanted to pray, so as I began driving I also began praying.
The radio was on, and after probably less than a minute a song came on which is a prayer cue reminding me to pray for the family of a young girl who died earlier this year.
So I began praying for them.
And as I turned a corner, a little squirrel ran across my path. Now, squirrels are my prayer cue to pray for my daughter, so I immediately began praying for her.

I confidently believe God prompts me to pray for people at just the right time, and I aim to respond obediently. So I prayed for my brother when that text came through. And I prayed for that family when their song began to play. And I prayed for my daughter when I saw the squirrel. And as I considered my prayer ADD and noticed how quickly God was leading me from one thing to another I chuckled and said to Him, God, You are not helping my ADD very much right now!

And I sort of expected to see a yellow car at the next corner.

Remembering What He's Done

Lessons From the Edge

'For better or for worse' is beautiful.

I've written about B and U here before. They are the couple who lives across the hall from the Activity Room. B has suffered a couple strokes, and the last one left him unable to use the right side of his body, and unable to speak very much. Because of our close proximity, I have witnessed many of their trials as they navigate through growing older and dealing with the effects of B's most recent stroke. Sometimes U just has to leave the apartment for a while - or have B leave - so she can gather herself together and have a little peace. And I totally understand her need to do so!
Well, on Monday, U was given a break she hadn't planned on. And wasn't wanting.
That is, B was taken to the hospital. Turns out he had a minor infection and just needed antibiotics and some time to heal. But U was beside herself while he was gone. She missed him so.

Wednesday afternoon I was by the front office when an ambulance pulled up with B. They were bringing him home! But U didn't know he was coming.
Since I was in the right place at the right time, I had the privilege of taking B back to his apartment and I just wish I'd had a camera with me to capture his homecoming. U was outside sitting under a tree reading a book when I found her and said B was home. She got right up and came inside where I saw B sitting there with his left arm stretched as wide open as he could get it. U approached him with her arms spread open, and then these two wrinkle-y folks embraced and gave each other the sweetest kiss I have ever seen.
All B could manage to say was, "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah." But I'm pretty sure he meant something like, "I love you, U. I'm so glad to be home and see you again. And I am so thankful to have you as my gracious and loving wife. Thank you for sticking with me through all of life's ups and downs." Yeah. I'm sure that's what he would have said if his words were cooperating with his heart.

'For better or for worse' is beautiful.

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.

Confessions of a Water Waster

One of Elizabeth's chores was to wash the dishes after dinner.
Now that she's gone to college, the boys have taken over that job - alternating nights, so neither one of them has too much of a burden. *wink*
So far, it's been going pretty well. But I often feel like I'm watching money go down the drain. Because Matthew uses so.much.water when he does the dishes. (Picture ADHD/OCD boy getting carried away as he gets busy rinsing every single grain of rice off a dish. Now, multiply that picture by at least ten.)
So, I find myself thinking, How much money is it costing us - in water usage and sewage - for that boy to wash these dishes? And I wonder if I ought to attempt another dish-washing lesson/demonstration.
Or just be thankful he's doing the job.
After all, he's doing the best he can, right? Nothing I tell him will really make a difference, will it?

That's what I was thinking. Until I recalled something that happened when I was a young kid.
My dad used to get frustrated with me because he thought my showers were too long. And I didn't understand what the big deal was. I mean, I wasn't messing around. Showers just took me a while. I had long hair, ya know.
So one day, my dad asked me what I was doing in the shower and I made my case. I had to shampoo my hair, and use conditioner - which I had to leave in for an entire minute before rinsing it out, because that's what the instructions on the bottle said to do. And, of course, I had to soap up and rinse my body. I was NOT messing around in there. Just doing what I had to do.
Then my dad said this, "OK. So you shampoo and rinse your hair. Then you put in your conditioner and soap up your body while you wait that minute, and rinse your body and the conditioner - and you're done. That doesn't have to take so long."
And, honestly, it was like a light bulb went on in my head. Soap up my body while the conditioner was sitting in my hair for that minute. Why, I'd never thought of that! I always stood there under the warm shower and counted 1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi, 3-Mississippi, 4-Mississippi...60-Mississippi while the conditioner did it's thing. Then I'd rinse it out and soap up my body and rinse off. It never occurred to me that I could combine those tasks.
I thought my dad was brilliant for coming up with that idea!
And I've been showering that way ever since.

And so...I ask myself again, Should I give Matthew another lesson in dish-washing?

Yeah, maybe. But I think I'll consult with my dad, first!

Amazing Grace

Have you ever heard someone give a beautiful testimony of God's amazing grace?

You know, stories from people who have been lost in the world - addicted to alcohol, strung out on drugs, enslaved by prostitution. Many of them are looking for a way out, but can find none. Rather, they are imprisoned by a long list of choices, circumstances, and painful memories.
But then God...
...comes in and rescues them from their pit of despair. HE gives hope to the hopeless. Life to the dead. And everything changes.

Oh, how I love those stories!
I am always moved by the power of God to transform a life.
I have given Him thanks, just imagining where that person would be if God had not stepped in with His amazing grace.
And then, honestly? I have often thought, Wow. I wish I had a story like that.

But just a couple weeks ago, I realized I do have a story of God's amazing grace.
That isn't to say I suddenly came to terms with a past of crime and addiction. Rather, I realized God's grace is just as amazing without drama as it is with it.
See, my story isn't filled with a lot of drama. I grew up in the church. Went through the typical teen years, but never did anything really crazy. (I mean, I double-pierced my ear at my best friend's house and kept it hidden from my mom for a month. I snuck around with a *much* older guy for a while. And I was promiscuous. But in my mind I was still a pretty good kid.) Through it all I continued attending church, believing in God, saying my bed-time prayers, singing Christian songs, and feeling like my eternity was secure.
Whereas some people knew they were headed in the wrong direction, I thought everything was OK with me. I wasn't "seeking" God, or answers, or anything else. I was blissfully unaware of my need.
And that's why I believe God's grace is so amazing in my story.
God looked on me from heaven and saw a little lost girl - who had no idea she was lost. He saw a girl who was walking toward a Christ-less eternity - who didn't even know it. God saw a girl who simply didn't know how much she didn't know. And some twenty-five years ago HE opened her eyes to the Truth. It wasn't a dramatic conversion, rather an understanding of the complete Truth - followed by an obedient and transformed heart.
The little lost girl was found. Her eternal address was changed to Heaven. And God continues to this day to teach her the things she doesn't know.

And that is amazing grace.

How have you experienced God's amazing grace in your life?

A Gift for my College Girl

Ahhhh.
Feels like a long time since I've been sitting at the keyboard, typing out a post for this blog. I had a good break. And I'm glad to be back at it now.
One of the things I did over the past weeks was to make a gift for Elizabeth, and I want to tell you about it today. A friend of mine heard about this idea on Family Life Radio and passed it on to me - thinking I would like to do it for my girl. *I'm so glad she did!*

This is how it went:
I gathered ten envelopes and wrote one of these statements on each envelope:
*Open when you bomb a test.
*Open when you're overwhelmed.
*Open when you're facing a tough decision.
*Open when you don't know what to do.
*Open when you feel like giving up.
*Open when you feel alone.
*Open when you're anxiously awaiting an answer.
*Open when you regret something you've done.
*Open when you feel a cold coming on.
*Open when everything is going great.
I wrote a note to Elizabeth for each situation. I prayed for her as I wrote - knowing God is timeless and will answer those prayers when she faces each circumstance. To the best of my ability, I shared words of wisdom from my mother's heart which I pray will comfort and encourage her each time she opens an envelope. And, because I am a huge fan of carrying scripture in my pocket, I also included a piece of paper in each envelope with a scripture verse appropriate for each situation. I suggested Elizabeth carry the verse with her and read it often.
Then, I put all the small envelopes into one BIG envelope and sent it off to Wheaton.
Even though my girl is becoming a woman, even though she is spreading her wings and learning how to fly, she is still my girl and I am still her mom. And I am delighted God has put me in a position to care for and support my daughter - even when we aren't under the same roof.

What words of encouragement would you have written regarding any of those circumstances?

ALL of God

Confessions of an Uninspired Blogger

OK. I'm just gonna say it like it is.

I haven't felt much like writing recently.
That feeling is very unusual for me, because I LOVE writing. But as I've "needed" to prepare this week's blog posts, I just haven't felt like it. And I don't want to write something, just to have a post. It has always been my desire here to share my heart - that you might somehow be blessed by stopping by for a visit.
So, I'm not going to fake it for the sake of posting. I'm feeling a little *blah* at the moment and I'm going to take a break.
Thanks for the grace to be honest.

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

~Psalm 40:1-3

Lessons From the Edge

Cheer for your friends.

Have I mentioned before how much I love my job?

When was the last time I told you what a blessing it is to spend my days with the men and women at Edgewood?

Am I making you jealous? *wink*

OK. In all seriousness, I am a blessed woman to be able to "work" where, and with whom, I do. And I had another glimpse of that delight this week during exercise class.
I've mentioned my "neighbors" across the hall here before. B, and his wife U. B had a stroke and has pretty much no use of the right side of his body, and has HUGE difficulty communicating. His wife is exceptionally patient and kind, but also gets quite worn out in caring for him. So, this week B came to exercise class and U stayed home to read and get a little "break".

The first thing we do during exercise class is throw a beach ball around. I stand in the middle of the group and toss the ball to each person. They catch it and toss it back to me.
Now, picture B - who has no use of his right arm.
I tell him the ball is coming and gently toss it high in the air so it comes down on his lap. And B, with all the strength and coordination he can muster, traps the ball on his lap with his left arm. Then - using only one hand - he maneuvers the ball and rolls/tosses/drops it back to me.

And the crowd cheers excessively.

The smile on B's face was a beautiful thing to behold.
But I think I was even more taken by the grace and kindness being displayed by his peers. They weren't cheering because B caught the ball and threw it back to me with stellar form and amazing precision. Rather, everyone in the room knew there was a pretty good chance the catch and/or the toss were NOT going to be successful at all. (They've seen failed attempts already.)
So, it wasn't a cheer for performance.
Instead, it was a cheer for persistence.
For courage to try when it would be easier to quit.
For being willing to hope in the midst of hopelessness.
It was a group of friends communicating to another, We know your situation is difficult. We know what it's like to struggle, too. And we're so proud of you for not giving up. We love you!

I stood back and looked at the men and women around me, and I thought I had never seen such a wonderful group of friends before. And I thought, I want to be just like them.
Cheer for your friends.

Do you have a friend who needs your support today?

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.

Turtle Update

Remember last week when I told you Josh was recording the baby turtles hatching?

Well, as any good grandma would, I have to share the video!

This one is fun, too. A time lapse of one little guy emerging from his shell.
Proud Papa released all the babies on Tuesday. What a great experience it was for him!

We Don't Know a Better Way

In Michigan, they say there are two seasons: Winter, and Road Construction.

And it ain't Winter right now, folks.

*sigh*

So, Sunday as we were driving home from Holland - after we drove to Holland from Wheaton - we were a bit discouraged to come upon backed up traffic. Which we knew was from construction about five miles yonder down the highway.
When we'd been creeping along for about 15 or 20 minutes, we noticed cars ahead of us going through an "Authorized Vehicles Only" turn-around. (Love those signs, by the way. Always know where to find my "Z" when we're playing the Alphabet Game!) Some vehicles which were past the turn-around were even retreating back to it, so they could get to the other side of the highway and seek an alternate route. Matthew asked what those cars were doing, and I said the drivers probably knew another way to get where they were going.
A few moments later - when we were closer to the turn-around - Brian looked at me and asked, "Do you really think they know a better way?" Knowing what he was thinking (That he wanted to follow suit and use his "smart" phone to get us lost find an alternate route...) I responded, "Probably not. Some people just feel better if they're moving than if they're standing still."

That statement hung in the air for a moment before I realized the Truth in it.
I mean, really. We all know it's true in driving. How many times have I chosen a different route to avoid a train, or buses, or construction, or any number of things - and taken just as long to reach my destination as I would have if I'd waited where I was? Somehow, even though it takes as much time, I feel better because I'm moving - rather than sitting still. Waiting. In one place. Not moving.
Don't tell me you have never done the same thing!

But it goes beyond driving.

I sat next to my husband, contemplating the wisdom of taking traffic matters into our own hands, and realized I sometimes put God up to the same challenge.
*I don't like waiting for my kids to mature, and begin to think of things I can do to move along the process.
*My own immaturity drives me nuts, and sometimes I question why God doesn't just zap me with instant wisdom and discernment.
*Watching people I love struggle with unemployment and infertility and other loss often leaves me wishing there was something I could do - some connection I could make, or insight I could provide - to cut short the wait.

Sometimes all we can see is the long line of cars in front of us - and our need to be still and wait nearly suffocates us.

But I am learning (And sometimes the learning hurts.) that God is the One who knows the way.
HE knows the end result. HE knows how to get there. And HE knows what will happen during the journey. And the wait.
It may be hard to admit, but I think it's safe to say, we don't know a better way.