Pause for a moment to brag

I know every mommy says this, all the time, but MAN, they sure do grow up fast.

Canaan is officially 4 feet tall now and 58 pounds. He is one solid boy!

Our big event which made me stop and take a pause happened yesterday in the late afternoon. You see, he moved from the white belt to the gold belt in his Tang soo do class. I know, I know, it is just one step... but still.

My friend, Ginny, teaches the class out of her home. Canaan's age group currently has three kids in it, and all three are in a different belt level. I think that makes Canaan work harder, trying to keep up with the two that have been in it longer.

Daddy was able to come along and "cheer" for his boy.

(Doesn't he look enthusiastic? - hiding from the camera... as usual)

And of course, little brother was a big help....

The weather has been horribly hot and humid here - so we were very thankful that it was in the low 90's yesterday. You never think you will be grateful for a temperature in the 90's! Anyway... she didn't make them wear their full uniform for the testing.

First you warm up.

I love his face in this pic - so enthusiastic!

They did some parts of the test as a group.

But each had to do their own "solo act".

Presentation of the new belt and certificate.

The group showing their respect and appreciation.

(Look at his face! I don't think he has gotten that part down yet?!)

Group shot of the teacher, her helper and the three little new belt earners.

The one with the new green belt is the teacher's daughter, and she has learned a lot living with the teacher! Wow!

Canaan is so excited that his uniform is not plain old white any more.

Yeah Canaan!!

The Word, always the same

I grew up on the NIV and the New King James translations of the Bible. When a verse comes to my head, that is the way it flows, the way it sings in my soul.

But I am open to reading The Word in modern language. Jesus spoke the language of the people, the common man. He wasn't a lawyer, or an orator, or a college professor. He was a carpenter, who might have even used slang, like ya'll, or yep.

With that thought, I have picked up many different translations/versions of The Word. I appreciate The Message, and The Message for Kids. The New American Standard and the Amplified. This year I am reading through the Bible in the Tyndale Living Translation, which I feel sure I have done before... but somehow I missed this verse. I suppose that is why we are suppose to remain in The Word at all times?!

Psalm 4:1 NIV "Answer me when I call to you, O my Righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."

The Message "When I call, give me answers. God, take my side! Once, in a tight place, you gave me room; Now I'm in trouble again: grace me! Hear me!

New King James "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! Thou has set me at large when I was in distress: have mercy upon me and hear my prayer."

And now, the one that struck me. The one I read this week, and gave me pause. The Living Bible. "God, you have declared me perfect in your eyes; you have always cared for me in my distress; now hear me as I call again. Haver mercy on me. Hear my prayer."

Looking at it in NIV, it seems we are talking about God's righteousness. In the Message, he is simply begging for God to take his side. But in the New King James and Living Bible it reads so much more definitely that God has declared him as righteous, or perfect. Already forgiven.

I love David.

His faith was simply amazing. He messed up, but then he confessed, repented, mourned, and trusted with complete faith that it was over. The Psalms are full of it, and it is so beautiful to read.

Sin entered the world long ago, and mankind has kept adding to it over the years. Because of that marriages are failing. People steal, kill and purposely hurt each other. Physical bodies are falling apart.

But my God has declared me perfect in His eyes. That is enough for me!

What Words have spoken to you lately?

Patterns all around

This morning I got up at the "break of dawn" (at least around this house) for a doctor's appt. On the way over there I stopped at the local Quick Flash to grab my morning fix of smooth, hot, strangely enough, decaf, goodness. As I pulled into the parking spot at the end of the row I couldn't help but notice that there were six, yes 6, white vehicles in a row.

Then I laughed out loud.

Does anyone else out there notice random stuff like that?

I always notice the numbers. Always.

I always find the pattern. Always. If there isn't one, my brain creates one.

If the gas price is $2.36, that is easy. 2x3=6. But what about when it is $2.45? Well, 2+2=4, then add the 5, and that equals 9, and gas always has that extra little 9 on the end.

Beautiful little math problem, right there for anyone to see.

The other day at the gym the cable wasn't working, but the screen had a code number, listing the problem. While running I figured out how many different ways to get to 6 or 9 (since they are flip flopped, they were the two I picked) or any multiple of them. (12, 18, 27....)

Since there were 20 different digits, that kept me focused for the last quarter mile

Exit numbers. License plates. Bar codes. Always, always making a pattern, or a math problem, or algorithm of some sort.

Andy says I am crazy, but surely there is somebody else out there who plays with numbers in their head.

What do you do to pass the time while driving, or running, or waiting in the doctor's office on those days you forgot to bring a good book?

The silly seekers

We are late sleepers around here. When Andy's working the late shift, I am notorious for staying up entirely too late myself, hoping he will get home before I drift off to dream land. I try to get to sleep by 2, but the boys have learned that mommy isn't going to function before 9 most mornings, so if possible, don't ask her to.

When I woke up this morning, both my boys were sitting on the couch reading magazines.

Seriously.

Lego Brickmaster and Highlights High Five.

Big Brother came over to seek the "silly" with brother.

Teamwork

What fun to laugh together!

Later in the afternoon when they are rolling on the floor wrestling over a toy, or yelling that the other won't share the computer... well, these are the moments that help me remember that they really do love each other. Most of the time.

Samwise Gamgee

We watched Lord of the Rings, Return of the King today - just because. (Truthfully, I need to read the book. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I haven't!)

We had played outside in the morning, before the heat and humidity became unbearable. The boys had worked some puzzles, and later woke daddy up. (He's on late shift again, so sleeping til 12 is the way it works around here...)

But it was 12, and they were bored, and a movie seemed an appropriate idea for a lazy summer afternoon.

Daddy watched some of it with them. I got to sit for portions also. But my boys sat and soaked up every minute.

I am pretty sure that every moment that I watched made me cry. The rallying cry for the men of Rohan to "ride for honor and freedom". The ghost warriors earning their ability to rest in peace after finally fighting as they had promised in life. Arwen stepping out from behind the banner to greet Aragorn, the new king and her true love.

Near the end, when Frodo is hanging off the edge of the precipice and Sam entreats him not to let go, I commented to Andy and the boys that even though the evil of the ring had captured Frodo's mind and heart for a while, his friend had stood by him. We need our friends to back us up.

Andy thought about the movie for a minute and said "Really, Sam is like the Holy Spirit". Throughout the movie, he is the quiet voice encouraging Frodo. He tries to help him make the right choices. He carries his food, and blankets. He uncovers his face so he can breathe again when the spider captures him. He even carries Frodo up the hill to the fire of Mount Doom. But -he can't carry the ring. Nor could he throw the ring away. Frodo had to do it. He had to make that decision himself.

We have an encourager, who travels with us everywhere we go. Trips as simple as the grocery, or as distant as the moon. He gives us advice - what to say, how to respond, reminders to smile rather then scowl and to swallow rather then scream. However, we have to make the decision to follow that advise. We have to "throw the ring".

The longer Frodo carried that ring, the heavier it got. It left marks around his neck, and began to scar his mind. Sin does the same thing to us. Especially a sin we favor. "It's not a big deal"... "No one really notices"... "It doesn't hurt anyone"... "It's not even mentioned in the Bible"...

You know what I am talking about. Those little nudges that the Spirit says "stop", and the marks are your neck are getting bloodied from, but still, you continue to do.

Listen to your sam. Throw away the ring.

I really didn't get on here planning to preach tonight. I just wanted to talk about how much I love my hubby's ability to find the Holy Spirit in an action movie. But, sometimes my fingers just type, and someone else is doing the talking - so, whoever needed to hear this, blessings. Throw the ring in, and feel the release from around your neck.

And remember, not only do you have a friend in your Sam (the Holy Spirit), I promise that you have me too.

Belated pics from the 4th

Our Independence Day celebration was slightly hectic. Andy's unit had a four day weekend, Friday- Monday. Unfortunately Andy drew the "short straw" and had to work Monday, getting everything prepped for the next weeks work to begin on Tuesday. And even though he usually works swing shift, weekend duty always works at 8am...

So we set off a few fireworks with his family in N. GA while it was full daylight, just for the fun of it!

Beautiful... smoke

The question is, how many full grown men does it take to light a $4 firecracker?

Apparently 4.

Andy's Army brother was "home" from TX.

Andy's Mom had both her military boys home for Independence day.

And all three grandkids, plus her brother, niece and nephew.

I think she was a happy woman!

The cheering crowd of fans

Awestruck Zion

Canaan and Aunt Tara

My beautiful niece Anistyn

Stealing a kiss...

We saw some beautiful fireworks while driving down I75, and ended the day exhausted, but happy.

I hope your 4th was full of energy and excitement, family and friends, and ended exhausted, but happy!

Sticky problems

There are some moments when your child is just chattering away, making plans for their future, dreaming big dreams, completely covered in innocence, and you realize that the moment is fleeting. Soon, their innocence will be broken. It will be stolen. That faith they have in mankind, in the goodness of the other's around them - it will disappear.

You feel a tear trying to sneak out, and hear a wobble in your voice when you answer their question. You don't want to think that you can't keep them little.

But right this minute that faith in mankind still exists, and the belief in the goodness of others is the core of who they are. So you celebrate it. You take hold of it with both hands, lift it high as a shield against the evil that you can see and, for the moment, protect their little eyes from anything but simplicity.

Tonight while I was cleaning the dinner dishes Canaan was "inventing" big ideas in his head. Since his daddy is military, he decided to come up with a weapon, to get rid of the bad guys. He decided we needed a bomb that would explode and send honey all over the bad guys. Then they would be too sticky to do anything bad. They would be "like, hey, what happened here?" (direct quote from Canaan)

He is seven years old. He wasn't thinking of death, or even wounds. He just wanted to coat them in honey so they would be too sticky to get into mischief.

Speaking of sticky mischief makers...

Oh, if only the sweetness of honey shared really would solve the world's problems!

A Birthday Wish

I sent a birthday card out this week, full of post-it notes. You see, years ago, before kids, when even the hubby was still a really new thing I bought a card for my sister. She and her, at the time boyfriend, (who later became her husband) came out to visit us in CA. I had the present ready to give to her, and the card picked out, but somehow I never got around to signing it. So I just handed it to her, and laughed. She took it home with her.

The next year, I got it back. Since I am the "recycle queen", she thought it fitting. She wrote me a post-it note, stuck it inside and started a tradition.

We have managed to keep the original envelope, either hand delivering it or stuffing it inside another package. It has gotten "lost" a few times, and missed a year. My birthday is May and her's is July, so technically, it could go twice in one year... but so far no luck with that. I am on my fifth address since we started. She has changed names. We have stayed busy.

Those memories are all written on post-it notes, sent back and forth in one little card.

I've been watching out for this little girl for a long time.

Seven years ago - with 4 week old Canaan. One of my favorite photos EVER!

About six year ago, with her amazing husband, Kevin.

Just a few weeks ago, all my girls. (What's funny is that I am, by far, the shortest of the bunch - I just hadn't taken my heels off yet, and the rest of them had!)

Last of all, Em with the amazing woman who brought her into the world.

Have I mentioned that I love my family?

Happy Birthday Emilee!

Musicians in training

Just because...

Z had the guitar on the "wrong" shoulder at first.

After I switched it, he was a much happier musician.

I am looking forward to the teenage years. Truly I am. I may have to invest in really good earplugs, but what fun!

Me, Myself and I (#500)

The time for my 500th post has come. I was wondering what I could write about, mulling it over, perhaps stressing more then I should, considering only about four people actually care what I put here.

Then I mentioned it to Andy, and he was full of ideas. Once again, I wonder why he doesn't write...

Perhaps because he would rather do things like this?

Last week he finally had his interview with the Army Officer board. One of the questions they asked him was, "What three words best describe you, and why". He had only a few seconds to come up with his answer, but I approve of what came off the top of his head. I think perhaps it is a good description of who he really is. His answers were:

Integrity, Spirituality, Motivation

Of course, he got to talk a little more about those words, and how they apply to his life. After the interview he was even encouraged by one of the Captains that interviewed him. He said something along the lines of "keeping your faith known (but not pushed on them, obviously) to your men once you become an officer will be appreciated. They will look towards a leader with faith when times get tough."

When Andy asked me what words best describe me, I could only come up with titles. Who I am, not what. (think mommy, Christian, wife) He said those don't count. They are too obvious. I have to go deeper then that. So, I have been on a mission to figure out what three words best describe me, and why.

I have finally decided on:

Joy, Reflection, Edification,

Joy is fairly obvious I guess. I try to shine it, share it, keep it with me all the time.

It is the name of our school, J for Jesus, O for others, Y for yourself = that equals JOY.

I love to laugh, and laughter is contagious. I wouldn't say that I am much of a joker. Actually more of the opposite, but I love to laugh. But even when laughter is hard, when happiness is missing, Joy is always there. When I can't find it by myself, I remember who provides it, and ask Him to pour it out on me. And, I am blessed with people all around me who share my passion for Joy, and when I have lost mine, they help me find it.

Reflection is the fancy word I chose to say that I want to be a shining star, a mirror, a light.

A mirror, which shows as clear a reflection of Jesus as possible. Sometimes, because it is just a mirror and not the real thing, it will be warped, or discolored, or shaky. But still, it reflects.

A star, which reflects light in darkness and burns its own inner fire. I want to shine for Jesus to the entire world. I want to shine in simple things like listening and responding with interest when my hubby rambles on about engines and intakes. I want to shine in larger things like teaching my children the Word of God so they can have a light for every step as they learn. Reflection seems like a huge responsibility.

These boys are a huge responsibility. But oh, they are worth it!

Edification is my gift. I am a listener. An encourager. A problem solver. When someone just needs to vent, I am here. When someone is having a really bad day, and needs someone to find the one positive thing, that is what I was made for. Hopefully, that advice I give actually edifies, or educates and helps solve the problem. Maybe sometimes I am just an encourager. Either way, listening, and then trying to do something about the problem - that is my third word. That is what I hope I am.

Now, here comes the fun part. I've given you a taste of who I am, now it's your turn. All of you lurkers, you who never comment, or rarely have something to say - I would like to hear what three words best describe you. No titles, only descriptors. It can't be who you are, so think deeper. As a side note - those of you who often comment, I would like to hear from you too.

Here's to #1000!

What have I done?

I think that I might be, in general, a little too open minded about the differences people choose in their lives.

I have taught my children to not judge hair styles, or piercing. Clothing or tattoos. Different people like different styles of music, different decor in their house and different cars (or motorcycles for that matter!) I have even taught them to accept, to some level, different ways of praising God. As long as they have identified the one true God, I am pretty open as to how He is praised, be it with tradition hymns, rock band, orchestra, or simply standing in the rain and raising your arms in praise.

However, I think I need to set some limits.

Tonight after dinner I was fussing at Canaan because, as usual, he had managed to get his dinner all over his face. Then, when I handed him a wipe to clean it off, he just made it worse. When I started a miniature rant about "You're seven years old. You should be able to aim your food into your mouth by now.... blah blah blah" he looked me dead in the face and said, "To each his own Mom."

Yeah.

That wasn't the proper response. It may have stopped the rant for a second, and when it resumed, it was slightly redirected. But had the same end goal.

And a slightly changed mommy behind it.

Sheesh....

A Harry Potter recap

When the second person in three days (strangely enough, both of them male) called to ask me when I was finally going to write a blog about my feeling on Harry Potter, I decided perhaps it was time.

I think that most of you know I started the series because I read a blog saying that they, and other books with wizards, vampires, or magic in general, were evil. I couldn't just assume that, especially since I have read some fabulous books that include magic (The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit) and even Vampires (I know some will disagree, but I think the Twilight series is very clean, and touches on some deep subjects). The above mentioned men in my life (my BIL and my hubby's best friend) had been trying to get me to read the HP series for years now, but somehow being told I shouldn't was the inspiration I needed.

So I read them.

The first one is definitely a children's book. Easy to read, entertaining, and ending in a way that lets you know there is more to come. I wasn't hooked yet, but definitely enjoying them.

By the third one I could have told you that Ron and Hermione would end up together, and that Harry would love Ginny.

But I didn't know how very much I would love Dumbledore, how I would CRY when he died. Or how long I would cling to the hope that Severus was not truly evil. Over and over I held to that hope. Perhaps it is a personality thing, but I had to keep hoping for him, even when it looked like there was nothing left to hope for.

There are so many easy to point out similarities between the story of salvation through Christ and the Harry Potter series. One willing to sacrifice himself for the good of all, who dies, and them comes back to life, in this case because of his purity of heart.

I think what struck me over and over was not the main characters, choosing sides for the fight. Dumbledores Army were fighting against Voldemorts evil minions. What bothered me was that there were people who didn't fight. They just sat there, and waited, and watched from the sidelines, either in fear, or simple inability to pick a side. (or perhaps just waiting to see who won?) Often Voldermort would put a spell on them, making them work for him, even if they didn't mean to. I can't come up with that word right now, but it was like a brain washing spell.

I feel like that is a good description of a large portion of our country today. They aren't evil. Not fighting in Voldemorts army, trying to destroy the world. But they aren't choosing to fight for good either. They are just laying back, watching and waiting, and running around in their self-centered little lives. Self-centered being the operative word there.

When we aren't choosing to fight for good, we leave ourselves open to the brain washing spell. We can be taken over to work for the lord of lies, without even knowing it.

The books were well written, entertaining, and clean, which is harder and harder to find. The first two were fairly simple, but they got deeper, both in vocabulary and in thought as they went.

Most of all, they made me think. They reminded me that NOT choosing a side is NOT an option.

Not only do I have to choose a side, and fight for it with all my heart, I need to remind those around me to do the same.

Please, don't be lackadaisical. Make a stand. Be visual. Be vocal.

Just in case I haven't made it clear before - I am in the Lord's Army.

Emotions thrown up all over the place

So many thoughts running through my head. Emotions needing spilled, again.

I have a blog on Harry Potter, crying out to be written, but tonight is not the night. (Although it needs to be soon before I read too many other books and forget too much!)

The last few days have been really rough, physically. I can go weeks without feeling a single absence seizure. I suppose that even though I can't feel them, they are still happening? The meds are just masking them? I don't know. Over the last three days I have felt them, strongly.

I have instructions from my doctor to simply take an extra Topamax "as needed". On top of the seizures making me tired, and the catchup from VBS wearing me out, I now have MORE Topamax in my system. So, tonight when the boys were in the tub I laid down, just for a second.

I fell about 90% asleep.

I heard Canaan calling for me, "Mommy, can we get out of the bath now? I can't reach my towel". Poor Z hadn't even had his hair washed yet.

As Canaan was drying off I apologized for leaving them so long. He turned to me and said, "That's okay mommy. I was just afraid we were going to have to come and get you. What if you had had a seizure?"

My heart broke just a little.

I know there are other seven year olds out there who have heavier burdens to bear. But I didn't want my seven year old to have to bear a burden at all. The fact that he has to spend even one minute of his day worrying that I might have had a seizure, that makes me sad. He's not supposed to worry about me - that is role reversal in it's purest form.

However, I must say I am so glad it is me that is sick, and not him. I would much rather him worry about me, and be gloriously healthy himself than the other way around. A fabulous blog that I read, another military wife and mom, was writing this weekend about her son's battle with cancer. She knows about a real broken heart. I can only pray that I never have to know that fear.

In other news...

Tomorrow, unless things change again, is Andy's interview with the Army officer board. It has already changed once, so I am trying not to get too "set", but this one sounds pretty certain. So, big possibility. We can only wait and see. Every little thing that could slow his package down has happened. And every time it has looked like it was going to be impossible, it has worked out. So, if it is not going to go, we will know that God is in charge of that.

But oh, we would like it to go!

One day left

I knew that VBS week was going to be killer. Truly, I did. But knowing it, and actually living it are two completely different things.

All week I have been saying to myself, "Bethany, you just reappeared in the world of blogging. This is no time to disappear again." But every night, I have simply crashed. Today however, I fell asleep in an exhausted heap from 3:30 to 4, so I have a small second wind built in.

Two sad thing I have learned this week: 1.) It is really hard to get your body onto a new schedule. 2am -9am versus 12-7... they are the same amount of sleep, but when your body is use to one, it really hurts to try to go to bed "early" and get up "early". I have been trying to get to bed by 11, but my body just struggles with that. Plus, with VBS taking up 8-12:30 every day, and there still being the normal schedule of Tang soo do for C, speech therapy for Z, and well, things like laundry, grocery shopping, returning library books, cooking an actual meal and then putting the dishes in the dishwasher....

I am making myself tired just writing about it.

But back to my original point. The second sad thing I learned is that I am not happy with my new camera. I have heard great reviews about this model, but mine is not great AT ALL. I can get decent pictures with it, but I have to work for them. With kids, I don't want to have to work for them. I want them to be easy.

I am not sure if I got a faulty one, or if I am just hard to please. Either way, it is going back tomorrow. I might use it for the final day of VBS, because I don't have time to go research and pick out a new one tonight. But I might just use my old one. I am not pleased.

Thankfully, there have been others taking pictures for VBS. However, I am the only one who has been there every day, all day. One of the fathers is a professional, and has equipment that is amazing. He got some fabulous action shots. But he came for about an hour, two separate days. One of the mothers has a fabulous camera, and an amazing eye for shots. But she was only able to come for half of today. So, it has just been me, three hours a day, every day. I am the one who has (hopefully) gotten the shots of kids loving on each other, bonding with a teacher, learning something cool, painting a fun craft....

Oh the pressure! It is hilarious though. I am in charge of the drama and music on stage so after opening "ceremony" I am a floater until the closing - I take pictures, run errands, find lost items, etc. Several of the kids just assume that I am coming to take their picture. As soon as they see me walking their direction, they pose. A couple of the others have taken to telling me "no flash photography allowed" as soon as I get close. I have been sure to get several shots of them, just to be annoying!

These are my drama teens. The one not in costume runs our sound and video. They have all been fabulous!

These girls are two of my shutter bugs.

They love to ham it up, and then immediately want to see their picture.

I loved this shot of all the shoes.

They had to take them off before they played the game that required them to do things like

hula hoop in jello,

or stand in a bucket of ice!

There are more pictures I would add, but they will have to be edited first. The kids all wore name tags, and I don't think it would be wise to post their names across the web.

As exhausting as it is, I am loving every minute. From dancing enthusiastically on stage, to helping make breakfast kabob "swords of the spirit",

water balloons and hula hoops, 400 pictures, and even cleaning up after the poor little thing that ate too many marshmallows... and you can guess that how story ends. I love Vacation Bible School. Little hearts that are eager to love Jesus, openly, without holding back. It truly is a beautiful thing to be a part of.

Dads

Happy Father's Day... or perhaps, like my dear hubby said when he called his dad this afternoon, "Happy Mother's Day". (he still insists that he said Father's day, but both his dad and I insist that we heard mother...)

I have been very blessed to have fabulous men in my life, always.

My Daddy is in India this year for Father's day. He went to celebrate the 80th birthday of his friend, and has stayed now to mourn with him the passing of his amazing wife. Pain and joy so often go hand and hand. Understanding is not ours - at least not while we are here on this earth.

Sometimes I comfort myself by saying that "when I get to heaven I can ask God 'why'?". But truthfully, I think that when I get there, I will be too full of praise, and joy and celebration to remember any questions.

Lots of things hurt now, here on earth. So many questions don't have answers, and quite honestly, it is downright annoying. But, in the really big picture, how important are those questions?

As I said though, I have always had amazing men in my life.

My Papaw (my mom's dad) loved Jesus with such enthusiasm that it was contagious, and had a joy that poured out of him. I was only seven when he went into a coma, but my memories of him are strong enough that even at that young of an age he has influenced my entire life.

My Daddy Bill (my dad's dad) has been a constant. He is not the open and sharing type - I am not sure I have ever seen him show anything emotion stronger then a simple smile or frown. He may not be outward with his hugs and smiles, but he always made sure to ask about our school projects and summer plans. Rock steady and always there. Now the great grandkids are loosening him up a bit.

But my dad- he is amazing. He sometimes wanted to take after his dad, and try not to share his emotions. But my mom is very much her father's daughter. Everything in the open, good and bad, share it all equally. Then, they had four daughters. My poor dad was doomed. A house full of girls, with Sharp genes in them. Well, emotions were not going to be contained, that was for sure!

When we were growing up he would read us our bedtime story, and bible, and pray with us before bed. I have such wonderful memories of cuddling up to him, looking over his shoulder while he read. Even when I got too old to listen to stories, I would sometimes still curl up and listen while he read to my little sisters. The winter we spent in India he read the Hobbit. When I read it now to my boys, I still hear his voice.

He taught us about loving Jesus completely. He taught us to always be prepared for the future, but remember to live each day like it could be our last. He taught us responsibility. He taught us about trust, and love, and faith. Especially faith - those giant leaps of faith. He was, and is, a man who will step out, even when he can't see where his foot is going to land. That is sort of amazing actually, because my Dad was a computer programmer, boyscout, everything in it's place sort of guy before he met my Mom... and then met Jesus. Jesus asked him to give up a lot of his comfort zone. He still likes to organize his pencils "just so", and file his papers in exactly the right order... but when God said step out in faith, he did. And he continues to.

I am so very glad to have my daddy as an example.

One last story about him. When I was 19 I was feeling adventurous. I went with several of my friends in college and we all got belly button rings. Knowing how conservative my parents were, I was a little worried about what they would think. When my dad found out he didn't yell. He didn't even tell me that I shouldn't have done it. He only gave me a scripture verse, and told me to pray about it. " I can't remember now which one it was, either 1Pet 3:3, or 1Tim 2:9, but they both talk about a woman of God needing no outward adornment, jewels or fancy clothes, but rather being clothed in good works and a quiet spirit, etc. The belly ring only lasted about five days. I am not going to say that I think a belly ring is wrong in any way - but making my daddy think I wanted outward adornment more then a pure spirit - well, that was enough for me.

Thank you dad for teaching me about what is important, every single day.

Now I have another amazing man in my life. That father of my own children. And actually, HIS father too. I am so very thankful for my father in law. He did a wonderful job raising my husband to be a great husband and father.

Andy is currently digging through thousands of lego's to find the missing piece to a set they have been trying to build. That is devotion. That man loves his Savior, loves his country, loves his children, and thankfully, loves me too.

One day at a time, we are raising men who we pray will someday be amazing fathers also.

I'm BAAAACK

I can't really say where I have been these last few weeks. It's not like it is top secret or anything. I just haven't been anywhere specific. I was at Mom's for awhile - two weddings and a triple birthday party packed into one weeks time.

Seven and Five - (and an age which shall not be mentioned...that would be me)

Family picture at wedding number one.

Wedding number two.

Four sisters - Maid of honor, Matron of honor, Wedding Coordinator, and little ole me, who just hops around aimlessly saying "How can I help?".

But wasn't she a beautiful bride!

Mary Faith fixed my hair (and makeup) for the wedding.

I hardly recognized myself!

I have been home for a while - the count down to VBS is this week. And since I can't say no to anything, I am running drama and music.

However, the big event of the week was this....

My family says I am weakening with age - or with time married - or something.

 Andy has been pining for a motorcycle from the day I met him. I have always said "no". Or at least "not right now". But I guess he finally wore me down. He got it cheap, and he is over 30 now, so the insurance is cheap, and he just asked so nicely...

Yeah, I am a sucker for those adorable faces he makes. giggle giggle

Now I get to be a biker chick, sitting up on the back behind my big tough dude. Yep.

We'll just see what happens...

Pure and Holy

Although Potter has been taking most of my free time, I have not given up the "red letters". (or loads and loads of information about ancient Egypt either, but more on that later)

I have been reading the Gospel of John, and this passage really stood out to me the other day. "I have told these men all about you. They were in the world, but then you gave them to me...Holy Father, keep them in your own care- all those you have given me - so that they will be united just as we are, with none missing....Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth... I am not praying this for these alone but also for the future believers who will come to me because of the testimony of these. My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind." John 17, misc verses.

Did you read that? Jesus himself prayed for me. And you. He prayed that we would be pure and holy. He prayed that we would understand the words of truth.

I know I have read that multiple times over the course of my life, but for some reason it really hit me last week. He didn't just pray blessings over the men he had worked with and knew personally right then. He prayed specifically for those who would come later.

I know that we have the Holy Spirit, who is a constant, daily help. But for some reason that little prayer for holiness by my Savior, written right there by John - it blessed me.

Be blessed my friends.

Reading, Reading, small break to breath, Read some more!

I have not had words lately. Not that there hasn't been beautiful things happening here. Tricia came to visit. We had the end of the year homeschool P.E. party. Karate practice, which Canaan is making wonderful improvement in. I am sure I will post pictures eventually.

But right now words are only coming in, not going out. That is just how my brain is wired right this minute.

You see, for years now people have been telling me I should read the Harry Potter books. I have always said... sure, one of these days. But, everyone was reading them. I don't usually like to be too trendy. However, not too long ago, someone told me I shouldn't read them. She said that no Christian should read any books that have magic, or vampires, or anything she considered "evil" in it. She listed several specific books in her list that are popular right now. She, however, had not read any of them. Just felt that if they had something "evil" in them, then they shouldn't be read.

Absolutist thinking like that gets my guard up, so, or course, it got me on a mission. Maybe even brought out that little bit of rebellion in me? Being told I shouldn't do something, hmmm. I had already read the Twilight series (which is one of the others that she condemned) but Harry Potter was still on my list. I read the first three and a half last week. After my weekend off to visit, I finished four and have gotten halfway through five.

Potter has sort of taken over my free time.

I think I will wait to write an entire post when I have finished the whole series... but for now I will say that I think that imagination is a fabulous thing. And that it is IMAGINATION.

On the schedule for today ... back to reading!