Wait...

I was sitting in the waiting room of an Smog shop today waiting for my car to finish, when I read the following article. It really resonated with me.... to make it worse, I read until I got to the second to the last paragraph, when they told me my car did not pass! I was so ticked off..at...who? no one. my car? who knows..that I was delayed from getting my smog, delayed from getting my car registered, delayed from all the other things on my to do list for today..... So I needed to re-read this....before I went to the car shop and waited another hour to get them to take my car in for service..and then another hour to get a shuttle back home.

Hope you enjoy it:

Introduction (from "You're Late Again, Lord!" by Karon Phillips Goodman.

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope." Psalm 130:5

I have to be, without a doubt, one of the most impatient people our Lord ecer put on this earth. Perhaps you're a close second, or Heaven forbid, even worse. We live, therefore we wait. It seems endless. Forever we wait on something to happen in our lives--to get a job or to get a promotion, to quit a job or to move, to sell a house or to buy a house, to save money or to have children, to start school or to finish school, to get through a difficult time or to overcome a hurt--it's always something. Whoever said "life is short" must never have known the frustration of waiting forever on something tht never seems to come.

Sometimes, our days feel like one long checkout line: constantly waiting, barely inching forward, unable to see the obstacles, doubtful of a satisfactory outcome in this lifetime. And then what we're waiting comes or doesn't, we adjust, recover and move on. But are we any better for the wait? Did we find the purpose the Lordhad tucked so carefully inside. Did we listen to God and learn, or did we just complain about the circumstances?

Either way, when the wait is over, we shift our focus to a new wait, and the feelings are all very familiar. Again, we grow impatient/. The cycle never ends. Through all the delays that we misunderstand, we never seem to get very far from where we started. We stand still on the path that matters most. The waiting is nothing more than a time of frustration. We argue with our Lord over His timing and fail to see that every day is a chance full of purpose--even if we're waiting. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

Yet we resist, complain, and sometimes get quite angry. Desperate for God's touch, we move farther from Him, weh we should be moving closer. Do you ever find yourself in that kind of cycle--angry, frustrated, and anything but patient with God?

If you do, welcom to the club--the Impatient Women's Club. Our numbers swell daily when we are forced to abandon our normal plan of attack and wait on God. We have become so accustomed to ordering and orchestrating and planning and scheduling that it is incredibly hard to admit that not all is within our control. Many decisions every day are ours to handle, and we get pretty good at taking care of things. We believe we could carry on even better if God would on ly cooperate. We demand the answers we need from Him and yet we hear no response. We question and condemn the intolerable delays in the events we need to happen in our lives and yet nothing changes. Doesn't God know that we need those answers NOW??!

Yes, He knoes, but thankfully, He's smarter than we are. Becaues He knows how hard it is for us to wait, to abandon control and to trust beyond ourselves. He has devised a plan just for us. The basis of the plan appeared many years ago, but it applies so well today, to you and me. God is so clever. Your waiting doesn't have to be unproductive--He knows our workhorse hearts. He knows our need to do WHILE we wait. So when your life is at a standstill over what you can't control, and when you're waiting on answers that never seem to come, God says to use that time to work where you are. God says to learn the art of waiting purposefully. Maybe that's what God had in mind all along. Maybe that's why we wait.

Our stubborn hearts resist the wait, yet there is no neecd. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knwoing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (I corithians 15:58) We do steadfast and immovable pretty well, don't you think? In this case, the instruction is to "stand firm" and not be swayed from God's work. The instruction is to follow God instead of trying so very hard to hurry Him up.

When we ignore God's work for us , we misuse our valuable time and yet can't understand why we have to wait over and over and over again. You know the feeling. You see the waiting as an inconvenience, but instead, it is a gift. there is no better time than waiting time to learn how to become the disciple God needs and the follower you want to be. Your work during that times is the vehicle that will get you closer to God, if you let it. The Lord, in His generosity and compassion, has already provided everything you need. You can uncover the amzing blessings the waiting brings.

Beware though, because the plan God has provided takes work. It's no quick fix. Wiating purposefully means working while you wait, following God's word and surrendering to His will. It means focusing on His view, not yours. It means coming face-to-face with God, in all His glory and all your humility. It rarelymeans waiting for what you THINK you're waiting for,but don't ever be afarind: the reward is worth the work, and you don't hve to wait (on the work). you can start now.


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I hope you enjoy this. So much in here hit me...especially the wait being a gift. :)

And That's Entertainment?

It is interesting, the world of entertainment, from what we read, watch, listen to..even do.

A couple weeks ago, when we were at the beach, we got a peak of what is on television these days. Mostly it was a little channel hopping after the kids had watched SpongeBob or some equally mind-enlightening animation...

I have been "away" far longer than I thought. I knew there was a reason why I had felt the tug to turn off commericial and cable television at our home a few years ago. But after being away awhile, I start to imagine, "Was it really that bad? It seems like a lot of other folks are watching it all, and surviving fine. Am I just being over-sensitive?"
But after my week of a peak, my resolve is stronger.

Yes, there are some good and even enjoyable programs out there, but there is so much other junk surrounding them, and poked in the cracks of commericials, previews, or whats up next, that the exposure just did not feel worth the good. So we will continue to pick and choose are dvds and be clueless regarding half the jokes and one-liners that go over our heads, because we have not "seen the show."

So what are we watching these days?

Well the last three big hitters in our home have been: Nanny McPhee, Nims Island and Eragon. All have been out a while, but some times it takes us a bit to get to them. Eragon, especially, appealed to my little warriors, who then re-enact the battle scenes, good over evil. My personal new watch is Stargate Atlantis. I always was a fan of StarTrek, Battle Star Galactica (the original series), and Firefly... Although the last one hits the edge a bit much for my tastes. Since Season Four of Lost is not out yet, I was looking for something new. Stargate Altantis fit the bill.

It is interesting how much entertainment, in books, magazines, movies, can impact our thoughts, moods, dreams. (Tadpole told me he dreamed of Goofy throwing him into a fan and the toilet in my room attacking him. A cross between Mickey Mouse and Monster House?)

So...I found a site on that has a database of Christian movies, I thought I would share: http://christianfilmdatabase.com/

And also an upcoming movie, in the vein of Eragon, I think my kids will like...enjoy.

Kindergarten without naps!

Now WHO ever thought THAT was a good idea? I know Kg is the transition into first grade, but the second day of school, went well AT SCHOOL, but as soon as we got home.....meltdown, picking on her brothers...demanding, bossy (for those of you who know her, I mean MORE THAN USUAL) and a fit all the way up the stairs when Angela decided she should take a little nap.

Now...10 minutes later...silence....

That nappy time is hard to pass up.

Wish I still had them...

We all need times of rest, huh? Even when we think we don't or wish we didn't.

I realized the other day, sometimes I push myself too hard, physically. (Ok, yea, and sometimes I don't! I am talking about the times I do!) Being a mommy of little children at my age is physically tiring at times. And I have to reign back and realize I just can't do all the things I think I want, or ought, or see other (younger, or two parent) mommies do. But what I find myself doing, is pushing pushing pushing my self to the edge of what I can handle, and then being exhausted and in pain for several days afterwards, rather than reigning it in a bit and being content (and physically ok) with less.

Life is not meant to be lived at the edge. God comes to give us rest. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. He does not put on all the shoulda's, ought to's and come on, look at thems...that we put on ourselves.

I can't take time for my own screaming fit...or a meltdown, my family needs me, depends on me, which means, I need to be wise, and reign it in....savor less, and enjoy the less more.

Angela is such a blessing to all of us. Level headed, calm, industrious, pitches in without being asked and is undaunted in the face of a meltdown. :) Thank you Lord.

Now, pray for Taddy, he has been a grouchy little bossy froggy lately. I think it is the hierarchy. Nick has bossed him, so he bosses Mary...who then in turn bosses EVERYBODY.

We are adjusting. To school, To new schedules and time commitments, to Angela.... We covet your prayers...this too will pass.

First day of school

...today is the first day of school....and my little faces were all eager and excited. I can't wait to pick them up and see how the day went. These are the am pictures.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I feel a tiny bit sad, I thought Olivia would be here by now and starting this day...but she will be soon.....and then we will have another first day.... Here is Olivia's Classroom in Ethiopia:



PS. Later that same day: Here is the smiling faces, hair a bit more ruffled, at the end of the day.

Make a Smilebox postcard

Summer's End

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The last day of summer...is today. Not according to the calendar on the wall, but school starts tomorrow. So for us, today is the last day of summer. And we finished it well.

It has been a good summer, not quite what we thought from the beginning, the best laid plans of mice and men and all that, but still a good summer. Moved to a new house, Angela joined our family, had camping trips and birthday parties, swim lessons, football and baseball camp, vacation bible school, arts camp, and a week at the beach. Not so bad, when you look back. And by next summer, we will be a family of five! :)

So backpacks are packed, new clothes are folded, camera battery charged, everyone is ready for the new school year.

SO tonight, I think I am ordering Chinese take-out and put my feet up.

Nick, Tad, Mary, Angela and Bella, Hanging tough at Dillons Beach

The fine art of smal talk and other mysteries

We just returned from a week at the coast, then a day at my brothers. The beach was fun. We had a great house, played in the waves and sand until all were tired, then relaxed by a big picture window as the fog rolled in. A wonderful week. It was great going to my brothers too, seeing family, and my neices new little son, two months old, Cole. The kids played in my brothers pool for 5 to 6 hours.

So, it is interesting..I think I am anti-social. Nick says I am. Our neighborhood has block parties and I just hate to go. In fact, after going to the first one, I have not returned. It is not that I do not like my neighbors, I just do not enjoy or even know how to make small talk. :( I am miserable in those type of situations. At work we had a BBQ at a park recently, and dreading to go, I went. And had nothing to say! Give me an email, or a blog and I chat away, give me a phone or a face to face conversation without an agenda, and I just go blank....deaf and dumb.

I do not have the fine art of small talk and further yet, I do not want it. :( Am I anti-social? Someone approached me recently, thinking I did not like them. It made me sad, because I did not realize I had done anything to make them think that. And I think, maybe it is just that. That I did not do anything. Say Hi, or talk to them. :(

So what is my problem? Is it a problem? I think it has grown out of the last almost 6 years, being a single parent....and spending most of my time with my kids... I don't have to talk "grown up talk" except at work and then I can focus on the work projects...and small talk is not needed.

sigh....I notice, with Angela, I enjoy talking to her, getting to know her, but a lot of the time, I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY!!!! Blank mind.

So am I anti-social. How miserable would I be if I had a spouse and had to TALK all the time!!??

So do I have a problem? It is not that I feel snobby, what have I have to be snobby about.??!!! Or I don't feel unfriendly, or uninterested. I love to hear others stories about their lives and family. I am just blank.

Hmmmmm. Just call me miss blank.... I guess I am just to use to living inside my own head.

The Chapman Family

This video is a must see...and update from the Chapman Famly.

"continue to choose",,,

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5524419

A novel thought.

I normally don't read novels. It seems I have so many other things I am reading, when I come to my reading time I am so torn that I don't feel I can afford the time to read a novel, when I should be reading how to transition in adopting, or organize your life, or nuture your kids, or freeze your meals, or lose that weight or manage your finances or grow deeper with God...

But, in the past 30 days I am on my 4th NOVEL! Must be summer. So I wanted to share about a series I am reading, I think it has either 4 or 5 books in it. IT is co-written by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley, the series is called "Redemption" and the books are Redemption, Remember, Return, Rejoice, Reunion.

What is great about this series is that Gary Smalley, http://www.smalleyonline.com/, who has a life long ministry of strengthening relationships through godly principles, collaborated with Karen on the series. His passion was to take the principles he shares in his books, Bible studies and seminars and weave them into a novel, that would make the ideas live, real and show them played out in the lives of the characters.

The result is jsut that, an entertaining and intriguing story, that show biblcal relationship principles and choices in action. I have not only enjoyed the stories, but taken gems of truth into my own life.

Here is what else is cool about it..if you like the first five books, Karen has written two more series continuing the story of the Baxter family. So fodder for reading for weeks (month, years ???) to come.

Warning. I have to keep myself in check. I have stayed up to 1:30 am or midnight on a few nights, wanting to find out what happens next. :)

So for someone who doesn't read novels much, I am hooked on this set. And appeasing my "guilt" of "fluffy" reading, my knowing I am gleaning God's principles in the process.

(The second books ideas on working with Alzheimer patients is touching and enlightening!)

Enjoy...

School Supplies

School Supplies for 4? Four different lists, a unique one for each teacher. Almost 60+ items, very specific, this brand of pencil, this kind of crayon, this type of eraser, a notebook folder like this, not like this... Didn't we buy similiar items last year?

It took me almost two hours to track it all down at two different stores! $115!

I love school supplies. I love the season, but as I came across this picture I thought...how much we take for granted and expect here in affluent America. Don't think we are affluent? Look at the majority of the rest of the world.

4 kids and a momma....

Four kids are on my heart...my four. :) You know the saying, It takes a village to raise a child?

A mom on one of the yahoo groups I belong to said she was "always on the lookout for the villagers who
will help raise them."

That just REALLY hit me. Being a single mother, I am so much "Be independent, conquor the world alone, with a starbucks in one hand,a bag full of toys in the other and a grin on my face."

I NEVER, and I mean NEVER ask for help. Almost never :( Case in point:

A couple weeks ago (I have two cars, a mini-van and a second car) I was driving the other car and ran out of gas about two miles from home, with all three kid in the car.

What did I do?

Well, not wanting to BOTHER anyone, all four of us walked home (in 100 degree weather). Got the other
car and went to the gas station. Discovered I left my wallet in the gas-depleted car, so drove back, just as security men (in a "watched neighborhood") were calling to get it towed. Explained. Got my wallet, drove to the station, bought a gas can, and gas. drove back, filled up the gas-depleted car.

Now...here I was two miles from home with two cars and only one driver. (Yes, Nicholas did beg, but I did not listen.) What did I do? Call for help? No way!

I played leap frog, in 100 degree weather with two cars all the way home. ...I drove one car as many yards ahead as I dared, so I could still see the other car. (The kids stayed in the mini-van). Then RAN back to the mini-van, leap frogged it ahead, RAN back to the other car, etc, etc, etc, etc,...and did I say etc!

The whole time we pretended like the mini-van was the ghost ship (forgot it's name)...and they were prisoners of Davey Jones and the smaller car was Jack Sparrows ship and I was rescuing them.

sigh....

SO. her words..hit me. I need to quit trying to do this alone and look for those villagers willing to come along side. There must be some out there. I just keep thinking, why would they want to be bothered by us. Why would someone want to come alongside, when I am juggling so much I have nothing to offer or trade in return? :( So I keep my distance.

Lord, you will have to show me what to do with this...