small enough

After a round of hugs, Mom would help us button up our coats. We would walk out into the dark night with the stars shining above us. Depending on who was the quickest to call it, one of us would climb in the front seat between Mom and Dad. The other two would buckle up in the back seat. It was a short eight mile drive home from Grandpa and Grandma’s, but long enough to fall asleep. I would try my hardest to get comfortable and be sleeping before the red granada would climb our driveway and deliver us home.

If sleep didn’t overtake me fast enough, I would still be awake when we got there. These were the times that I would press my eyes together, be very quiet and pretend to be sleeping. And, if I played the game well enough, my daddy’s strong arms would scoop me up and carry me to my room.

Sometimes I wish I was still small enough to pretend to be sleeping just so that I could feel the strong warmth in those protective arms.

tired of being grown-up

I want to play. Does anyone want to make mudpies, fly a kite or have a water balloon fight? I’d be content to build a sandcastle or play in the park as well.

favorite thing number seven

words

trade the moment

The last comment I made on my “about 50 things left to do” post has me thinking. When I consider the lives of Abraham, Moses, Deborah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Zechariah, Mary or Paul, I wonder if any of them actually lived the lives they were expecting. For instance, when Abraham was asked to leave his home, I wonder if he expected to one day after finally receiving a child, be asked to sacrifice his child to this very God who had called him into the wilderness. It seems to me that most biblical characters are given lives of adventure. The Lord’s servants do things like command animals to speak, fire to drop from heaven, blind men to see, and the dead to walk. Others dine with sinners, eat unclean food, give away their savings, rest during times of calamity, and are reprimanded for defending the Son of God. No, the ways of the Lord often aren’t what we are expecting.

The funny thing about the unexpected is that it is almost always better than what we had planned. I’m pretty sure that Abraham when commanded to take his son, his only son to the top of Mount Moriah and sacrifice him to the Lord, was angry and confused. But, I’d like to think that the worship that took place after the Lord provided the lamb was authentic, and that Abraham wouldn’t trade that moment of worshiping with Isaac for anything.

So, here I am. A little confused. At moments angry. But, I am also confident that the Lord is preparing me for something. And, I am sure that when the time comes for others to find me bowing down in worship, I won’t want to trade that moment for anything, either.

about fifty things left

Dave Freeman the co-author of 100 Things To Do Before You Die died at age 47. What’s even more depressing is that he only went to about half the places on the list…

favorite thing number six

my family. all nine of them.

tonight

…and then ten years go by.

august

The perfect time to move to the farm.

remembering how to steer

The cool breeze gently tosseled my hair. The sounds of a squirrel having breakfast and the waves lapping against the shore were the only noise that cut through the silence. Anticipation grew as we carried the canoe down the stairs and put it in the water. We donned our lifejackets, grabbed our oars and carefully climbed in. It had been a few years since I had steered a canoe, so it took me a bit to remember how to effectively use the J-stroke. Just as it began to come back to me, we came to the canal. For almost a hundred feet, lily pads stretched out in front of us; a small trail of water dividing them, no wider then our shoulders. My friend, still unsure of my ability to guide the boat overcompensated, making it difficult to steer. She tried to guide the boat by paddling harder and telling me what side to place my oar. In her attempt to help, we ended up zigzagging through the canal and veering off into the lily pads. By the time we got through, we were both frustrated and tired.

However, while out on the lake, we discussed the dynamics of steering. We talked about the difficulty created when both individuals are trying to steer. She commented that when she tried to fulfill both roles it was difficult for me to fulfill my role. Every time I attempted to direct the boat in a specific direction, her strength would overpower me. This would lead us off the course that we found laid before us.

On the way home, we changed the way we were thinking. She decided to trust my ability to guide the boat. With her trusting me, we quite efficiently moved through the canal without ending up in the lily pads. Only this time, at the other end of the canal, we were not frustrated or exhausted.

a little ditty

Can’t remember

my brain is in the blender

it’s jello!

thinking about our calendars

God’s timing is impeccable!

in more ways than one

this place is not my home.

getting good

Dad: “Sometimes in life we get to do what we don’t want to do.”
Me: “Until we get good at it! (I laugh)”

sigh

a new phone. a new life.

words to his little girl...

“Don’t worry, I got you. Don’t worry, Jewel, I got you.”

"i was a millionaire for a moment"

But, he gave it all up. In the American society, that is obedience!

blessings

Obedience is an amazing thing.

a catch phrase fav

“What’s a pickup line?” - me

together

Sometimes tears say more than words.

to her ten year old

“Zip your lip!” - Mom

the adventure

change can be exciting!

wanting

“You don’t always get everything you want.” - my father