Family is a Blessing

Living this far from family made me a bit sad over the holiday weekend.  We were surrounded by people, enjoying the lake, and the fireworks, but it didn't hold the usual luster.  There is just something about family.  Those of you who know us, know that most every holiday we were in Portland or had parents or siblings in town.  It is what we do.  It was such a blessing to have that time together, to make more memories, to establish beautiful traditions.  But this Fourth, it was not the same.  In fact, the whole weekend I struggled shaking my blues.

Monday, however, was a new day!  We were filming the classroom scene, and with it came a bunch of beautiful children.  Children are my delight.  We spent many hours together in the extras holding, so I got to know many of them. We also met their mamas, and one family in particular became sweet friends.  We visited with them Wednesday, and after three hours of hide-and-seek, running around the house, chocolate chip cookies and conversation, we felt like family.  God is so good at taking our sadness and replacing it with joy, giving alternate families when ours is not to be had.  Thank you, Papa, for your goodness.

So, for those of you surrounded by family, today, take a moment and thank the Lord for His beautiful blessings.  I know families can bring interesting dynamics, drama, and sometimes a little crazy, but they are family, and they are yours.

The love of a grandpa can't be beat!

Family cuddle. :)

Grandma's give the best hugs!

Walking with grandma, on a crisp afternoon, precious.

Flutters

On the set Tuesday, I found myself delighted.  Kylia and I were relaxing on the curb, just a short distance from the action taking place on camera.  Seth was in the action.  As we were watching I caught a glimpse of him.  He must have sensed I was looking at him because he turned around and our eyes met, he smiled, we waved, and I couldn't help but giggle.  I leaned over to Kylia and asked, "Is it weird that daddy can still make mommy giggle after almost seventeen years?"  She just smiled.

Later that afternoon I was again on the outskirts talking with others connected with the movie.  Seth had stepped back a bit and was in an out-of-the-way location, and fairly close to me.  So, I excused myself and made my way over to him.  We both stood, watching the crew re-set, and I just leaned in and brushed my arm against his.  And with a sheepish grin, he asked, "Are you flirting with me?"  I nodded.  He told me I needed to stop because I was a bit distracting.  Well, all I can say is that he'd been distracting me all day. :)

Along with the giggles, were moments of pride for my man.  I had a number of people share with me what a great guy Seth was.  One was glad he was on the set as he brought a certain quality that was valued.  Another recognized and shared that I had a good man.  And others that his work was wonderful.

I love watching my man moving in his calling.  We aren't directing yet, but he is definitely in his element using the creative talents the Lord has blessed him with.  And for today I am all aflutter with love.
                               

On a Journey

I want to say that we have begun a journey that has been long awaited, but then that would completely disreguard the beautiful journey we have traveled for the last sixteen years.  A journey that has taught us so much of who our God is: powerful, trustworthy, kind, gentle in how He leads, corrects, and instructs, the One who cares about the details, and truly does provide for all our needs.  We've been learning how to parent (every child and stage brings something new to learn and adds something beautiful to the adventure), how to love, serve, show care, believe, trust, endure, all of which are so important on this journey.  So our journey continues into a new season of learning, and growing.

We've moved out of our home of ten years.  It was a beautiful home. I thanked the Lord quite often for it.   Yet, over the last few months we all began to have a sense it was time to go.  Still, as we closed the doors for the last time, the tears flowed.  We had some beautiful memories in that home which will never be forgotten.

Our last day in our home.  Goodbye little, green house!

But, the journey must continue for this life to be all that the Lord has called us to.  So, we are no longer Washingtonians.

For a week we were Oregonians.

Our "stuff" now in storage in Sherwood, OR.  It fit!

The following week, Californians.

Time with family at Disneyland!

Then travelers for another week.

Grand Canyon!

Then we became Illinoisans, and visited with my grandparents.  They are 89 and 87 and a beautiful example of Christ, a healthy and loving marriage, and joy!  I am so honored to count myself part of their lineage.

Yep, those are my parents too!  They were already in Illinois when we arrived. :)

  

And now we are Hoosiers.  (Learned that from the locals!)

Our new home until the end of July!  We have the bottom level. :)

Beauties in the park by our current home in Warsaw, IN.

I'm greatly enjoying calling myself a Hoosier for this season.  We have been surrounded by beautiful people who continue to teach us how to love and lead.  I had a sick baby girl the first day on the set.  Lynn, a new friend, helped clean up vomit, ran and bought Leilani Pedialight, Saltines, and a sippy cup, washed all of her soiled clothes, and sat with her while she slept so I could help Seth on the set.  Erin, producer and lead actress, ran to our aid as well to clean up a later episode.  The example of servant leadership on the set was beautiful. The care that went into preparing our present home, was thought filled and came with a gentle touch.  And the list could continue.  I am discovering the love and the care of the Lord even here.  He continues to teach us how to lead and love by surrounding us with those who do it so well.  So, for today, I am a Hoosier, and happy to be.

This life, this journey, is blessed.  Thank you, Jesus, for the adventure! 

So I Won't Forget

As I was doing Kylia's hair for the day, she stated, "Mom, I want you to be my teacher when I have kids of my own, because you are a really good parent."

Wow! Melt my heart, make me cry, give me a hug.

Yet another reason why parenting is so worth it!

Faster than a Speeding Bullet!

I have a daughter entering Junior High.  I'm a bit shocked.  I was told that my children would grow up fast, but the minute she hit sixth grade it was as if she was transported through time in a rocket ship.  It all happened a bit faster than I had believed.

The first day she sat with us through worship and then left with the "Big" kids to her JH Sunday School class, was the day the tears started flowing.  I didn't expect these emotions that welled up so quickly, and I wasn't quite prepared for all that needed preparing.  For instance, I began thinking back to when I was in Junior High, and the changes that took place in me, and everyone around me.  The boys that suddenly wanted to go out, and when you didn't answer them fast enough (because, is that okay?) would run off and ask another girl the same day.  I remembered all of the insecurities that seemed to plague me in those years and honestly, I wanted to run.

But, instead of running, I thanked the Lord for this new stage of life that we are entering.  I thanked Him for the beautiful, young lady Adalie is becoming.  I thanked Him for her courage and boldness to try new things, and not shy away from challenges or change.  And then I prayed for wisdom!  I prayed for the words to speak to prepare her for the years to come, a continued closeness so she will always feel free to come to Seth and I with questions and concerns, and then for more wisdom!

Growing up, but still young enough for cuddles with Grandma.

We are entering a new stage!  I have loved each and every one of the last 10 years of Adalie's life, and I am confident the coming years will be even more exciting!!

Never Good Enough

My Beautiful Kylia!

When I was growing up I was required to wear dresses to church.  It was what we did.  It was the norm. Nowadays things are a bit different.  Churches are trying to become more casual, making anyone feel welcome.  I no longer wear dresses as frequently, but jeans and a nice shirt have become my new norm.  But for some reason I still have this expectation for my girls.

Kylia came down this Sunday with a very short skirt on (she keeps growing, but her clothes don't), with shorts underneath, that daddy and I decided was a bit too short.  She then went upstairs and came down with shorts on.  I gently told her that we dress up for church to show proper respect to the Lord. (At least that is what I was taught growing up.)  At this the tears began to flow and continued to flow as we started down the road for church.  

I heard sniffles in the back and decided they could not continue the entire drive, and so I had Seth pull over.  Kylia and I jumped out and talked.  I asked her what was making her cry, and she said she never feels pretty.  Oy!  I asked, "Never?"  She said, "Well, for the last few Sundays.  I'm either too pretty or not pretty enough." And so at the age of eight, she was already feeling what so many woman struggle with in life, "I'm never good enough."  

So, I have been processing this conversation all day.  Kylia is in a stage where she doesn't like dresses, but wants to please mommy and daddy more than anything.  Do I continue to require dresses simply because that is what I know.  Do I look to the heart of my little girl and see that there is no rebellion there and so permit something other than dresses?  (When she wears her holiday dresses, she feels she is too dressed up.  Can she ever win?)  Do I tell her she is beautiful, and that I want her to be who God created her to be, to be confident in who she is, and to know that God made her beautiful no matter what adorns the outside?  That she is beautiful because of what is on the inside?  

I decided dresses weren't the most important issue here.  My daughter, on this day, needed to know she was beautiful because of who she was, not what she was wearing.  So, after asking for forgiveness, sharing that mommy is trying to wade through what is truly important in this life God has given us, the tears dried up and we were once again on our way to church, 2 in dresses and 1 in shorts.  

I desire to capture the heart of my little girl, so that when she becomes a young woman she will come to me with the question, "Mom, is this outfit modest?" confident in her beauty, not running to others for approval of her beauty.  

Lord, give me wisdom.

Centered?

   

   I had an interesting revelation the other day.  I had been finding myself saying, "I need to find balance in this area, or that area."  I had heard other moms say the same thing for different situations in their lives. 

   Then as I sat in a service I heard someone say that they were "centered in Christ".  I've heard that term before, and it is a great Christian term, but I never really understood it, until that night.  I actually got a picture of a teeter-totter in my head and realized how easy it is to get off balance.  A little too far left or right and that teeter is going to totter.  

   A teeter-totter usually has a very small fulcrum in the middle which allows it to teeter, and as you know, the further out you go, the easier it is to get off balance.  But, when we become centered in Christ, as our relationship with Him grows and we allow Him more place in our lives, our fulcrum becomes bigger and wider.  So, in those times when we don't know how to deal with a situation, when we don't know the right answer, when we feel far out on the edge of the teeter-totter, since our fulcrum is so big, since our relationship with Christ is completely solid, we will not get off balance.  He will direct us.  He will guide us.  He will hold us up.  

   There is no reason to try to get to the center to find the balance, because life is going to continue and situations will arise which will push us to the edge.  But if our center is Big and Strong, we will remain balanced knowing that Jesus is our support.