Year

A few weeks ago I wrote a stand-up comedy post about "Adult Pen Pals." Somehow by trying to enter it through iGoogle, the post disappeared. I was really bummed cuz it was really funny. But maybe it was deleted because it had a titch of meanness.

So on a serious-er note, this has been another great time of year to look back and trace God's hand in our lives. A year ago I would never have thought we'd be where we are today. We did know a change was coming because we're both at an age and stage of life that begs movement. Not only did we have the itch, we had the familial (no baby on the way), financial (no debt), social (no roots),and spiritual ("If the Lord wills we will do such and such")freedom to make some sort of move. We have prayed over our list of desires year after year and sent out loads of feelers. We have knocked on doors; many slammed.

The one that opened was staying in the same jobs and moving just an hour out into the country. Not so romantic as a few other ideas, but a "desire of our heart" nonetheless. We feel like complete woosses compared to missionaries and military who move constantly. We had sort of got into a routine, the disrupting of which has made us realize we'd lost some flexibility. In other words, moving is not easy! Kudos to those for whom moving is a lifestyle. My prayer journal from Spring 2010 includes "I'm scared of moving and I'm scared to death we might never move!"

OK, sister, now for some pictures.

Miscellaneous

1. MONDAY Even though Monday was the day that the Lord had made, it went poorly for me. I woke up on the wrong side of bed, had sore muscles (Sarah!:) and felt overwhelmed and behind and inadequate for any of my responsibilities. I don't know why; it was just bad. I cried a lot. I moped a little. I still managed an Ephesians 6:18 for a certain family who asked me to. I vented to Jason (God bless him). The only point I have in sharing this in a post is that loads of blogs I read tell all about their latest super creative creation or cutest kid moments or could be published as a devotional book (Jon!:). I realize that a blog's purpose should be for edification. I'm wondering if anyone would be edified to know that a daughter of the King sometimes feels lost or buried. And how to get through it. Before the sun went down I apologized to Jason. I listened to Revelation song loudly several times in a row and wrote some lyrics on the message board. I told my kids it was because I wanted to start the next day in a better frame of mind and attitude. We prayed together. I wrote out ANOTHER general flow of the day plan to try. I went ahead and worked on my jobs and spent some time in the sun. Jason prayed "that we would be able to find a rhythm by Friday." :) Tomorrow was another day.

2. THE WEATHER It's November in Nebraska. We wore tank tops and barefeet for a bike ride up and down our sandy road. We got sweaty. The dog and cat are finally getting along and don't need babysitting. Can I just say, Hallelujah?! ( a little Hebrew lingo )

3. NPR I heard this great story the other day. They reported that a sweeping new survey had been done of religious people. Research has found that the deeply religious are overwhelmingly more satisfied with life, healthy, peaceful and secure. Here is the commentator's interpretation: she noticed that a lot of the deeply religious people are also better off financially. She concluded that the "rich" people were probably already more at peace in life because of their riches; their religion was just a side note. I think she forgot to go back and read that sweeping survey of how satisfying riches are(n't) to their owners.

4. And . . . we've moved! We are so blessed to have found a home in the country. Y'know, maybe I should blog about all the earthy, back-to-nature things we'll be doing now that we live here. But that would be too perfect.

Pictures for Lizzy

Wordless Wednesday posted on Saturday

Oh Me Oh My Oh May

What do May and December have in common? Lots of activities, concerts, plays, a full calendar, lots of presents, and this year, freezing, windy weather.

I forgot my camera on AWANA Awards Night. I want to blog it because of the milestones. Jared graduated from Cubbies into Sparks. I remember when Aiden went to Sparks I was afraid for his going in there with all those big wild kids. Ah, Jared can you be ready for this? Unlike Aiden, he does not love the 1st 2 Rs (readin' and writin'.) Jared is 5 years old and won't write his name! I continue to offer opportunity and wait until he is ready. I will not rush him. Now the twins will begin Cubbies.

Taliah and her best bud tied for top Sparkies.

Aiden was the only boy in T&T. This was his 1st year in T & T. The books are well organized, challenging and fun. Memorizing is his talent, so he excelled and took home lots of awards. He is working on a couple of other boys to come consistently.

I think AWANA's weak point has always been the external business of memory without necessarily reaching the heart. Having worked in AWANA since 2000, I do appreciate their scope and sequence and their commitment to scripture and keeping it fun. During the school year we study AWANA together before bed, going through each one's book all together, taking turns. That way it's a family discussion, not just cramming. The younger kids do not struggle with the harder books because they've been hearing them every night. About the heart business, I pray for the word to take root deeply and I bring up their verses during the day as applicable. I hope that the kids are rewarded in later years by having these verses in their hearts and that right now the mirror of scripture will develop their character.

The 2 boys played soccer with AYSO this spring. Some days we felt like we'd sold our soul to the (freezing, windy) soccer fields. There's a lot of time involved, but we were blessed with excellent coaches for both teams. We made & renewed some friendships. We froze. The boys worked on their stamina and skills. Taliah wondered how we'd feel about adding a 3rd player to the family.

Next up: Graduations! Families Getting Together! Milestones! And, please Lord? Summer?

Groceries Again

This time the cashier didn't say anything about how many groceries we bought. But when we were finished, she had to replenish all her bags on the pegs.

Hi, Denielle and EliAnna

Wow, I'm so honored that you girls look at our blog more than once! I look at yours like, once every 3 months! So I felt compelled to update.

We've spent most of 2010 discussing, praying, Farm or No Farm? Now or Later? Also, normal life business of family-raising. Cutting & burning wood, peeling old wallpaper, going to car wrecks, studying the Middle Ages & Reformation. We even started in on the Westminster catechism! The first question is "What is the Chief Indian?" Ha. During the winter we play lots of games and puzzles and read books by the fire. We really enjoy teaching kids & adults on Sundays, too.

Suddenly spring came upon us and everything started bursting out: dandelions and daffodils, the wind, bikes, the sun, snow, soccer, mud, and the bison.

These are pictures of the kids sledding, at a branding, flying kites, enjoying the outdoors and making hot cross buns. Some people give us guff because we don't dye eggs or give our kids Easter candy. I'm just the mom, but I sort of think that kites, company dinners, hot cross buns, special bedtime stories, branding and breakfast at church are all pretty special!