An Overdue Celebration Post!

With everything that has been going on with Dad, I let time get away from me.  But that’s not to say that we aren’t incredibly happy with the step that our youngest recently took.

On Sunday evening, May 5, our youngest took a step in obedience to his Lord and Savior and was baptized!  We don’t have a baptismal at the church.  Instead we rent out the local YMCA and make a church-wide celebration out of it.

My husband was privileged to be able to participate, and it was a wonderful moment for our family!

I can’t tell you how thankful I am for what I see God doing in his tender young heart!

What made it even more special was that our neighbor got baptized too!  What a great day!

After the service part, the kids all jumped in the water for a swim party, then we met back at the church for a pitch-in super.  Fun, fun, fun!

On this beautiful sun-shiny day, I wanted to take a moment and simply praise God.  :)

And We All Take A Breath

When I posted Thursday, I was at one of the lowest points I can ever remember being.  Your comments, emails and notes brought tears to my eyes over and over again.  In a good way. 

God used your love, encouragement and kind words to wrap around my aching heart.

Dad had his heart catheterization last night and blockages were found in several places his bypass surgery replaced 20 years ago.  Since surgery is not an option now, they will treat him with several blood thinners as well as oral meds to control his heart rhythm.

All in all, today was a good day for him.  Not only has he had no more scary heart moments.  They sat him in a chair for a few hours, and if his kidney function improves, they may actually let him come home in the next day or two. 

And so continues our crazy roller coaster ride. 

This afternoon, I got to talk to him on the phone for a few minutes and he sounded really good.  Mom said he was even telling his silly stories and jokes to the nurses.  So I know he was feeling better.

We thank God for the gift of more time. 

And we all take a breath. 

These tiny little flowers which bloom by my driveway are certainly less regal than the violet irises that tower over them.   Yet, I love them.  They remind me of the way God’s children gather round and support each other.  They remind me of you, and they’re beautiful.  :)

I Have 15 Minutes To Spill What’s Inside

This season has been one where I walk day by day seeking God’s grace to go on with the normal—to actually see what is in front of my eyes.  Instead of worrying about what’s going on 646 miles away.

My schedule won’t let me sit still, even though I sometimes want to hide for a day.  I’m the launderer, the cook, the driver, the cleaner, the mower, the mom, the wife, the daughter, the worrier.  I wish I wasn’t the last.  I try not to be. But always in the back of my mind, I carry the burden of worry.  And it steals the joy of the moment.

In ten more minutes, I put on my smile, pick up the boys and we head to a soccer game.  The normal part of my life.  But my mind is 646 miles away.

Monday night, Dad’s pacemaker/ defibrillator kicked in and saved his life.  Thankfully, he was walking into a doctor’s appointment and help was nearby to wheel him into the ER.

I thanked God that Dad was in the right place for the crisis.

I spoke to mom Tuesday around 7:30 and she said Dad was doing well and would likely come home the next day.

At 8:00, he had a seizure and coded.  The wonderful  hospital staff brought him through the crisis.

And again, I thanked God that Dad was in the right place at the right time. 

Today, he sits in the ICU, 646 miles away, with a future that is anything but certain.  And I feel like God is asking me to do the impossible.  To leave Mom and Dad totally in His hands.

I feel like the Israelites in the wilderness who, having just witnessed the miraculous hand of God, acted as though they had not.  They fretted, and worried and wondered if they were in the right place.

Pray for me and my family, friends.  I want so badly not to let God down.  Or insult His loving care by worrying that something could happen outside of His plan.  Didn’t I just see God TWICE put Dad in exactly the right place to receive the care he would need? 

I know in my mind that God loves Mom and Dad more than anyone could.  He sees their pain.  He sees their hearts.  So why do I keep grasping for control of a situation that is totally beyond my reach?

It seems like the more I try not to cry in front of my boys, the less I can stem the flow of tears. 

After praying with my family, my little guy said, “Mom, how can I make you happy?”

I wish it were that easy.  That he could simply do something and make me happy.  To make me do what God asks us to do.  To Trust and not worry. 

In reality, I know that until I give it to God, I mean REALLY and truly give every part of my heart’s desire over to Him, I will forfeit the joy God still wants me to feel where I am.

 

My 15 minutes are up.  I need to get my troops ready for the evening and not worry about the fact that I haven’t been able to contact mom at all today.  My parents are totally in the Care of their Lord and Savior, the Master Physician. 

I feel a little better having spilled to you.  I hope I haven’t chased you off.  Sadly, I’m not a very good example when it comes to leaving burdens where they should be left. 

But with your prayers and reminders, I’ll try to do better.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your encouragement.

Love you all!

Ready For A Family Movie Night? DVD Give Away: Ring The Bell

Although the storyline is very predictable, the message is a good one.  We especially enjoyed the beautiful music!

What’s it about?  Big time sports agent, Rob Decker, sets off to a small town on a mission to sign a promising high school baseball player.  To his way of thinking, any kid would jump at the chance he was offering.  Yet, he is stunned to find the young man’s heart immovably set on serving God.  Truly inspiring!

Mark Hall and his band Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, as well as Matthew West all play roles in the film.  PLUS, Baseball all-stars John Kruk, Rick Sutcliffe, and Ben Zobrist play roles! (Being a big Phillies fan, I well remember John Kruk in the World Series!)

The film is now available on DVD.  You can check it out on their website.  Or you can win one here!  Simply leave a comment.  I’ll choose a winner from among the comments on Wednesday, May 8th.

I received a free DVD copy of A Mile In His Shoes to review. However, when I agree to do a review, I share what I really think, whether good or bad. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Playing Catch Up!

Oh my goodness!  How can the weeks go by so fast??  I really hate to neglect this space.  Yet, sometimes, it just can’t be helped.  Can you relate?  Anybody?  Please tell me I’m not alone!

I think the best way to catch you up is to jump in with some fun pictures of the past few weeks.

My little guy is loving soccer.  Of course! :)

He is part of a young team of (barely) 7 and eight years olds playing against very experienced 9 and 10 year olds.  So they lose more than they win.  But they have won a few, and are learning so much! 

This picture of my son and his buddy cracks me up.

They usually ALL look like poster boys for a TIDE commercial.  But this time, my little guy was showing me how clean he was compared to his friend.  Can you say muddy wet spring??  Lol!

Watching them on the bench is just as much fun as watching them play!  Don’t know what they were so intently talking about over there.  Maybe a dare to make a Mohawk??  Because the next minute I looked, this is what I saw, lol!

My older guys have spent a bunch of time on the sidelines developing a new respect for the time their mom and dad have given to games.  It’s nice to have their company as their schedules permit. 

This was one of those rare games where my oldest got to watch with a friend who’s sister was playing two fields over. 

I’ve only gotten to see 15 minutes of his playing this year.  With three schedules to juggle, the older two often have to go with my husband or find a ride with a friend.

Here’s a picture of my middle man at one of his games, courtesy of another parent.  Tonight, I will actually get to see one of his games.  And tomorrow, I get to see both older boys play in their games!  Yeah! 

So there you have some soccer tidbits.

In other news…

• My youngest is getting baptized on Sunday night!  He’s very excited.  Hopefully, I’ll have some pictures to share with you next week!
• My middle man will turn 14 on Sunday.  It’s a big day, as you can see!
• My dad is still recovering from his second round of chemo.  He developed a painful infection, and he is struggling with whether to go on with the chemo.  Please keep him in prayer.  It’s so tough.  And tough too, that Mom and Dad will miss the baptism and celebration on Sunday.  I wish so much that things were different.

Although there is more I want to write, that’s all I have time for at the moment. Tonight, after the game, I will be watching a movie with my family.  It’s one I have really been looking forward to seeing.  PLUS, I get to give a copy of it away!  So be sure to stop back and enter the giveaway.  Some of the big names in the film are…Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West, Rick Sutcliffe, and John Kruk!  I hope to get the review posted late tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks for being such a patient and supportive bunch of friends!  I’ve missed visiting with you all!  Just as soon as my insane soccer schedule eases up, I’ll be back on your doorstep.  :)

George Beverly Shea Has Gone Home

George Beverly Shea, who regularly opened for Billy Graham at his crusades for nearly six decades, died last night. He was 104.

I grew up listening to the records my mom and dad had of George Beverly Shea.  I used to sit and listen, totally mesmerized by his deep, rich voice.

But to be honest, I had no idea he had such a vast impact on so many people.  The following was recorded on his 98th birthday.  In it’s entirety, it is nearly 48 minutes long, and a blessing to watch.  But the first 5 minutes or so are a wonderful tribute to his life and legacy. 

What an extraordinary man!  We thank God for his wonderful ministry and his personal example.

This Is Our Time: Family Movie Night/DVD Giveaway!!

I have another great movie to share with you!  And this would be such an AWESOME movie to share with a graduate!

This Is Our Time tells the story of five friends who graduate from college and step out into the life they feel God is calling them to live.  All of them have big plans and a sense of calling. 

All but one. 

Ethan, failing to get into graduate school, feels as though God has left him sitting on the bench. While the rest of the team is out changing the world, Ethan longs for direction, and to hear God’s voice.  But he hears only silence. 

We’ve all been there.  Wondering if we are doing the right thing. Or serving in the right place.  Or even if we are making any difference at all. 

Sometimes we start out on a path with a clear vision and purpose only to have that door closed abruptly.  Or to have the parameters shifted so drastically we wonder if it was the right direction in the first place.

This Is Our Time was so much more than a story.  It felt more like my story.  Like every man’s story.  Real life Christians, struggling to find answers in real life pain.

In the end, the characters realize that life isn’t so much about a particular time being their time to make a difference.  It’s more about understanding it’s all God’s time.  God’s time to use them where they are. 

A powerful message for everyone.

But, especially for young people grappling with finding their “calling” in life.  It truly isn’t so much about the calling or the destination as it is about each little step of obedience we take.  It’s about being who God wants you to be.

The DVD is being released tomorrow, and you can preorder it here.  You can also enter to win a FREE copy right here by leaving a comment below.  Any old comment will do.  :)  I’ll choose a winner on Friday!  Please make sure I have a way to contact you should you win!!! 

This is a great movie, friends!  Seriously.  I highly encourage you to share it with your family!  Or a graduate you know!  Don’t forget to like it on face book and spread the word!

I received a free copy of the DVD to review. What you get, as always, is my honest opinion of the film. :) I disclose this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.