The wonderful, the hard, and the funny

(Note: This post is a continuation to the previous one, posted on the same date)

My heart was so filled with gratitude as I took time to recount the week today.  Thoughts about my week included musings in these categories: The wonderful, the hard, and the funny.  I thought it would be medicine for my soul to record them and maybe encouraging and slightly entertaining (some of them) to others.  I remember that I have a story to tell of God's faithfulness!  So, with no further delay...

The Wonderful

*David was back to a "normal" schedule this week after several heavily stacked work weeks.

*My 13 year old boy having a great time with his grandparents in Oregon.  I miss him a lot, but I am so thankful that my in-laws want to keep this tradition for our kids!  It is a treasured and eagerly anticipated experience!  Also, thankful that after a week, he finally started missing us, and called to tell me so! 

*Sitting in the quiet prayer room this week after a hard few days.  The Lord is my refuge, my hiding place, my firm foundation.  How I thrive in His presence!  An how I am strengthened and encouraged in prayer, worship, and Scripture!

*A chance to be hands and feet, a blessing in action to a friend that I hadn't spoken to in a while.

*Being involved with CornerStone International.  I love this group of people.  And I love praying for them, being involved in ministry all around the globe in the throne room of our Great God!

*Swimming pools and water slides with the kids.

*Being mostly successful with getting up early to have time to read and pray.  Not a morning person at all so this is a work of God's grace to enable me to do this!

*Enjoying the little local farmer's market, with the lovely folks that bring their goods to sell.  I was especially thankful for the kindness they showed to my rowdy crew.

*Walking through the Wilmore Caboose for the first time and having our friend Ken answer our questions.  I've been here for 21 years!  It is about time.

*Good, hones conversation with my so lovely 18 year old girl!

*Early Friday morning morning sharing and prayer with a dear, dear friend!

*Feeling more at home worshiping with a new body of believers.

*Taking Keenan's dog for walks with the kids while Keenan is away.

*Aaron crawling.

The Hard

*Aaron is crawling!  Aaahhh!  Every. single. minute. I have to watch him, or have a sibling with him. He particularly loves cords, little things, and my table by the couch. : /

*One child in particular still struggling with attitude, submission to authority, arguing, rudeness... This kid can wreck me quickly!  Additionally, the door seems to be closed to the counselor that I thought would be good for us.  So this weekend, I started looking again.

*Aaron struggling with night-time sleep.

The Funny

ok... I have a terrible memory, in case you don't know.  So all two funny stories I can remember are from today.  But there are not usually a shortage of them in this home!  

*First, was in worship this morning.  The pastor was teaching and I was holding Aaron.  Micah was beside me and he handed Aaron this little clover flower one of the littles brought in.  He was investigating it and enjoying it, so I made a mental note to watch him with it.  Except that I am forgetful and prone to distraction. :)  So a few minutes later, he gags and almost throws up.  I first think, oh, no, he is going to be sick right in the middle of the service on the floor, but then I see the stem he is still holding in is hand.  And I realize it is only a stem now!  No  flower!  I almost laughed out loud (in church!) as I realized he had eaten the flower.  Well, at least it was an edible variety and there is no need for concern! HAHA!

*At dinner, the kids were telling tongue twisters.  Abby brought up "Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear. Fuzzy, wuzzy had no hair. Fuzzy, wuzzy wasn't fuzzy was he?"  So then Micah and the others were trying to remember it and say it.  Faster and faster.  twice, eight times, fifteen times. No, make them stop!... Then, Sarah (3) says, "Fuzzy, wuzzy didn't have any fuzzy stuff. Fuzzy, wuzzy didn't have any fuzzy stuff.  I got that part already, guys."  And she kept saying that over and over.  So funny to hear her try to copy and then hear her version. :)

Gadget-less

I am embracing a new weekly practice.  It is actually quite old, but newer to me.  I am setting aside time on Sunday to reflect and refocus.  I have decided not to use social media, or basically any technology that would be labeled "entertainment," for the day in order to make room to sit and think, pray, read, or listen to things that will attach my heart and hope on Jesus.   For some time, I have noticed this habit of mine to reach for my tablet or pull up the chair to the computer with most any free minute I have- nursing the baby, waiting for the pasta to cook, holding on the phone with insurance, surprised with a peaceful 15 minutes while the kids play outside and that baby sleeps.

My wonderful hubby, who does not currently
 have the same temptation with gadgets.
However, I don't usually take photos of myself!

One day, I started to think about what I used to do when I didn't have the gadgets or even the speedy internet service.  It wasn't really that long ago!  And it hit me, a little hard; I used to just sit... in the quiet.  I used to think more.  I used to read more.  I used to go on more walks. I used to engage with the littles more.  I used to sit outside while the kids played. Maybe I even read the Living Word of God more or prayed more.  So I made a decision to monitor myself, noticing when I grabbed for that laptop or tablet (I don't have a fancy smartphone!), and to be more intentional to leave it when it was really just a time killer.  

I recently enjoyed helping Nathanael play with Aaron in the fort he made for the two of them.

So one way that I have chosen to implement this intentionality is to refrain from unnecessary "gadget" use on Sunday.  And I have noticed some fruit from that choice:  More opportunity for spontaneous conversation with a child,  Extra meditation on the Scriptures, Being spurred on by teachings I might otherwise forgo, and time to reflect and think on the week before.

That being said, today I have been thinking over the week and my gratitude just soared!

This will be continued in the next post...

Reflections in Psalm 32

"Happy is the one whose sin is forgiven,"
Blessed is the one, with open heart, receives the great mercy of God.
When we try to act as though we have no sin,
no need for mercy,
we shrivel up on the inside.
"My vitality was turned to the drought of summer."
Why?  What deception in our human hearts that cause us to shrink from the thing
that really brings us life!
But oh, the joy, the relief of confession and forgiveness!
My dead and shriveled soul revived.  My darkened heart, filled with light!
Everyone needs to seek God in this way, while there is still time, still breath.

Merciful God, You are my hiding place,
the place I am safely at home.
Lord, you surround me with mighty and mercy-filled songs of deliverance.
(Oh, to hear the Voice of the One who spoke the world into being.
He sings over me!!)
You don't leave us to figure it out alone.
You instruct.
You guide.
Interestingly, you "guide with your eye."
Meaning we must be near you, watching, intentional to see your guidance.

We must not be like horses, that must be harnessed with bit and bridle-
wild, willful, resistant, aloof.
You desire willing submission,
a human heart that "comes near" and bows low with trust, expectation, and joy.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked,
to those who trust in themselves,
refuse your mercy.
BUT he who trusts in the Lord,
who confesses and not ignores sin,
who looks to His eye for guidance,
who humbly and confidently comes near to him,
Mercy shall surround him!
Imagine, surrounded by His songs of deliverance and His great and powerful mercy!

Be glad!  Rejoice!  Shout for joy!
There is no one like our God!