They are back...

My big kids are home. Safe. Sound. And spiritually strong.

I can not quit smiling. Hugging them and rejoicing that all my chicks are back in my nest!

The week was good for them. In spite of some obstacles, they grew in their walk with the Lord. We understand that for summer camp to be attractive to jr. high boys and girls, there has to be an adventure component that isn't necessarily compatible with my boys' abilities. But understanding it and navigating through it are two different things. I am proud of Benjamin and Mason. By all reports they participated when they could and cheered, photographed, watched when they could not. By their own accounts, the worship was the highlight and they both received the blessing of time committed to serious praise of our mighty God!

For my sweet girl, the obstacles were the same that are there for all 12-year-old girls -- other 12-year-old girls. But when faced with some unkind criticism that would have crumpled her mommy, my brave girl prayed that God would help her not have hurt feelings so that she could focus on her relationship with Him! What a blessing!!

Cate and I were likewise blessed by our week together! We swam, read books, played and even fit in a museum! The Phoenix Children's Museum just opened last summer -- we had fun exploring it! Cate had a blast and we'll have to return!

Performing a puppet show for Mommy -- and making sure I'm watching!!

The museum's decor made me smile -- this was a wall of plastered shoes...complete with birdies made of socks!!

Cate loved the Noodle Forest! (though it made me a little crazy....I couldn't find her in there!)

The art room at the museum allowed for all sorts of artistic exploration -- after painting a house, Cate is making jewelry from coke bottle caps!

But the biggest blessing of all is being all back together! We are off for our pre-surgery trip to Disneyland tomorrow and looking forward to some serious dedicated family-time!! Now, that will be a blessing indeed!!

Still getting lessons from camp...

My 12-year-olds left for camp this morning. Without me.

They have been to camp before. Never without me.

As I sat with Cate after leaving them at the church (After prying myself away. Forcing myself into the car. Slowly driving out of the parking lot in case someone came running after me saying they NEEDED me at camp....), I had a serious talk with God.

As I poured out my heart, I realized this was a trust issue. And to be honest with you, I tend to start explaining myself to God whenever I am convicted about a trust issue. Today was no different. I reminded God that my boys have Cerebral Palsy and can't do some things for themselves. I needed to do them. God reminded me that my brother Len and the boys' leader, Scott, were not only well aware they were well-prepared to meet all the needs presented.

So, I moved on. But God, I am supposed to keep them safe. Last year at camp, I trusted you with their care...but I was there in case of any emergencies. I was there to keep them safe. I am always there.

And almost audibly, I heard God say, "NO, Carol, I AM always there. And this year is no different."

Ah.

What a blessing to rest in the ever-presence of our creator, our savior, our friend, our great protector. And what a blessing for my trio to be at camp growing in their knowledge of our awesome God!

Me and my littlest...

We like to hang out together. If our mornings don't allow for what she single-handedly dubbed "Mommy-time" (sitting in mommy's lap, enjoying her pop-tart and a little Imagination Movers on Disney...) then we both lean toward the grumpy-side all day long.

So it should really be no surprise that the cold she brought home from church last weekend has settled down on me full force. Full-nose-completely-closed-head-completely-stuffed-force.

Ugh.

But she is a blessing....oops, sniff, sniff....that would be a blething.

Keeping busy...

Did your mother always tell you to get busy when you were worried about something? Or is that just my mom's favorite mantra?

Either way, it is too late for me, it is ingrained and therefore when I am worrying, fretting and driving myself crazy, I KNOW I need a project.

So, I'm re-doing my blog. Not sure I'm in love with it yet, but like this one better than the last. What do you think?

I'm organizing closets. My baby girl has been "sharing" our's and frankly it looks more like her's everyday! Time to move her in with her sister!

I'm painting niches. Ok. Using the word "painting" MIGHT be overstating....I'm currently contemplating painting. I have paint color cards. I have an idea. And I'm this close to going to the paint store for supplies. I'll keep you posted!

See, I'm not worried at all about Benjamin's upcoming surgery. Not at all.

Ya'll did change the date on your prayer calendars to July 31, didn't you?!

New date...

Due to the surgeon's schedule...the date for Benjamin's surgery has been moved up a week. I would almost prefer it to be moved BACK....but apparently that is not an option. So will you please change your prayer date -- to Friday, July 31.

Thank you.

Daring to be content

Have you read The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick? It is a devotional book for couples, made popular by the movie, Fireproof that was in theaters last Fall. I am midway through the book -- day 24 to be exact and highly recommend it!

Having a good marriage -- and encouraging others in theirs -- is a passion of mine. So I bought the book assuming it would offer some wisdom. What I did not expect, however, was that the book would reveal truths that would change my thinking on a myriad of topics! Wow. Can I share?

Today's lesson was about lust. And when I saw the title, I thought, "Yeah, yeah, I know this one." But then I began reading...the authors begin with 1 John 2:17: "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

They talk about the progression of lust -- from eyes to heart to action, followed by shame and regret. And still, I'm reading and thinking to myself, oh yeah, I've seen that happen before.

And then they began to talk about lusting after possessions, power, or prideful ambition. Hmm. My skin begins to get prickly as I read about Satan deceiving us by convincing us that "we will be happy when..." When we have a bigger house. When we lose the baby weight. When we get that promotion we've been seeking. When we....well, I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

The point, according to the Kendricks, is that any lust (not just after the Brad Pitt-look-a-like at the gym) is a step out of fellowship with the Lord and with our loved ones.

Did you get that -- any lust is a step out of fellowship with God and those we love!

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 Peter 1:3-4

I have to tell you that I have read that verse several times this morning. God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. In other words, friends, I think this verse is saying we should be content with what we have.

So my paraphrase -- with apologies to the Kendricks if the points I have taken are not the points they intended -- is that when we aren't content with our bodies, our homes, our career choice, we show discontent in our relationships. The discontent translates, dear ones, into every part of our being, like a poison.

Will you join me today in CHOOSING contentment? In giving thanks to God for giving us everything we need for life with Him, and to rest in that?

In other words -- spend the day counting your blessings -- it will improve your marriage!!

Work in progress...

Please pardon my dust....I am making improvements to my blog and have NO EARTHLY idea what I am doing!!

Oh, there is a blessing in trying new things....I'm just almost sure of it!

A good word...

Sometimes, in the midst of our struggles we are given a distraction -- like watching a little girl delight herself in learning to play "kickie ball" (see the earlier post).

And sometimes we are given a glimpse into someone else's struggle allowing our empathy to replace our own sorrow -- like the way my heart is aching for my sweet friend, Mardi, and her husband, Dan, as they await the swine flu crisis to subside so that China will raise the travel restrictions that are preventing them from holding their darling, red-shoe-wearing-daughter, Lauren, in their arms (You can read their story by clicking here and after you do, will you join me in praying for this sweet family?!)

And sometimes, we are given a word from scripture, a gentle reminder that God cares and has a plan and wants to help...

That is what I received today when having my Bible reading:

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalm 119:28

And so I am committing this verse to memory tonight. A promise to myself to allow God to give me the strength through his word to endure the summer of dreading Benjamin's surgery, the surgery itself, and the recovery process. A promise that God will give me strength when what I really want to do is wallow in the fact that all around me people are NOT having surgery on their beloved sons...NOT worrying...NOT struggling. Basically, I am claiming this verse in an effort to NOT sink into the pit of sorrow and pity where Satan loves to have me hang out.

Strengthen me, O Lord.

Amen.

My girl and her kickie ball...

Cate is all about the pink. She loves her dolls. And insists on dresses and bows. But this girl has always. Always. Loved her ball.

For the last year, she has talked about "kickie ball" and wanting to play. So when we saw a Soccer Camp was being held for preschoolers this week at our church (Christ's Church of the Valley) we signed her up!

Oh my, she had a blast -- CCV's staff, Coach Harry and Coach Nick, were amazing with these kids. For one hour each morning, they taught this group of 3 to 6 year olds how to kick, pass, and play kickie ball! (Well, they actually did call it Soccer...)


She grinned the entire way through! She loved every minute!

Learning to kick -- she was concentrating, and doing her absolute best...

And then they "played" a game...oh, there is obviously some competitive genes in there...she ran and ran and chased that ball and when she scored....well, she really liked the cheers so she ran even harder after that!

I love this shot of my little princess and her ball. She insisted each day that since I was FORCING her to wear shorts, she needed a bow or flower in her hair...

But the sweetest part of the camp for me...there was a prayer at the end of each morning. Heads bowed. Thanking God. Because after all, it IS about more than just a game!