Cute moment

I just made pumpkin pies for tomorrow and then of course gave the bowls and spoons to the boys. Titus had the big bowl and was running his finger around in circles in the pie filling. I thought he was just messing around and told him he could eat it. "No Mom, he said "my finger is ice skating." Too cute. The imagination of a little one.

Full Heart

I always dreamed of having a full house with lots of kids running around and friends who felt at home in our home. Recently I have realized that though only 2 of the kids are mine, the dream has become reality. I am blessed with friends who know that they are welcome in our home as well as all their munchkins. Even though sometimes I am wiped out at the end of the day, I am most fulfilled when I know that my family and I have been a blessing on any given day. It could be as simple as just welcoming a friend to hang out at my house for the day to combat loneliness or depression, babysitting little ones to give a mom a long deserved break or a quick phone call to let someone know they are on my mind. I truly feel as if my heart is overflowing somedays as I get to be a vessel for God to flow through and touch other people. I am certain in my own strength and desire that very little of this would come to pass. I am excited to see what else is in our future as we continue to have an open heart and home.

Plans?

The kids and I had a fun night tonight, hanging out at a friend's house. I actually was referred to as the rescue party, which made me laugh. Who says you can't party with a bunch of kids and some junk food?! Throw in a little chocolate and life is good. My friend is facing some intense life situations that would land most people in a loony bin but by the grace of God and some good friends she continues to walk forward and try to honor God in her life. Trial by fire, is putting it lightly. I almost didn't go to hang out tonight because I figured it would be a much better "mommy" thing if I stayed home and put the kids to bed at the proper time. Well, both the boys and me were glad we went. They got to play at someone else's house and stay up past bedtime- waaayyy past bedtime (which I'm sure no matter how much I dream still won't translate into them sleeping in- one can dream though). It was nice to just sit and talk though interrupted on a regular basis by the thud of boys wrestling, a toddler making sure he wasn't missing any excitement, a scream or two from a mad 3 year old when life didn't work his way and a preteen girl, who is so precariously on the precipice between childhood and young woman. We did have girl time for awhile and then kicked her out of the room we were in so we could talk about grown up stuff. It certainly didn't feel like we were there as late as we were, and it was totally worth it.
I truly admire my friend and am glad that I get to be one of the people walking alongside of her on this journey called life. We laugh and cry sometimes at the same time and remind each other that no matter what there truly is a greater plan. I'm so glad because my plans never seem to quite turn out like I thought anyway.

Hay or Gold

The past few weeks have kept our family pretty busy. The normal stuff - Army life, homeschooling, friends - are enough on a regular day. However, we have been truly living the calling our blog refers to of encouraging fellow beleivers and shepherding lost souls. It brings such a sense of fulfillment amid the mental and emotional exhaustion at times, to know that the interactions we are having in people's lives aren't just busyness. We have been talking about the rewards God has for his children in heaven for the work they do for him here on earth. God has repeatedly brought to mind the passage in I Corinthians 3:12-15 where we are told that are works will be tested by fire and if those works survive the fire then we receive a reward. Well obviously if we are doing things that don't really make any eternal difference then the fire is just going to disintegrate them like a haystack. The things we invest our time in here that truly can make an eternal difference are what will stand the fire and shine as pure gold. I certainly don't want to be watching all my life's work going up in smoke!! There have been quite a few nights recently where we collapse on a couch or the bed and look at each other totally wiped out with little energy left, but knowing that despite our desire to shake people into doing the right thing, we have planted a seed in their lives by the time we spent with them.
It has been encouraging, in particular, to watch a young couple that has been seeking our advice, begin to make small but important changes in order to save their marriage from the brink of divorce. It was great to be able to answer them as I Peter 3:15 - gently sharing the reason for the hope we have. The husband told us at one point, on a tough night- "you know you two are the only ones telling us not to give up, right?!" We just looked at each other and smiled. "Yes we know", we said, but that's because we have something they don't. We take our vows seriously. For better or worse, didn't come with a description of what qualifies as too bad. (Obviously, in cases of abuse, there is no question that it is right to get out and get help) That said, sometimes worse is really bad and better is just pure ecstasy. The hard part is learning how to live in the balanced in between.

We are both excited to see what God has in store for our family as we keep trying to live each so that people ask why?!?