Have you ever had a day where you wanted to trash the plan?

Maybe kick your shoes off and play in the sand?

Study your shadow…

Build sand castles…

Think quietly about the meaning of life…

or splash and play like there is no tomorrow?

I know….Me too! Life is short and I only have these moments once. I was rescued from striving to have it all.

I was spinning my wheels,

but then I saw the light. In the process realized I have everything I need.

and I never looked back!

and I am here to tell you, “Life couldn’t be any sweeter!”.

All photographs are original and taken during my travels throughout the course of our day. Thanks to Jordan for letting me share them and Lora and the Sisters for encouraging me on!

Other participants in Jordan’s GWP are:

• in gratefulness by Lora LeBreck
• April Group Writing Project: Savoring The Season by Ivy
• In-between seasons by Michelle (The Beartwinsmom)
• Savoring the Season by phyllis
• A Letter To My Childless Friends by Mama Zen
• Savoring Spring by Daisy
• Savouring the season(s) by Jen
• April 2 by tiffany (threeringcircus)
• Savoring the Season: MamaBlogga March/April Group Writing Project by Julie Arduini
• ‘Tis The Season to Enjoy Some Mommy Time by Jenny
• to everything there is a season by boogiemum
• Makes-Me-Smile Monday: The best of times, the worst of times” by Jane of What About Mom?
• Purpose by Christy
• What a Difference a Week Makes by warillever
• Savoring Spring by Deb - Mom of 3 Girls
• Signs of Spring in Ottawa by Barbara (MomOnTheGo)
• The Sweet and the Savored by Ursula
• Savoring the season… by melissa lightfoot
• Spring Has Sprung by Jill
• Better Safe, Than Sorry by Jackie
• Savor the seasons of motherhood by Jordan (MamaBlogga)

Check them out!

To our dear sweet children~ 

You’ll get over it…. 

• When we tell you NO to things you want…..  one day you will see that you have more than you will ever need.
• When we do not allow you to have time with the TV or computer whenever you want…. there is a reason they call it a “brain drain”.
• When you ask, “Do you want me to be bored?” our answer is yes! Go read a book, draw a picture, think about something. Crying isn’t going to get you anywhere.  We don’t ride your emotional roller-coaster.  We have  a big picture in mind and we are staying the course.
• When you say incredulously again, “YOU WANT ME TO ME BORED?”  we simply say yes….. again.  Go play, read, draw, think, create!
• When we make you go outside, for some fresh air.  We have been given a beautiful gift in God’s creation….one day you will see that.

We love you with all our hearts and that is why we say NO, NO, NO.  Maybe we will start teaching it to you in several languages, so we can mix up the No saying. 

Bored is a good, good thing. Because if you sit still for a few minutes, and move past the boredom, stop fighting and crying and learn to control yourself, something new and amazing will come to you and you will be so deeply involved that you will forget that you were ever bored. 

Trust me we know this things, we know you’ll get over it and be better for it!

Our deepest love,

Your parents!

I went to Goodwill today and got 2 canvases for ten bucks.  I am very excited about that. I see a little painting in my future.  Ah yes, one of my favorite ways to unwind ……and… I found a new blog through dollymama.  It is her Moms story of dealing with her Mom’s journey through Alzheimer’s.  I am hooked after 2 posts.  If you know anyone who is dealing with this in their family, this blog may be a great source of encouragement.  Ma is Losing it will become a favorite read of yours.

I’ve been thinking through some foundational traditions we are instilling as a family.  I am also reading Winn Griffins,  God’ EPIC Adventure and putting some ideas together in my brain.

When our kids are 5, Mike takes them out on a “date” and shares with them the detailed story of our faith and God’s people.  In our faith community, at 13 the kids (boys at this point because non of the girls have reached thirteen yet) have a coming out thingy.  Our version of a bar mitzvah. 

I was thinking about baptism and how the catholic church does, confirmation.  In some cases it is dead or programmatic for people, but for many catholic Christians a very deep and meaningful experience, as it should be.  I have been wondering about that in our context.  Could we do something equally formational, as  a pillar in a young ones life that they will look back on for all time?

Yes, I think we can and we should.  So Mike and I have been toying with the idea, (clearly ripped off from Alpha) about taking Jackson on his 7th birthday on a “Holy Spirit” weekend.  With some of the older people in our community for a special time just for Jackson, and then the rest of our kids when they the appropriate age and ready to handle it.

Here is the time-line I have been thinking about.

• 0-5 - marinating in the family rhythm of faith.  Beginning to learn the story of our faith and our people.  Special lessons on their level  where they can grasp the mystery appropriately.  Specific emphasis on Jesus as the Good Shepherd as opposed to heaven/hell.
• around 5 as the Spirit leads - special date with Daddy where they really get to put together the pieces of the “good news”.  This is where Mike invites them to make Jesus their King.  It was very interesting when he did this with Jackson.  At the very moment Mike thought he would say yes just because he was Dad,  he didn’t.  He actually thought about it and said, “I want to wait until my birthday.”  Which was a few months away.  Then one day he road up to me on his bike after he had been out riding and he said, “Mom I decided to ask Jesus to be my king.” and road off.  I said something very unspiritual like, “Wow honey that is great, Jesus is so happy to be your king.”
• 5-7 Growing in understanding of that. A deeper requirement of them sitting and at least listening to discussions in our faith community, even if it is just coloring what they hear.
• around 7 -Special “Holy Spirit” weekend and baptism.
• 7-13 Training in the ways of the kingdom. Various activities determined by parents that are formational for disciples of Jesus.
• 13 - coming out party into man/womanhood. Presented with a purity gift and clear discussions about dating etc.
• 13 - 18 really helping and allowing our kids to determine their calling and what they are made for.  This is a “together” process.  International missions travel encouraged at this time.

I am learning that each stage and phase of a child’s development needs to be met with intentionality on the parents part.  It looks different at every stage, but there is an underlying process that is happening.  There isn’t any really clear defined road map for parenting, or training your kids up in the ways of the kingdom, so each family may choose to do this differently.  These are just a few of the things Mike and I have been kicking around!

Peace to all parents today!

I am so excited.  They are in the mail:-)  I’ve been wanting to create a “calling card” for our family.  I meet so many Moms in the neighborhood, that I thought it would be good to have a quick card to give them then the typical rummage through your bag or whatever and print it on a napkin routine. Not to mention, I like to throw neighborhood parties and it is easy to use this as a way to get the word out! 

I combined my recent photo exploration with moo mini cards and have the perfectly unique and artsy calling card.  I get to leave a little bit of me with whoever I meet.  Any Diva needs to have some of these in her bag of tricks. I am off to drop them off!  Make some of your own.

Chloe upon waking~

 ”Mommy, Daddy prayed for me last night and it really worked!  I am going to have a much better day!”

 Ah - music to my weary ears!

Jupiter has its own organic brew made locally.  I think the earth just shifted off of its axis!

I wonder if it is any good and if it is sold around the country or just locally?  Who says Jupiter isn’t an urban hip, happening, place to live. Hey… we do have the beach.

Last Jan. about 15 months ago, God was gently leading me to lay down my striving and trust Him in a deeper way. The last 15 months have been an amazing, beautiful and hard process of dying to what I think is important and waking up to what He says is important for me and my discipleship to Him.

Yes, I love being home with our children and homeschooling them but it does not define who I am. I want to make sure I continue to work on me outside of our kids, because there will be a day that they are building their own life and if I haven’t spent time on me, then it will be tough sledding.

I can say I would not trade any of it. One of the unique things about me learning to rest and be still, has been deep, deep bubbling in me. Isn’t that a product of learning to rest, the real you can come out and play? One of those things is my artistic development. If I had to do it all over again, I would of gone in a completely different route in regards to where I put my energies, with high-school and college. So, I am working through the book The Artists Way.

I feel like for the first time in my life, outside of my call to ministry, I am discovering who I was made to be, what I love and what feeds me. It is funny, that it is almost as far away from what I had been working towards as imaginable. So I am putting together my Etsy page, thinking through what I want to paint and photograph and will spend the next 15-18 months digging into that. I am deeply excited. Kind of like a kid in a candy shop.

More to come.

I have been reading God’s Epic Adventure by Winn Griffin.   It is a very good foundational read on helping one read through the bible accurately.  I highly recommend the book.

Most western Christians have been taught to read the bible as a self help book, or memorize one verse here and one verse there.  We hear topical sermons and read one story or chapter at a time and never get the broad sweep of the story of God’s people. This book along with some of NT Wrights books are helping Mike and I think through how we continue telling the story of our God and our faith to our children and those people God brings into our lives to serve.  Check it out!

Sunrise somewhere over St. Augustine Florida!

I know, I know I am behind the times with face book.  Hey it wouldn’t be the first time.  I know several homeschool high schoolers who read my blog and I thought of them when I found this on face book.

It cracked me up and thought they might find it funny too!

The time change has been KILLING me!  For me, getting up before the kids, has helped us all have a great attitude to start our day.  However, we havn’t  gotten back to our early morning rhythm. 

Before Christmas, I was up, showered, exercised, spent time with God and gotten my head about me before our day began.  It was lovely.  Hard to do, but worth it 100 times over in the way I approached my day.  Our homeschool week this week has been less than smooth and I have had to really be on top of my attitude with the kids.  Practice speaking gently, consistently instead of short and snippy.

I love that it is staying light later, but can we just keep it one way all the time, so that Mom’s and Dad’s with kids do not have to take 2 months of reworking things to get back to “normal”?  It is different now that our kids are older.  Instead of just putting them to bed at 7 we hear “WHAT! That is impossible it is still the middle of the day!”

I am starting a petition! Who is with me?

God is so good to lead me.  Often times, it takes pain to see what He is up to, but ultimately, if you are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, you will be lead in His ways.

Before we left for Peru, there had been a few things Mike and I had been praying about.  One of them was me working again a bit in order to bring in some funds to pay off a debt that has been hanging over our head for 3 years.  This year, I had the courage to pray and ask God to give us the resources to get this thing done with by the end of the year.

I was approached about starting a small music class again at the local community center.  We thought, maybe it may be a way that God would provide for this particular need.  So I started the class and yesterday was the second class. Yesterday, Leading up to the class was so stressful, our school rhythm was completely trashed, my attitude was horrible, and I was scrambling to find child care at the last minute.  Exactly what I went through every week, all the years I worked when the kids were small.

That is what I laid down and left, when God called us to homeschool. Our life has been so gentle and peaceful, because I have been gentle and peaceful without the stress of having to be somewhere else.  Even just one hour a week, still ruined an entire day.  So no work for me.  God will provide in other miraculous and mysterious ways.

I feel like a million pounds has been lifted off my back.  It is very freeing to simply trust God and see what happens.  In the end it is his faithfulness in every situation that sees you through.

Happy, homeschooling, non-working, stay at home Mom, signing off.

Peace to all!

I was praying the other day about our time in Peru.  I got a picture of an iceberg in my “minds eye”.  Then I felt like God was saying to me “Icebergs look like they are slow and unmoving on the surface, however underneath, in the unseen parts, is where the action is. Large shifts are happening.  Things are breaking loose, being set free, being destroyed etc. etc. ”

I would say that that image perfectly describes our Peruvian experience. Now after being home a little over a week, Mike and I continue to pray through our time in Peru.  Our re-entry has been fairly painless. God is refining and redefining many things for us.  We both feel like we will point back to that time for years to come as a “water shed” moment on many levels.

The kids yesterday asked, why we didn’t have any Tiko’s here.  They still pretend to play with their Spanish friends they met in Peru in their free play at home, and the speak gibberish as if they speak Spanish. I think that exposing yourself and your family to an international, missions experience is formative on so many levels.  Even just a week, causes you to see things differently.  You walk a little more quietly, you think a little more holistically.  Really priceless stuff. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend it.

More to come!

Zabs or Lora or anyone else there out there know how to import their blog post to their face-book?

Jackson: “Mommy, what is a fancy word for asks a lot of questions?”

Me: Umm, well lets look one up.

Jackson:  I think it is inquisitive.  Is that right Mama?

Me: You are right.

Jackson:  Mama, I am very inquisitive.

Yes son we know!  At times, your inquisitiveness wears us out!

I was in a grocery store.  I was standing at a produce counter with a man dressed in “travel” gear who was Australian I think, although we both spoke Spanish.  We had our conversation in both English and Spanish.  (A little side note - I routinely have dreams in which I am speaking fluent Spanish addressing a crowd of people.  Every time I dream this, I think wow I am speaking Spanish, and I usually have a  vague feel for what I am saying. Forsome reason I am wearing a business suit in past dreams.)

There were 2 young women standing in front of me who were Indian in traditional Indian dress with bendis/saris etc. The “travel” man was handing me fruit (that I had in Peru).  It wasn’t right out for everyone to get at, but tucked deep down in the center of the fruit stand. He was using a large machete to begin to cut open the fruit and then handed it to me half cut.  I then took a smaller knife, prepared the fruit the rest of the way and handed it to each of the women.  I taught them about the fruit and they ate and enjoyed the new flavor and texture. As far as I could tell, the 2 women didn’t really clue in to the Australian traveler, they were dealing directly with me.

The Australian “travel” man and I would converse in Spanish about these two women.  We both had some understanding of what the two women needed and he was guiding me on how to speak to them.  They both were very thankful and appreciative of the gift of fruit, hugged me and then left.

Then I woke up!  

Every night before I go to bed, I ask God to speak to me in my dreams, and give me deeper insight into his kingdom and what He is up to. I also pray this over our children. He routinely does. I believe this was a dream from God.  I have a bit of understanding of what it is about, but would love to hear any “interpretations” from those who feel that God is giving them a deeper understanding!

I am finding the more I am willing to submit to what God is doing in my life and be present to the season He has me in, the more fufulled and content I feel.  Let me “splain”:-)  Parenting young children 5 and under is a very taxing and physically intensive season of parenting. The more you have and the closer they are the harder it is.  There are days you wonder if you will ever have you body back and not be constantly doing something for,  or cleaning up after your young charges. 

But I am here to say that as your children grow and mature (mine are now 6,4.5 and 3) that exahustion disipates. I don’t want to send them away or have a break. You enjoy them and their little thoughts and games and songs and general sillyness.  We take walks together now and I don’t need all the parifianalia.  I don’t have to hold all three of them while we cross the street, they just stop, look and cross along with me of their own valition.  No more diapers or diaper bags.

I will say that some good family habits have helped me feel a bit more free.  All of us having alone time every day was  a great first start.  Mom’s night out everyonce in awhile after the kids are in bed, family walks and clean up time before bed helps me keep the house in order as a team and consistent dates with the hubby all makes for a happy, healthy, Mommy. So, now I don’t want to send them away, I want to learn with them and from them and enjoy this very litte slice of time that I have with them. 

Being Present helps me see all that God is doing in me, through me and around me.  I highly recommend it.  As soon as you stop thinking about that grocery list, or something you need to do next week, and start observing the space you are in and digging into what God has you doing at that particular moment, the better you feel as a Mom with young ones.

Just my 2 cents for the day!

Peace to all~

Here is how I  built a composter for less than half the price of those pricey mail order ones.

Step 1: Purchase a plant tray that will accept a  5 gallon bucket with room to spare.

Step 2: Drill several holes around the bottom of the 5 gallon bucket.

Step 3: Fill half way with some compost from your local garden center.

Step4: Add your red wigglers. They are the best worm for effective, speedy composting. 

I bought these online and they arrived in about 2 days. 1,000 should get you moving along nicely.

Step 4: Thoroughly wet your mixture and store in a cool place out of direct sun.  The sun will fry those little composting worms, so keep them wet and out of the sun. Begin adding your organic contents from your kitchen and within a few weeks you will have your own home grown “black gold”. I bought a lid for my bucket, so that “little” hands will stay clear of  it, and to make sure it  does not dry out.  There is no smell. This is a small mini version of what agricultural missionaries are doing around the world.  Helping move people towards sustainable living at the same time creating cleaner, healthier living conditions.

From time to time, water your compost and the “tea” that seeps through will drain into the surronding pan.  This is what you will use to fertilize your plants both inside and out.

We live in a small town house planned community and have no yard.  I plan to put the compost in my potted plants and a small window box garden.  Once my worms have multiplied, I will drop a few of them in and around the soil surrounding our town-home.  The boys, I am sure, will use a few for fishing, and of course, I can share the wealth with any of my local friends who want to start their own composters.

The kids are having fun with this one!  It is a great learning tool! So what are you waiting for people?Get Composting!

offered in passing…..

Jackson: “Mommy, I think your way is much better than my way.  It doesn’t make such a gloppy mess.”

Great Scott can we get those words engraved and posted somewhere to refer to often?

Thanks Cathy!  The kids are counting by 2’s up a storm. When we grow out of it, I will pass it along as well. 

I am a little late to the game with this but am hopping on board in hopes to deepen our family nature study.  In yr1 I have really worked on habit training, basic skills and learning an overall family rhythm to homeschooling. So things like artist study, nature study, foreign language and music study have been a “catch as catch can” as my father in law would say. There but not scheduled, more just when we thought of it.

Now, I am planning for these things within our homeschooling week and am excited to have someone giving a little structure and many others participating so I can learn.  Let’s face it, when you home-school, Mama’s are usually learning new things right along with their kids.  Most of us didn’t get this type of education ether. I also plan to read  Pocket-full of Pinecones in conjunction with this to inspire me along.

Shh, Look who came to our feeder last night. 

Enjoy the beautiful day!

Just need to get our own GPS!

A week before we left, we hung a bird-feeder outside our kitchen window.  It was full of seed, and no little tweeties to be seen for the entire week.  We left it wondering if any little tweeties would find it.

The kids burning question about their home was…”I wonder if the birds found our feeder and if it has any food in it?”  Well, I am happy to report it was empty when we returned. Our feathered friends are making their way to our kitchen window for some grub. I hope to capture some good shots.  We also have some new duck families who just moved into our neighborhood pond.

In other news, we got all of the materials for our kitchen composter and the worms are on their way. Heavenly Days…I will keep you posted on that one.  Our family walks after dinner resumed last night.  I had this idea that I wanted the children to have a memory of walking at dusk as a family. On our walk, we cut several flowers and leaves around our neighborhood and made some pretty little flower arrangements around the house.    

Chenoa inspired me in Peru.  She always had fresh cut flowers in her home from her yard.  

AH yes, spring is in the air. The house is open, the wind is blowing the children are playing. Life is good.

Many of you may be shocked and horrified at this post.  Sorry…. well kind of because this is about as real as it gets for me. 

For many years now, I have been processing through politics and my faith.  You see, while I was in college, I spent a very small amount of time in Florida Blue Key which is the collegiate level of politics.  Let me just say, if that is a small microcosm of what happens on a National Level, I am skeptical to say the least. 

Every time I go down the road of even educating myself on the possible candidates, every sort of whistle and bell goes of in my mind.  For me, I just can’t vote with any passion, because although I am thankful for my country, my allegiance is to the King of Kings and Jesus is the only person that can heal anyone or anything.  In my mind, it is incredibly hard to be authentic in one and do the other. I am sure there are people who can very well, I just can’t right now.  Maybe one day I will.  I wonder if Jesus was walking the earth right now, if he would even give a hoot about the elections?

I remember the day distinctly, when it hit my like a ton of bricks.  I was sitting in a very large church service and the pastor read the passage form Isaiah about “If my people who are called by my name…etc. etc. etc. and related the whole thing to America. I almost stood up and said “Excuse me sir, isn’t this passage dealing with the nation of Israel and not America?”  That was when things went a little south for me, and I am still trying to make since of it all. Seriously, I couldn’t even have my kids go to AWANA because they were making them pledge to the American flag and the bible.  All I could think was, NO WAY!  I don’t want our kids to think that being an American means they follow Jesus or even worse vice versa.   That is a whole other discussion.

Don’t get me wrong.  I am all for Honor and service and submission to authority, just as long as we know we we are honoring, serving and submitting to.  OK - I don’t have tattoos and a nose ring, I don’t live on a commune, I am just an ordinary person, who lives in a suburb and drives a minivan by the way, trying to make since of all of this political stuff as it relates to my discipleship to Jesus.  So. Shane Claiborn’s book Jesus for President is on my reading list.

I am almost scared to ask, but any comments?

I know I know… you missed me! So who is Ollanta you ask.  The terrorist who tried to become president of Peru a few months ago. He actually got 49% of the vote and just got our of prison. The day we left for Lima, the plane we were set to go out on, was delayed because he was coming in on that plane.  There were flags waving and a band playing and tons of “supporters” cheering him on, and oh yeah riot police making sure nothing got out of hand.  He looked very normal in jeans and a white t-shirt. I guess terrorists look like everyone else.

So Lima was good.  We had a restful time with The Morgan’s and Mike was able to make that trip to Chincha.  I never made it to the market. Carol was sick.  I felt so bad for her. It was pretty bad. Oh darn, I guess we will have to go back! The weather was hot and felt a bit more like home.  We processed even more of our trip.  It is always helpful to have a good idea of what you have just come through in order to own it more deeply.

Our trip home was uneventful. The kids did well and we got home around 8 and went to bed at 9.  Wow is it good to sleep in your own bed. Today we unpacked, reorganized did laundry and spent time with our church family.  Tomorrow we begin getting back into our school rhythm and getting used to being in our own home again.  For those of you who are wondering.  Our house is still standing and in one piece.  So renting out your house turned out to be a pretty good deal and we plan to do it again. 

So in the next weeks, I plan to write a series of posts hoping to unpack all that God said and clarified for Mike and I over the last 5 weeks.

Talk to you Tomorrow!

Tomorrow we leave for Lima and then back on to the states.  This trip has been full of LOTS of learning experiences.  Here are a few things I want to remember here, you know for posterity and such. 

Things to bring next time:

• 2 bottles of children’s/adult Tylenol.2 bottles of children/adult pepto
• a large box of band-aids
• actually, now that I think of it a first aid kit.
• a box of Legos or building type toy.
• a finger nail brush, to scrub those dirty little hands.

Things not to bring again:

• We could of packed even lighter.  Mike does not share this conviction, however, he did not do the laundry every day.

Things to think about:

Although, before children, spending 6 weeks abroad was a good time frame that allowed us to fully experience and develop deep relationships in a given location, we feel that 5 weeks this time, as a family was too long.  There are a few reasons. Is it really possible for a family of 5 to be completely involved in any given community fully  in such a short period of time?  Mike and I had hoped so, but see now that you would need a much longer period of time.  Minimum 1 year but more likely, as we have found even in south Florida, 2-3 years.  

Things we will miss:

• The view of the city at night and the mountains by day.
• Little dogs wearing sweaters.
• All the new nature and wildlife we have seen.
• Not having to drive everywhere.
• Being able to walk out my front door within a block, find a store with something I need.
• The ability to be immersed in a new culture and learn some of the ins and outs.
• Of course our friends living here in Peru.

Gifts We Will Be Taking Away:

• Absence makes the heart grow fonder. We are deeply thankful for the people that God has called together in South Florida.
• Deeper vision of the work back home.
• A reality check on why we moved to Jupiter, Florida in the first place.
• A love for the body of Christ in all its varied forms.
• Deep Thankfulness for all of the friends and family who have believed in us, supported us and prayed for us on this adventure.

I am not sure how our connection will be in Lima, so  I may  not be around for a few days.

See you all soon!

You must read the previous post in order to understand this one!

Language is so important!  Here is a story.  I was about 8, church basement, Wednesday night, Grey Awana uniform on, sitting in a assembly of my peers listening to a “talk” give by one of the Awana leaders. He asked a simple question, “How many of you have been to Spain?” to which everyone raised their hand.  I was the only one who hadn’t raised their hand.  I was very confused. (My word, these kids were well travelled and cultured what with all of them going to Spain and such.)  Slowly but surly, every one started saying, “Come on, yes you have, yes you have.”  to which I honestly replied “No, really I havn’t.”  Finally we all determined the confusion.  What he said was “How many of you have been spanked… not….. been to Spain.”  We all had a good laugh.

Language is important, being heard is also important but being understood is vital.  (I believe I will write a pithy post on that one day.) We all trip around these fine points many times in our lives, on both sides of a conversation.

You see, everyone else in the car, was on the same page except for me.  I know, shocking really.  They all understood Chenoa to mean that when she said “She ate them.” she meant the mother dog not the owner lady.  Still disturbing really, but I don’t know that I would of thought so much about it if I had a asked a few more questions.  Questions are really, helpful tools in getting you pointed in the right direction in every conversation. 

Ask many of them people!

The Styrons have a cute little Chiwawa.  They call him ”Tiko” after the little yellow taxis that run around here.  Yesterday, they told us of how a few years ago, they allowed their male “Tiko” to breed with a local woman’s female chiwawa.  She had 2 sweet puppies…like this.  Isn’t that sweet? I know adorable right?!

The only troubling part to this story, is she didn’t keep them, or sell them or give them away….SHE ATE THEM! 

I am leaving a big space just to let that sink in for effect. Can Somebody say PETA? I think I will always remember that car ride  the rest of my life, Chenoa was wearing pink, the kids where quietly sitting in the back, Mike was turning a corner and Chenoa mouthed the word “eat” in Spanish so the kids didn’t hear. It is burned in my brain.

Honestly, I had trouble sleeping last night.  All I kept thinking was, “Why, did she do that?”, “How did she do it?”, “Did she fry them like a cuy…or stew them?”  “What did she do with the uneatable parts?”, “Is there much meat on them?, I mean they are small little dogs and puppies are even smaller.”, “Did she have to fatten them up?” Really people…. the questions are unending.  I tell you what, those Styrons have some stories to tell.

Our family was sitting at the dinner table with another couple sharing about our lives etc.  I had asked the couple to tell us about what they were doing in ministry.  The sweet older man started with “I got saved at 9 and…” and Jackson stopped him and said, “Saved from what?”  The man said “Hell”  and Jackson looked at us a little perplexed.   Jackson said “Saved from Hell?” and looked at him strangely.  He smiled and said “I will let your Mom and Dad deal with that one.” Jackson then looked at us questioningly.  We translated for him and said, “When he was 9 he decided to make Jesus his king and let him be the leader of his life.”  Jackson looked at him and said “Oh, I decided to do that at 5.” The man gently smiled at him and said “Good for you!” and then we went on with the discussion.  We had to adjust the language for him to understand what we were talking about.

This same type of thing happened for us last summer.  We were visiting a friends house, and she starting singing the song with the verse, “Don’t let Satan (blow) it out, I’m going to let it shine.”  Jackson stopped the whole song with, “Who is Satan?”.  Talk about feeling like the slacker Mom who doesn’t teach her kids.

It was at that awkward point, I realized, we don’t really focus on all of that with our kids being so young.  We focus on Jesus and his Lordship and his kingdom and that their are those in the kingdom and those outside of the kingdom waiting to be invited into the kingdom of God through Jesus and that we, as God’s peole get to do that. I think, for young children, if we focus on the person of Jesus and his great love for us, his shepherding and protection of his people and the opportunity to allow him to lead us, a very natural allegiance to him as King will develop without the unhealthy “fire insurance” that inoculates people to discipleship to Jesus.  I’ve prayed a prayer and now I am good and I don’t have to really follow Him with my real life.

So know that Jackson has deeper understanding, these topics (Satan and hell) are naturally coming up and we discuss them together.  It has been really good studying about people from ancient Rome.  We then talked about the armor of God and what we are fighting as God’s people.  He is always bringing that up now, as a 6.5 year old boy as he wants to fight battles.

My prayer is that Mike and I gently lead our children into the kingdom of God, always placing importance on discipleship to Jesus and his kingship. I wanted to leave it here in case it may be helpful to someone else.

Grace and Peace to all!

• 5 in a row and the books that go with it.
• Laminated World Map for the wall. 

 Well, I thought I would try this again.  My new friend has an abacus for me and is sending it my way:-)  Isn’t blogging/social networking fun!  I have made many new friends and relationships through this blog and it never ceases to amaze me how people find me, and how I find them. 

So - I have decided to use 5 in a row for my youngest 2 starting this summer.  Any Diva out there have it and the books that go with it they want to pass along?  Also a laminated wall map or know where I can get a non-laminated one for free?

 I will pay for shipping and swap you something as well. 

Mike did not go to Chincha.  The plane flight was cancelled and the kids,and secretly I, were thrilled that he stayed home.  Now  I know it was God because he is sick in bed (again) with a dose of cipro in his body. You can actually buy prescription drugs over the counter here.  Just tell them what you want and they give it to you.  Hopefully that will knock things out and he will be back on track tomorrow.  I am thankful he didn’t end up sick in Chincha.  The kids and I are doing well and hope to stay that way until we return home.

Warning you may want to skip this post! 

Well, I havn’t blogged in several days.  Our time is coming to an end here in Peru and I typically like to leave a small account of daily thoughts or experiences as a way to process what God is doing from day to day. However, the last few days, my heart has been too heavy to write. I have been unable to really process our time here. I’ve been walking around with a lump in my throat, like a good deep cry may bring some clarity.  Many questions are running through our hearts and minds.  What I do know, is that Mike and I need some answers from God. 

Thankfully, I am not my emotions and Jesus is in control and brings good out of everything.  I kept thinking, this will pass, I am over tired and too emotional.  But it isn’t passing. Have you ever been there?  Felt like you where following Jesus and then one moment you look up and you think, “Oh Man, I think I really missed it?”.  Wow that is a hard place.

I guess one of the challenges of being a disciple of Jesus is to really be in tune and listening and watching for what He is doing at all times…and not make assumptions for what you think He may be doing. Maybe I will go cry a river and wake up tomorrow and be “by still waters”.  The good thing about times like this, is that it makes you hungry for the Lord.  Just becuase things are hard doesn’t mean that God is not working and that a better place will never come.  It does…it will.  I feel the need to apologize for this post, but then again, this is my blog and my process.  I am just not going to apologize for myself anymore.

So, Today I am quitting.  I am throwing in the towel and going to go out and scream at the sky, because I know I can and that I am still loved in the midst of it.  I guess I will hire myself again tomorrow, or maybe I won’t. If we didnt’ have jobs and people who love us back home, Mike and I may just keep on travelling, looking, asking, knocking. 

Anyone want to knock with me?  Better yet, anyone want to knock for me, becuase today I can’t even knock.