Cruise to God

Last night everyone was talking about the cruise we should take, all the perks and amenities they offer.  Yet, I've never felt the least desire to take one.  And neither has E.  So we're good.  Maybe it's just not the right time to be away from the kids multiple days in a row.  Maybe it's just I have zero interest in a cruise.  I am not a huge adventurer.  I am a home body.  And that's okay!  My God made me this way.  My life quote is: "To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition."  I truly am happiest at home.

Just this weekend, sitting in the back yard with E, I marveled at no matter what, he usually makes what he wants for us happen.  He has always wanted a pool, so he went out and got us an above ground one and it has changed our summer!  The kids are in it all day long.  When we are gone, they are asking if they can swim when we get home.  It has been a hit!  But I love that he took a dream he has for our lives and made it happen now.

He's been looking at homes.  I've been looking at them with him, but we haven't found THE one.  We aren't ready to sell the house we have made our home, so we just window shop until all the cards fall into place and we do or we don't move.  Of course, everyone has an opinion: it's too small, now is the time to buy, blah, blah, blah.  Just as everyone has an opinion about the cruise we should take.  All their voices call out that we are missing out on so much.  There's so much to see, so much to do, so much to own, so much to lose.  It is not in the acquiring of memories that we will lose, but it is the process of missing out on the opportunities that exist in our day to day life that we fail to see when we are busy planning for a fun-filled future.

Just last week E said he wants me to find a mission trip we can take the kids on.  It was his idea, but an idea I had planted in his heart a long time ago.  I might have said that's a trip we really want to take out loud during the cruise discussion and it was met with incredulous wonder and laughter.  And then the talk shifted to all the ways we can help right here locally.  And they are right.  But they are also wrong.  I don't interject my view on how they choose to spend their money or their time.  They can surely respect how we choose to spend ours.

All these outside voices can not drown out the One that truly matters.  The whispering in my soul.  The life we lead may look similar to others on some levels, but it's also different because we really are trying to let Him lead us.  It's okay to be different, even when you wish you weren't.  Don't listen to those voices.  Be who He created you to be and be that person proudly.  

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God--what is good and what is pleasing to him and is perfect."  Romans 12:2

I'm reading the book of Romans this month.  A coincidence that the above verse was His message to me today?  No.  Only God-incidences!

Although no one meant any harm in the discussion, it just made me think.  It also made me remember that by voicing my opinions or thoughts it could come across as judgmental so to just be cautious no matter what the topic.

Spring Break Part Two

Hard to believe that Spring Break is over and done with already!  I can honestly say this was probably the best Spring Break yet!  For being a staycation, it was jam packed with a great combination of play and rest! In addition to our girl's mani/pedi day and arboretum, the big littles visited grandma and grandpa one day to watch a movie, so Nessa and I baked cookies in our time alone.

She's almost a pro.  She likes to do everything on her own.  Everything.

That same night I sneaked away for a bible making session with my book club.  Awhile back I had made a Child Training bible that everyone loved but they knew they wouldn't make their own unless we carved out some time for it, which is exactly what we did.  It was a fun, but focused night together.

Thursday morning I surprised the kids with a trip to the canyon to horse back ride.  As of yet, this is something only Anjalene enjoys, but I thought it was the perfect time for Bubba to try it out too.  He loved it!

It was a gorgeous day to be out and it was so much fun to listen to them go on and on and on the car ride home!  That day continued with a spontaneous park day with some of our book club peeps.  I think at one point there were twenty-one kids.  And in the four hours we were there, no one tattled on anyone else the entire time. Victory!

Friday was the perfect kind of adventure that could only be orchestrated with my dearest BFF in the world. She showed up with Starbucks iced teas in hand and we were off on our last day trip of the week.  We headed to San Juan Capistrano Mission.  Such a rich history.  So much more fun with our families together!

We explored, listened to audio about all the different spots and then walked downtown for lunch.  The weather was a little on the cool side but perfectly pleasant to be out and about.  Towards the end of our time there, Nessa got a little attitude and all she wanted was a carrot, which she may have repeated about fifty times! So frustrating, that girl is sometimes!  She must be four or something!

The kids were dying to go to the beach but us moms weren't dying to take them.  We were cold.  Imagine them in their swimsuits splashing around in that freezing water?  We were too close not to set foot on the beautiful sand so we proceeded to San Onofre beach--pulled right up to the water practically and the kids frolicked in the waves. . .in their clothes.  Except for miss Nessa Bessa who proceeded to climb in the car and change once her jeans were wet.  She does not like wet clothes at all!

They had such a great time! I had such a great time watching! They changed into their bathing suits for the ride home--so what if we did it all backwards?  That was all part of the fun! They didn't even complain the entire Friday drive home--which meant a lot of traffic, but I would do it again in a heartbeat because the minute we got home, Lene hugged me and said, "I had the best time! Thanks Mom!" That right there is what it's all about, stepping out of your comfort zone and making memories.  I can not wait for our beach trips this summer.  I say I'm ready for weekly!

I think the best part of this trip was watching our ten year olds together.  Lene and Lo are a day apart and have been destined to be friends like their mamas.  In the fifth grade vernacular, BFF gets thrown around rather loosely.  One week it's with this person, the next it's with that one.  And sometimes it's hurtful that friendships can seemingly change in the blink of an eye.  So it's important that we  both stress to our girls the importance of longevity and investing in years of friendship before anyone earns that title.  They see us and know it's the real deal.  Real friends really do become family. The idea that they knew each other before they were even born is something only the two of them share and it is neat to watch it develop.  As many friends as they have at school, there's just something special about that friend that you consider family.

No one could really narrow down their favorite part about this Spring Break.  Neither could I.  That's what I call successful!

July 29, 2012

 In an effort to embrace our current home, since we terminated escrow on the other one--we hosted a movie night with some friends and neighborhood kids.  Everyone joined in getting things ready.  Nessa has officially joined the ranks as a helper.  See above. We actually had a house full of guests that afternoon (neighbor kids), which left me a little tired before the festivities began.  I may or may not  have complained just a little bit.

In an effort to keep all those kids busy in the hours leading up to sunset, we got creative with our efforts. The kids decided on a Hollywood theme, so that guests were treated to the walk of fame leading to the back yard.

They drew chalk labels as to where one could find the essentials:  nachos, licorice, kettle corn and drinks.  Since it was such a last minute, spontaneous kind of event, we kept it simple and low key which none of the kids minded a bit!

Happy Feet Two was the feature presentation.  The screen was a ten dollar canvas drop cloth from Loewe's, and the projector a Target clearance item for a mere forty-four dollars.  Tons of fun at a fraction of a price! Kids gathered with blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and their treats.  At the movies ending, they danced and had pillow fights while we sat around the fire.  I think everyone had a nice time and it felt good to embrace this place; this season; this neighborhood. . .again.  Looks like we will be around for a while longer, and I'm perfectly content with that...for now.

December 7, 2011

Let's see in the past year alone:

a woman lost one of her sweet twins, born too soon;

a mother of three small children has died;

a married man of over forty years was widowed;

a man rented out his home as he hopes to get back on his feet after health problems and a lack of work has crippled him;

a mom has miscarried;

an older couple deal with the return of their grown daughter's breast cancer;

and now:

a ten-year-old boy dies unexpectedly.

This all within a two block radius.

Two blocks.

 I don't know why I didn't see it sooner.

Your little neighborhood is a mission field.

My friend texted me this when I asked for prayers for the little boy's family.

 She is SO right!

Just two weeks ago I lay in bed asking my husband how he felt about a mission trip instead of an extravagant ten year anniversary trip.

He wasn't exactly on board with that idea for now. . .but this?

Our little neighborhood is a mission field.

The kids find each other easily to play; we must find our neighbors to pray.

This, I am sure he will want to help.  Now.

How can we not?

There are simple things we can do to reach out.

There are yards to rake, meals to make, bread to bake, and gift cards to purchase.

We can make the effort to send a card, make a phone call to check in, send a text message, look them in the eyes when we call out hello and offer ourselves, our time, and our hearts.

I am  feeling called to do some type of grief counseling with the teens in the neighborhood who loved this little boy who passed away like a little brother.

I've worked with teens before; I've run a grief group for kids before;

Not sure what it will look like--but confident it can be done.

My mission field needs me.

Your mission field needs you.

Go out of your house and really pay attention to those around you--

the ones who are suffering in health or spirit.

Use the gifts He gave you.

Find your mission field and let Him use you.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.--1Peter 4:10