My oldest son had his birthday party last night. He opted for a sleepover again this year.
Around 5 pm, his friends started to arrive. Video games began, but we convinced the crew to go outside while they had some daylight and decent weather. We ordered a couple of pizzas and I made two more for variety and healthier options. (Mine were made on a thin whole wheat crust piled with veggies and just a smattering of cheese.)
After dinner, the boys launched into a boxing tournament on the Kinect. They had a blast. We had brackets and paired them against each other until a victor emerged. They were hot and sweaty and ready for ice cream cake.
The rest of the evening progressed as any sleepover does; more games, a couple of movies and talking until they were too tired to stay awake. The chatter ended at about 11:15.
This year I suggested to my son that we ask his guests not to bring gifts. He willingly consented. He knew he would get what he really wanted from his family and recognized that he's abundantly blessed already. I let the parents know that we only wanted their kids' "presence" at this party. I learned later this simple request was much appreciated.
What really touches my heart as I watch my sweet boy, now 11 years old and just a scant 8 inches shorter than me, grow up is that he isn't just growing taller or older. My dear child is growing in maturity, spiritually and emotionally.
Thank you, Lord, for my son who grows in "wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Thank you for answering my prayers and helping him grow up a little bit more according to your plan.
Saturday, February 25
Thursday, February 23
Blessings
After learning of Kirk's disease and just a short eleven days later, learning of his death, I've been in emotional overload. God, though, draws near to the brokenhearted and the crushed in spirit. I hope others grieving over Kirk, or any other loss, take comfort in know God is there, He is listening, and He does answer prayers...
...My Abba, my Father has sent me two glorious days of warm (unseasonably warm, actually) sunshine.
...He has filled this world with flowers, birds and butterflies, and allowed me to observe them in the most unexpected places at unexpected times in unexpected numbers.
...He has guided me to enjoy the tastes and pleasures of health and vibrancy through foods and flavors I never would have sought without His nudging to honor Him with my body.
...He has given me the awesome privilege of raising, loving, and nurturing four beautiful children. I get the humbling honor of their discipleship and the heart-warming, joyful experience of seeing Him work in their lives.
...He has blessed me with a husband who cherishes me, our children, and loves the Lord.
...My Father, my Lord reconnected me to people from which I had parted ways due to changes in location and seasons of life. I praise Him for the wonders of technology! These dear, amazing, triumphant, inspirational people shape me in ways they many never know and I am blessed by them daily.
...He pours out His abundance through my work, new opportunities, and new adventures. He gives me new mercies every morning. He is my strength, my shield, my comfort, my stronghold.
Thank you, Lord for hearing my cries, lifting me up, showing me your beauty and bounty. Thank you for your blessings.
...My Abba, my Father has sent me two glorious days of warm (unseasonably warm, actually) sunshine.
...He has filled this world with flowers, birds and butterflies, and allowed me to observe them in the most unexpected places at unexpected times in unexpected numbers.
...He has guided me to enjoy the tastes and pleasures of health and vibrancy through foods and flavors I never would have sought without His nudging to honor Him with my body.
...He has given me the awesome privilege of raising, loving, and nurturing four beautiful children. I get the humbling honor of their discipleship and the heart-warming, joyful experience of seeing Him work in their lives.
...He has blessed me with a husband who cherishes me, our children, and loves the Lord.
...My Father, my Lord reconnected me to people from which I had parted ways due to changes in location and seasons of life. I praise Him for the wonders of technology! These dear, amazing, triumphant, inspirational people shape me in ways they many never know and I am blessed by them daily.
...He pours out His abundance through my work, new opportunities, and new adventures. He gives me new mercies every morning. He is my strength, my shield, my comfort, my stronghold.
Thank you, Lord for hearing my cries, lifting me up, showing me your beauty and bounty. Thank you for your blessings.
Tuesday, February 21
To Be Like Kirk
Kirk died today. I can't believe it. We take for granted that friends are "out there", that loved ones are OK and they know. They know we love them. Right?
I received the message that Kirk was fading fast and immediately sent a text to him. I just checked the time stamp. I sent it one minute after he had officially passed. I just wanted him to know I loved him. What a special man. What a sad loss.
We don't always take time to tell people we love them, that we care, that we are thinking about them. We make assumptions. We focus on our own lives, our own needs.
And now, in spite of my sorrow, I have to laugh. I'm laughing because this missed opportunity is exactly the reason why Kirk said we would not be a good match long-term. We were too much alike. I sit here feeling sorry that I missed my opportunity to say good-bye. And, just as I was thinking about how he emailed me his phone number so I could text him, and how I didn't text him until too late, and then wondering whether he thought anything of it...I had to laugh. Because, he didn't think anything of it. I know he didn't. He might have very well done the same thing. Then, my mind drifted to an email he sent me well over a decade ago.
He was stationed in the Middle East and had come home on leave. For nearly a year prior to his PCS and then frequently while he was home, we spent a lot of time together. After he went back overseas, I sent him an email asking what we were to each other. We weren't dating per se, but it kind of felt like it sometimes. I just wanted his take on it.
In classic Kirk form, he responded only after a lot of prayer and consideration. Ultimately, he said we were too much alike. He said that he needed an accountant-type person, someone who remembered to send cards on birthdays, didn't put things off, get distracted, etc. Anyone who knows me know I'm not that person. Kirk and I were perfect friends. We totally got each other.
So here I am regretting that I put off that phone call. Yet, in my regret, I remember and I smile. I know it was OK. We exchanged several emails in the last week. He knew I cared for him deeply and admired his godliness. And, he never thought anything about me not texting him, because he knew me. And, we were too much alike.
Of course, now I'm crying again. I will miss him. But like I wrote in my previous post (oh, and he was only 53, by the way), I hope to be like him. I aspire to be "too much" like him and hope at the end of my days, my legacy is even a fraction of his.
I love you, Kirk. I know you are right where you want to be. We'll catch up soon enough.
I received the message that Kirk was fading fast and immediately sent a text to him. I just checked the time stamp. I sent it one minute after he had officially passed. I just wanted him to know I loved him. What a special man. What a sad loss.
We don't always take time to tell people we love them, that we care, that we are thinking about them. We make assumptions. We focus on our own lives, our own needs.
And now, in spite of my sorrow, I have to laugh. I'm laughing because this missed opportunity is exactly the reason why Kirk said we would not be a good match long-term. We were too much alike. I sit here feeling sorry that I missed my opportunity to say good-bye. And, just as I was thinking about how he emailed me his phone number so I could text him, and how I didn't text him until too late, and then wondering whether he thought anything of it...I had to laugh. Because, he didn't think anything of it. I know he didn't. He might have very well done the same thing. Then, my mind drifted to an email he sent me well over a decade ago.
He was stationed in the Middle East and had come home on leave. For nearly a year prior to his PCS and then frequently while he was home, we spent a lot of time together. After he went back overseas, I sent him an email asking what we were to each other. We weren't dating per se, but it kind of felt like it sometimes. I just wanted his take on it.
In classic Kirk form, he responded only after a lot of prayer and consideration. Ultimately, he said we were too much alike. He said that he needed an accountant-type person, someone who remembered to send cards on birthdays, didn't put things off, get distracted, etc. Anyone who knows me know I'm not that person. Kirk and I were perfect friends. We totally got each other.
So here I am regretting that I put off that phone call. Yet, in my regret, I remember and I smile. I know it was OK. We exchanged several emails in the last week. He knew I cared for him deeply and admired his godliness. And, he never thought anything about me not texting him, because he knew me. And, we were too much alike.
Of course, now I'm crying again. I will miss him. But like I wrote in my previous post (oh, and he was only 53, by the way), I hope to be like him. I aspire to be "too much" like him and hope at the end of my days, my legacy is even a fraction of his.
I love you, Kirk. I know you are right where you want to be. We'll catch up soon enough.
Friday, February 10
Reeling from the Unexpected
Every day God reminds me He is in control. Not me. Not ever.
For the second time in just as many months, I am shocked by the devastation of cancer in the life of someone I know and love.
Just today, I learned that a dear friend went to the hospital last week with a sudden onset of back and leg pain. He later received news that his body is riddled with cancer lesions. Doctors give him 3-6 months and he has already moved to hospice. From back pain to hospice. Just like that.
He'll turn 55 next Friday.
And yet, his prayer is to remain pain-free and functional for as long as God allows and that in each day he has left he can continue a fruitful ministry. He doesn't fear death or mourn for anything he might lose from this life or resent the hand dealt to him. He just wants to share the love of God every day that he can with whatever energy he can muster. Wow.
I'm stunned. Stunned at the news. Stunned at his amazing spirit. Stunned by his pure intentions. He is as close to the model of Christ as anyone I've known. He absolutely exemplifies Paul who wrote "Imitate me as I imitate Christ."
All I can do is ponder in my stunned silence. I will pray for him. But moreover I will pray to be like him, to imitate him as he imitates Christ.
For the second time in just as many months, I am shocked by the devastation of cancer in the life of someone I know and love.
Just today, I learned that a dear friend went to the hospital last week with a sudden onset of back and leg pain. He later received news that his body is riddled with cancer lesions. Doctors give him 3-6 months and he has already moved to hospice. From back pain to hospice. Just like that.
He'll turn 55 next Friday.
And yet, his prayer is to remain pain-free and functional for as long as God allows and that in each day he has left he can continue a fruitful ministry. He doesn't fear death or mourn for anything he might lose from this life or resent the hand dealt to him. He just wants to share the love of God every day that he can with whatever energy he can muster. Wow.
I'm stunned. Stunned at the news. Stunned at his amazing spirit. Stunned by his pure intentions. He is as close to the model of Christ as anyone I've known. He absolutely exemplifies Paul who wrote "Imitate me as I imitate Christ."
All I can do is ponder in my stunned silence. I will pray for him. But moreover I will pray to be like him, to imitate him as he imitates Christ.
Friday, February 3
More or Less #2...Update
On a streak...if you consider 2 days in a row a streak. I added a training widget to my blog and am really enjoying Daily Mile. I feel motivated when I share my workouts and enjoy reading what other people write. I feel a definite sense of community on the site, which seems unusual for a social media platform. So, even if I don't update my blog, anyone reading my blog (Hi, Mom!) will see my workout updates.
Other news...I am no longer actively pursuing a new job. After a lot of prayer, wise counsel from friends and a good conversation with my boss, I think God has me right where He wants me for now. Although I don't agree with the way changes were decided upon and executed, I have a lot here for which I feel grateful. I am able to focus on my work without neglecting myself or my family. I enjoy working full-time from home, have a certain confidence that I will get a decent bonus at the end of the year, and really like the annual holiday shutdown. All in all, no real complaints. Once I got over the sting of unexpected change, I feel better, settled and more productive.
More news...Nathan and I started a business together. Just by switching where we purchase health, body and home care products (an online company rather than the local grocer) we are able to save money, use green, non-toxic products, and make commission from the company as friends and family choose to switch their shopping location, too. I'm very impressed with the products so far and can't wait to try more of them. So much better and safer than any of the store and national brands. I love that I am not spending or investing *extra* money. We are just *moving* our money from one store to another store. Brilliant.
Back to work...more soon. Really excited about the month so far. Lots of positive changes. God is SO good!
Other news...I am no longer actively pursuing a new job. After a lot of prayer, wise counsel from friends and a good conversation with my boss, I think God has me right where He wants me for now. Although I don't agree with the way changes were decided upon and executed, I have a lot here for which I feel grateful. I am able to focus on my work without neglecting myself or my family. I enjoy working full-time from home, have a certain confidence that I will get a decent bonus at the end of the year, and really like the annual holiday shutdown. All in all, no real complaints. Once I got over the sting of unexpected change, I feel better, settled and more productive.
More news...Nathan and I started a business together. Just by switching where we purchase health, body and home care products (an online company rather than the local grocer) we are able to save money, use green, non-toxic products, and make commission from the company as friends and family choose to switch their shopping location, too. I'm very impressed with the products so far and can't wait to try more of them. So much better and safer than any of the store and national brands. I love that I am not spending or investing *extra* money. We are just *moving* our money from one store to another store. Brilliant.
Back to work...more soon. Really excited about the month so far. Lots of positive changes. God is SO good!
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