Happy

so NOT fun

The kids & I are supposed to be on our way to Texas today for a long vacation... but last week they contracted Hand, Foot & Mouth disease (it has been going around our church for months) so we are having to wait until Friday to make sure they are no longer contagious.

This has been some of the most difficult days for me as a parent - it is never easy to watch your children while they are sick but due to the severity of this illness it has been almost unbearable. There was a definite advantage with Lucy since she could express her pain, her need for medicine, what foods sounded tolerable, etc. But with poor Nate it has been just awful. His voice is hoarse from crying so much and he is so not himself. It is breaking my heart.

When Lucy first got a fever last week and then a sore throat I began praying specifically for it not to be this disease. For it not to affect our travel plans. For it not to affect our weekend with Grandma & Grandpa. For Nate not to get sick. And God answered, "No, no, no, no." I don't know why this is the way it is but I do know I have a choice in my response.

I can get angry, bitter, resentful, questioning His authority, His concern or His plans for us. Or I can continue to trust, praise and honor Him in the midst of unpleasant circumstances. And it has had to be a conscious choice, going against what I "feel" about things.

I have seen too many times the wisdom of His sovereignty and know that His ways are best, even if they are more than uncomfortable for me.

So much FUN

We had the best time this past weekend because my brother, Jason, and his family drove for 2 days and 12 hours to come see us! Lucy and her cousin Gracyn were practically attached by a 6 inch invisible thread while Nate and his cousin Ford were bonding over blocks, balls and trucks. We were so grateful that they came and so blessed by the fun time together.

Stuck

Remember...

I'm sure most of you know about the tragedy that struck the Chapman family over three weeks ago. I saw it on many blogs and was so burdened for them, trying to imagine the depths of their grief and pain. It wasn't hard to do since our daughter is the same age. The hole that would be left in our lives by her absence would be unbelievably and unimaginably huge. But as time goes on, that burden lifted as I once again became consumed in my own world, my own trials and obligations.

Last night I checked the blog of Steven's manager and read again about how the family is still deeply immensed in their sadness and loss. I felt guilty that my prayers for them had ceased. Just because I don't know them personally or even listen to all his music, they are part of the body of Christ and I am to love them before myself.

I think this applies to all situations, not just the ones that get the national press because it has affected someone famous. I need to allow myself to be vulnerable to the Spirit's leading, to be ready to pray for needs that I may have forgotten about because they no longer affect me personally.

Father God, I lift up this family to You. I praise You because they continue to rejoice in the hope of Your Son, in the hope of heaven and in the hope of their salvation that they will be with You and their daughter again someday. But until then... their hearts are heavy and hurting and are in need of peace that comes from You alone. Burden those around them to physically meet their needs and continue to stir my own heart as well as other believers to put them and others first. Use this situation for Your glory and Your good as You are always so faithful to do.

Please pray for us...

the Lakers are in the NBA Finals and Mark is under the Kobe spell!

Game one was last night and thankfully our children were sound asleep and didn't hear all the yelling at the refs and players. And worse, the Lakers lost so Sunday's game is sure to be an even more intense situation.

Go Lakers!

Surprises

Yesterday evening our dog discovered this baby raccoon in our backyard. It didn't respond to Tucker at all and though it was breathing, was obviously hurt and covered in flies. It took forever to track down someone who would actually come and get it and then help it but finally around 9 pm a lady from a local wildlife rehab clinic came to pick him up. He was so cute but probably had a broken leg or back.



Also, the mystery plant (see previous blog entry) is revealed! It is a gorgeous pink peony plant! These retail for $35+ at plant stores so it is a real treasure. So glad I didn't pitch it out as a weed!

Baby Dedication

On Mother's Day we had the privilege to dedicate our son to the Lord Jesus. It is a public commitment that we make before the Body of Christ saying that we will raise our child in a home that preaches the gospel, praying for our child to one day come to salvation in Christ, not based on anything he does or earns but by accepting the free gift of grace from God.

Parenting is a humbling experience and one of great responsibility. Mark & I are striving to do it Biblically and hopefully in the process bring glory to God. Lucy & Nate's salvations are not something we can be guaranteed and nothing we do can claim it for them. It is a choice every one has to make along the way, to believe and repent, to follow and go. But as parents, we are accountable to make sure they know of the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And that is what the dedication is about.

The passages our pastor shared before we started recording the video are as follows:

Psalm 78:1-4
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Ephesians 6:4

Blessed

We just enjoyed a great time with my parents this past week. Thankfully the weather was good (most of the time) so we were able to get out and do some of the fun things in this city. Grant's Farm was amazing, Purina Farms was fun & free and Lone Elk Park was interesting, to say the least. And we watched the Cardinals beat the Astros in their beautiful new stadium (but not as great as Wrigley).

We are so grateful that they were willing to distance themselves from their responsibilities for a few days to bless us with their presence!

Here are Pops & Lucy at Grant's Farm:




Nan & the kids at the Cardinals game (where if you did not have Cardinals red on you stuck out badly):



They also took the kids to a park one night so Mark and I could have our first home study with our social worker. It was a strange experience - telling your life stories to a stranger and then hoping she didn't think you were weird. :) She comes again later this week and then begins her report. Once it's approved (a few weeks?) we officially go on the waiting list!!