Fly away home

Last night I was watching the World Series (Go anyone-but-the-Cards-unless-it's-the-Yankees!) and watching one of those little Japanese beetles flying around in the living room. Ugh! I really hate them in the house! But have you ever watched one of them flying? They fly around in little spirals, and bash themselves against the ceiling and walls over and over again, looking for somewhere warm and safe to rest. When they finally find somewhere, they look so content and still.

I happened to find a lot of analogies for my day to day life - flying around in circles, bashing my will against God's, never able to get where I want to be, which is somewhere warm and safe and peaceful - and it seems whenever I get close to that idyllic place, someone comes after me with a rolled-up newspaper! I learned alot about myself from that little ladybug-esque critter.

But I still don't like them in my house!

Thank You, Lord, for teaching me lessons in unexpected places!

Mushy Stuff

Well, the whirlwind romance of the century is done. My elder got into the car after school yesterday and informed me that his girlfriend had told him she didn't like him anymore and already had a new boyfriend. Then he started to cry. *gulp* I tried to be encouraging and sympathetic, while telling him that he's only 10, and girls at this age don't always know what they want and she certainly didn't know what she was missing. I told him that God has someone in mind for him even now and was preparing her just for him, and that I had been praying for that little girl to be the best she could be for him. That cheered him up considerably. Then little bro got in the car, was informed of the news and - horrors - smirked! I just kept wondering how I was going to explain the bloodletting that was sure to occur in my back seat! Actually, they both calmed down and little bro was very supportive. Later that evening, they got scolded for fighting, and I nearly sent them to bed, but the elder came out and pleaded his case by saying it was the worst day of his life and now I was yelling at him on top of it all. Sheesh! Call me a wimp, but I couldn't handle that kind of pressure!

I seem to be having more trouble with my teeth this week. I ask for prayers for courage - I have a MAJOR dentist phobia - because I fear I may actually have to see one. Think I could get some painkillers before I make the appointment?

Refreshing

I had such a wonderful weekend with my friend Diane! She was so encouraging! We had lunch together with another sister Saturday, which was great, but I didn't feel like I could really TALK to Diane with someone else there. But she came back by Sunday afternoon so we could go see my DH who was working, and we had a chance to talk then. I had always considered her quite a bit older than myself, but we were comparing notes and were reminded that we're closer in age than we thought. I guess because she's older in the faith than I am, and her husband is older, and her kids are older than mine, we just kinda thought there was more of a gap than there is. It really made me feel good when she told me how glad she was that I was able to make time for her. (!)

Worship on Sunday was great! The singing was fun - I was filling in - and the message was good. What a time of refreshment!

Now, thoughts are turning toward Halloween and costumes and candy, and then to the rest of the holiday season. I'm feeling woefully behind in my Christmas crafting and planning, but I guess if I feel that way, I'm already further ahead than at this time last year!

Lord, thank You so much for the time of refreshing I had this weekend! You always know what I need and when I need it - something that is so amazing to me! Thank You for Diane and her family and their friendship. Help me to be that kind of friend.

Friends Forever

Seem to be having a little trouble publishing today - let's try that again!

I have a dear friend coming to town this weekend. She and her husband were my 'adopted parents' when I was in college. They graciously opened their home to me when I was between engagement and marriage, and didn't have enough time to sign a lease between the two. She filled the role normally played by the mother of the bride (let's not go there!) at my wedding while her eldest son was our ring bearer (he was very disappointed there were no antler involved in the job of 'reindeer') and her husband walked me down the aisle. They moved within weeks of the birth of my second child, so it's been awhile since we've been able to get together.

Well, she called me last night to find out when we could get together. I was excited, because I had heard she had a very busy schedule this weekend, and was only expecting to see her Sunday at church. She explained her schedule and we made plans. She also asked me to let other people know that she would be available AFTER our visit. I felt so important!

Which got me thinking - how often do I make time like that for a visit with God? Shouldn't He feel at LEAST as important as she made me feel?

Chilly

My grandmother recently gave me a flower garden quilt. She had pieced the flowers over a number of years when the kids were very young, during moves to different states, etc. The flowers are made of delightfully old-fashioned fabrics saved from her mother and father's worn clothing, her and my grandfather's old shirts and dresses, and even bits from my mom and aunt's baby dresses. The flowers were recently put together as a couple of smaller baby quilts for the new babies in the family, and one larger quilt that for some reason came to me (I LOVE being the golden child!) It was the first time I really considered using the quilt, and I was torn - do I actually USE it or store it away, preserving it for the future? I think you see where I might be heading here. Do I actually USE my faith/gifts/prayers - whatever, or do I store it away, to save until I might actually need them for some emergency?

We used the quilt. And it was great!

Thursday

I just found out that two of my cousins had children this month. Two little girls. I know they're thrilled, and I'm so happy for them. All of the 'grandkids' now have children and have been or currently are married. My grammy done good. She's over the moon with the news of two new great granddaughters!

I'm starting to get nervous about my recital in December. Christmas and the recital, not to mention Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc is coming up way too fast! Although I'm planning better for Christmas, time is still slipping away...only 72 days or so until Christmas!

As far as the family goes, well, we're muddling through. The boys are doing a little better in school, and they're playing together much better. Whew! My elder DS Sunday school teacher stopped me Sunday and told me how well he's doing. He's got a tender heart and really wants to do right, and his teacher is so proud of him. Me too. My elder came home yesterday to tell me that he has a girlfriend. "And her favorite color is blue, and her favorite animal is a leopard, and her favorite state is Maryland 'cuz that's where she's from, and she wants me to wear blue tomorrow." Um...okay! (It's waaaay too soon for all this!)

The slug file

Good morning! Days like today and yesterday have got to be my favorites - weatherwise, anyway. Chill in the air, soft autumn rain falling - perfect for snuggling on the couch with some 'trauma tea' and a good long book. And then there's work. Oh well...

I was trying to think of something deep and spiritual and clever to say today - something that would reflect my current state of being or of worship and study. I've come to the conclusion that I'm a boring slug - nothing is happening - neither good nor bad. I've not uncovered some deep wonderful insight in my studies. The Lord has not recently revealed His glory to me in an earth-shattering manner. I'm maintaining. But, oh! I so want to go higher, deeper, MORE!

Lord, cover me in Your presence. Overwhelm me with Your glory. Let me draw closer to You. Help me remember You're with me today.

Blah, part 2

Back to the grindstone! Nothing like coming back to work after a week off and having a week's worth piled as high as an elephant's eye...but at least they appreciate me a bit more now!

Anyway, as to my earlier mentioned funk...still kinda there, but not quite as bad. I've not been sleeping well, and it's definitely catching up to me. I sang with the praise team yesterday, and we did 'Be Still and Know' and the new Zoe song 'Still.' I clung to that mantra Saturday - only it was more like 'I'll try to be still and know...' It was difficult, but I'll keep trying.

My 2nd DS got into a fight at school last week. Gotta love those phone calls from the principal's office! Turns out he was defending another student who was getting picked on. So, the in-school suspension was deemed punishment enough. The intentions were right but the action was not. It's sorta getting through...sigh.

Anyway, on with the family loving/church serving/Christmas planning/housework/gift making/recital planning/auction working/...(not necessarily in that order, of course! ;)

Thank You, Lord, for all the precious blessings You have given me. Help me to find a way to sit still in Your presence.

Blah

In spite of this being my favorite time of the year, I'm feeling a little down today. I've been off from work this week, and that's been great, but I haven't felt the best. I couldn't sleep last night, and my husband was convinced something was seriously wrong. I don't know why - I mean, I was only sitting on the couch at 2AM ready to cry at the drop of a hat...go figure! So anyway, I've decided to get out of my funk and make tomorrow a great day. I'll let you know...