Our normal afternoon/evening: Tim and several children go to the soccer field for the various practices. Tonight he has a meeting so I go to pick up children and come home to feed them dinner. When I left Beka was taking Coal (dog) for a walk. Upon my return I find Coal resting on the porch, leash still attached to collar. Come in the house; "Beka!" No answer. She must be reading, showering, something. Give bath orders, go to make an online appointment, wait for the internet connection, then get that sickest kind of feeling in my gut. Where is Beka? Not in the house. Not in the shower. Not in her car. Phone is in her room. No way to get in touch with her. My worst nightmare is startiing to unfold. I jump into my car, not really knowing what to do or where to go, and head down the road in search of that lost child, totally panicked and imagining the worst! Around the corner, down the road, there is someone in the road, in the dark. It is Beka! "What are you doing? I have been worried sick, looking for you!" "I am looking for my earring from Germany!" She lost it while walking the dog. I won't go into anymore of the conversation but I was filled with both relief and anxiety. In todays world people disappear every day and are never found. That has always been one of my worst fears and my kids know it. Things could have been much different and I am so thankful that they were not but I will never shake that feeling of thinking my child has been kidnapped, or much worse. One's mind can run down all kinds of thorny paths when in a moment of crisis. I pray that we never have to do down that route again.
So I will say, "Thanks be to God for His mightly protection and His most gracious mercy towards us!"
Well, I am thankful for the safe return of the lost daughter and I pray that we will all be a little more careful when we are out on our walks!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Lent
This is my first Lent as an "official" Catholic. What a powerful season we are in. I have learned so much about what it means to live the Gospel these past months. I had the privilege of attending a seminar on living out the gospel a month or so ago. We were admonished to look at our calendars and note where and when we "clothed the naked, gave drink to the thirsty, fed the hungry", etc. Talk about conviction. I could see that in my own home I am given multiple opportunities to carry our this mandate and how I so often miss the mark. It has been a humbling time for me, indeed!
I have also been invited to join a small group of women who study the Sunday readings each week. We pray, discuss the readings, and have the opportunity to share what is on our hearts. It is an easy group to be part of and they have been most welcoming. I continue to be amazed at how much I don't know about the call to discipleship and how much I have misunderstood in all my years of following Christ. It is wonderful to have others in my life who have llived the faith their entire lives.
A Lenten project I am doing with the younger children is giving up 5 items a day. It could be an old toy or clothing item. It could be stuff that is to go into the trash or good stuff to take to the thrift store. We can also give some change to the rice bowl project with CRS. We are not consistent but we are trying. I want us to see how little we really need to get by and how rich we have been blessed. Being a good steward is our theme and we all need to improve in that area. We have had some powerful discussions about the topic and I hope we will be changed as a result of this time of simplifying.
I have also been invited to join a small group of women who study the Sunday readings each week. We pray, discuss the readings, and have the opportunity to share what is on our hearts. It is an easy group to be part of and they have been most welcoming. I continue to be amazed at how much I don't know about the call to discipleship and how much I have misunderstood in all my years of following Christ. It is wonderful to have others in my life who have llived the faith their entire lives.
A Lenten project I am doing with the younger children is giving up 5 items a day. It could be an old toy or clothing item. It could be stuff that is to go into the trash or good stuff to take to the thrift store. We can also give some change to the rice bowl project with CRS. We are not consistent but we are trying. I want us to see how little we really need to get by and how rich we have been blessed. Being a good steward is our theme and we all need to improve in that area. We have had some powerful discussions about the topic and I hope we will be changed as a result of this time of simplifying.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
While I love reading great blogs, I am very low-tech and so I feel quite out of my element in attempting to try my hand at this. Nonetheless, here I am in the 21st century and I have entered the blogesphere.
Our family has just entered the birthday marathon with the #1 Granddaughter having her 5th birthday. Her uncle is next, then her dad, and on from there, many more birthdays. The gift of life. What an honor to acknowledge these milestones in our lives. What a blessing to have so many lives connected with each other in these days of disconnectivity.
As my own birthday approaches I am feeling a sort of introspection. How many birthdays do we have in this life? What do we do with our days? Are we really making the most of the time that has been given to us? As a homeschooling mom I feel an overwhelming responsibility for the lives of my children in all areas- academics, spirituality, friendships, health, their future, etc. There is always a lot of second guessing in this life I have chosen but I plod on and do what I can with each day. Thankfully, God has been most merciful and has given us really outstanding kids to raise. They overcome our own weaknesses and they all shine out brightly in this world. I am so thankful for who they are and who they are becoming. So this birthday will bring me much to be thankful for. My life is so very full and I am blessed with family, precious friends, a comfortable home with all of our needs met, and most of all a dear husband who provides so well for us and who loves us with all of his heart. What a rich a complex life we have. Thanks be to God!
Our family has just entered the birthday marathon with the #1 Granddaughter having her 5th birthday. Her uncle is next, then her dad, and on from there, many more birthdays. The gift of life. What an honor to acknowledge these milestones in our lives. What a blessing to have so many lives connected with each other in these days of disconnectivity.
As my own birthday approaches I am feeling a sort of introspection. How many birthdays do we have in this life? What do we do with our days? Are we really making the most of the time that has been given to us? As a homeschooling mom I feel an overwhelming responsibility for the lives of my children in all areas- academics, spirituality, friendships, health, their future, etc. There is always a lot of second guessing in this life I have chosen but I plod on and do what I can with each day. Thankfully, God has been most merciful and has given us really outstanding kids to raise. They overcome our own weaknesses and they all shine out brightly in this world. I am so thankful for who they are and who they are becoming. So this birthday will bring me much to be thankful for. My life is so very full and I am blessed with family, precious friends, a comfortable home with all of our needs met, and most of all a dear husband who provides so well for us and who loves us with all of his heart. What a rich a complex life we have. Thanks be to God!
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