A Snow Day in September!

No, it did not snow! However, I was elated to find out that a meeting I had on Thursday evening was cancelled. This week has proven to be very busy even though it is only Tuesday. I wasn't sure how I was going to fit it all in or find the energy to get it all done. So now I have been given a reprieve and it is a great feeling. It reminds me of a snow day. Those of you who know me know that I adore snow! As homeschoolers we always take the first day it snows as our only snow day for the year. Any amount of snow works for us to bring out the hot chocolate and
marshmallows.
Since it didn't really snow the kids won't be getting a day off of school, but they will have a happier, calmer mom.

What's a Girl Like Me Doing in a Place Like This?

OK, my husband is not in ministry so I just want to list another perk of that job to those who are in ministry. Most of your "required" functions probably don't keep you awake at night. On the other hand, my husband has a job where we are "required" periodically (once a lifetime would have been too much) to go to gatherings or parties. I generally spend far too much time debating what to wear, searching for something new endlessly and finally deciding on something that has been hanging in my closet for several years. Then the big day comes and we hurry so as not to be late. I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would care if we come late. We arrive to stand in some "hallway" and chitchat for 30 seemingly 60 minutes about where everyone vacationed or what they have "added" to their home lately. I try not to think of how hungry I am knowing that dinner is still probably 45 minutes to 1 hour away if I am having a good evening. But, don't worry, there are little "attendants" passing by periodically waving trays of appetizers and if I am lucky I can catch one or two. That gives me a purpose, try and figure out what I am eating and who really eats these things that no one can identify or spell. Oh well, they taste ok and now dinner doesn't seem quite so far away. I go back to idle chatter and try to think of something to talk about that has meaning or purpose. We are finally ushered into dinner where everyone begins eating and I am offered a few moments of respite as eating consumes all of my attention. Dinner is over. The program begins and ends. The evening comes to a close. I often leave thinking that wasn't soooo bad and I did enjoy the time in the car with my spouse. Am I just shallow for feeling this way?

Who Knew?

Did you know that if you do not title your work, then no title is given? See blog just prior to this one. OK, OK, I am still new to this whole blog idea and I am used to blanks that have to be filled in before you can move on to the next item. I tried to go back and add a title, but couldn't figure out how to do that after the fact. Oh well, perhaps someday I will get it all figured out. My kids were laughing at me the other day when I was telling them how I learned to type on a typewriter that wasn't even electric. They don't know how I functioned without spell check. I had a dictionary and many "do overs". They did have white out in those days, but it was paper and not liquid. Every now and then when I really want to let them know how "old" I am, I will write in shorthand. On second thought, maybe these new fangled computers aren't so bad after all.

Today has been a tough day for me in several ways. One of the ways is just "anticipating" tomorrow which will be today for you when you read this post, unless you are up past midnight. If so, shame on you, go to bed, get some much needed rest. That is what I should be doing, but I am trying to get past some of the issues which arose today. Anyway, because I know I am talking in circles I will just say that this week I am again struggling with time issues. No matter how much I try to "simplify", life just keeps on happening. On Wed. my 16 year old begins Running Start, I will drop her at school, return home, school the other 4 children, throw in some laundry, study verses for AWANA, make a dessert for 30+ people, pack a lunch, drop Lisa Dawn and Luke at piano, go back and pick up Kate, take Kate back to guitar, go back home, pick up any balls that got dropped earlier, make dinner, go to AWANA and come back home, etc.
I need a secretary just so I know where I am supposed to be. However, I know by the grace God offers me I will get the most important things done (let's see, how long can I omit laundry?).
It is just my prayer that I will show grace to those around me and they will extend it in return.
Today I was reading one of my favorite sections of scripture where Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him. WOW! Even after Jesus warned Peter, told him that He had prayed for him, Peter still denied Christ. But the beautiful part of the whole story is that Peter was forgiven and used in a monumental way! All because Christ had interceded for him. Christ interceded for me, too, and for you. How wonderful. How will He use me today? It is my prayer that simplifying my life, will consist of trusting God to give me what I need to do His work.

"Word Flowers"

Today we have group class. Fridays are our busiest day. I "oversee" the facility that we meet in so I am usually one of the first ones to arrive and always the last one to leave. My sweet husband knows what a busy day it is and so he usually takes me out to dinner. Today he brought me flowers. I really, really like the flowers he brought me. They are really gorgeous fall colors. He brought me flowers and THEN took me to dinner.

It has really been a great day. I was on the phone with a friend thanking her for some special things she had done for me and I realized that friends can give us flowers, too, in their own way. They can do and say things that make us feel wonderful and loved.

Now those of you who know me will understand this so well. Two of the things I appreciate most about the flowers my husband brought is this: they are my favorite kind of flowers and they are not very expensive! That just adds to the beauty for me. That way, I won't have to feel so bad when I throw them out next week.

However, the memory will last a long time just like the memory of the "flowers" from my friend. When was the last time you gave a friend some "flowers"? I think I'll find my kids and give them some word "flowers" right now.

My Plan

Every morning I wake up with a plan for my day. Ok, some days that simply means just getting through it. However, most days I actually have a plan. Today, however, is one of the just survive it days. It is one of those days when I need to be two people. It is one of those days when I think it would be great for my husband to have a job close by where he could help, but, alas he doesn't. So, because my knight in shining armour isn't going to swoop down and save me, then I am going to have to muddle through. I will resort to making a list and putting the things which can't be put off or rescheduled near the top. Even as I write this I can see the must do list getting longer. Today I must pick up a prescription (at the base, not close by). I need milk and bread and I will be at the base already so that means a trip to the commissary is in order. No small feat for a family of 7 and no menus planned. I can do that in the car during the 30 minute trip. I can bring along a little scribe to help with the planning. I need to make some phone calls for appointments, but it is still too early for that. Ok. Kelly needs help with a homework assignment for group class and of course, only mom will do. Later today, Katy needs to go to the college to pick up her books and attend a mandatory orientation. Sounds like more fun and games for mom. Well, this is how Thursday goes. Actually, I don't know how I will make it all work, but I am glad to have the opportunity to try. Did I mention trying to schedule 3 weekend trips? That's another day!

Forsake Not the Assembling

Scripture tells us to "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together..." It is so wonderful and refreshing to get together with other believers and see what the Lord is doing in their lives. I love hearing what God is doing for His children! So many weeks we hear results that are a direct answer to prayer. Sometimes the answer isn't the one we wanted, but God gives grace and peace, and changes lives, our own included. Find someone this week to pray with and for. Be sure to share with others so they, too, can rejoice in our marvelous Lord.

Each Day is a New Lesson

WOW! My first actual blog. Do you like this big writing? I feel like a Kindergartener so I thought the font fit well. Nearly every day I learn a new computer lesson. Last week I learned how to add a file to an e-mail (thank you, Kelly). Today we are blogging, I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow holds. Kelly is a wonderful, patient teacher. Too bad, her student is a little set in her ways.

I actually created a blog so I could comment on other blogs which have really blessed my heart and made me smile or brought tears to my eyes (like the picture of George all wounded from Ramblings by Robyn).

My other lesson for today was from the Lord during my quiet time. I was prompted to begin a Journal of Praise which I know will be an encouragement to me and a blessing from God.

Isn't God so good to allow us to learn each and every day more and more of His love for us? I wonder why it is that some days we just don't receive it so well.

Today's Life Lessons

WOW!

There are so many things to do; so little time. Today brings a new computer lesson. Last week I learned how to do an attachment (go ahead and laugh, I meet three women yesterday who said they can't do that and they don't pay bills online!). I am constantly being challenged to adapt new skills to keep up with not only the fast moving technological world but also my grown children. I really developed this blog to be able to post comments on the blogs of others.

So, my life lesson for today was twofold. It began this morning during quiet time when the Lord really prompted me to begin keeping a Journal of Thanksgiving and has continued with my longing to create a blog to keep up with those I love the most. It is my desire that along the way I can encourage them to Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength so that other things will fall into place and our treasures will be "stored up" in Heaven.

If you wish to look for grammatical error in my blog, feel free. I am sure you won't have to look far. Perhaps, you can let me know and I can learn a few more grammar rules that I never knew existed. I honestly think that in today's world grammar is like so much else; anything goes.



I look forward to now being able to comment to others and hope to hear a few comments of my own. Thank you for indulging this Menopausal Mother.