Talk About an Attitude Adjustment! (which I really needed)

I just received an email from Laura Anderson, who is a full-time missionary/worker at an orphanage of sorts or boys home. I came across her blog(s) www.clearlyliving.blogspot.com and www.mydarlingboys.blogspot.com, several weeks ago, I think. But I when I thought I had saved it as favorite, the computer froze and shutdown...I never had success finding it...you know the vicious chain of reading comments and clicking on other blogger profiles to scope things out...well, maybe I am the only one who does such things, anywho...
I was so deeply moved on how she spends her life and I made it a family goal to pray for her, though I couldn't remember her name. Well, sometime today, she emailed me from a comment I had left on her blog and it was so good to have that connection back. Now, I know how to find her and have the ability of keeping up with all her boys and praying for them as she posts their needs.
I would also like to gather a care package of sorts to help her with the 43 or so boys that she serves and shares the love of Christ with.
Missions have always been a priority in mine and my husbands hearts. We have offered gifts to several organizations and seek ways to help, but it is so much more meaningful when you have direct contact with the people you want to bless...
I am not at all insinuating that one shouldn't give blindly, without seeing the benefits...but, sometimes giving in situations like this, my kids can see and receive vividly how the Kingdom of Heaven on earth looks...
I responded asking what their needs may be and am going to try to recruit the help of my church and the ecumenical community we live in, the small portion I could give wouldn't buy a hill of beans, or tuna, or produce....but, if I sow my resource gathering resources of the body, then, maybe my efforts will have a tiny ripple in their lives and plant seeds in the hearts of my girls. I hope the opportunity rises. It would be for my own good...I am afraid I would bear far more blessings than I could ever hope to sow...
Anyway, I think I am done with my woe is me belly aching for quite awhile.
I am in awe! How does the Holy Spirit manage to prod me ever-so-gently and divert my eyes from my own whining and feed my soul so lavishly.
Thanks, Laura...I really feel like I have just feasted at the Kings table...
Good Night and God Bless You!

Let it Rain

I am so glad to have rain! It is kind of dreary out and very wet, but it hasn't rained like this in nearly, well I don't remember the last time it rained for nearly a week almost constantly. I think the gray was making me feel a little blue, but God reminded me that we had been praying for months for a good soaker.
So, thank you, Jesus...once again you reminded me of your faithfulness and you haven't forsaken us or our land!

Lonely...

I recently went out with some girlfriends for the first time in almost a year. Like the first time of having like real girlfriend time in more than 12 months... It was fun to catch up with women who I used to be so very close to but then as our kids drifted (they are different ages involved in different things) so did we. After that evening, I realized how much of a homebody-loner I have become. I live quite the boring life-I think, it seems the most I do now is run carpools and strive to have my girls in bed by 7:30...I am usually jammied up and ready for bed then myself...
I, also, discovered that I am not a very fun person...I would much rather do nothing than initiate some great event...ie girls night out, dinner parties and the likes. Don't get me wrong, I love(d) people to come over and feel at home and hang out and waste time with me, I have just fallen out of the deep-committed-girl-friend routine that was me for so many years. I have become complacent and satisfied with merely existing. I really need to work on motivation, I kind of lost all sense of self last (school) year following my lymphoma diagnosis and year of scholastic hell I put myself through trying to flee from myself so I could find myself...I wonder what I was thinking.
FYI, I am not in some deep depression or hating my life, by any means...I am just realizing where I was and where I am and discerning where I want to go...I have been in a fog/survival/fearful-of-leaving-my-girls-before-I-was-ready...so-what-do-I-do-about-it-mode--It is quite paralyzing. Now, I am privileged to be co-creating with God another new life and have the honor of choosing to exude Christ to this new little soul...that is exciting to me. (Minus the waking up 10 times to pee, and chronic fatigue that comes with it)
I am going to tuck my girls in (way too late, they are starting to slur their speech) and go to bed myself and pray that I am living life in a pleasing way that would look different and cause people to question my motives...
Crazy Pregnant Person I am...now there is proof of how crazy I really am...hopefully I haven't scared any of the few readers that linger here.
Good night.

On the Down side...

I have a UTI...bleck! Pray it goes away quick, please. This is the first one I have ever had. Oh yeah, (not that I try to be ugly or mean)but, my OB and ALL of her staff are morons and idiotic! I went in for a culture and they told my I'd have to wait until Monday to get results! I said a bad word (in my head), then calmly asked them if it was normal to have an infection and wait 5 extra days (making 8 total) for relief and treatment for an infection...
They said that they could do a quick culture and the nurse would call me today...5 hours later and after I called her (3 times) and 30 mins. before my pharmacy closed, she asked what exactly I needed and that she had never gotten any message or indication that I had come in (yet she talked to me originally this AM)...
Idiots!

Ugh, I feel better...

I am human having a very un-Christ-like attitude...Hopefully, tomorrow I will be sorry I was so merciless and repent...
Pray my attitude changes and that I feel better...
I feel like one of those GIANT water towers, I would love to be drained...

Merry Christmas!!!

It is finally chilly about 40 degrees and we are having a lazy day (lazy, cause it is well past noon and I am in my jammies, but I have sorted and milled 20 cups of grain, baked 2 dozen dinner rolls for Christmas dinner, started my 8 dozen cinnamon rolls, and everything is wrapped, constructed and ready to go! Woohoo!!! It has been pretty peaceful, only one tragedy, I think the girls are actually getting tired of being home and playing...playing together, that is.
We have an annual Christmas Eve Chili dinner at my 'favorite Aunt C.C.'s (and Uncle Joe Turkey Toes)' this evening where we will visit with lots of my aunts, uncles and cousins. Then of to church at 8, I love our Christmas Eve service, but I am a bit nervous--I was asked to share about what Christ has revealed to me through this season, I hope I honor Him...hopefully the girls will fall asleep on the way home.
There is much anticipation as to what gifts will be revealed in the morning after their long winters nap:) and boy are they really excited! The suspense is almost over-Molly is under the impression that all we are giving and receiving is basketballs...except for the one unwrapped present that 'the dog' unwrapped and Polly was revealed with too many outfits and accessories to count...
We have a busy day with my family coming over at around 10 for brunch and then dinner at my parents and another dinner at my brother and sister (Mike's side) where we will cheerfully visit and roll all the way home.
I pray that the Savior will reveal His humble power to each of you in a beautifully, tangible way.
I will start posting pics soon...I am a slow learner, but things are quickly clicking:)

Better Keep 'Em Close...

I saw this on my friend, Will's blog...

Mission POSSIBLE!...

...Today is our first day off from everything:). In the chaos of the last 3 days, we have lost something huge and it's something very hard to find. The floor! But I am going to turn my sleeves up and be determined to accomplish what seems impossible. I have the kids home today and we are going to be spending about 4 hours picking up, dusting, pairing shoes, rescuing Polly from the Nativity, spraying all the greenery, watering our Christmas tree and trying to remain sane, and cheerful all the while.

The reward for our efforts (drum roll, please) a walk around the block, and a mom wearing a big grin and feeling like I have conquered the world...well, our corner of the world at least.

God bless your day.

PS-Dearest Molly,
I loved that you came in at about 6 to snuggle and sleep for an extra hour in my arms! And when you giggled in your sleep this morning...I knew the day would be great! No matter how mundane things seem, your life, in our family makes washing little clothes a joy, and cutting your sandwich in triangles a gift and purpose for my existence. I love you:)! You are a gift!