Matthew 25, a paraphrase of v. 35 & 36

For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved. (RESV - Richard E. Stearns Version)

Story

Donald Miller spoke at our old church today. We obviously went, the proof in the picture. I have read every book of his. I hold Blue Like Jazz in the honorable position of being my favorite all time book. No it isn't the deepest of theology, it's light and funny but somehow in the light and funny there is great depth and humility if you'll look deep you see it. The book moves me, like music. When I turned the last page I was deeply sad and felt like I was leaving the dance floor.
The last Miller book I read was A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It is a book about story. I think I blogged about it previously. Miller covers the content of story: a character; a conflict; and a challenge to overcome. If you think about your favorite movie, no doubt it would have these three elements. Our lives are greater stories than we see on the big screen...or they could be, should be. If you turned over the blockbuster cover to your life what would the narrative say?
All this said about Miller and his books, you can imagine my excitement.
We arrived at church almost 30 minutes early. While we were waiting for the first service to end he came out and I nearly tackled him! LOL! This is a horrible picture of me (The glare from the light made me look like I have two noses:() BUT it is my moment with Miller. My moment where I got to tell him how much I enjoy his books and I was privileged to introduce my children to him, telling him some of our story. He was most gracious to us all. He told the kids "I'll see you guys some day on a magazine or in a movie." Referring to the obvious beauty of my kids.
The message he delivered today was beautiful. If interested you can hear it at: WWW.southlandchristian.org.
After the service we went out for Thai food. We declared it Donald Miller day! The kids enjoyed his message as well. As we ate our food we discussed our family and our story, the one we have already written and the chapters that lie ahead...I'm itching to keep writing a good story.

It's over...

As you know I went back to work on the 4th. (I work in home health, my position was RN, ADPS. ADPS meaning Assistant Director of Professional Services.) Two days before I was scheduled back to work I told my boss of my intention to work PRN (as needed). She told me to come on in on the 4th. During our morning meeting we negotiated that I would continue my full-time status until the end of March. The first two days were ok. This past week? Whew! Kicked my butt. I came home Thursday to dishes, homework help, laundry and wanted to cry. Yesterday I told my boss I can't do it. So officially I only work PRN! Which is looking like 4 or 5 hours on Tuesday and 4 or 5 hours on Thursday. I am so excited and so Thankful. Thanks be to the most high God! The God who provides!
Now anyone want to share some cost cutting tips?
I have other more exciting news...I am going to be an aunt again. My brother Tony and his wife Kim have decided to move forward with an Ethiopian adoption and have accepted the referral for a little boy, Eyasu (Joshua)7 years old and too cute for words. Join me in praying for this little guy and for these faithful parents.

Once upon a

Mattress! Noah was in the school play this weekend, Once Upon a Mattress. He played Minstrel. He did a fantastic job and sang really well. As always we are very proud of him. Enjoy a few pictures.





We are enjoying warm weather this weekend. We enjoyed some time outside and I found this monkey in my tree:

Lessons I'm learning through my daughter...and other ramblings

The adjusting period is still going good. Manny and Noah are now on the middle school soccer team together. They are having fun playing at this level. Manny is outgoing and talkative. Grace is another story...
I long for her to talk to me, really talk to me....ask me for things. She talks to the children upstairs, I hear her. When she is with Ryan and I, she only answers questions. She is polite and smiles a lot. I don't believe she is unhappy. I believe she is trying to be respectful of us. Spiritually this has made me reflect on prayer. Father God longs for us to talk to him. He longs for us to ask him for things. He gives us things when we don't ask for but he doesn't give us other things we need because we do not ask. Strange as it may seem this is what bothers me the most about my daughter, she doesn't ask me for anything. I want her to ask. As I realize this I realize God the Father wants his children to as too. I am asking more...
She had to have a root canal yesterday. It was by far the worst visit dental, medical or otherwise that I have experienced as a parent. We had David explain what was going to happen to her on the phone prior to the visit. Though I don't know exactly what he said, historically he sugar coats things so I do not believe he caused her fear. When Simon was finished and it was her turn, she walked forward and backward toward the chair at the same time. She lay down and began to cry softly. She cried out "Mommy!" and another word I did not understand. I sat with her and held her hand. The dentist talked softly to her. She began to tremble all over. Her arms and legs were even trembling and she was making whimpering noises. All I could do was hold her hand and put my head down and pray. (and cry!)
Again I reflect on God the Father and how he watches his children experience pain and fear. It must break his heart too, but he holds our hands and sings over us as the scriptures say.
Tomorrow I am to return to work. I emailed my boss to let her know that I will not be returning full-time,I will work PRN (as needed). Pray that this news will be taken well. I have paid our insurance payments until March 19th and need them to be gracious to allow me to keep my insurance that long. I am so excited about the future. I have never been a stay at home Mom. When Noah was a baby I stayed home during the week (mostly) and worked the weekends. That is the closest I have ever been to being a SAHM. Without a doubt this 3 month period has been the best of my life. I love being here with my kids. I love greeting them when they come in from school and talking to them as I cook dinner, not preoccupied with all the things I have yet to do!
Word to the stay at home Mom community: Many of you said hurtful things intentionally or not to me about working outside the home. Please be careful not to judge other women and remember that most working Mom's are already full of guilt about working. You telling them how important staying home is doesn't help them, it adds to their guilt. We never know what another family is facing financially. We don't where others are spiritually. We have to love people where they are. Believe me I struggle with doing this too.
Now some odd ramblings...
Sunday afternoon as Ryan relaxed on the couch Happy used him as a pillow..

For fun Mercy likes to put lotion on Ryan legs and feet and comb his "weg and toe hair". He is shameless to allow this! But we all think it's really funny:-)

Valentines Day

My computer has been out for repairs so I haven't been able to post this until now!
We had four families over for Valentines dinner. We read many scriptures from Gods word about how He loves us before saying the blessing. We had a meal of salad, pasta, garlic bread and finished the meal off with cupcakes and NY style cheesecake. The kids ate in the kitchen and the grown folks ate in the living room, turned dining room for the evening. We shared stories about how we met our spouses. It was a warm fuzzy evening I will remember in the years to come.

Ryan wore red plaid pants. I wish you could see the color.

My friend Jennifer with my youngest daughter.

My Valentines and ME!

After dinner talk...

Kids tables.

My converted family room.

Books and Grace

Who holds your hand when you feel bad? I love this sweet picture.

Is that Jack Sparrow, Beyonce or Mercy Bond?

We've started reading the Jesus Storybook Bible at night to the kids and then discussing what we read afterwards. It is such a beautiful book. The whole book is written as a story of redemption. It reminds us that Jesus didn't come to pay us back but to bring us back.

Interested in a good fiction read. This is one of the best books I have read in years. Lisa Samson is the author. Check out: The Passion of Mary Margaret.

This is the bible study I'm working on. It's called "Get Uncomfortable. Serve the Poor. Stop Injustice. Change the World...In Jesus Name." by Todd Phillips. It is wonderful. It opens with Zecheriah 7:9-10 The Lord of hosts says this: Render true justice. Show faithful love and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless. The stranger or the poor...
Last night we had soup for dinner. The kitchen was all cleaned up, thanks to Grace. This morning I noticed that the pot I had cooked soup in was still on the stove. I didn't give it much thought, just thought I'd wash it after the kids went to school. Noah called for me as I was doing laundry, he wanted to show me what Grace was having for breakfast...she had scooped up the old thickened soup that was left out all night and was eating it. She looked at me and happily said "This one I like it." Before I said anything in return I glanced down and noticed she was wearing the sandals she wore in the orphanage. The site of the old soup and the old sandals and my sweet daughter just got me. So much has changed for her. Doesn't she know she doesn't have to eat old soup? Doesn't she know she doesn't have to wear her old shoes. We have better things for her. That's how Jesus feels about us. He has good things for us and so many times we return for what's comfortable instead of whats good.