Why I'm Not Blogging

Hands down, my favorite week of homeschooling ever...

When we were at the fair the other night my parents took Bryant and my nephew Cooper to the "Little Farmers" area. I hate that I missed this...
Not quite sure where he learned that.

Last night Jeff surprised me with a birthday celebration at Bosco's with some of my most favorite people in the world. There was a book I loved in my teen years called "The Luckiest Girl." That's how I've felt over the past couple of days. I am overwhelmingly blessed.


This is what I ate, a black bean and goat cheese tamale. It was DE-LISH! I'm so glad this place didn't have chicken fingers so I was forced to branch out and order something crazy.

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Afterwards, the few and the brave went to see Mamma Mia! I think they are still my friends...

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Love you all! Hope the weather wherever you are is as amazing as it is here today. Who knew it could be 79 degrees at lunchtime on August 9? Dang that global warming!

In case you haven't seen the news, this is Raymond Geisel. He's the first public arrest for threatening to assassinate Barack Obama. Apparently he was running his mouth enough to warrant an arrest, which uncovered a bunch of nasty weapons. He came off a tiny bit crazy in his interview as well.

Up until now I've really tried to ignore all of the talk about Obama being assassinated, mainly because I just didn't want to deal with it. When I hear that there are people in this country who will never allow a black President, I bristle, because I always take it as an assault on white southerners, even if it's not specifically intended that way. I hate the idea of the rest of this nation thinking that everyone who lives in my demographic area is hell-bent on killing the man rather than having a black man for President.

The fact is there are plenty of crazy people out there - and not just in the South, and not just racists. Who knows how many attempts on George W. Bush's life have been thwarted by hard-working Secret Service who don't play around with threats? We just don't hear about them. There are people out there who I'm sure would like to assassinate any President, just because there always have been.

However, this morning I'm feeling especially compelled to pray for Obama, and to continue to do so. I pray for his safety, because I'm not wishing any physical harm on the guy, no matter how much his plans for this country terrify me. But if someone were to even publicly attempt an assassination on him, even if it were unsuccessful, can you imagine the backlash it would bring? People who don't even like the guy would suddenly be compelled to campaign for him. It's just the way we are. And if the attack were successful, then whoever stepped into his shoes (Hillary, anyone?) would practically be a shoo-in. Race relations in this country would be set back 40 years and our country would begin to tear itself up from the inside out. We are far too stretched internationally to have to deal with a civil war at home. And a distracted nation makes an easy target that our enemies would be more than happy to capitalize on.

So please join me in praying for both of our candidates and the men and women protecting them. Senator Obama being elected President is not the worst thing that could happen to us.

My sweet husband made my annual birthday breakfast this morning before he left for work, buttered biscuits and chocolate gravy!

This is what it looks like on your plate...
This is what it looks like when you eat it...


Right now I am having an enormously fun time listening to my children watch the entire laundry cycle and marvel over each new phase. I wish I'd had the video running when the spin cycle started - it was like seeing fireworks on the fourth of July. "Whoa - that's AMAZING!"

Truly, everything takes on a new light when seen through the eyes of a child. Hope your day is filled with child-like wonder!

I'm feeling reflective tonight, and figured the blog would be a good place to get out some of what's rumbling around in my head. Tomorrow I'll turn 35 years old. I'm officially old enough to run for the Presidency. I'm at least 10 years older than most college football players. I'm equally as close to 50 as I am to 20. My oldest son will be in double digits on his next birthday and is six years away from getting behind the wheel of a car. My parents are retired and my grandparents are in their 90s. I'm officially middle-aged. Yikes.

The thing is, I wouldn't go back a single minute. I feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and, above all, spiritually than I have ever felt. God has done more in my life over the past year than all the previous ones combined. I finally feel free.

Yes, each day brings dozens of mundane tasks that have to be accomplished, like laundry and diapers and dishes. But I'm learning what it means to find God's mercies new every morning. Each day brings a new laugh from one of my children, a new reason to love my husband and another chance to dig into the treasures of the Word and find something precious to behold.

I don't think anyone who knows me well would disagree that post-India LA is a totally different person than I was before I went. It wasn't so much geography that changed me, as how God used that trip to open my eyes to things that I was either oblivious to or in full knowledge of, yet had no understanding of how to deal with.

In India I encountered many people for whom Christianity was not just a part of who they were; it was their total identity. In a land full of opposition, there is no way to half-follow Christ. When you make that choice, it permeates everything about you. While it was a tremendous joy to be around such sold-out believers, I was suddenly confronted with my own spiritual mediocrity in a way that I hadn't expected.

In many ways, I feel like I had a Damascus Road experience with the Lord this year. I feel like he temporarily blinded me with the magnitude of my own depravity so that for a time I could do nothing but cry out to Him for mercy and protection. And now that I'm on the other side, my sole purpose for living is to know Him more and share His love with a lost and dying world, some of whom don't even know they're lost.

Does that mean I've reached some sort of spiritual plateau now and God is free to move on and do something else? Far from it! There are still so many things that need to change in my heart and my flesh. Every day of life on this earth will bring further sanctification. God will always have plenty of material to choose from when it comes to helping me become more holy. I've asked Him to burn everything off of me that doesn't bring Him glory or make me more like Him. Trust me when I tell you I've got enough fuel to burn to last many lifetimes.

What has changed the most is the way I view my relationship with Him. It is more intimate than it has ever been. This year I feel like I've actually begun to know Him, rather than ever learning more about Him. He is so close, and wants desperately for me to pursue Him the way that He is in constant pursuit of me (and each one of you.) He is desperate for me to love Him more than anything else. His desire is for my worship, far more than my service. It is a beautiful thing. I love Him so.

All this to say, I wouldn't trade this birthday for a single one in my past. It is a mile marker, not only in my life on this planet, but in my walk with God. He's blessed me with an amazing support team of family and friends, and I hope you'll keep walking with me for many years to come. I can't wait to see what lies on the road ahead.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1

Images from the Fair

And that's about all the fun we could stand...

I have been taking some pics this summer, it's just rare that I find the time to post them. But here is Bailey with her latest pet, Emily the Inchworm. She adored her. Sadly, inchworms apparently don't survive long in captivity.

It cracked me up how Emily would stand straight up on Bailey's finger. Inchworms are so funny to watch. The puppets that portray them on Sesame Street really do them justice.

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I love that my daughter has a passion for bugs. It's just watching her with them is sometimes like the abominable snow rabbit on Bugs Bunny. "I'll hug him and love him and name him George. And when he is bad I will punish him..."

A couple of days ago, my brother-in-law gave Bryant a little bitty skateboard so that he could join in with Brad and Cooper. Since they don't make pads this small, that I'm aware of anyway, here he is all decked out in Bailey's princess pads and helmet, ready to grind the rails or whatever they do. (I can promise you that I only know that phrase from my son, and I'm still wondering where he picked it up and whether it is appropriate for me to say.)

He does look awfully stinkin' adorable, doesn't he? He just can't help himself, bless his heart.

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Today, I finally remembered to carry my camera to the pool. Here Bryant is engaged in a rousing game of "Ring Around the Rosies." Bet you can guess his favorite part...

He is such a water bug. I can't wait to see him at the beach in a few weeks!As fun as these pics are, my boy is looking entirely too old to me.
This is where Bailey spends the majority of her time, underwater. Most of the time when I'm looking for her I have to not panic and just wait a few minutes until I see her head pop up above the surface. She came by it honestly, at least, because Jeff is the exact same way. He stays down there forever.

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Here's hoping your day brings this much fun! Happy August. :)

Last night I had a great theological discussion with some of my dearest friends about why bad things happen, where God is or isn't involved in those things and how He promises to use whatever our circumstances are for our ultimate good. I've watched Him do this countless times in my own life, and it's one of the reasons I trust Him fully. I don't know all the answers to how involved He gets in causing things to happen at times or preventing them. All I know is that I owe Him my deepest gratitude tonight.

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Earlier this evening, Jeff and I took on the task of moving bedroom furniture around. Since Bryant has had the dresser that matches Bradley's bunk beds, and he just got the headboard that matched Bradley's dresser, it only made sense to switch out the dressers. This meant that the tall heavy white cabinet in Bry's room had to come out, as there was no longer room for it. So we had dragged it out into the hallway while we were shifting everything around.

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Jeff had gone in our bedroom to do something, and I had just reached down to pull the glider out when I heard my husband scream Bryant's name, followed by Bryant screaming, followed by a loud crash. All I can tell you is a primal sound escaped from deep within me as I knew immediately that he had just pulled the white cabinet over on top of him. When I got to the bedroom door, my deepest fears were realized as I saw the cabinet down but no Bryant. I was screaming and went after that cabinet like it was a predator.

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From what seemed like underwater, I finally heard Jeff saying, "HE'S OKAY. CALM DOWN." He grabbed the cabinet from me so I could get Bryant, who was also screaming at the top of his lungs. I pulled him into my arms so tightly I don't think he could even breathe. But I was just shaking uncontrollably and couldn't stop crying.

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Jeff came in to take Bry from me to try and get him calmed down. My sweet Bailey came in the room and just threw her arms around me and we cried together. She didn't say a word, but when I looked down at her I could see the tears streaming down her face. I sat down in the glider because I literally felt like my legs had turned to jello. Jeff brought Bryant back so I could comfort him, because I think he was just as terrified, if not more, by my reaction to what happened than to what actually happened. He was so, so pitiful. I just can't remember very many times in my life where I was confronted with that kind of mind-numbing fear.

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It turns out that what saved my baby was the diaper genie. It, too, had been dragged into the hallway. So when Bryant tried to open the doors and pulled too hard because they were locked, the cabinet began to fall on him. He fell flat on his back, and the cabinet crashed down over him but landed with the top part on the diaper genie, which caused it to stop before crushing him.

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Is that a coincidence? I'm not taking any chances. We just had a special family prayer service and thanked our heavenly Father for saving Bryant's life. When I think of how differently this day could have turned out, I can't hold back the tears.

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I'm immediately reminded of the time four years ago when God told me to look at Bailey's car seat as we were leaving a family gathering in Georgia. I discovered that while she was buckled into her seat, we had failed to attach the car seat to the car. I breathed a sigh of thanks when I realized we had driven all the way to Georgia that way earlier in the day.

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About 35 minutes later we were heading down the highway when a car pulled directly into our path, causing us to t-bone them going about 60 miles an hour. We all walked away with minor cuts and bruises. But there is no doubt in my mind that the Lord spared my daughter's life that day. And now, today, I'm thrown at His feet with deepest praise and gratitude again.

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What if it hadn't turned out this way? Where would I be right now? Would I still be able to bless God and praise Him if He had seemingly looked the other way? How do people face unspeakable, seemingly pointless tragedy? It can only be by His grace.

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O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
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My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. (Psalm 71:5-8)

And we thought the big boy bed was a good idea because...? Don't you love how he covers up his eyes so you can't see him?
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Today I ran into Kohl's with Brad and Bailey in search of one particular thing. They sat outside the waiting room while I tried it on. I needed a second opinion, so I called Bailey in to tell me what she thought. Brad wanted to come with her, of course. He walked in and I asked him if he thought I looked okay.

He gave me the once-over and said, "Actually, it doesn't really look good on your arms."

Unfortunately, I was there to buy pants. The shirt used to be a part of my own wardrobe.

Thanks for the confidence boost, son.

Before...
After...

He loved it this afternoon. I couldn't even get him to leave his room for an hour or so. Tonight, however, he wasn't so sure. It seemed a lot scarier when he was supposed to actually sleep in it.

He looks so small. Too many changes.

Before...

After...

She'll never be the same. I need a kleenex.

I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud.
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He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God.

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Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships; The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts. Nothing and no one comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words account for you.

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Doing something for you, bringing something to you— that's not what you're after. Being religious, acting pious — that's not what you're asking for. You've opened my ears so I can listen.

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So I answered, "I'm coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me, And I'm coming to the party you're throwing for me." That's when God's Word entered my life, became part of my very being.

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I've preached you to the whole congregation, I've kept back nothing, God—you know that. I didn't keep the news of your ways a secret, didn't keep it to myself. I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough. I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth for myself alone. I told it all, let the congregation know the whole story.

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Now God, don't hold out on me, don't hold back your passion. Your love and truth are all that keeps me together. When troubles ganged up on me, a mob of sins past counting, I was so swamped by guilt I couldn't see my way clear. More guilt in my heart than hair on my head, so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.

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Soften up, God, and intervene; hurry and get me some help, so those who are trying to kidnap my soul will be embarrassed and lose face, so anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable will be heckled and disgraced, so those who pray for my ruin will be booed and jeered without mercy.

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But all who are hunting for you — oh, let them sing and be happy. Let those who know what you're all about tell the world you're great and not quitting. And me? I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me. You can do it; you've got what it takes — but God, don't put it off.

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Psalm 40 (The Message)

If you are interested in what's going on in Iran, read the two most recent articles on Joel Rosenberg's blog. Be prepared. It ain't pretty.

Having an INCREDIBLE week at VBS. Lifeway honestly put out the best curriculum for Vacation Bible School that I can ever remember. I have had an amazing time, and I'm so thankful for my teaching team. I hope I can keep them for many years to come.

Know the Truth. Speak the Truth. Live the Truth.

God is testing me.

I had the opportunity to teach Sunday school last week, and enjoyed it very much. I am a teacher by God's design, and if I'm not teaching in some capacity I am lost and miserable. My soul knows that that's what I'm supposed to do. As Beth Moore says, if every time you learn something new you feel compelled to tell it to everyone around you, you can be pretty sure you've been called to teach.

Anyway, I taught last Sunday on love. As I've blogged before, the Lord has really been working on me in this area. He's reminding me over and over how much can be accomplished just by loving the people I come in contact with. There's so much to be said for the Golden Rule. And if we can just slow down enough to really connect with someone, who knows where God might take that? He's been showing me so much through 1 John and especially 1 Peter lately. They are both packed with instruction on how to live in this world. I felt like I was doing pretty well at this. Until about 1/2 an hour ago.

I just asked Jeff why he moved the garbage cans into the garage a few days ago. Since he bought his new truck, we can't figure out how to get both cars in the garage and still have room to get in and out of them. So there's extra space beside my van, and it's amazing how quickly you can start putting stuff in the middle of the floor when you don't have to make room for a vehicle. But I digress.

He answered my very innocent inquiry by telling me that we had gotten a letter from our homeowner's association informing us that our garbage cans must be moved or we will be fined $100. Apparently, you can see my garbage cans from the road. Apparently our new homeowner's president is suffering from a severe Napoleon complex. I must pause while this hot flash passes over.

May I just say that we have lived in this house for 3 1/2 years, and my garbage cans have been in exactly that same location for the entire duration of our residence? They are strategically placed behind a tree at the corner of my house so that if you are looking at my house straight on, you most certainly will not see them. In fact, the only way you can see my waste receptacles is if you are coming toward my house from the back of my neighborhood. Which means that unless someone actually complained about seeing my trash cans, the person that wrote this letter had to have been driving around looking to see if they could spot any renegade trash so that they could make a list and go home and self-righteously write up their list of demands. Because, you see, if we get fined and refuse to pay it, their next step is to place a lien on my house.

My first instinct right now is to call up Jean Walker and Associates and very politely tell them to pick a cheek as I bend over. Or not so politely. I'm actually somewhat taken back by the level of anger I'm experiencing over this. Jeff didn't even tell me about the letter, so obviously it didn't bend him completely out of shape. Or else he quickly envisioned the previously described scenario and thought it best to keep this on an adult level.

So what is one to do? As I walked in and sat down on the couch and asked God to help me calm down, I was immediately confronted with what the Lord showed me this morning while we were having coffee.

Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.

Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. (1 Peter 2:11-17)

Sigh. There are days that it's easier to walk with God than others.