Phillips Phamily Phive: The Word

Showing posts with label The Word. Show all posts

Insignificant

Standing at the kitchen sink, I can see a spider web. It stretches from the ground up to my neighbor's towering magnolia. I can see it all the way from across the street.

From inside MY house.

How can I see this delicate and transparent little thing of a web?

God shines His light on even the smallest, seemingly insignificant things.

"Take a good look at my servant. I'm backing him to the hilt. He's the one I chose, and I couldn't be more pleased with him. I've bathed him with my Spirit, my life. He'll set everything right among the nations. He won't call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right. He won't tire out and quit. He won't be stopped until he's finished his work—to set things right on earth. Far-flung ocean islands wait expectantly for his teaching."
Isaiah 42:1-3 (The Message)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Childlike Faith

Every evening just before bedtime and prayers, we read out of our children's first Bible or a book of devotions. The Daddy often tells the girls where the Bible verses come from each night: Old Testament or New Testament. Sometimes he makes them guess.

Sometimes they are right on the first try.

Sometimes on the second :) .

This morning HJ came up to me in the kitchen with the most serious and earnest look on her face, and this was her question,

"Mama, is Jack in the Old Testament or New Testament?"

God Bless her soul!

Turning Up the Volume

I must apologize for that last post. So random, I know. My mind wanders lately and that's what you get when I sit down and try to type out a coherent idea.

My mind got started last week when I was thinking about turning down the volume on God. I've been doing that a lot lately. I've been doing that for a long time. I do that when I don't want to face the truth.

When I don't want to deal with a problem.

When I don't want to deal involve God in my life.

When I want to take care of it on my own.

When it is "easier" to turn His voice down in my head.

I've been struggling with love and forgiveness. As a woman, I find it very difficult to really ONCE AND FOR ALL forgive. I find it very difficult to let the old wounds heal. To allow my heart to become vulnerable again. I'm holding on to that wound and it has opened up a door for attack.

That's right. I'm being attacked. That attack came on strong last week when the tears started to flow, and I turned DOWN the volume literally. The Christian radio station I usually listen to wasn't making it easy for me to jump back into my insecurities, so I TURNED IT OFF. I turned the music off so I could concentrate on my sadness, my fears and my heartache.

Why am I allowing myself to be attacked? Why am I listening to this voice SHOUTING at me? It's not a voice of love. It's not a voice of reason. It's not a voice of concern.

It is the voice of darkness. My bitter enemy. The beast who does not want me to forgive. The terrible monster who wants me to TURN DOWN THE VOLUME of the ONE WHO REALLY CARES.

I remember distinctly the prayers of my friends Emily and Cathy the night I told them that I had made a decision to follow Christ. They prayed for me, praising the Lord of course. What stood out to me in their prayers though was for protection against this very kind of attack. It didn't make sense to me then, but now I know eight years later how often I've been attacked and how often that attack means GREAT GOOD is about to happen.

With our son's impending birth, I'm preparing for battle. I know I need God more than ever treading out on these new waters. I know GREAT GOOD is about to happen. I've already seen great significance in the name we've chosen for our son. It's one that will remind me to whom he really belongs. Not me, but GOD.

So I've felt under attack. I've turned the volume down. And now it's time to "Turn it up, man!" (see where my mind went, back to that infomercial for Freedom Rock).

It's time for me to listen to the TRUTH.

John 14:6 is going up on the chalkboard today.

Answered Prayers

Clay and Emily's prayers have been answered!

Easton Clay Woodjiny Osburne

Born August 12, 2010

1:53 pm

4 lbs, 15 oz

Last Saturday, our family took a day trip down to Jupiter, Florida to visit with our friends Clay and Emily. Their son was born four weeks early, so the adoption process has been complicated to say the least. When we got there, Clay and Emily had just brought Easton home from the hospital.

Holding him was a reminder of God's promise.

Holding him was a blessing.

Sharing those moments with new parents brought our family so much joy.

(And swelling to my hands and feet.) But it was WORTH IT!

Just before we headed back to our part of Florida, the girls were ready for bed in their pjs.

Emily has helped all of us celebrate our new little ones, time and

time and

time again!

I can't wait to see what a blessing Easton will be and how Clay and Emily will bless their son!

Emily's post on HOPE

I Want to be Recognized

I want to be known for the food I cook.

I want my house to be clean.

I want my children to behave and love the Lord.

I want those children to say the right things and do the best they can.

I want to be the mom that does it all with an effortless grace.

I want to be seen. I want to be seen. I want to be seen.

If you ever feel the same way, take some time to READ THIS TODAY.

Then come back and tell me how you feel. I know I feel differently.

Nothing Says Christmas Like Digging Through the Trash in 80* Weather

Day # 9: Go to a local church event for women ONLY

Every year my church (like how I still say my church~it's the one back in Marietta, GA) hosts an incredible event for ladies at the onset of the Christmas season. Women at our church are asked to "host" a table by decorating it and inviting friends, churched and unchurched. Brunch is served by church members and there is always fabulous music and an inspiring speaker. And this friend co-chairs it!

This year it was cold enough for all the church ladies to wear their fur coats. Two or three Sundays a year those babies come out. I'm curious to see if any EVER come out of the closet here in Florida!

I never bring my camera to this event. I should.

My dear friend Claudia always hosts three tables, invites many friends and even pays for our tickets. She is a talented decorator and floral arranger. Her spiritual gift is definitely hospitality! If you want to see some pictures at her house, take some time to revisit this post from last year's ornament exchange at her house. See it in all it's Christmas glory!

Anyway, this year her tables were gorgeous, and I was so blessed to be included even though we have moved. Even better was the fellowship with the ladies at our table. I got to catch up with old friends and hear an amazing testimony from Nancy Guthrie and beautiful music from Ginny Owens.

So yesterday when I sat down to write this post, I couldn't find my notes that I took during the brunch. I looked through three trash cans filled with unspeakable nastiness, but to no avail.

So I didn't post yesterday. Satan got me lazy and thinking I couldn't do this post.

Here's what I can remember, so it must be good, right?

Mary was just a teenager. Mary was probably somewhere between 13- and 15- years- old. We often think of her as a really pure, good girl. We think of her as this unachievable picture of goodness and holiness. All because of these words:

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:26-28)

The words "highly favored" make US think Mary has done something with her life that has pleased the Lord. That she was good enough to be given the responsibility of birthing the world's Saviour.

But none of us are good enough. She wasn't good enough. She was BLESSED with a responsibility. She was showered with His gift of giving birth to the Saviour of the world, the King of all kings.

She just had to say, "yes."

Yes, Lord. I'll take this burden. I'll darken my reputation here on earth. I'll risk losing my betrothed. I'll risk disgracing my family. I'll risk losing everything. Yes, Lord.

Really, what she said was:

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)

How often do I grumble and say, "Lord, I don't really want to do this" or "Lord, can you really be putting all this on me, right NOW, of all times"?

"Can You make all of this just go away? Can you provide some relief? Come on, Lord! Please?"

Mary was about to get married. She was on the way to living her dream for her life. Marrying a good man from a good Jewish family, no doubt about to start a family of her own. She changed directions and accepted the Lord's favor and did what He wanted her to do.

And she said, "I am the Lord's servant."

People. A teenager said this. Why can't I?

That's all I can remember from my notes, but I think it's enough. Got the point, Lord.

But if y'all haven't gotten quite enough of a Christmas blessing, go back and revisit my notes from last year's speaker, Lisa Harper.

Dirty Laundry

Am I alone?

Am I alone or does every wife have that ultimate goal of getting every piece of clothing in the house clean, ironed, hung or folded and put in its proper place?

For just one moment, I want everything to be clean and DONE. Everything hung and perfect. Everything smelling wonderful. Everything beautiful. Everything organized and ready to wear. Everything perfect.

Folding laundry last week, I came to terms with the fact that that will never happen. You know why? Because I wear clothes while I do my laundry. My kids wear clothes while I do the laundry. My husband wears clothes while I do the laundry.

There are sheets on the bed. There are towels hanging in the bathroom. There are dishcloths in the kitchen.

You get a load done, turn around and there's something else. Right? And there is always SOMETHING you didn't see that needs to be cleaned.

So am I. What about my sin? Do I think about my sin like the laundry? It's there. I want it all to be gone. I want to be perfect. I want to be clean, but no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to get it all. I will never be able to get it all by myself.

I need Jesus. He is my hope for all that is unclean in me. He can do my dirty laundry in an instant. He took care of it long ago.

Hebrews 13:10-12

We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

My question for you is:

How big does the pile have to get to let go of that vision of perfection?

A Pumpkin, A Princess or JOY?

I bought a shirt for $4.99 from Target.

It's black with a little, sequined, orange pumpkin on the front.

It looks just like this one except the tee is black.

It caused quite a stir in our little apartment last night.

Just before bedtime, I laid out the girls' clothes for school today. I figured if I'm going to spend money on seasonal clothing, they should wear them more than once. So out came the special Halloween tees.

The jumping. The squealing. The happiness. The shouts of "Yippee! Yippee! Yippee!" and "I'm wearing my pumpkin shirt tomorrow! I'm wearing my pumpkin shirt tomorrow!" filled our temporary home.

All over a $5 tee.

I said to The Daddy as we lay in our bed last night, "All that over a tee-shirt. I can't wait until she sees Cinderella's castle in person next week!"

YES, folks. We're going to Disney's Magic Kingdom. When in Central Florida, do as Central Floridians do. You've twisted my arm.

Thinking about the temporary happiness the tee-shirt caused and the temporary happiness at the sight of Cinderella's castle draws my mind to a verse The Daddy and I studied last week and the same verse from the sermon at church on Sunday. (Yes, we made our maiden voyage to a CHURCH THAT IS NOT OUR OWN. More on that another day.)

The verse is in Paul's thank you letter to the people of Philippi:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3-11)

Joy is a state of being.

Your joy cannot be robbed; it is yours.

Joy is the knowledge that despite our circumstances, all is right with God.

Joy is not happiness.

Joy is not pumpkins or princesses.

Joy is not conditional.

Joy is from God.

Making Room

Moving means cleaning out time. I've been sitting in our former nursery tonight where HJ's clothes still reside. It is time to clean out her closet and move some of AE's clothes over to the 2-year-old's closet.

I'm moved to tears.

I'm putting away clothes that are size 12 months. News flash: she's 30 months old. OK. No problem.

I'm putting away clothes that are size 18 months. Hmmmm, couldn't she wear these a little longer?

I'm putting away clothes that are size 18-24 months. Oh, dear. Let the crying begin.

My baby is getting older and I don't want to move on yet.

Back when she turned two, I took some time to ponder her growth over the previous year. I even thought, "This isn't too bad; we'll just have another baby soon."

Fast forward four months, when she moved on up to the big girl bed, I marveled at how such a tiny, tiny being stayed in that big, big bed.

NOW...I feel like she is running at a pace where I can't keep up. She's growing out of clothes faster than I can pull them out of the closet.

And I'm left with this:

Is this all that will be left when she's gone?

Then I turned and opened up a dresser drawer finally ready to clean it out.

But wait... these clothes are big. These clothes are the next ones to come. These clothes have been hiding in a drawer which I was too afraid to open.

I didn't want to have to put anything else away. I was afraid to find more evidence of my baby gone.

These new clothes are a gift, and I just had to put the others away to be ready to receive the new ones.

How often do we hold on to what is dear to us when God has something bigger waiting for us in the wings? Do we have to let go before we can receive a bigger gift?

Sometimes we just have to put it away to find out what is next. What fits.

Pondering this verse tonight:

"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

May the name of the Lord be praised."

Good byes

I know I just told you we are moving, but more exciting news:

WE HAVE A CONTRACT ON OUR HOUSE!

God truly, truly answers prayers. I know this to be true.

Do you know how many people prayed this for us?

Countless.

More than one nation. More than one time. We are BLESSED.

Did I mention that our house has been on the market for LESS THAN 30 DAYS???

Beautiful!

Did I mention that we had ONE buyer come to look? And now they are going to buy our house?

Tremendous and beyond expectation!

Now we have to find a house in Florida. So fun, right?

So, we're moving in 19 days. Not as much fun, right?

We've got a little, furnished 2-bedroom apartment all set up and can't wait to let the search begin!

God is good to those who are pure in heart. Lord, may my heart remain pure and focused on you! Let all the GLORY go to you, Father. This is no accident. This is not luck. This is YOUR plan! Glory to you!

The First Lesson (and then some)

And now a word from Africa:

Towards the end of our trip, I kept on asking myself, "Why me? Why am I on this mission trip? Why do I get to experience this? What have I done to deserve this? How did this all happen?"

I got my answer.

All too often, I can't even see the gifts He has given me. All too often, I feel like a complete and utter failure in His eyes. Too often.

The first lesson is that I have to receive His gifts. I don't have to do anything but believe in His Son. I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to be the nicest. I don't have to keep my calm all the time and be super mom. I don't have to be patient. I don't have to... anything.

Taking God's blessings and accepting them freely is hard. How hard?

How often do I toss aside a compliment from my husband? How often do I take that gift and throw it down the drain? Why don't I just accept it and say, "Thanks"?

What if I just said, "Thanks" and smiled. Maybe then I would have to believe it?

Am I so stubborn that I would rather go on believing in my twisted self-view? Why?

How often does a friend offer assistance to make my life easier? How often do I just plug on by myself thinking, "I can do it. I can do it. All by myself." (Sound familiar? Sounds like my 2- and 3-year-olds!)

The first lesson is to listen to Him when He says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" (Ephesians 2:8).

The next lesson is to believe "to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves" (Ephesians 1:6).

The final lesson is to apply these truths to our life. Accept a compliment. Accept a friend's generosity. Accept the gifts He has FREELY GIVEN.

I don't have to do it alone. In fact, He doesn't want me to!

Under One Big Sky

You sleep under one moon, but do I sleep under another? No.

We're all under just one big sky,

we're all part of one big world, and

we're all praying to one big God.

As I sleep tonight, may I comprehend the expanse of God's creation.

Sewing, Staining, Snoring and Saving

This weekend we did many projects around the house. The Daddy was intent on finishing his project of staining the back deck, while I was intent on BEGINNING the cutting, ironing and sewing of the new bed skirt for HJ's big girl bed.

Friday evening, while The Daddy enjoyed a well-deserved evening with guys at the movies, I began my cutting quest. I even began the ironing of the bed skirt's hems to make sewing them easier.

Storm brews. Cable's out.

That's okay. I've got my little gem The Holiday saved on the DVR.

Crack.

Power failure.

Uh, oh.

What's a girl to do? Post multiple updates on Twitter (via phone) about nothing of consequence. Console 3-year-old over the thunder at 10:30. Read a chapter of new book by candlelight/flashlight. Fall asleep. Uh, huh. Uh, huh. Uh, huh. Snore. (That's when The Daddy came home late to tell me about the movie he just saw.)

Saturday morning The Daddy spoke with his parents, hinting at the work his project would require. Not surprisingly, Nana and Papa showed up a few hours later to lend some deck staining and bed skirt sewing expertise! Hallelujah!

Before they arrived, The Daddy and I had the following conversation:

Mama: You talked to your parents this morning? What are they up to?

Daddy: Yeah, they were just getting breakfast. (NOTE: it was 9:30 am)

Mama: WOW, I guess that's what we have to look forward to! Sleeping in, leisurely breakfast, etc.

Daddy: Would you really like to just fast forward and skip all this?

Mama: No. (hangs head)

Well, this little scene popped into my mind this morning in Sunday school when Charlie's lesson was all about living our earthly life with all its suffering in expectation of the reward that waits ahead.

EAGERLY AWAITING.

How many of us can say we are living in expectation of our heavenly rewards joyfully and drawing strength on the Holy Spirit to get us there?

Yes, I said JOYFULLY.

I don't think most of us really want to fast forward all the way to the end, but don't we long to fast forward through the suffering?

Charlie used the example of a woman expecting a child. The nausea, the weight gain, the restless nights, the shortness of breath, the weight gain, the ladylike gas, the never-ending hormonal spikes of UP and DOWN and UP and DOWN batter a woman for those nine months, but she knows her reward in the end. She has something to look forward to. She KNOWS there will be relief. And her poor husband does too.

If we aren't living life knowing what we are striving toward, doesn't it make life that much more difficult? What if the pregnant woman DIDN'T KNOW that the baby would eventually come out of her body? How would she feel?

Scared. Miserable. Left with no hope for a better future.

Thank goodness for that promise in Christ. Thank goodness.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

Romans 8:18-25

Wind Beneath My Wings

I feel like invoking a little Bette Midler today. Last evening, I was surrounded by friends and covered in prayer for The Daddy's and my upcoming trip to Botswana. Several ladies couldn't make it, so I thought I would share with you what I shared with them last night as my prayer requests.

One request that I neglected to put on the list is this: Pray that we will leave our lives here in comfy, suburban Atlanta behind. Pray that we will let all the worries and craziness of our lives behind so that we may focus on our mission at hand and heart. Pray that each day will indeed take care of itself and not to worry. There are a few things going on that have complicated our lives right now. I haven't shared everything, but when the time is right, I will.

For the home front-

Health and safety for the girls while we’re away
Health and safety for The Daddy’s parents while they care for AE and HJ
No seizures or “accidents” for Bailey, AKA The Crazy Dog while he’s with Clay and Emily

On the traveling side of things-

Smooth departures and arrivals
I get really nervous going through security for some reason? Pray for peace.
Rest on the plane
Adjustment to time change- 6 hours difference

In the spiritual spectrum-

To draw closer to God through this experience
To gain confidence in the Cross
To be filled with the Holy Spirit
To die to myself
To have a servant heart and attitude
To see needs and be able to fill them
To fight any doubt planted by Satan

For our marriage-

To rely on each other for support in this experience
To draw closer to God and each other through this experience together
To apply David and Denise’s presentations to our own marriage and parenting

On the social side-

For an open heart to listen and understand
To be able to share our faith with authenticity
To build relationships and see our common issues
Understanding and being able to pronounce names
Let the cultural differences fall away and be able to see God at work

Trip Friends- Please pray for our team by name!

Jeff and Brenda
Lyn and Patrice (JUST got word last hour that they won't be able to go! So sad, but God must have a better plan for them!)
Ken and Jamie
Barrett and Jenifer
Laurel

Thanks to sweet Stacie, Carrie, Stacy, Claudia, Krysta, Kellye, Felicia, and Molly for your prayers. They will carry us over an ocean and into this experience strengthened beyond words.

Well, I never...

If you haven't heard by now, The Daddy and I are going to Africa.

Soon.

Along with 10 other individuals. Including her and him.

I've never been on a mission trip, but I will be on one. Soon.

I've never been to Africa, but I'm going to Botswana. Soon.

I've never led a small group discussion with a stranger in a foreign country or in the US for that matter, but I will. Soon.

The Daddy and I are going together to grow closer to one another in Christ while we help facilitate a conference with Open Baptist Church in Botswana. David and Denise Glenn will be leading the conference entitled, Freedom for Families, modeled after Denise's study Freedom for Mothers and David's study, Wisdom for Fathers.

I HAVE heard Denise speak on a couple of occasions, and I HAVE done two of her bible studies for moms. After hearing her story of obedience to God, I HAVE come to understand more about my OWN calling as a wife, mother and Christian woman.

Our part in the conference may be small, but I know God's plans for this mission reach far beyond my little part. Is it possible to feel so little, yet feel so empowered by His Spirit?

It's a 10-day trip. Soon.

We'll be gone from our girls for longer than we've ever been before, but we'll be together.

Is it ironic that we're leaving our children to facilitate a conference for families?

Is it scary that every minute isn't planned and I have NO WAY to control what God has in store for me? Wait, a minute...

Isn't that how each and every day is? I think I am in control, but I am not.

He is.

And now I'm going. I never thought I would.

Well...I never, but I will.

The Rainy Day That Never Came

Been holding onto these notes in the drafts pile for a while. In fact since this day.

Our pastor and his wife shared with us in three parts the sage and important ideas they've learned parenting three boys.

Love it.

This is part one beginning with the preschool years. Also known as Mama's Lost Her Mind/Patience/Temper Years.

The Preschool Years: the most important time in our children's lives. We are creating foundations that will last a lifetime, so what kind of impression are we making on our children's core being?

Proverbs 22:6 is the starting point for all parents, and Mary Tabb, my Mom's Club leader, has spoken so eloquently about what the Bible really MEANS when it says to "train up a child in the way he should go."

Need a refresher? ME TOO!

And here's some more on how to "train up."

Three Reasons to Discipline: Make sure you set clear boundaries!

Did you tell them not to do it? Are they being defiant?
Are they endangering themselves or others?
Is it immoral or unbiblical?

Use these three questions to analyze why, if, or how you will discipline your child. Sometimes, you might just be disciplining because you are tired, annoyed or contrary to your children's tastes. Ann gave the example of the time one of her boys came home with his head shaved. Right before school pictures. Any mom's nightmare, but did he break the rules?

Did she tell him not to do it? NO.

Did it hurt him or someone else? NO.

Was it immoral? NO.

Three "No"s meant she couldn't discipline him.

Best Illustration:

There is power in keeping your cool with your kids.

Most of us have been pulled over by a police officer or State Trooper. Your heart is beating, I mean POUNDING. The temperature has risen by about 20*. You start to sweat.

You start to wonder, "What did I do?"

Or if you KNOW you were speeding, you wonder, "How much is this going to cost?"

Are we really worried that the officer is going to come and rip our head off? Are we really worried that he's going to whip his gun out and force us to the ground? What are we really afraid of?

We are afraid of that person, coolly and calmly coming up to our window and calling us out on what we've done wrong. We are afraid of being caught. We are afraid of the consequences.

We don't want our children to be afraid, but we do want them to respect the authority that goes along with our position as parents, just like the State Trooper is respected. He has authority. The Law is on his side.

We have authority as parents as well, but we can lose it easily if we are not careful. Our authority comes from God's Word. In Exodus 20:12 we receive our authority from God as parents, but as men we can quickly lose that power through our own folly. Act with authority from God. Discipline with God's authority. And STAY COOL!

We are called to discipline with teaching and reassurance. Make it a teachable moment rather than a tearing down moment.

This is the Week

This week our church did VBS in a very different way. We divided up into 12 teams and went to remote locations throughout Cobb County, Georgia. We met in public parks and the fields of elementary schools. We did VBS as an outreach to the community instead of staying huddled in our own little "Christian bubble."

It was a mission trip in our own backyard.

(Click HERE to see where we went.)

We met people we likely would not have met otherwise.

Kids were not required to pre-register.

We had no idea who would come.

BUT He did.

The first day I worked with 3 first graders.

The second day I worked with 4 first graders.

The third day I worked with 7 first graders.

Today I hugged and said goodbye to 5 first graders.

This is the week that...

the ironing didn't get done,

the toilets didn't get cleaned,

The Crazy Dog got zero walks,

the girls got a little less sleep,

we didn't go to the pool,

no books were read before nap time,

and Mommy took a nap just like the girls.

WHERE'S THE BUT?

But what did happen?

I have learned to be a servant.

I have learned how to talk to a child about Jesus.

I have learned how to dance and do sign language without feeling like an idiot.

I have learned to sweat gracefully in the name of the Lord.

I have learned how to answer a child's questions about God.

I have learned how to worship God somewhere other than inside church on a Sunday morning.

I have learned to speak proudly and intelligently about my faith.

I have learned that we really ARE a body of Christ and that we each play a role in life.

I have learned that I am the hands.

I have learned my energy and example will be followed.

I have learned to be grateful for MY story as I use it to create another's.

I have learned that I need to treat my own children with the same servant attitude that I used with my "kids" this week.

I have learned VBS wasn't just for the kids in our community this week.