Unexpected

We cuddle up on the couch, watch a little tv, enjoy the summer evening, and reminisce on the events of a long day spent ministering God’s love to the campers. When out he pops, skitters, no–skips, no–it is more like he marches down the hallway, the king of his domain. He stops and looks at us, surprised that someone else would be here, in his kingdom. He stares for what seems like an awfully long time, considering. Then he darts into the kitchen.

A mouse! In my house! Now that is unexpected.

 

Late one evening, about 10:30, we walked home through the forest-y pine trees and down the hill to our log house, having just finished Friday night singing around the campfire. Hand in hand with my little boy we walked, stomping the leaves and rocks, twisting our way under the oak tree, carefully avoiding the little unseen hazards under our feet. Our house was right there, in sight, so close. I flashed the light farther down the path--there was our car and the truck parked in our driveway.

Wait! What was that? Two round, glowing yellow eyes, never moving, never swerving stared back at us. Two round ears popped out on top of its head. This was one huge dog--as tall as the truck bed it was standing next to. Was this the “Beast Dog” described in the Hound of the Baskervilles? Could it be real? Was it alive?

On we walked, straight towards it, staying true to the path we were on. It kept silent, but loomed large. Was this the Cujo dog? We walked closer, the light from my flashlight shining straight in its eyes. We were within 30 feet and still it didn't move, just stared. Then it dawned on me. THIS IS––A BEAR! 

Now that was unexpected!

 

Not sure what to do now, and panic set in. We quickly darted to the right towards our front door, keeping our eyes on the bear, ( he had remained still for some time.) Then, unexpectedly, he took a few steps toward us, may be as a warning. But in my panicked state of thinking, I feared the worse--that he wanted to ATTACK us! 

 

Running straightway, my boy and I clamored down the rocky wall,  jumped up the steps to our porch, tumbled into the living room, and slammed the door shut! 

The end.

Five Minute Fridays - EVERY DAY

 

Every day there are dishes in the sink, dirty clothes overflowing from the hamper, clean clothes piled high on my bedroom floor, Legos strewn on the carpet, dust and lint puffs floating around in my laundry room, candy wrappers and pieces of trash (from I don’t know where) littering my boys’ room, beds with blankets falling down, an office with a lot, (maybe a zillion) papers, receipts, pens and other stuff all thrown across the desk.

BUT… I’m thankful for all of this! There was one time, a time not so long ago, when I had no bedroom of my own, no kitchen, no living or dining room of my own. No laundry room, and no boys’ room. No office to call my own. And very little hope...

Now I do.

{FIVE MINUTE FRIDAYS BY GYPSYMAMA}

GypsyMama says: 

Wanna just write? Without wondering if it’s just right?

Indulge in five rich, delicious minutes of pure writing.
Tell your readers you’re linking up and invite them to dig in too.   
And most importantly, go visit, read, and compliment the five minute chef who served something up right before you.

Venturing Into Unknown Territory

My 2010 Goals {Revisited}

The year (2010) began as all the others, but ended quite differently. "Pulling up our stakes" as they call it, (howbeit they were not so firmly entrenched in the OC anymore), traversing the "Verdugo Trail," through perilous mountain peaks and across cattail strewn lakes, and venturing into this unknown territory known as Christian Camp Ministries, my family started a new kind of life. Filled with God's blessings and provisions, this new land has become our strong city. Exciting indeed!

Early in that year, before any knowledge of our future adventure, or of the changes that were about to take place, I sat at my desk and wrote down my goals (aka New Year's Resolutions) for the year of 2010. Here they are, in no particular order, with my comments.

My Goals for 2010

• Bible time with my kids every morning. 
First on my list... I'm sorry to say I did not accomplish this goal. Should I even go on with the list?

• Exercise by taking walks several times a week.
Moved up to camp, so... I walk a lot more now.

• Eat Better: more water and vegetables, less sugar.
 I'm drinking more water at camp.

• Lose 10 lbs through diet and exercise.   
Nope.

• Be a nicer wife through reading encouraging books and memorizing Bible verses.
Well, I've read many encouraging books, and memorized verses, but I don't know if I've become a nicer wife.  Ask my husband.

• Be a nicer mother by not getting upset with the kids.
Nope. {Don't ask the kids.}     

• Daily personal devotions.
I've definitely improved here. I have devotions many times a week.

• Plan and schedule Joshua's school.
Workin' on it.

• Acquire part-time job (20hrs/wk) $15-$20/hr.       

The Tough Guys

Got the hours, need the pay raise...

• Get newer car/insurance.                                       
Got the insurance, need the car...

• Renew driver's license.
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me.

• Pass CphT (Pharmacy Tech.) exam and get state license.
Nope. {big sigh}

• Continue to set aside money for A's college.
Done, and doing. Wow, we've come so far since this time last year. She's already finished 1st semester, now into 2nd semester.

• Work on Bible memory verses.
Memorized many and am adding more each week. I love hiding God's word in my heart!

• Continue writing articles/make money from writing projects.
Hmmm. Have not done this "officially."

• Make meal planning a priority.
Camp meals are planned, so... there's a breather for me. Still need to strike a balance.

Bringing Up April

Raising a Daughter in the World, but Not of the World


Yesterday, she made me cry. My baby girl, the lovely girl who wants to follow God's leading... she made me cry. I didn't know these emotions were in me, but they came out - helplessness, followed by exasperation, and ending with crossness. What cruel joke did she play on my poor mother's heart? This heart that's been dreading the loss of its only daughter to the world of grown ups and college classes.

The Mom I Grew Up With

My Mom died. It's been five years now. She lived 81 years, and her last 4 were spent mostly as a shut in. I still want her back, but...

I miss the Mom I grew up with, the Mom who was always there for me when I came home from school, or back from a date, or home from church. She prayed for me daily, preached God's love and Jesus' forgiveness, sang Amazing Grace through the house, and read her Bible every day. . . but she didn't go to church services. I can count on my hands the times I remember her going to church with me. Mostly these were special occasions, a Christmas Eve service here or there, or a special musical I was performing in. Mostly these were special because she was there, and I knew she needed to be there, in church.

She did go to her prayer meetings and take me along, but I was very young, not even school age. My vague memories include seeing friendly folks laying hands on one another, praying for each other and saying things which I didn't understand. My Mom said they were speaking in tongues, that it was a special language from heaven that God had given them. Honestly, as a small child it scared me to hear them talking this way, but Mom was always there to comfort me and I knew she wouldn't let anything bad happen to me.

May be it was after one of these prayer meetings that she told me about Jesus, and how he died on the cross for me, because he loved me so much and didn't want me to die and go to hell. I was so young, but I remember the feelings, the sadness in my heart because Jesus was beaten and then died on the cross. It was with complete simplicity, and innocence, that I cried in my bed and asked Jesus to forgive my sins. I was so sorry for my sins... I did not come to Jesus like a child, I came to him as a child.

My Mom died. This past July. She lived 81 years and her last 4 were spent mostly as a shut in. I still want her back, but...

Flattery With Her Eyelids

Reading Proverbs six today, I am struck with the importance of keeping my son pure and safe from the lusts of this world.

Beware the flattery of the tongue from a strange woman. She hunts for the precious life, your precious young life. She allures with her beauty and her eyes.

My son, I know you see her everyday... on the streets, on the side of buses, on the billboards, at the mall, in magazines and books, on the television and in the commercials, at the library, even at home on the computer. Don't be fooled! Be strong!

My son, listen and obey your father and mother. Keep your father's commandments and don't forsake the law of your mother. Keep these things close in your heart, ever thoughtful on them, and they'll lead and guide you when you sleep, and when you wake. His laws are a light, a lamp, showing the way.