Living in the Yester-Years

I forget, occasionally, that God calls us to live in the here and now. To make plans for the future, but not "real" plans. To be loose and limber and bending about the how's and why's and where's He has set for us. He calls us to have JOY where we stand. And he calls us away from the past. I find myself too often yearning for the past, and usually it's a past I haven't ever known. The one where men wore leather motorcycle helmets w/ goggles and women still loved dresses. Little girls were taught by their mothers to make daisy chains and little boys' curious urge to squash that bug! was just a normal part of boy-dom.

Came across this beautiful quote. I hope it may inspire you to remember the Todays as it did me:

"I'd make more mistakes (if I had life over again). I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have a few more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else--just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle and a raincoat. If i had my life to live over again, I would travel lighter than i have. If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daises." ~Nadine Stair, 85Live in joy: Gen

It was almost like Hogwarts!

Yup. This here is Izy. In the mail last week, Iz received a Letter--her Letter of Acceptance. In actuality the letter was addressed "to the parents of..." and was a staple form sent to all parents letting us know the where's and what costs of Awana. But for our little three year old, the one who'd spent an entire year watching her big brother head off to Awana Cubbies--well, for that little girl, it might as well have been a Letter of Acceptance to Hogwarts School. She posed for pics (that I have yet to up load.) She begged to take it to Grandma's house. She slept with the (now rumpled) thing clutched close to her chest. This is a BIG deal. So now, she waits...waits until the 21st of the month (we're creating a countdown calendar today!) She waits for the glorious evening when her Mama & Daddy will load her up (along w/ big bro Will) and she will finally, finally slide into her very own royal blue vest, be entrusted with her very own Cubbies book and tell the world she is: Izabella Briggs, Cubbies attendee:)

Anticipate: Genna

Confessions of Appearance

Read my devotional today. This was a VERY. BAD. IDEA. You may go look for my ego cowering in a deep, dark crevice someplace next time we meet. On the other hand, the joy of Christ and an amazement w/ God's tolerance and love (I'd somehow forgotten) reinstated itself in my heart. ~~

I'll admit it. I LIKE to look put together. Well, LOVE is probably the more appropriate word. I LOVE that I have four kids, under 5 who are ludicrously cute and I LOVE when people in the store give me that "I can't believe how calm and happy you seem," face when we bounce about town. Um, can we say "pride issue" here? Cuz truth be told, I adore my children but I do not adore getting up at 4am when the baby wants to be awake 2 hrs earlier than the rest of the munchkins, or finding that because they are all so young they can (and do) occasionally ALL decide to hit break down mode AT THE SAME TIME! And sometimes an ugly, "would you just go away and play quietly somewhere?" feeling sprouts. ~~Didn't I dedicate these kids to God? Didn't I promise to lead, guide and absolutely always remember how precious they are??


Aforementioned devotional spoke of a single dad (of 6!) w/ a blue collar job who positively RADIATED a peace and closeness to Christ. NO complaints, no "woe-is-me's", nothing but a shining, genuine, God-loving, people-harvesting attitude. The kind I'd completely forgotten about in my own strife to look like I know what the heck I'm doing most days. Ever think you know so much about what you want to portray to the world that you forget, not the reason, but the real heart behind what you're doing?? SO just waded that knee-deep murky puddle!

Spent a goodly chunk of time w/ an apology on my lips--thanking our amazing God for how very gently He reminds us of our faults. Spent a goodlier chunk of time reveling in the joy that comes from remembering who my Savior really is and what He's all about. Kissed my kids:) Made a personal promise to literally tell them every day that I LOVE being their mom:)Re-discovered peace-filled joy...

Don't worry, be happy!~gen