Today I celebrate 14 years of marriage. The Hub and I dated for 7 years before we got married, so friends, its been 21 years. I mean, gosh. That's a long time. We dated in high school, through college and got married fresh afterwards. To clarify, this old girl was the ripe old age of 16 when we started dating. Whew, what a long time ago that seems to be. As I was learning to drive, being a silly teenager and learning what maturity really meant, I was digging The Hub. Turns out he was digging me too. It can truly be said that we grew up together. The Hub was 18 when we started dating. Shhhh, don't tell anyone that, me being underage and all.
Today as I look back over 21 years I see plenty of humps and hurdles. Plenty of tough times and plenty of disappointments. Marriage, and raising children, is not easy. But friends, as the voice of joy this morning I want to tell you that I also see perseverance, triumph and the test of time. The good truly does outweigh the bad. As humans, when we hit those lows we feel like that is the rock bottom and the "whoa is me" dilemna. Truth is, we can't thank God for the good times and not thank Him for the bad too. We have to celebrate both. Both are a requirement for growth and longevity.
As a Christian couple our commitment has always been that forever is forever. We've seen so many friends call it quits. Isn't a marriage akin to a relationship with Christ? You don't always get out what you feel you put in. You don't always receive the results you think you deserve. You get angry, you get sad. God doesn't disappoint. Our expectations do.
Whether your single or married, dating or divorced, as a child of God, your commitment to Him should stand through thick or thin. Our small group has been studying Hebrews and what we've discovered is God tends to repeat Himself. Hmm. Wonder why that is? Could it be because we don't hear it the first time...or the second time...or the third time. In our small group we chuckle as we go through the verses, chapter by chapter, and we say "didn't we just read this a few verses ago?" Yes, we did. And we continue to read the same general thought. Jesus is the way to God. He is the man, and He has our best interest in mind at all times. We are to have faith in Him that His plan is supreme and no matter the pitfalls, potholes or broken bridges, God is walking with us.
Have faith in your relationships, friends. View them with the same eyesight that God views our relationship with Him. Be committed, kind and faithful. Hold on to what God has given you. Expect the trials and tribulations and celebrate the joys and victories. This life brings plenty of both. Let your faith sustain you through it all.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Created Differently
This weekend we waved goodbye to the Beach Week-bound car full of teenagers, as Oldest hit the highway for his first ever parent-free week. Gulp. In typical teenager style Oldest came home from hanging with the girlfriend, changed his clothes, came downstairs with his bags in hand and said "okay guys, I'm gone." Um. What?
We rushed outside and gave the boys the quick impromptu "you can be arrested, you know" and "don't be reckless" and "do you even know where you're going?" speeches. Then we made them grab hands and have a quick word of prayer. Lord! Watch those boys please! Off they went, driving through the night. We already know teenagers don't pick the smartest plan most of the time. I am happy to say my good morning text revealed they had arrived safely. So, again...Lord, watch those boys, please!
This being the first experience with my sweet Oldest where I literally am praying for his sound mind and good judgment to equate to safe-keeping bears explaining. You see, this is the type of child who has always been passive and quiet, typically content with playing with his cars on the floor as a child. There were no emergency room visits, no heart-dropping incidents with him. No bike accidents, skateboard trauma or rollerblade blood. As a football-player we did have a broken ankle and another time of a chipped bone. Both of those were very painful. For him too, we're sure.
But, with all of that, this was and is a non-drama child. On the flip side of this, would be this boy's face:
Oh, goodness. This weekend's festivities included a face-first slide down the sidewalk as this precious boy went flying off his bike. Sigh. He is not the shy, quiet type. Last year as we launched summer the boy gashed his face on a scooter handlebar that had somehow lost its padding. The ragged edge of the metal put an evil mark on his beautiful face. For that incident, his awesome great big sister carried him all the way up to the house, composure intact, blood spewing from his face. Friends, when I got in the kitchen with him and cleaned his face off, I promise I was looking at an Avatar. His eyes were swollen and slanted and the bruising around this gash was blue. I began to feel faint and to The Hub's extreme amusement, I myself needed to lay flat on the floor to keep from fainting. Seriously. In retrospect it was funny. In fact, at the moment it was funny. Youngest was looking at me like I had lost my mind, he being the injured party and all. For about ten seconds he stopped wailing to just watch me slowly sink to the floor "It's okay, I'm okay..." I kept repeating. I can tell you I might have been "okay" but I was feeling like I was quite the sight. All I could imagine was my poor gorgeous boy having to move to Avatar land forever.
Fast-forward almost one whole year exactly and the scar from the stitches is barely visible. In another year or so it won't be visible at all. But here we go again. The boy goes for a bike ride and naturally...naturally he HAS to zoom past his sister. I meant, duh. He absolutely has to be the first on the ride, right? Anyone who knows our family knows that Youngest and Bball Girl CAN NOT fit on any sidewalk at the same time. There isn't a sidewalk wide enough in the world to hold those two. Competitive much? That little fella went to wobbling and crashed. Face first.
It is important to note that I stayed home from this bike ride. I was alerted to the fun when The Hub asked me to come put some Neosporin on the boy while he went to retrieve the girls from their waiting location. I walked into Youngest's room to find him sprawled on the bed like he had a spider on his face, eyes crossed inward trying to see the action and his arm propped up to stop the non-existent blood gushing that he was sure was happening. Thank God, no ER visit attached to this. He actually laid still for over 20 minutes. This NEVER happens. "See," I told him, "you're white like mommy underneath." Ah, the Rach. Always seeing the bright side.
My realization in this is this boy is fearless. There is not a reservation in his body that keeps him from leaping full speed ahead in things. He moves quickly and constantly. Oldest...complete opposite. Aren't your oldest kids supposed to prepare you to handle the ones that come after? I'm afraid Oldest has not done his job. Oh, boy. Oldest and Youngest. Created differently and beautifully. Something to remember as each one of us interact with each other. We are each created just the way God wanted us to be. Whether we are the shy, quiet type or we are the adventurous, shred-the-face type, we are each a treasure.
So, both my boys are special and unique. Oldest gave us lots of breathing room. Youngest, well, let's just say I'll let you know when my blood pressure returns to normal. It'll be awhile.
We rushed outside and gave the boys the quick impromptu "you can be arrested, you know" and "don't be reckless" and "do you even know where you're going?" speeches. Then we made them grab hands and have a quick word of prayer. Lord! Watch those boys please! Off they went, driving through the night. We already know teenagers don't pick the smartest plan most of the time. I am happy to say my good morning text revealed they had arrived safely. So, again...Lord, watch those boys, please!
This being the first experience with my sweet Oldest where I literally am praying for his sound mind and good judgment to equate to safe-keeping bears explaining. You see, this is the type of child who has always been passive and quiet, typically content with playing with his cars on the floor as a child. There were no emergency room visits, no heart-dropping incidents with him. No bike accidents, skateboard trauma or rollerblade blood. As a football-player we did have a broken ankle and another time of a chipped bone. Both of those were very painful. For him too, we're sure.
But, with all of that, this was and is a non-drama child. On the flip side of this, would be this boy's face:
Oh, goodness. This weekend's festivities included a face-first slide down the sidewalk as this precious boy went flying off his bike. Sigh. He is not the shy, quiet type. Last year as we launched summer the boy gashed his face on a scooter handlebar that had somehow lost its padding. The ragged edge of the metal put an evil mark on his beautiful face. For that incident, his awesome great big sister carried him all the way up to the house, composure intact, blood spewing from his face. Friends, when I got in the kitchen with him and cleaned his face off, I promise I was looking at an Avatar. His eyes were swollen and slanted and the bruising around this gash was blue. I began to feel faint and to The Hub's extreme amusement, I myself needed to lay flat on the floor to keep from fainting. Seriously. In retrospect it was funny. In fact, at the moment it was funny. Youngest was looking at me like I had lost my mind, he being the injured party and all. For about ten seconds he stopped wailing to just watch me slowly sink to the floor "It's okay, I'm okay..." I kept repeating. I can tell you I might have been "okay" but I was feeling like I was quite the sight. All I could imagine was my poor gorgeous boy having to move to Avatar land forever.
Fast-forward almost one whole year exactly and the scar from the stitches is barely visible. In another year or so it won't be visible at all. But here we go again. The boy goes for a bike ride and naturally...naturally he HAS to zoom past his sister. I meant, duh. He absolutely has to be the first on the ride, right? Anyone who knows our family knows that Youngest and Bball Girl CAN NOT fit on any sidewalk at the same time. There isn't a sidewalk wide enough in the world to hold those two. Competitive much? That little fella went to wobbling and crashed. Face first.
It is important to note that I stayed home from this bike ride. I was alerted to the fun when The Hub asked me to come put some Neosporin on the boy while he went to retrieve the girls from their waiting location. I walked into Youngest's room to find him sprawled on the bed like he had a spider on his face, eyes crossed inward trying to see the action and his arm propped up to stop the non-existent blood gushing that he was sure was happening. Thank God, no ER visit attached to this. He actually laid still for over 20 minutes. This NEVER happens. "See," I told him, "you're white like mommy underneath." Ah, the Rach. Always seeing the bright side.
My realization in this is this boy is fearless. There is not a reservation in his body that keeps him from leaping full speed ahead in things. He moves quickly and constantly. Oldest...complete opposite. Aren't your oldest kids supposed to prepare you to handle the ones that come after? I'm afraid Oldest has not done his job. Oh, boy. Oldest and Youngest. Created differently and beautifully. Something to remember as each one of us interact with each other. We are each created just the way God wanted us to be. Whether we are the shy, quiet type or we are the adventurous, shred-the-face type, we are each a treasure.
So, both my boys are special and unique. Oldest gave us lots of breathing room. Youngest, well, let's just say I'll let you know when my blood pressure returns to normal. It'll be awhile.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Vending Machine Message
Twice in one week I traveled the long road up 2 flights of stairs at work to the next floor up in my building. I gathered my change and prepared to hit the nearest vending machine. You know how that feeling hits you like you just gotta have something? Might be something sweet, something salty, maybe a soda or something? Well, that feeling hit and I aimed to satisfy it.
Today being the second of such times this week and having the same exact result as the first experience occasion I pondered on it a little longer. Both of my vending machine trips resulted in my little bag of pretzels spinning through the cycle to release into my eager hands and getting stuck on the wheel. Okay, confession time: the pretzels were for trip #1. I'm not a fool-me-twice kind of gal, so thinking myself clever, trip #2 was for something entirely different. Two trips...same result. A blog post in the making, for sure.
Both my pretzels and my poptarts (believe it!) sat dangling on the edge of that fancy contraption; 9/10ths of the package released and ready to go. Hanging on by just a corner I watched incredulously. On trip #1, I figured I'll go back down, get another dollar and return and get pretzels again. And for sure I will get rewarded with BOTH of my bags of pretzels. Friends, the injustice! I put that dollar in and the little wheel went to spinning. My bag came a-tumbling down and as the wheel stopped spinning my second paid-for bag got stuck. So I spent double the money for 1 bag of pretzels. And I do not have to tell you how much of a rip-off vending machine snacks are. A dollar for that? Highway robbery.
What could I do? These are some heavy machines. Believe me when I tell you that I tried to throw my hip into it without alerting any nearby workers who might see what a fool I was making of myself. The machine itself wouldn't budge. I do believe they build those things stronger these days. Forced to walk away without my paid-for pretzels, I knew that someone else would reap the reward of my contribution. How unfair is that?
On trip #2, the one for the scandalous candy bar, I was not contributing a second dollar. We get wiser with experience, no? But both times I was forced to walk away with my items dangling. almost every piece of them free yet held on by some small peck of a wrapper unable to let go. As I pouted my way back to my desk it occurred to me that a lot of the troubles that I face in my day to day life are exactly the same. I put the work in. Hey, that was my hard earned coinage. I did the long trek (okay, not really - but that's what we tell ourselves) up to the next floor. Took the steps, even. I put in my money expecting to get what was mine. You see where I'm going with this? And, I did not receive what I felt I was entitled to. Even though I tried to shake it out of there.
Many times, I go through things that are not for my reward. I get the struggle, says the Lord, but the benefit belongs to another. Someone else gets to eat my pretzels and chomp on my poptart. And the self-centered piece of us all says that is just not fair. Arms folded, chest puffed out and bottom lip dragging the floor. But the Spirit-driven Christian says "I get it Lord. Use me if you can use anything." When we struggle and see the payoff we can wrap our minds around being grateful for the struggle. When we don't get the reward we walk away sulking and pouting. Like a brat without pretzels and poptarts. Today the Lord reminded me not only is it NOT about me all the time, in fact most of the time, but it IS about someone else.
By the time I reached my desk I pouted no more. Good, I thought. Let someone else be blessed by my sacrifice. Perhaps when I face my next bump in the road I will think a little differently. I'll remember that while I get the struggle someone else is going to be blessed. Doesn't that make it worth it? If you want to be Christ-like, as I do, it is truly worth it. God is everywhere. The closer we grow to Him the more we are able to see Him in everything...everywhere. I hope that chick who got my pretzels or the one who got my poptarts enjoyed them. And I pray those calories evaporated from girlfriend's hips!
Speaking of hips, my dear, sweet Youngest, runs up to me the other day, full of love in his face and adoring in his wide-open arms. "Mom! You're fat...but I love you." Friends, hysterical! Now perhaps if I got that poptart or bag of pretzels I would agree with him. No offense to anyone but I have seen plenty...plenty of people heavier than me. Perhaps, self-deception, yes, but I don't call myself fat, friends. For goodness sakes. Oh, that Youngest. His intention was to show his mama how much he adores her. Message received.
Today being the second of such times this week and having the same exact result as the first experience occasion I pondered on it a little longer. Both of my vending machine trips resulted in my little bag of pretzels spinning through the cycle to release into my eager hands and getting stuck on the wheel. Okay, confession time: the pretzels were for trip #1. I'm not a fool-me-twice kind of gal, so thinking myself clever, trip #2 was for something entirely different. Two trips...same result. A blog post in the making, for sure.
Both my pretzels and my poptarts (believe it!) sat dangling on the edge of that fancy contraption; 9/10ths of the package released and ready to go. Hanging on by just a corner I watched incredulously. On trip #1, I figured I'll go back down, get another dollar and return and get pretzels again. And for sure I will get rewarded with BOTH of my bags of pretzels. Friends, the injustice! I put that dollar in and the little wheel went to spinning. My bag came a-tumbling down and as the wheel stopped spinning my second paid-for bag got stuck. So I spent double the money for 1 bag of pretzels. And I do not have to tell you how much of a rip-off vending machine snacks are. A dollar for that? Highway robbery.
What could I do? These are some heavy machines. Believe me when I tell you that I tried to throw my hip into it without alerting any nearby workers who might see what a fool I was making of myself. The machine itself wouldn't budge. I do believe they build those things stronger these days. Forced to walk away without my paid-for pretzels, I knew that someone else would reap the reward of my contribution. How unfair is that?
On trip #2, the one for the scandalous candy bar, I was not contributing a second dollar. We get wiser with experience, no? But both times I was forced to walk away with my items dangling. almost every piece of them free yet held on by some small peck of a wrapper unable to let go. As I pouted my way back to my desk it occurred to me that a lot of the troubles that I face in my day to day life are exactly the same. I put the work in. Hey, that was my hard earned coinage. I did the long trek (okay, not really - but that's what we tell ourselves) up to the next floor. Took the steps, even. I put in my money expecting to get what was mine. You see where I'm going with this? And, I did not receive what I felt I was entitled to. Even though I tried to shake it out of there.
Many times, I go through things that are not for my reward. I get the struggle, says the Lord, but the benefit belongs to another. Someone else gets to eat my pretzels and chomp on my poptart. And the self-centered piece of us all says that is just not fair. Arms folded, chest puffed out and bottom lip dragging the floor. But the Spirit-driven Christian says "I get it Lord. Use me if you can use anything." When we struggle and see the payoff we can wrap our minds around being grateful for the struggle. When we don't get the reward we walk away sulking and pouting. Like a brat without pretzels and poptarts. Today the Lord reminded me not only is it NOT about me all the time, in fact most of the time, but it IS about someone else.
By the time I reached my desk I pouted no more. Good, I thought. Let someone else be blessed by my sacrifice. Perhaps when I face my next bump in the road I will think a little differently. I'll remember that while I get the struggle someone else is going to be blessed. Doesn't that make it worth it? If you want to be Christ-like, as I do, it is truly worth it. God is everywhere. The closer we grow to Him the more we are able to see Him in everything...everywhere. I hope that chick who got my pretzels or the one who got my poptarts enjoyed them. And I pray those calories evaporated from girlfriend's hips!
Speaking of hips, my dear, sweet Youngest, runs up to me the other day, full of love in his face and adoring in his wide-open arms. "Mom! You're fat...but I love you." Friends, hysterical! Now perhaps if I got that poptart or bag of pretzels I would agree with him. No offense to anyone but I have seen plenty...plenty of people heavier than me. Perhaps, self-deception, yes, but I don't call myself fat, friends. For goodness sakes. Oh, that Youngest. His intention was to show his mama how much he adores her. Message received.
Be Radical
I'm reading this...
Our Ladies Book Club, now being dubbed "The Ladies Club", not to be confused with similarity to a Gentleman's Club, is reading this particular gem this month. The name change evolving as a result of the massive good time we have as ladies, just enjoying each other's presence and occasionally mentioning the book we were supposed to read.
For my friends who aren't read-eager, this is a quick, easy read. It's the fictional story of a man who loses everything. A modern-day Job. I am about half-way through so my blog post is not to be mistaken for a review of this little guy. Just want to give you a heads up, this might be one you would enjoy.
It's certainly food for thought. In a world full of chaos, self-promotion and self-gratification, what would you do if you found yourself with everything and the next afternoon had nothing. Literally. Everything you loved, including the material junk we "love" and can't live without, was suddenly ripped away. It's something to consider. My friend, Alan, the fictional star of this book, takes a walk.
What a thought. Just walk away from the nothing that is left behind. Walking is liberating. I'm at the part in the book where he just began his walk and I'm anxious to see where the road leads him. Spiritually speaking, when we walk away from the destruction that has become our situation, where do we walk to? Do we invite God to walk with us? Truly, we are never alone. Even when life can't get lower and we feel like we are on our own, God is there walking with us. Our choice is whether we invite him to walk beside or pretend He's not there by plowing ahead, blinded by anger, resentment and bitterness from the mess we left behind.
Every situation that we come out of is an opportunity to see God's grace. Tragedy is triumph. The mess becomes a message. The test is a testimony. It's not us, friends. It's God speaking through us. Let the Man speak.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
One...And Just Begun...
A fellow mom with a graduating senior posted on her Facebook "One and Done." I thought that was clever for a mom with one son. She's done, friends. For us Copelands, we are "One...and Just Begun..."
That said, this first one was a pleasure. This sweet boy didn't want a grad party to save his life. Ever the spotlight-hider he insisted we NOT when we insisted we DO. We planned and executed the greatest grad party, honoring Oldest and 2 of his friends. A three-person party was the way to go. No one hit with the direct spotlight but everyone gets to celebrate the grads.
The party was a huge success. Lots of people, great food, and huge smiles from Oldest. The boy was certainly happy. Shout out to our amazing DJ, Sky. We really appreciate him coming through for us, and giving us the energy that made our party jumping!
As if the party wasn't satisfying enough, the graduation ceremony itself was awesome. You know how graduations can be. A boring speaker, lots of shifting in your seat, trying to be patient, wondering why it has to take so long. Chantilly High, you put on an amazing ceremony. I especially loved the "11 for 11" where we were enlightened and encouraged by the few inspiring words of 11 great teachers at Chantilly. There was no boring speech-giver, although I must say that really smart kid who gave his speech...he lost me at "hello."
We, friends, are the proud parents of a high school grad. Next day, Oldest: "I'm bored." Isn't that the way folks? All that hype leading up to this major milestone in your life, and when it's done you are wondering what's next? Oldest will enjoy the summer and get ready for college. Not worried about him being "bored." Just thought that was funny that the poor boy had that immediate "what now" feeling.
Friends, it's ever so cliche to tell you to enjoy your time with your loved ones. We know that time doesn't stop and your not promised tomorrow, and all that jazz. But seriously, be intentional about what you do with the now that you have. I promise that just yesterday Oldest was in 7th grade, missing that dag-on bus every single day because he just could not get himself up out of bed on time. Now, here we are, finished high school, with no morning alarm needed for at least a few months. And if you are thinking the last thing you want to do is spend more quality time with the ones you love and the ones who drive you crazy, just remember that we are "One...And Just Begun." You can always borrow one of ours.
That said, this first one was a pleasure. This sweet boy didn't want a grad party to save his life. Ever the spotlight-hider he insisted we NOT when we insisted we DO. We planned and executed the greatest grad party, honoring Oldest and 2 of his friends. A three-person party was the way to go. No one hit with the direct spotlight but everyone gets to celebrate the grads.
The party was a huge success. Lots of people, great food, and huge smiles from Oldest. The boy was certainly happy. Shout out to our amazing DJ, Sky. We really appreciate him coming through for us, and giving us the energy that made our party jumping!
As if the party wasn't satisfying enough, the graduation ceremony itself was awesome. You know how graduations can be. A boring speaker, lots of shifting in your seat, trying to be patient, wondering why it has to take so long. Chantilly High, you put on an amazing ceremony. I especially loved the "11 for 11" where we were enlightened and encouraged by the few inspiring words of 11 great teachers at Chantilly. There was no boring speech-giver, although I must say that really smart kid who gave his speech...he lost me at "hello."
We, friends, are the proud parents of a high school grad. Next day, Oldest: "I'm bored." Isn't that the way folks? All that hype leading up to this major milestone in your life, and when it's done you are wondering what's next? Oldest will enjoy the summer and get ready for college. Not worried about him being "bored." Just thought that was funny that the poor boy had that immediate "what now" feeling.
Friends, it's ever so cliche to tell you to enjoy your time with your loved ones. We know that time doesn't stop and your not promised tomorrow, and all that jazz. But seriously, be intentional about what you do with the now that you have. I promise that just yesterday Oldest was in 7th grade, missing that dag-on bus every single day because he just could not get himself up out of bed on time. Now, here we are, finished high school, with no morning alarm needed for at least a few months. And if you are thinking the last thing you want to do is spend more quality time with the ones you love and the ones who drive you crazy, just remember that we are "One...And Just Begun." You can always borrow one of ours.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
You Are What You Read
This saying usually goes along the lines of "you are what you eat." I don't dispute that. If it's true then I am good, cause I love me some good food. But seriously, I believe this little quote can be changed just a tad to say you are what you read. Do you read? Friends! Find something fascinating and educate your brain. Personally, I would read 3-4 books a week if I could be left alone long enough to do so. Clearly not happening for some years now.
Alright, as I step off my Reading Is Fundamental soap box, I want to tell you I am reading The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Quickly, let me tell you I am not enrolled in college so this is not required reading as you might assume. I was browsing the library shelves and found myself in the biography section. I have come to realize that the real stories of real people is what fascinates me the most. So God led me to Frederick Douglass. Wow, friends. If you haven't read this, you must. We can't begin to understand the plight of American slaves if we don't try to see life through their eyes.
I will tell you it's not a read for the queasy stomach. Its brutal, in fact. But, in my opinion, also a necessary tool in understanding. In my case, I am confident that Charlottesville City Public Schools required that I read this in high school. I can't say that I recall any of it. Likely because I could have cared less at age 17. So that's why at 36 I am re-reading a piece of gold. I hope that I am what I read. I hope that my eyes continue to be open and educated.
I am most fascinated with the slave owner. I am amazed at the recounting of beatings with little to no hesitation. What kind of person could inflict inconceivable pain on another person without their own soul being at unrest? I get that it became the culture, but I have difficultly wrapping my head around how any person could be comfortable inflicting that pain. I can only speak for myself. I go to great lengths to avoid violence. I can't watch those TruTV shows which show people getting injured or hurt, even at their own doing. Adults fighting? Forget it. It does something to my spirit to watch such nonsense. The Hub, he is all "ooo, did you see that? Turn it back!" Me: forget it. I can't watch people destroy other people.
I say all that to say, reading this book is amazing. Thank you Frederick Douglass for taking the time and inspiration to pen your thoughts. To relay the difficult things you and your fellow slaves endured so that we might read them and educate ourselves on the history of America and the plight of slaves.
Alright, enough with the heavy. I have to end my blog today with some other thoughts. As I sit this mid-day, having completed one soccer game for Soccer Chick (I will refrain from commenting on the pitiful performance of her team this morning), I am two days away from my sweet Oldest graduating. I am reminded of the song by Sidewalk Prophets. The chorus is amazing:
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here
These friends are the exact words, in the exact way, I would share with my graduate and our other friends who are graduating. And in case I get too sad about my Oldest leaving, I remember that I have Youngest. Funny, through and through. This morning he bumped his elbow, and I made a big deal out of acting out a scene of being an emergency doctor, fixing his arm. Put the fellow up on my kitchen counter and pretended to be the doctor fixing him fast. He looked at me straight-faced and serious and said "Mom. You do know my hand is on your boob."
Alright, as I step off my Reading Is Fundamental soap box, I want to tell you I am reading The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Quickly, let me tell you I am not enrolled in college so this is not required reading as you might assume. I was browsing the library shelves and found myself in the biography section. I have come to realize that the real stories of real people is what fascinates me the most. So God led me to Frederick Douglass. Wow, friends. If you haven't read this, you must. We can't begin to understand the plight of American slaves if we don't try to see life through their eyes.
I will tell you it's not a read for the queasy stomach. Its brutal, in fact. But, in my opinion, also a necessary tool in understanding. In my case, I am confident that Charlottesville City Public Schools required that I read this in high school. I can't say that I recall any of it. Likely because I could have cared less at age 17. So that's why at 36 I am re-reading a piece of gold. I hope that I am what I read. I hope that my eyes continue to be open and educated.
I am most fascinated with the slave owner. I am amazed at the recounting of beatings with little to no hesitation. What kind of person could inflict inconceivable pain on another person without their own soul being at unrest? I get that it became the culture, but I have difficultly wrapping my head around how any person could be comfortable inflicting that pain. I can only speak for myself. I go to great lengths to avoid violence. I can't watch those TruTV shows which show people getting injured or hurt, even at their own doing. Adults fighting? Forget it. It does something to my spirit to watch such nonsense. The Hub, he is all "ooo, did you see that? Turn it back!" Me: forget it. I can't watch people destroy other people.
I say all that to say, reading this book is amazing. Thank you Frederick Douglass for taking the time and inspiration to pen your thoughts. To relay the difficult things you and your fellow slaves endured so that we might read them and educate ourselves on the history of America and the plight of slaves.
Alright, enough with the heavy. I have to end my blog today with some other thoughts. As I sit this mid-day, having completed one soccer game for Soccer Chick (I will refrain from commenting on the pitiful performance of her team this morning), I am two days away from my sweet Oldest graduating. I am reminded of the song by Sidewalk Prophets. The chorus is amazing:
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here
These friends are the exact words, in the exact way, I would share with my graduate and our other friends who are graduating. And in case I get too sad about my Oldest leaving, I remember that I have Youngest. Funny, through and through. This morning he bumped his elbow, and I made a big deal out of acting out a scene of being an emergency doctor, fixing his arm. Put the fellow up on my kitchen counter and pretended to be the doctor fixing him fast. He looked at me straight-faced and serious and said "Mom. You do know my hand is on your boob."
Monday, June 13, 2011
Seaons Closers
Another round of spring season sports comes to a close. As we finish out our Spring 2011 go-round, we saw a disappointing loss in the first round of the season tournament for soccer. Shoot, girls, I thought we would take the "W" on that one. And Oldest's team lost in the semi-finals for house basketball.
The Hub and his girls put on quite the performance for Saturday's first round of the spring season tournament. They played well, according to me and not according to Mr. Competitive, aka, The Hub. We scored 1 and they answered with 1. We scored a 2nd and they answered with a 2nd. Friends, we got down to 15 seconds in the game and that silly old ball got past our forwards, our midfielders and trotted its way right on back to our defense. With seemingly no effort, it sailed past our defender, standing there like the last man standing. It was just their player vs. our goalie. She tried to stop that thing, I promise she did. It bounced off the goalpost, rolled just over the goal line and she trapped it. Unfortunately the trap was over the goal line. And I kid you not, it was literally score...pause...pause...whistle - game over. 2 or 3 seconds after that final score, they take the lead at 3 goals and the game is over. So disappointing... With that round 1 defeat the girls were out of the tournament. What a way to start the Saturday morning! At least we could spend the rest of the day at the pool. That's exactly what we did.
Soccer Chick was elected to All-Stars so she has one more week of soccer. Game will be on Saturday. Hope they do well!
Oldest's house league team played on Wednesday night. We were hosting our small group for church so we didn't get to see the game. I heard they lost by 2 points.
Things will be quiet on the sports front for the remainder of the summer. We'll head into fall pretty hard. Oldest will be away at college and the three youngest will be in school. Hallelujah! Youngest starts kindergarten in September. Goodbye daycare bill. Its not been nice knowing you!
The Hub and his girls put on quite the performance for Saturday's first round of the spring season tournament. They played well, according to me and not according to Mr. Competitive, aka, The Hub. We scored 1 and they answered with 1. We scored a 2nd and they answered with a 2nd. Friends, we got down to 15 seconds in the game and that silly old ball got past our forwards, our midfielders and trotted its way right on back to our defense. With seemingly no effort, it sailed past our defender, standing there like the last man standing. It was just their player vs. our goalie. She tried to stop that thing, I promise she did. It bounced off the goalpost, rolled just over the goal line and she trapped it. Unfortunately the trap was over the goal line. And I kid you not, it was literally score...pause...pause...whistle - game over. 2 or 3 seconds after that final score, they take the lead at 3 goals and the game is over. So disappointing... With that round 1 defeat the girls were out of the tournament. What a way to start the Saturday morning! At least we could spend the rest of the day at the pool. That's exactly what we did.
Soccer Chick was elected to All-Stars so she has one more week of soccer. Game will be on Saturday. Hope they do well!
Oldest's house league team played on Wednesday night. We were hosting our small group for church so we didn't get to see the game. I heard they lost by 2 points.
Things will be quiet on the sports front for the remainder of the summer. We'll head into fall pretty hard. Oldest will be away at college and the three youngest will be in school. Hallelujah! Youngest starts kindergarten in September. Goodbye daycare bill. Its not been nice knowing you!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Oh, Youngest...
My dear readers, I have blogged for a bit about all of my delightful children. They all bring me such joy and humor. They are not perfect and we have our moments, but if someone would describe our family they would probably include "funny" somewhere in there. A co-worker told me recently that I remind her of The Cosby Show with my family antics and stories. Where is that TV contract, I'm wondering...
This morning I realized that I had a pad of post-its in the car. Something seemingly insignificant is actually priceless. Youngest is ALWAYS saying something that keeps me on my toes, laughing, amazed at his insight and wisdom, in awe of his five-year-old logic. So this morning I had a big smile knowing that now I could write down what my boy says in that short drive to daycare.
For starters...
I go through the usual pre-drop off talk, "have a great day...behave...play nice," you know, that kind of stuff.
"MOM," he exclaims, "One of my teachers is pregnant. She's going to have a baby."
"Wow, really?"
"Yea. She's the big fat one." Now you and I both know he meant her belly was the fat part.
"Is she going to have a boy or girl?"
"I don't know. Good question, mom. It isn't out yet so how would I know?"
And then...
"Mom, I should be 17 and Oldest should be 19 right now. That would be cool. I should have been born second."
"Really? Why is that?" I ask.
"Because it takes soooooo long to grow bigger. I have been waiting a really long time and its just not happening for me. I am still the smallest in the house. Its boring being small."
Coming from one short adult, I concur Youngest, I concur.
And lastly...
"Mom, do you know Maya at my school?" (Name changed for her own safety, of course)
"No, I haven't seen her yet. Why?"
"Oh mom, yesterday on the playground she grabbed me by the head and kissed me on the ear."
"What? Are you serious? What did you say?"
"Nothing. I ran away fast. I was going to move but I didn't see her coming."
That, friends, will be the story of his gorgeous boy's life. He won't even see the "hers" coming.
"And, mom...she told me three times yesterday that she loves me."
"How did that happen?" I ask. And more importantly, I'm wondering where did this little girl come from. She and I will have to meet. Soon.
"Well, at breakfast and at circle time and at lunch. Those three times she said 'Youngest...I loooovvee youuu." Youngest tells me in the sweetest, most adoring voice he could muster up.
Um. Houston...we have a problem.
This morning I realized that I had a pad of post-its in the car. Something seemingly insignificant is actually priceless. Youngest is ALWAYS saying something that keeps me on my toes, laughing, amazed at his insight and wisdom, in awe of his five-year-old logic. So this morning I had a big smile knowing that now I could write down what my boy says in that short drive to daycare.
For starters...
I go through the usual pre-drop off talk, "have a great day...behave...play nice," you know, that kind of stuff.
"MOM," he exclaims, "One of my teachers is pregnant. She's going to have a baby."
"Wow, really?"
"Yea. She's the big fat one." Now you and I both know he meant her belly was the fat part.
"Is she going to have a boy or girl?"
"I don't know. Good question, mom. It isn't out yet so how would I know?"
And then...
"Mom, I should be 17 and Oldest should be 19 right now. That would be cool. I should have been born second."
"Really? Why is that?" I ask.
"Because it takes soooooo long to grow bigger. I have been waiting a really long time and its just not happening for me. I am still the smallest in the house. Its boring being small."
Coming from one short adult, I concur Youngest, I concur.
And lastly...
"Mom, do you know Maya at my school?" (Name changed for her own safety, of course)
"No, I haven't seen her yet. Why?"
"Oh mom, yesterday on the playground she grabbed me by the head and kissed me on the ear."
"What? Are you serious? What did you say?"
"Nothing. I ran away fast. I was going to move but I didn't see her coming."
That, friends, will be the story of his gorgeous boy's life. He won't even see the "hers" coming.
"And, mom...she told me three times yesterday that she loves me."
"How did that happen?" I ask. And more importantly, I'm wondering where did this little girl come from. She and I will have to meet. Soon.
"Well, at breakfast and at circle time and at lunch. Those three times she said 'Youngest...I loooovvee youuu." Youngest tells me in the sweetest, most adoring voice he could muster up.
Um. Houston...we have a problem.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Protection Unseen...
In a slight panic, although he would never admit it, The Hub was charging through the house looking for his laptop. I was just trying to get some peace and quiet and some church work done so I must admit I wasn't being all that helpful. I hadn't seen it since Sunday when we packed up the church equipment at the school we rent for services.
After several searches The Hub decides it has to have been forgotten at the school. We travel the long mile to the school and speak with our friendly janitors about it. They make the experience of renting the school worth it. They are always helpful, courteous and friendly. They searched with us but the laptop was nowhere to be found. We tried retracing our steps and we gleefully ignored Oldest as he clowned his dad for losing something. "You never lose anything, dad. This is amazing. You really need to get yourself together. How could you misplace that?" I am sure he was pleased to have the opportunity to shoot some of his dad's own lecturing back at him. When it comes to losing things Oldest has that program mastered.
Unfortunately, we just couldn't figure out where that laptop could have gone. We traveled the long mile back home and searched some more. Well, The Hub searched. I can't say that I was being very helpful at the time either. It then occurred to The Hub that perhaps we should have checked the school office. Logic being that if it had been seen, perhaps it had been turned into the office. Why we didn't do that with the first school search go-round, I can't tell you. So back down the long mile to the school we go. We enter the dark office (it is after 5pm) and The Hub hollers "helloooo???" The assistant principal pops out and shares some enlightening info.
Turns out that the night before, somewhere around 3am, the school's security alarm went off. The police responded and found the roof hatch on the school ajar, whatever that means. When they arrived they noticed a black laptop bag propped up against the door...outside the school. Immediately identified as a suspicious package. They carried that suspicious laptop bag to the police station and gave the school the police report which we now stood in the darkened office and read with the assistant principal.
Well, great news is it had been found. Not so great news would have been that we now get to conquer the Fairfax County Police Department's suspicious package processing techniques. Poor Hub. He spent way too long speaking with an officer on the phone, who it seemed wanted to be doing anything other than retracing a recently admitted laptop bag. Finally, it was discovered that the laptop was there at the police station, in holding, in preparation for travels to the "Main Stock Room." Sounded scary. And far away.
We rushed to visit our fine ladies and gentleman in blue and grey. After a slight, inexplicable delay we were reunited with the laptop. Everything in tact, found outside the school propped up against the building near the door. Definitely a suspicious package. Shoot, if I was the police officer responding I don't think I would have ventured to open that thing. Could have been a bomb, friends!
As we pondered on how this event unfolded both The Hub and I were in awe at the protection and goodness of God. I don't believe in coincidence but I do believe God watches over us and our things even when we forget to. In our hustle and bustle of leaving the church The Hub had inadvertently put the bag down and in a rare instance, forgot it there. Yet, God allowed that laptop to sit untouched by the front door of a school on a well-traveled street. No one stole it, no one touched it. Then the alarm "happened" to go off in the middle of the night. Prompting the police to come and find the laptop bomb bag and take it on over to the station for safe keeping.
Thank God that He is watching when we are not. No one wants to lose a laptop. We can rest easy knowing that He never rests, sleeps or slumbers. My final thought, friends, is to share with you my travel in to work this morning. As I drove and thought about the best way to share this story, I was listening to WTOP, news radio. The graduation song comes on as they relay a story about high school graduation rates around the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. Friends, you know by the second note of that song I was all tears and no good. Oldest graduates in less than 2 weeks. We're getting excited with the graduation party-planning and good-food having and awesome celebration time ahead.
After several searches The Hub decides it has to have been forgotten at the school. We travel the long mile to the school and speak with our friendly janitors about it. They make the experience of renting the school worth it. They are always helpful, courteous and friendly. They searched with us but the laptop was nowhere to be found. We tried retracing our steps and we gleefully ignored Oldest as he clowned his dad for losing something. "You never lose anything, dad. This is amazing. You really need to get yourself together. How could you misplace that?" I am sure he was pleased to have the opportunity to shoot some of his dad's own lecturing back at him. When it comes to losing things Oldest has that program mastered.
Unfortunately, we just couldn't figure out where that laptop could have gone. We traveled the long mile back home and searched some more. Well, The Hub searched. I can't say that I was being very helpful at the time either. It then occurred to The Hub that perhaps we should have checked the school office. Logic being that if it had been seen, perhaps it had been turned into the office. Why we didn't do that with the first school search go-round, I can't tell you. So back down the long mile to the school we go. We enter the dark office (it is after 5pm) and The Hub hollers "helloooo???" The assistant principal pops out and shares some enlightening info.
Turns out that the night before, somewhere around 3am, the school's security alarm went off. The police responded and found the roof hatch on the school ajar, whatever that means. When they arrived they noticed a black laptop bag propped up against the door...outside the school. Immediately identified as a suspicious package. They carried that suspicious laptop bag to the police station and gave the school the police report which we now stood in the darkened office and read with the assistant principal.
Well, great news is it had been found. Not so great news would have been that we now get to conquer the Fairfax County Police Department's suspicious package processing techniques. Poor Hub. He spent way too long speaking with an officer on the phone, who it seemed wanted to be doing anything other than retracing a recently admitted laptop bag. Finally, it was discovered that the laptop was there at the police station, in holding, in preparation for travels to the "Main Stock Room." Sounded scary. And far away.
We rushed to visit our fine ladies and gentleman in blue and grey. After a slight, inexplicable delay we were reunited with the laptop. Everything in tact, found outside the school propped up against the building near the door. Definitely a suspicious package. Shoot, if I was the police officer responding I don't think I would have ventured to open that thing. Could have been a bomb, friends!
As we pondered on how this event unfolded both The Hub and I were in awe at the protection and goodness of God. I don't believe in coincidence but I do believe God watches over us and our things even when we forget to. In our hustle and bustle of leaving the church The Hub had inadvertently put the bag down and in a rare instance, forgot it there. Yet, God allowed that laptop to sit untouched by the front door of a school on a well-traveled street. No one stole it, no one touched it. Then the alarm "happened" to go off in the middle of the night. Prompting the police to come and find the laptop bomb bag and take it on over to the station for safe keeping.
Thank God that He is watching when we are not. No one wants to lose a laptop. We can rest easy knowing that He never rests, sleeps or slumbers. My final thought, friends, is to share with you my travel in to work this morning. As I drove and thought about the best way to share this story, I was listening to WTOP, news radio. The graduation song comes on as they relay a story about high school graduation rates around the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. Friends, you know by the second note of that song I was all tears and no good. Oldest graduates in less than 2 weeks. We're getting excited with the graduation party-planning and good-food having and awesome celebration time ahead.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Winning, duh
What a happy weekend full of win, wins and wins. We're winning, friends. Thanks to my friend Charlie Sheen for that oh-so-clever catch phrase.
Saturday we hosted our last regular season game for Soccer Chick. Coach, aka The Hub, didn't have a heart attack on the side, although friends it was touch and go there for awhile. For sure, a good thing that he wasn't preaching the next day because the voice was gone! The girls were sleep-playing for much of the game. Thus, contributing to the voice-be-gone struggles of The Hub. The girls pulled it together and struck a beautiful 1st goal. The other team made some worthy attempts but we had a surprise substitute goalie who made no less than 3 beautiful saves. No goals for those folks. We win 1-0. I do have to spend a minute sharing the great surprise of this goalie. She's a small girl, but tough. Built strong and not afraid to use her body. Surprisingly she hasn't gotten called by the refs yet, but she might be better served playing hockey. The girl will body check anyone and gets her foot around the ball no matter where it is. So, as a defensive player she is outstanding. Never misses and always dependable. The Hub decides to try her at goalie, which she is reluctant to do. However, the girl was awesome!!! Just as he suspected. So they end the regular season 4-3 and go into the playoff tournament on Saturday.
Our second win of the weekend was Oldest's basketball game. Wrapped up in chatting about graduation party excitement with our dear adopted daughter Camila, we lost track of time. Not a really big deal to be late arriving to a house league basketball game...EXCEPT that The Hub volunteered to serve as a stand-in coach. Please cue the eye-rolling and "OMG's" here. In addition, if they don't have 5 boys show up, they forfeit. Can you imagine? First round of playoff games and Oldest's team loses because we got there late and they had to forfeit. The embarrassment. So this chick right here prayed for God's favor the whole speedy drive over. We did arrive late...um...in the 2nd period with 4 minutes remaining. Ouch. BUT, they allowed the boys to start without a parent representative as coach and they had 6 boys already there.
Friends! the team was losing 19-32 when we walked in the door. Now, that's an ouch! We were playing my least favorite opponent with a very loud-mouth coach. Wouldn't it be nice to shut them down? They dominated, making stupid baskets as if we were handing the ball to them and telling them "go ahead, shoot it." The Hub was quietly reading the game from the bench, checking out their game technique and I could almost see him put his coaching face on. Somewhere between the third and the beginning of the fourth period I could see The Hub gesturing and guiding. I knew he was telling those boys something good. Mostly I knew because I could read the faces of the boys he was talking to. Houston, we DON'T have a problem. The boys went into the fourth trailing by 19. Gulp. 19. Who comes back from that? Coach/The Hub told the boys to play man-to-man. Each of our fellas pinned one of their guys and didn't let them so much as breathe. They couldn't handle the defense. Why weren't they playing like this all along? Not so sure, but they began to shut down this team's game, which was let's just say less than stellar to begin with.
Believe it or not, Oldest's team makes it to 66 to 67 with one minute to go. Friends! The nail-biting intensity was on! All of a sudden our quiet fan club, including me, was all about shouting for the team. As the energy increased we had steals, rebounds and made our shots. As we sat at 66, the other team with 67, 1 minute on the clock, other team has the ball. All we need is for them to miss or for us to gain possession. With some serious defensive pressure they miss and we have the ball. We call a time-out. The game plan is we have one shot. We're getting it to the star varsity high school basketball player and he is cool under pressure. He let's that clock wind down to about 20 seconds and takes his one layup. Its in!!! 68 to 67 with, no lie, .8 seconds on the clock. Friends, they shut it down. We win, 68 t0 67. A comeback from as much as 19 points down. Wow. What a game... Next round of playoffs Wednesday.
Our last win of the weekend was our church's 4 year anniversary. What a blessing. I preached a message on F.A.I.R.F.A.X. The Lord led me to bless the people with some encouragement on how to be "An Impacting Church & Influencing Christian." Using an acronym for Fairfax, we discovered that as a church and as individual Christians we are to be Faithful, Accepting, Instructing, Real, depend on a great Foundation, be Active and eXciting. I believe that the message was received and our people were encouraged. Our church has made it to four glorious years. We look forward to what God is going to do next!
All in all, a weekend of wins. To sum it all up I'll share a Youngest delight with you. Crying hysterically because of some constructive criticism I had ever-so-kindly delivered to him, he sobs and sobs, looks up and says "Prius!" in between his cries. Have you played the Prius game? Sort of like the "yellow car" game. Shout when you see one. My family plays it all the time. How funny to be that upset, life in shambles, in his poor little 5 year old mind and see a Prius and have to shout it out so he can get the credit for seeing it. Life is just like that. There is always a second when we can pause from our bad times to shout out something good. Remember the good, friends. Its always there. Shout it out so you get credit for it.
Saturday we hosted our last regular season game for Soccer Chick. Coach, aka The Hub, didn't have a heart attack on the side, although friends it was touch and go there for awhile. For sure, a good thing that he wasn't preaching the next day because the voice was gone! The girls were sleep-playing for much of the game. Thus, contributing to the voice-be-gone struggles of The Hub. The girls pulled it together and struck a beautiful 1st goal. The other team made some worthy attempts but we had a surprise substitute goalie who made no less than 3 beautiful saves. No goals for those folks. We win 1-0. I do have to spend a minute sharing the great surprise of this goalie. She's a small girl, but tough. Built strong and not afraid to use her body. Surprisingly she hasn't gotten called by the refs yet, but she might be better served playing hockey. The girl will body check anyone and gets her foot around the ball no matter where it is. So, as a defensive player she is outstanding. Never misses and always dependable. The Hub decides to try her at goalie, which she is reluctant to do. However, the girl was awesome!!! Just as he suspected. So they end the regular season 4-3 and go into the playoff tournament on Saturday.
Our second win of the weekend was Oldest's basketball game. Wrapped up in chatting about graduation party excitement with our dear adopted daughter Camila, we lost track of time. Not a really big deal to be late arriving to a house league basketball game...EXCEPT that The Hub volunteered to serve as a stand-in coach. Please cue the eye-rolling and "OMG's" here. In addition, if they don't have 5 boys show up, they forfeit. Can you imagine? First round of playoff games and Oldest's team loses because we got there late and they had to forfeit. The embarrassment. So this chick right here prayed for God's favor the whole speedy drive over. We did arrive late...um...in the 2nd period with 4 minutes remaining. Ouch. BUT, they allowed the boys to start without a parent representative as coach and they had 6 boys already there.
Friends! the team was losing 19-32 when we walked in the door. Now, that's an ouch! We were playing my least favorite opponent with a very loud-mouth coach. Wouldn't it be nice to shut them down? They dominated, making stupid baskets as if we were handing the ball to them and telling them "go ahead, shoot it." The Hub was quietly reading the game from the bench, checking out their game technique and I could almost see him put his coaching face on. Somewhere between the third and the beginning of the fourth period I could see The Hub gesturing and guiding. I knew he was telling those boys something good. Mostly I knew because I could read the faces of the boys he was talking to. Houston, we DON'T have a problem. The boys went into the fourth trailing by 19. Gulp. 19. Who comes back from that? Coach/The Hub told the boys to play man-to-man. Each of our fellas pinned one of their guys and didn't let them so much as breathe. They couldn't handle the defense. Why weren't they playing like this all along? Not so sure, but they began to shut down this team's game, which was let's just say less than stellar to begin with.
Believe it or not, Oldest's team makes it to 66 to 67 with one minute to go. Friends! The nail-biting intensity was on! All of a sudden our quiet fan club, including me, was all about shouting for the team. As the energy increased we had steals, rebounds and made our shots. As we sat at 66, the other team with 67, 1 minute on the clock, other team has the ball. All we need is for them to miss or for us to gain possession. With some serious defensive pressure they miss and we have the ball. We call a time-out. The game plan is we have one shot. We're getting it to the star varsity high school basketball player and he is cool under pressure. He let's that clock wind down to about 20 seconds and takes his one layup. Its in!!! 68 to 67 with, no lie, .8 seconds on the clock. Friends, they shut it down. We win, 68 t0 67. A comeback from as much as 19 points down. Wow. What a game... Next round of playoffs Wednesday.
Our last win of the weekend was our church's 4 year anniversary. What a blessing. I preached a message on F.A.I.R.F.A.X. The Lord led me to bless the people with some encouragement on how to be "An Impacting Church & Influencing Christian." Using an acronym for Fairfax, we discovered that as a church and as individual Christians we are to be Faithful, Accepting, Instructing, Real, depend on a great Foundation, be Active and eXciting. I believe that the message was received and our people were encouraged. Our church has made it to four glorious years. We look forward to what God is going to do next!
All in all, a weekend of wins. To sum it all up I'll share a Youngest delight with you. Crying hysterically because of some constructive criticism I had ever-so-kindly delivered to him, he sobs and sobs, looks up and says "Prius!" in between his cries. Have you played the Prius game? Sort of like the "yellow car" game. Shout when you see one. My family plays it all the time. How funny to be that upset, life in shambles, in his poor little 5 year old mind and see a Prius and have to shout it out so he can get the credit for seeing it. Life is just like that. There is always a second when we can pause from our bad times to shout out something good. Remember the good, friends. Its always there. Shout it out so you get credit for it.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
FCFC Celebrates The Big "4"
This upcoming Sunday, our great little congregation will celebrate its 4 year anniversary. A lot has happened over 4 years. When we planted this church in little ole' Fairfax, Oldest was all of 14. Soccer Chick was 7, Bball Girl was 4 and Youngest was 1. The "Youngest was 1" thing is the hardest to comprehend. I don't even remember him waddling around when we were trying to start a new church. Head buried in the sand, overwhelmed maybe?
On Sunday we will have a special celebration service. I'm looking forward to it. I heard from a little bird the message will be "The Impacting Church & Influencing Christian." With the grace of God, FCFC and us Christians will be recognized as both.
Over the past four years, we've seen families come in and join us and families leave us. We've had some great joyous times, laughter and friendship. We've had some sad times, as people move on to other places and faces, and as we journey through life with our members. Let me tell you church planting is not for the weak at heart. Its different than taking on a pastorate with an established congregation. That ain't easy either but church planting is a whole other animal. Building from the ground up is tough work. Don't take it unless God tells you to.
God told us to and although it is hard work and can be filled with disappointments, it is a joy. Its a joy to see people grow. Its a joy to meet new people. Its a joy to see people accept Christ for the first time in their lives. Like this past Sunday. The Hub delivered a great sermon on Memorial Day. A visitor gave her life to Christ at the end of the service. No matter if we have 10 people seated or 1,000 people seated, that one life made the service worth it.
Each individual life is what gives us fuel to continue. If FCFC makes a difference in the life of just one soul then we are accomplishing God's plan. FCFC continues to be a community church for all people to come get to know God better. We hope we are open and welcoming and giving people the encouragement they need to embrace a life with God and grow closer to Him. We don't take the burden lightly. As I reflect on the past four years I see God's hand working in every situation that we have been through. We know God is beside us and His presence is in our worship services. Thank God for what He is doing in our lives as we continue to grow and thank God for what He is doing in the lives of our church members. May FCFC's church family continue to expand and multiply and be known in the community as a great little ole' place with some really great people where folks can come and get some Jesus.
On a closing note, here's a Youngest quip for you. Here's what Youngest looks like after a long pool-filled, grandma-hanging-with weekend. Middle of the day, the TV was watching him.
That evening I told him that I saw a picture of him sleeping. Told him his lovely daddy had snapped a picture and sent it to me. "You were tired, huh buddy?" asked The Hub.
"Yea, dad. I didn't even know I was sleeping. I had no idea."
"Really buddy? You didn't tell yourself you were sleeping?"
"DAD! Really!?! That's crazy. How can my sleeping self tell my sleeping self that I am sleeping. Really!"
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