Thursday, March 31, 2011
In the Spring of Things
I think I have been reserving my blogging for warmer weather. Spring days are coming but we can't quite see them yet. Sigh. We have been anxiously awaiting the spring in the Copeland household. Spring brings new sports seasons, college decisions, Soccer Chick's birthday, prom for my senior boy, and plenty of sunshine. But, alas, the warmer days haven't yet arrived. So I decided to go ahead and give you a preview of our spring days to come. Soccer Chick has gleefully started her soccer season. Her father, that's right, "The Hub" has also "gleefully" started his position as head coach for her team this year. I must confess in this super secret location, the man does not know the game of soccer. I will say that he is the type of person who can adapt himself to just about any situation. That skill applies to sports and gaming as well. While my solution for him was to suggest he read a book. He prefers to just wing it. Like I said, that seems to work for him. First practice, I came for just a few tiny minutes and was pleasantly surprised. It was a little surreal to see this fella running the practice, but super nice for Soccer Chick and her girls. True story: the newly appointed assistant coach comes to The Hub immediately after practice. "I'm so excited about your younger daughter playing with us this year. She's incredibly fast, she's all over the ball. I can't wait to work with her personally." "Um. No. She's 8. She was just standing in as an extra since she was here." The look on this guy's face was priceless. Sheer disappointment. Not sure why he couldn't tell she was too young to play on a U11 team. She's only a foot and a half shorter than these girls. I foresee a lot of really good video footage coming out of these games. Watch for them posted on our youtube channel: www.youtube/4copelandkids.com Oldest will be starting his senior year of county basketball in about two weeks. I think he might have reached the point where he is too cool to have us come cheer him on. Ah well, he'll just have to suck up the embarrassment because he knows how we roll. Classic Youngest story for you: the other afternoon Soccer Chick comes home from school and is searching for her Ipod. She swears she left it in one spot in her room but it's not there. No one else has been home all day and we can't figure out where it went. I helped the child look but only with the understanding that I was going to preach at her about responsibility the whole time. "Did you pray," I demanded. "Yes mom! Five times now. I don't understand where it could have went." The girl was frustrated. Probably not more frustrated than I was, but she was definitely troubled by not being able to find it. She asked her sister if she'd seen it. That wouldn't have been a stretch. She promised she hadn't touched it. She asked Youngest and he quickly said no and launched into some more important spider man story. We decided to sleep on it and figured somewhere, by the grace of God, it would show up. The next morning, Youngest invites her into his room, lifts up his pillow and gives her the most adorable and frustrating look at the same time. He has her Ipod beneath his pillow. The exact place where he had stuck it when he saw it yesterday. Did he think to confess to that when we were frantically looking for it? No. Not so much. "Youngest! Why would you do that?" Soccer Chick exclaimed. "Because...I wanted to listen to your music while I was sleeping." Can someone say mischievous?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Living With Peace
Bball Girl is on her last of three games in this wonderful first basketball season. The team won this one, advancing their record to 8-1-1. Bball Girl took home 6 of the points in the 16-11 win. We have two games left, sadly. We're going to miss basketball. Maybe we will miss more having to shush The Hub on the sidelines. In these small gyms, his critique of the game, the opposing team, the opposing coaches, the refs, um...well, let's just say everything is heard.
In unhappy sports news, Oldest did not make the lacrosse team. We're pretty sad about this. He has put in a lot of energy and hard work at practices and tryouts, we've purchased equipment and were looking forward to an exciting spring season. Sadly, four or five boys who were seniors like Oldest, were trying out for the first time this year. The coach says they are seniors and thus too old to play on the JV team, and unfortunately there's no room for them on the varsity squad, since this is their first year playing. Oldest says he's okay with that. To be honest, I think the boy is tired. He has been pushing himself pretty hard these last few weeks. I think this closed door is God's way of forcing a bit of a rest on him while he gets ready to wind down his senior year.
Yesterday, our church sermon was about "Living With Peace." The Hub did a fantastic job presenting a "living sermon" using props such as his beloved referee shirt and whistle to show how we understand authority. Think about how a 6'6, 320 pound lineman on the football field respects what the referee says, stops when the whistle blows. He might not like it, but he respects it. He stops (usually!) when the whistle blows. This, friends, is how our respect for God's authority should work too. When God says stop, man...we should STOP.
The Hub presented us with Psalm 55:22 as a reference for putting our burdens on God's shoulders and living in peace. Respecting His authority, understanding His awards and trusting Him for our peace should be our lifestyle. Worrying, having fear and living in anxiety is not what God intended. Why is it so hard for us to do then? The Hub showed us a backpack stuffed with garbage, weighed down with handweights, carrying around on a back that sagged under the weight. That, friends, is sometimes us. We stuff the "garbage" into our lives and then buckle under the weight. Instead, God encourages us to stand up tall, take out the trash and don't become weighed down by the burdens that God says to give to Him. Did you know that Psalm 55:22 says to give your burdens to Him? And you know what else it says after that? "He will take care of you." If His word says it, believe it.
In unhappy sports news, Oldest did not make the lacrosse team. We're pretty sad about this. He has put in a lot of energy and hard work at practices and tryouts, we've purchased equipment and were looking forward to an exciting spring season. Sadly, four or five boys who were seniors like Oldest, were trying out for the first time this year. The coach says they are seniors and thus too old to play on the JV team, and unfortunately there's no room for them on the varsity squad, since this is their first year playing. Oldest says he's okay with that. To be honest, I think the boy is tired. He has been pushing himself pretty hard these last few weeks. I think this closed door is God's way of forcing a bit of a rest on him while he gets ready to wind down his senior year.
Yesterday, our church sermon was about "Living With Peace." The Hub did a fantastic job presenting a "living sermon" using props such as his beloved referee shirt and whistle to show how we understand authority. Think about how a 6'6, 320 pound lineman on the football field respects what the referee says, stops when the whistle blows. He might not like it, but he respects it. He stops (usually!) when the whistle blows. This, friends, is how our respect for God's authority should work too. When God says stop, man...we should STOP.
The Hub presented us with Psalm 55:22 as a reference for putting our burdens on God's shoulders and living in peace. Respecting His authority, understanding His awards and trusting Him for our peace should be our lifestyle. Worrying, having fear and living in anxiety is not what God intended. Why is it so hard for us to do then? The Hub showed us a backpack stuffed with garbage, weighed down with handweights, carrying around on a back that sagged under the weight. That, friends, is sometimes us. We stuff the "garbage" into our lives and then buckle under the weight. Instead, God encourages us to stand up tall, take out the trash and don't become weighed down by the burdens that God says to give to Him. Did you know that Psalm 55:22 says to give your burdens to Him? And you know what else it says after that? "He will take care of you." If His word says it, believe it.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Have Faith
Over three weeks ago Oldest lost his wallet. While the world was in despair with him, we searched all over. Could be it dropped outside, could be it was in his friend's car, could be he left it at his girlfriend's house? Goodness. In the process of interrogating him about where it could be I told him to pray, God would show him exactly where it was.
Being a 17 year old who knows everything and only believes what he can see, he wasn't too confident that praying about the wallet's location would change anything. I explained to him that when I loose big and small things I make it a habit to pray that God direct me to it. I lost my wedding ring about six months ago. Gasp! Seriously. Took it off to do something, put it in my pocket. Later on in the day, reached in my pocket and my gold band was gone.
Now friends, this was really a sad moment in my life. The ring was nowhere to be found. I searched everywhere and couldn't find it. I told The Hub and he searched, and he cleaned. He loves to clean and I thought for sure when he did that my beautiful band would be found. I mean, how does one lose a wedding band??? This is a custom made band that fits into the grooves of my engagement ring. It could not be replaced.
I did the one thing I knew how to do...pray. I prayed that God would show me where my ring was. Friends, months went by. Months! Even though I couldn't see it and didn't know where it was I knew that one day I'd find it. A long time after I lost it I got a beautiful email from The Hub. It was filled with flowery words about how special our 13 years of marriage were, and on and on. I smiled reading it, thinking this is so sweet. The punch line at the end of this email was..."and I found your ring." The Hub found it when cleaning out our storage room! Hiding behind a wood pole, there it was. Almost swept up into the trash and there The Hub found it. Overjoyed was I! I knew it was somewhere in the house, but it was in a room I didn't even recall being in on the day I lost it.
So my Youngest losing his wallet was to me, yet another opportunity for God to work. I told him over and over again, God has that wallet somewhere sitting waiting for him. No one stole it, no one took the money inside, the bank card is safe. I just knew that this was the case. That lost wallet incident took place over three weeks ago and just yesterday Oldest tells me that his friend found his wallet along the floorboard of his car. The friend's car has been at the mechanic's for a few weeks so, in essence, God was holding that wallet in a safe place for a period of time. The wallet was found, untouched, money intact, bank card unmoved.
Friends, God is good. The moral of this story is to have some faith. Especially for those things that over time seem like they will not be resolved in the way you hope. Having a peace about it and trusting that God will resolve it is a mighty tool in your arsenal to face this world we live in. Be encouraged, God is working and has a plan. Let Him work out His plan while you rest comfortably in it.
Being a 17 year old who knows everything and only believes what he can see, he wasn't too confident that praying about the wallet's location would change anything. I explained to him that when I loose big and small things I make it a habit to pray that God direct me to it. I lost my wedding ring about six months ago. Gasp! Seriously. Took it off to do something, put it in my pocket. Later on in the day, reached in my pocket and my gold band was gone.
Now friends, this was really a sad moment in my life. The ring was nowhere to be found. I searched everywhere and couldn't find it. I told The Hub and he searched, and he cleaned. He loves to clean and I thought for sure when he did that my beautiful band would be found. I mean, how does one lose a wedding band??? This is a custom made band that fits into the grooves of my engagement ring. It could not be replaced.
I did the one thing I knew how to do...pray. I prayed that God would show me where my ring was. Friends, months went by. Months! Even though I couldn't see it and didn't know where it was I knew that one day I'd find it. A long time after I lost it I got a beautiful email from The Hub. It was filled with flowery words about how special our 13 years of marriage were, and on and on. I smiled reading it, thinking this is so sweet. The punch line at the end of this email was..."and I found your ring." The Hub found it when cleaning out our storage room! Hiding behind a wood pole, there it was. Almost swept up into the trash and there The Hub found it. Overjoyed was I! I knew it was somewhere in the house, but it was in a room I didn't even recall being in on the day I lost it.
So my Youngest losing his wallet was to me, yet another opportunity for God to work. I told him over and over again, God has that wallet somewhere sitting waiting for him. No one stole it, no one took the money inside, the bank card is safe. I just knew that this was the case. That lost wallet incident took place over three weeks ago and just yesterday Oldest tells me that his friend found his wallet along the floorboard of his car. The friend's car has been at the mechanic's for a few weeks so, in essence, God was holding that wallet in a safe place for a period of time. The wallet was found, untouched, money intact, bank card unmoved.
Friends, God is good. The moral of this story is to have some faith. Especially for those things that over time seem like they will not be resolved in the way you hope. Having a peace about it and trusting that God will resolve it is a mighty tool in your arsenal to face this world we live in. Be encouraged, God is working and has a plan. Let Him work out His plan while you rest comfortably in it.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Encouragement
Friends, last night at our small home group we discussed Chapter three of the book of Hebrews. Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 inform us of Jesus' place in God's ranking. Chapter 3 talks a bit about how Jesus compares to the role of Moses, but towards the end the author wants us to think about our role as Christians in encouraging one another and encouraging ourselves to keep our hearts right with God.
As our group explored this last night, I found myself encouraging them to encourage someone else. I asked them if they could honestly say that each day they do at least one thing to encourage someone else? No one, not even I, could say that every single day this happens. On an almost daily basis I try to put some encouraging words here, and here. But I miss a day or two every now and then. I do like to reach out to others and tell them something that will hopefully put a smile on their face. This is exactly what Hebrews Chapter 3 is telling us to do.
Look out for one another. Be of the mindset to help someone. A stranger or your best friend, either or both. Fix your mind on the plan to be a blessing to someone in some way. It's sweet when it comes for free and without attachment. Just because...Life very easily bogs us down and pulls us away from a relationship with God. Circumstances can be discouraging and often frustrating. Our faith in God should keep us charging forward, but realistically sometimes we get tired and weary. That's where our friends, loved ones and even strangers come in. Be the one to encourage someone else. Send a card; text a happy thought, say hello, hold a door open, do something. One of my favorite things to say to my kids is "look for a way to make a difference in someone's life today." They give me the cheesy mom look, but nevertheless they hear me say it over and over.
Just so I know they are listening God gave me some encouragement the other day. I said my line at the end of the day, asking Bball Girl if she made a difference in someone's life. And she said no, she didn't think she had. Not a few minutes later her sister walked in and stated that her dear, sweet little sister had received her twentieth "bear paw" of the year. "How many of those things do you get?!?" This is a reward certificate given out to students that are caught doing something that honors the school's standards of student excellency. In this case, Bball Girl had assisted a special needs student in her class, without prompt or request by an adult. "See," I told her, "you certainly did make a difference in someone's life." The blessing in this is I had to show her that is what she had done. To her, she was just being herself. A person who will instinctively help anyone out, without being asked.
She's got the helpful gene. Good news is it's contagious. Catch it from her and absorb it yourself. Make a difference. Be encouraging. Love one another as God loves each one of you.
As our group explored this last night, I found myself encouraging them to encourage someone else. I asked them if they could honestly say that each day they do at least one thing to encourage someone else? No one, not even I, could say that every single day this happens. On an almost daily basis I try to put some encouraging words here, and here. But I miss a day or two every now and then. I do like to reach out to others and tell them something that will hopefully put a smile on their face. This is exactly what Hebrews Chapter 3 is telling us to do.
Look out for one another. Be of the mindset to help someone. A stranger or your best friend, either or both. Fix your mind on the plan to be a blessing to someone in some way. It's sweet when it comes for free and without attachment. Just because...Life very easily bogs us down and pulls us away from a relationship with God. Circumstances can be discouraging and often frustrating. Our faith in God should keep us charging forward, but realistically sometimes we get tired and weary. That's where our friends, loved ones and even strangers come in. Be the one to encourage someone else. Send a card; text a happy thought, say hello, hold a door open, do something. One of my favorite things to say to my kids is "look for a way to make a difference in someone's life today." They give me the cheesy mom look, but nevertheless they hear me say it over and over.
Just so I know they are listening God gave me some encouragement the other day. I said my line at the end of the day, asking Bball Girl if she made a difference in someone's life. And she said no, she didn't think she had. Not a few minutes later her sister walked in and stated that her dear, sweet little sister had received her twentieth "bear paw" of the year. "How many of those things do you get?!?" This is a reward certificate given out to students that are caught doing something that honors the school's standards of student excellency. In this case, Bball Girl had assisted a special needs student in her class, without prompt or request by an adult. "See," I told her, "you certainly did make a difference in someone's life." The blessing in this is I had to show her that is what she had done. To her, she was just being herself. A person who will instinctively help anyone out, without being asked.
She's got the helpful gene. Good news is it's contagious. Catch it from her and absorb it yourself. Make a difference. Be encouraging. Love one another as God loves each one of you.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thank God for the Little Things
Friends, I must simply thank God for the blessing of a day off from work...the kids are at school. Whoo hoo...This may seem like just a small thing. But really, with a house of 6 people, the three youngest of which are semi-permanently glued to my own personal space, this is fantastic. Not that I am complaining. I know, judging from my adorable teenager, that their day is coming. They will soon yank off that glue and request that I refrain from public hugs and kisses. But for now...So, a day off from work when they have school is like a small slice of heaven. A gal couldn't wait for them to walk out the door this morning.
One of the most delightful comments, securing my belief that time alone today is much needed for my mental health, would be Youngest's lovely comment: "Mom, in those stretch pants your butt looks like Lady Gaga's did at the grammy's." Thanks, Youngest. Way to make a gal feel relevant. He's too smart for his own good. At the Bball Girl's game on Saturday he asked if he could video tape her. No way, Jose. "But mom! I saw on TV that they said 5 year olds are allowed to use video cameras by themselves." Yeah...okay. You saw it on TV. Great.
Yesterday we treated ourselves to the George Mason's Women's basketball game. What a treat it really was for Bball Girl. The look on her face was just a girl soaking it all in. To be honest there is a reason the tickets are cheap. Not exactly great basketball, but really neat for our budding basketball girl to see these college girls move. I would have to say my favorite part of the afternoon would absolutely have to be the two dives The Hub made to snatch up free t-shirts being pitched into the crowd.
Okay, receive one t-shirt while literally diving over an elderly man's head, fine. We'll let that slide. We won't mention the subsequent look from said elderly man. That one went to Bball Girl. Glad she could get a prize out of the afternoon. But the second dive over top of a young boy's head, completely over in his personal space of a seat, and then flipping back over to our side, falling over and scraping up his arm on the armrest. That one. Well, that one might have been a bit much. The Hub is competitive. The second t-shirt went to Soccer Chick. Considering how bored she was with the less than fantastic game, that moment was a win. The little boy who's space was seriously violated, well...The Hub chose to ignore his tears. Literally. Poor child. He almost had a t-shirt.
To recap Bball Girl's game on Saturday, I'm happy to say she was in the zone. She scored 8 of the 20 points and her team won 20-14. She had some nice layups, a lot of attempts, some steals, some calls for back court defense but thankfully, thankfully no double dribbling. This has been a consistent problem of hers. No surprise since her whole body moves faster than her brain. The very best part of the afternoon would absolutely have to be the dad on our side calling out rule violations to the referee and the opposing team's coach. As that coach subtly subbed his two best girls in the 4th quarter as they are down by 6, this dad pulls out his blackberry and nearly leaps to the referee's attention: "That's against the rules! Each girl must play 2 full quarters before being subbed. It's right here on the website." as he flashes his blackberry around in the air. So the coach, looking alarmed and slightly perturbed, drew back his two illegal girls. A spirited argument ensued. Funny, friends. The dad was so serious. The opposing coach was also serious. His assistant coach, well...she was just pissed. They reviewed the rules and realized Dad was right. Play continued. Well, sort of. The coach and the dad, the coach and the ref, the assistant coach and the dad continued to go at it. Our wonderful coaches, "we're okay, we're okay..." Thank goodness someone had the peace of mind to keep things rolling on as best as possible. This previously undefeated team took home their first loss. And our girls played beautifully. Our record advances to 7-1-1.
It's almost time for spring sports and that means a sad goodbye to basketball. We'll see you again in the fall, basketball. Spring is bringing a track season to Bball Girl. This diverse child will have to have a nickname change again! The Hub says this will be the first time in history he has NOT told Bball Girl to slow down. Soccer and Soccer for Soccer Chick and Youngest. Lacrosse for Oldest. Busy season is rapidly approaching. The Hub is seriously considering coaching Soccer Chick's team this season. Um. Oh my. And he wants me to be his assistant coach. Um. Oh goodness me.
One of the most delightful comments, securing my belief that time alone today is much needed for my mental health, would be Youngest's lovely comment: "Mom, in those stretch pants your butt looks like Lady Gaga's did at the grammy's." Thanks, Youngest. Way to make a gal feel relevant. He's too smart for his own good. At the Bball Girl's game on Saturday he asked if he could video tape her. No way, Jose. "But mom! I saw on TV that they said 5 year olds are allowed to use video cameras by themselves." Yeah...okay. You saw it on TV. Great.
Yesterday we treated ourselves to the George Mason's Women's basketball game. What a treat it really was for Bball Girl. The look on her face was just a girl soaking it all in. To be honest there is a reason the tickets are cheap. Not exactly great basketball, but really neat for our budding basketball girl to see these college girls move. I would have to say my favorite part of the afternoon would absolutely have to be the two dives The Hub made to snatch up free t-shirts being pitched into the crowd.
Okay, receive one t-shirt while literally diving over an elderly man's head, fine. We'll let that slide. We won't mention the subsequent look from said elderly man. That one went to Bball Girl. Glad she could get a prize out of the afternoon. But the second dive over top of a young boy's head, completely over in his personal space of a seat, and then flipping back over to our side, falling over and scraping up his arm on the armrest. That one. Well, that one might have been a bit much. The Hub is competitive. The second t-shirt went to Soccer Chick. Considering how bored she was with the less than fantastic game, that moment was a win. The little boy who's space was seriously violated, well...The Hub chose to ignore his tears. Literally. Poor child. He almost had a t-shirt.
To recap Bball Girl's game on Saturday, I'm happy to say she was in the zone. She scored 8 of the 20 points and her team won 20-14. She had some nice layups, a lot of attempts, some steals, some calls for back court defense but thankfully, thankfully no double dribbling. This has been a consistent problem of hers. No surprise since her whole body moves faster than her brain. The very best part of the afternoon would absolutely have to be the dad on our side calling out rule violations to the referee and the opposing team's coach. As that coach subtly subbed his two best girls in the 4th quarter as they are down by 6, this dad pulls out his blackberry and nearly leaps to the referee's attention: "That's against the rules! Each girl must play 2 full quarters before being subbed. It's right here on the website." as he flashes his blackberry around in the air. So the coach, looking alarmed and slightly perturbed, drew back his two illegal girls. A spirited argument ensued. Funny, friends. The dad was so serious. The opposing coach was also serious. His assistant coach, well...she was just pissed. They reviewed the rules and realized Dad was right. Play continued. Well, sort of. The coach and the dad, the coach and the ref, the assistant coach and the dad continued to go at it. Our wonderful coaches, "we're okay, we're okay..." Thank goodness someone had the peace of mind to keep things rolling on as best as possible. This previously undefeated team took home their first loss. And our girls played beautifully. Our record advances to 7-1-1.
It's almost time for spring sports and that means a sad goodbye to basketball. We'll see you again in the fall, basketball. Spring is bringing a track season to Bball Girl. This diverse child will have to have a nickname change again! The Hub says this will be the first time in history he has NOT told Bball Girl to slow down. Soccer and Soccer for Soccer Chick and Youngest. Lacrosse for Oldest. Busy season is rapidly approaching. The Hub is seriously considering coaching Soccer Chick's team this season. Um. Oh my. And he wants me to be his assistant coach. Um. Oh goodness me.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Read Something...
Wanted to share with you what I am reading now. The true life story of Mr. George Dawson, a man who has seen quite a lot in his lifetime, didn't learn to read until the age of 98 and tells a fascinating story about life in the South during tumultuous times. Friends, read it. It will fascinate you. In fact, read something that fascinates you. Enlarge your soul by feeding it with good stuff.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Another Funny...
You have to love a five-year-old's logic and wit...
This morning as I drive Youngest to school he says: "Mom what is that word that is used to talk about a swordache? It has the word 'sword' in it?"
Again, as usual, having no clue where to go with this one, I start grasping, "When do you use this word, where do you see it?" Obviously, not understanding him at all, Youngest says "No mom, I mean when something hurts. Like when your tummy hurts you says you have a tummy ache. This is a swordache or something."
"Ah, a sore throat?"
"YES! That's it! A sword throat. My friend Mason had one of those the other day and he went to the doctor and now he's better."
Friends, next time you get a sword in your throat...see the doctor.
This morning as I drive Youngest to school he says: "Mom what is that word that is used to talk about a swordache? It has the word 'sword' in it?"
Again, as usual, having no clue where to go with this one, I start grasping, "When do you use this word, where do you see it?" Obviously, not understanding him at all, Youngest says "No mom, I mean when something hurts. Like when your tummy hurts you says you have a tummy ache. This is a swordache or something."
"Ah, a sore throat?"
"YES! That's it! A sword throat. My friend Mason had one of those the other day and he went to the doctor and now he's better."
Friends, next time you get a sword in your throat...see the doctor.
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