Resting

Resting this afternoon with my Kindle. Finished "Jesus Wept" by Bodie and Brock Thoene. It's the story of Lazarus. I loved it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Treaures and Gratitude

I often mention my daughter and her family here because I have been living with them for the past six months for the most part. We also have two sons that we love dearly along with their wives and children. The boys drove north to accompany their dad to a doctor's appointment for moral support. That meant taking a day off work and driving five hours one way.

Monday morning we stood at the window just as the school bus was picking up the neighbor kids. The boys teased each other about being ready because the "bus is here." 

I watched as they walked down the driveway and over to the shop to see Hubby. So many memories. Where does the time go? When you are raising children, the day to day pressures crowd out the joys of small moments. Often it's not until later that moms are able to savor those moments.

When we become grandparents, we realize how much we may have taken for granted in our youth.

 Today I drove 2 1/2 hours back to my daughter's home, much of it through snow and slippery roads. By the time I reached here, the weather had mellowed to 40 degrees and rain. I sat in the little entry of Lily's school, anxiously waiting to see her. 

It took her a few minutes to transition, but by the time I lifted her into the carseat, she looked at me and smiled that beautiful grin. I kissed her dimpled cheek and thanked God for this child.

I treasure my family, from the youngest to the oldest. Thank you Lord.

Southbound Tomorrow

A Wrong Turn and Saturday Ramblings

 

I held my iPad in hand, reading directions to my hubby for the antique store in Nobleboro, where we were to meet my son and his family last Saturday. All went well, until I neglected to read the fine print resulting in a wrong turn. Fortunately, a friendly sheriff set us back on the right path. If we had not taken the wrong turn, I wouldn't have asked hubby to pull over for a moment so I could quickly snap this photo. 

How I would love to camp out on that bench beside the water and soak in the warm sun, listening quietly to the running waters!

Instead the sound of bitter cold winds whipping outside fills my ears today. The pellet stoves hum as they work hard to heat our house. My thoughts are filled with the ladies conference coming up in a month, where I am expected to speak in one of the sessions. How many times over the last six months have I written in my journal the words broken, empty, discouraged? It has been a difficult season in our lives and even with a miracle thrown in, weariness overwhelms me at times.

I dont know where to begin.

So I turn to google, researching the Perfect Storm, how to survive a storm. Time magazine lies beside me from last November when we were feeling the first effects of our personal storm and the news media was reporting the devastation of Sandy. Under the magazine lies an article  I printed from the Elijah list on a dream Julie Meyer had about the intercessors losing heart. It is eerily similar to a dream I had a couple of weeks ago.

Of course, the word of God will be my foundation, but I seek direction, theme, something...

I watch Angie Smith on Youtube talking about Mended which will be a part of our theme and has ministered greatly to me these last months.

This is process. This is the time to let it go and do something else. When it is right, Holy Spirit will bring the pieces together. Maybe that is what truly trouble me - fear of staying broken. Un-mended. Weakened. I know much of this has to do with the weakness in my physical body and my intense longing to be whole. One step at a time. Trusting that He goes before me.

My memory verse for this past week has been Deuteronomy 31:8 : "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged."

Even if you take a wrong turn, He will be there to gently guide you back on the right path.

Perhaps the wrong turns are a part of the plan.

Damariscotta Driftwood, Cattails,Strolls, and Smiles

We had such a wonderful day last week that I wanted to highlight more pictures from our afternoon at the slightly-frozen Damariscotta lake.

Transitions and Visuals

Transition is a word we use regularly when talking about Lily. Because of her autism, transitions can be difficult. We are learning to use visuals to make these times easier for her and for us. Meal time or bedtime used to be a struggle. Then we used a visual board and a little timer to prepare her for sitting at her table or going night-night. Now we rarely have to use it for these things because she understands more readily what we are talking about. There are other transitions challenging her now, such as adjusting to a few hours at school uniquely suited to her needs. Our hearts break to leave her but we know this is ultimately for her benefit.

One evening as I was writing in my journal about all of this, I realized something. I don't like transition either!
It has never been my strong suit. It feels strange to get out of the car after traveling north for three hours and be surprised by the frigid air. How can I not remember that it is so much colder here at home?

 I must say this time the transition has been easier than in the past, settling back in for a week at home. Perhaps I am becoming more flexible or maybe it is simply that I am open to grace.

Nevertheless, I wish sometimes there were two of me. I miss my girls when I come home. It's a bit lonely. My days are filled with to-do lists as I play catch up.
Silver Lining =  my favorite time of night, when I turn on the  little lights throughout my home and settle down with a cup of candy cane tea to watch a little television with hubby. We sit in our recliners and text our girls, laughing about something one of them said or sharing a concern.

One thing I am certain about - change is here to stay. I think I may need a visual board.

Father & Son