Hungry

They were sitting watching a movie, eating popcorn, dropping crumbs on carpet. I was reading computer news and across the waves of the web came these images. Scenes from a land scortched in heat. Not too unlike our midwest, only longer and more intense. Images that left me speechless and mouth all dry. Before I notice, children come over to me and see the eyes of a fellow child. He's the same age as my little one; only his his body has no muscle and his diseased eyes hold no sparkle of life. My little one asks what is wrong with that little one. As a Mama, how do you explain drought, disease, malnutrition, hopelessness to wee little ones? But I try. "There is no rain," I manage. "No food will grow there. The people have to wait for others to bring them food." My heart is aching. Daughter speaks first, "They'll be ok! God won't let anything happen." I don't know what to say. I try, "Well, sometimes God wants us to help. To be his helpers." Little one runs to pantry. Grabs two cans of soup, all his hands can hold. "Send this to them Mama." My heart breaks a little more. Oh how I wish I could just send it. "Well, we really can't do that, but there is a way..." I click a few times and find this. "We can do this." I say.

Who would have thought...from my cell phone, a simple text could send food to a hungry child half way around this globe. I make the numbers appear on the screen and hit send. "The money will go from our bank to those children." I attempt not to cry. Little one runs to his room, I hear coins clang against glass. Back he runs, hand clutching coins he has worked for, made bed, put up dishes, set table for. "This is money for the poor. Send it to them." I swallow hard and take the gift. It weighs heavy in my hand. Who is this child teaching me compassion? I hug children close that night, we pray for little African children and for rain.

This has run through my mind for days now. I wake Sunday morning, a lump in my throat...are my children not all too unlike those children? Oh, mine have full bellies and are relatively healthy in body. But God prodes on. How about the spirit, Sara? Could it be that my children look spiritually like those children look physically? The throat constricts more. Do I feed them from the Word each and every day? The only bread that gives life? Do I serve them a drink from the Living Water every day? The only water that quenches all thirst so that we never thirst again. I repent. Right there in the shower with water falling down to wash away my neglect and malnutrition. The starving of my own soul and those of my little ones. I resolve...I will feed them every day. I must or they too will waste away hungry, thirsty.

Looking for Grace,

The list

God has used her book to change my life.  How giving thanks, finding joy, and discovering grace could change a life.  I read her words in a ferocious manner.  I couldn't get it fast enough...teach me this wonderful grace.  How could I learn to see?  To really see.  These grace moments every day, every hour, every minute.  God's love sitting right there in front of me.  Could He possibly have time for me?  Want to woo me to Himself?  All in an ordinary day.  Here in this ordinary house, on these wooded acres, in the middle of the midwest.  Could He?  Yes.  And He did.  And He still does.

My list began on April 25, 2011. 
#1 - 7 of the list that never ends...
chalk drawings on driveway
white tailed bird flying against rain greened grass
red wagon
daughter plunking out piano piece
rolling thunder
flashes of lightening
son sleeping on daughter's floor

The challenge to list a thousand gifts from His hand to mine, I continue today and every day, "A dare to live fully right where you are."  --Ann Voskamp

#296 - 300
baptism of little boy at church, his precious foot kicking up out of the water
baptismal water shining in the light
sleeping boy
horse licking his friend
raindrops hanging on metal gate


Watching for Grace,

Floating Along

Today was a great day! We took the kids on their very first ever float trip. This is an amazing accomplishment in more than one way. About 13 years ago Rich and I took a float trip in a canoe and I swore I would never do that again...too tipsy, too much paddling with not much movement, and way too nerve wracking! However, this time we took a flat bottom boat...much more stable...and had a trolling motor...much easier!

The kids learned so much.

1. Floating on your back (or tummy) and letting the current take you down river to Dad.

2. Water runs fast and we can lose things in the current. Micah lost this shovel not long after this picture was taken when he just let go of it and it floated too far and too fast for Dad to get it. (Tears)

3. It is a lot of fun to reach out of the boat while it is floating and splash water at yourself.

This was a glorious day. There were so many memories made and I pray I won't soon forget.

Reflections

This past year has flown bye! My little lady will soon be a first grader and my little man will be playing his first T-Ball game. I can't believe the growth and maturity that comes with each turn of the calendar, but since I haven't blogged on here in months and I have so much to say I thought I'd list what's been happening since... well... February. (Oops, life got in the way of blogging. What can I say?)

1. Easter was a blast with so many sweet memories of the kids collecting eggs and spending time with family.

2. April brought SUNSHINE and lots of it. We enjoyed many days playing outside and feeling the sun on our skin after a long cold winter!

3. Mother's Day was absolutely fabulous! The kids made me the sweetest cards and books at school that have been safely tucked away in my hope chest. And each gave me a flower for my little flower garden. (And I do mean little. I don't have a green thumb, more like brown. Rich says that if it doesn't bark or cry around here that it doesn't get looked after...He's pretty much right.) So as I planted them in the ground each flower got a special prayer for growth. And finally they gave me a mouse. Yep, a mouse...for my computer. I have a laptop and was needing a mouse to make typing and navigating easier. I think the kids liked it as much as I did.

4. Micah has almost finished potty training. (Imagine the Hallelujah Chorus) I told him it was the best Mother's Day gift he could have ever given me! Truly! I have been working with him for literally a year now, and he finally has gotten it. I was at my wit's end and then one day he did it! Oh joy of joys if I didn't hoop and holler and dance around like a mad woman! I have literally prayed for this day and for his potty training...no kidding. The Lord will testify to that, I'm sure he got tired of hearing about my little man's bathroom problems! But thank you Lord, he is doing it!

5. Micah, Anna, and I have all started taking Teakwondo classes. This has boosted Micah's self confidence and has served as a good exercise routine for Anna and me. This week we test for the first time to graduate up from white belt to yellow. We'll see how it goes. (Pray for me!)

Now that the reflections are over, we look to the glorious future of Summertime! I can't wait to see what the next few months hold!

An Unexpected Day

Today is extremely cold! The wind is whipping, the snow is blowing, the road is slippery, and the beach towels are out! Yep, that's right, the beach towels, beach umbrella, and swimsuits are out and making an appearance today. We got a dusting of snow last night on top of some wet pavement which made for a slick driveway this morning. Therefore, Anna, Micah, and Mom are all stuck in the house. Anna's school was on late start schedule, however I wasn't going to try to get my van out of this roller coaster of a driveway. No way!

When I told Anna that she wouldn't be going to school her imagination started running wild, that's how the whole beach party theme got started. 9 a.m. --"Mom can we get on our swimsuits and will you bring in the umbrella?" 9:30 a.m. -- This is what my living room looked like.

When was the last time I attended a Beach Party in the middle of winter? Can't say that I have ever....before now.

A Childlike Christmas

Okay, so I haven't been posting on my blog in a loooong time! It's time for redemption and a turning of a new leaf. I'm going to do better. Enough said!

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I loved Christmas as a child, but I truly LOVE Christmas now that I have children. The wonder, awe, excitement and joy of a child. Maybe that's why Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." Children see through eyes of wonder and Jesus knew that. I'm trying to see through childlike eyes this Christmas. I'm trying to look at Jesus as a child would. Here's an example from today: Micah and I were making Christmas sugar cookies today and I just in passing mentioned Jesus' name. Micah suddenly sang out, "I love you, Jesus!" Then he proceeded to kiss the air and told me to "kiss Jesus too." I blew kisses to Jesus this morning. That's the awe, love, and joy I want to permeate me this Christmas season.

Catching up...

***I wrote this blog post on Nov. 17th, but haven't posted it until now. Bad blogger girl! ;)
A lot has happened over the past month and I have neglected blogging. So here goes, I'm going to catch up.

As a Christ follower we don't celebrate Halloween, but we do love to dress up and go to church for "Treatsville." Anna decided to be a cheerleader (since she is taking cheer classes and has the outfit already this was a great choice!) Micah was Spiderman and he loved every minute which of course began with shooting webs.
We had tons of fun and really enjoyed ourselves!

Then came Micah's birthday. My baby turned 3 on October 30th. What a whirlwind three years this has been. I can hardly believe that he is now out of the toddler stage and has entered the preschool years. We had a wonderful Thomas party which was attended by tons of family. Micah had a blast opening his gifts, but all week all he said that he wanted was birthday cake. This was the first year that I attempted to make and decorate his cake on my own. I think the chocolate sheet cake turned out pretty delicious. I need to work on the decorating aspect though. Here's to another great year for my little man!