Good Things

I am doing something new for VBS this year. I'm am NOT a lead teacher. I stepped down from that position a few weeks ago when I knew in my "gizzard" -as my dad would have said- that I shouldn't lead out. I am helping one of my dear friends with the 5-yr-olds. She offers brilliant decorations, skillful preparation, and undeniable love for the kids. My only job, it seems, is to show up and be cute and obedient. She says I'm accomplishing my task beautifully. I provide a delicate balance of behavioral guidance and comedic relief. Did you know that when I'm not in charge of something I can be downright sweet?? A very fun girl, indeed.

J-dub gave me the afternoon/evening off! Woo-hoo. I had lunch with a friend, then dropped by the consignment shop. A thunderstorm and a Gateway worship CD accompanied me to Sonic where I sipped ice water and fine-tuned my grocery list. I drove by the ballpark to see if the fields were too wet for Philip to have practice. They were. In one brief moment, the entire evening opened up. Then in the next brief moment, he was called out to work and that evening slammed right back down. We miss him, but the overtime will surely help finance this weekend's trip to pick up Ardyn and next week's all-star travels.

I am LOVING E-mealz. James frowns upon my enthusiastic lack of creativity. Yesterday he asked, "What was that meat stuff?" I couldn't remember the official title, so I walked to my printed menu on the front of the fridge. "Hmmm, Meal #5: Hashbrown 'n' Beef Bake" I proudly announced. He just rolled his eyes. Apparently, since I don't spend hours dreaming up these dishes and compiling grocery lists, the meals are perceived as cold and heartless. Alrighty, then. Cold and heartless, it is...because Hashbrown 'n' Beef Bake is warm and wonderful, and James knows it.

We watched "Stranger Than Fiction" last night. VERY good flick. cons: one scene of spirited kissing and one ridiculous men's locker room hairy hiney scene. also occasional misuse of God's name. pros: Wonderfully unique idea, smart script, great actors. Though probably not intended by the director, I noticed deep hints of parallel truths concerning God's role as the "Author and Perfecter of our faith", presenting oneself as a living sacrifice, and the tension between destiny and freedom to choose abundant life.


Thank You, God, for today. I pray for each child in our class. Reveal a tiny glimpse of Your Glory. Give them each a hunger for Your Presence and for Your Word. Thank You for Tina, Sarah, Diane, and Pam. Give them perfect strength this week. I pray for the ladies in Bible Study who met without us today. May we continue to learn contentment. Thank You for James. What a wonderful gift. Thank You for Philip. Shelter him as he works tonight. Bless Ardyn's time with Abby. Thank You for KJS. He shines so brightly for You. Thank You for letting us see You all around...in nature and movies and people. I love YOU more than anything.

Trivial Pursuit

I have 5 year olds in VBS this week. This morning's Bible story opened with a probing question: "Who knows who MOSES was?". The room buzzed with an enthusiastic rush of "I do - I do!" As we narrowed down the information, we discovered that Moses had 10 fingers, he had a family, and his hair was not real.

That last comment came from a Johnson. I shot Ashli a puzzled look. She whispered, "Luke said that guy who held up his stick so the people could cross the river...when that guy came down from the mountain with the rules, Luke said his white hair was NOT real!" Thank you, Charlton Heston!

Smokin' Hot

Luke made the all-star team, so the Johnson baseball season has been extended for several more weeks. Since Philip coached Luke's regular season team into winning their division, Philip is the all-star coach. (We'll haven't we known THAT for a while? I just go around the house calling for him: "Hey, 'All-star Coach'!") I really do feel sorry for the guy I was dating when I saw Philip play softball (in cut-off baseball pants) for the first time....that other poor fella is happily married now, but I had to say 'adios' and go get me somodat left field.

I'm in a tacky mood, huh? (I already knew Philip was a nice Christian guy and had talked with him several times, but the wardrobe...and the skills....the deal was sealed!)

ALL that to say: the boys are at practice. The girls and I are previewing children's musicals. I got bored and came to blog. They are still dancing and singing along to music they've never heard before. Bedtime is moments away.

We swam at our next door neighbors' all afternoon. For dinner I made my almost-famous "kitchen sink eggs". They have everything in them except the k.s....onions, peppers, mushrooms, turkey sausage, spinach, jalapenos, and just a few hash brown potatoes. They are EXCELLENTE'! I made whole wheat pancakes, but before I put the last round on the griddle, I tossed in some rolled oats, honey, some dark chocolate chips, and a big, sloppy spoonful of natural peanut butter. Yeah baby!

Wish you coulda been here.

Thank You, Lord, for tasty food and sunny weather. Thank You for my very handsome husband. Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, may we do it all for Your Glory!

Tuesday Bible Study

Last Tuesday was our first Summer Bible Study meeting. The Study is "Calm My Anxious Heart". We went around the room and shared "who we are", "what we did before we had kids", and "one thing you probably don't know about me". Two ladies had grown up in our town, but everyone else seemed to have a "I didn't mean to end up here" story. There was a general consensus that our fair city leaves much to be desired.

After everyone had shared, the leader opened the book to give an introduction to the study. She got as far as the subtitle: "A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment". The irony distracted me. With gentle sarcasm I said, "We don't need contentment; we just live in a crummy town." We all giggled shy, guilty giggles.

This week we read about a woman named Ella. She is characterized by the "holy habit" of contentment. In her journal, she indicated her prescription for contentment she adapted from the writings of E.B. Pusey:
*never allow yourself to complain about anything - not even the weather.
*never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.
*never compare your lot with an other's
*never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
*never dwell on tomorrow - remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours.

Upon reading the first one, several of us felt like our only options were to give the book back and try this study another time or take a vow of silence. Today we met in the youth game room. Do you know what I said the first nanosecond I was in the building? "Wow, something in here smells really bad!" Yep, that's me: Happy Henrietta.

I'm not sure how to process our group time. During the course of the discussion today complaints were voiced concerning husbands, children, childbirth, nursing, cleaning, and tardiness. Even our resident "Pollyanna" was mildly bummed out. I know I need to pray more...for myself and for others who apparently struggle with the same mindset I do. I want to be an encourager. I want to be encouraged.

The most comforting thing about this study is that Paul reveals contentment can/must be learned.

"...for I have LEARNED to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have LEARNED the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." --Philippians 4:11-13

I'm trusting God to teach me. Sharlene said something wonderful today. She said "we need to stop chasing after what we think would be ideal and just understand that this is God's deal." I think that is completely catchy: 'I'-deal vs. God's deal, me vs God, which will it be? I suppose maturity comes when we realize that God's deal IS indeed ideal!

To all my Merry Marshallites, I'm blessed to be studying God's word with you. Pray for me, I'm praying for you.

Ain't No Hidin' Under No Bushel

The pastor spoke about "shining" in the dark world. I was convicted once more of pursuing the life of a cave-dweller: my light shines but doesn't benefit many folks outside my modestly decorated cave. The rest of today was different.

One of Landen's baseball buddies' mom called this afternoon to invite our family to a birthday party. She said she was also planning to take the boys to see a movie. She spoke hesitantly, "I know you guys probably have some preferences...um...would it be ok if Landen went to see a movie...like...my son wants to see the new Adam Sandler movie." With my most optimistic voice, I calmly replied, "You know, I don't know much about that one. I usually look stuff up on plugged-in.com to see if it's something that would be a good choice." She hadn't heard of the site, but agreed that she didn't know much about it either. I told her we were looking forward to coming to the party, and she said she'd call me later about the movie.

I looked up the movie and let Philip read the review. He gave a definitive "No ma'am" and went back outside. I called the mom back and told her. She was grateful for the information and then began a lengthy monologue on the difficulties of raising children "these days". She explained that she and her husband had recently renewed their commitment to attending church following his decision to accept Christ. "The boys don't wanna go, and it's nobody's fault but ours". She seemed sad and disheartened. I assured her that boys their age don't want to do a lot of stuff that's best...so she should just stick with it. I told her she's doing the right thing. I mentioned scripture that we had studied at home. After she shared some more, she ended the conversation with, "Having friends like you is gonna be a huge help." I'm not sure if she was still talking about the boys or the adults.

This evening I took Mari for our daily jaunt. The first mile didn't really count because we stopped and talked to so many neighbors. I usually just smile and wave, but I felt compelled to at least offer one positive greeting as I passed. I don't know why I assume I'll bother someone if I initiate a conversation. "Insecurity" Philip would diagnose. Today: Security. One lady was watering her yard and on my second time around asked, "Are you going again?" I said yes. She asked if she could go get her shoes and go with me. Okie-dokie. We walked another 2 miles together. She talked. I just listened (and perspired) and encouraged her when I could. Some stuff she's going through, I just cannot relate with. All I could say was, "I'm so sorry that you're going through this." When we were through, she said to call her when I walk again. I guess I didn't bother her, huh?

Thank You, God, for our pastor. Thank You for our church. Thank You for our neighborhood. Thank You for our home. I want to shine for You. Help me come out of my cave often enough to have an impact on those You have placed in my path. Help me keep our home hospitably approachable --that beautiful balance of spiritual and physical peace-- so that we can shine for You as a family.

Out of Sight

I visited a new eye doctor for my annual exam the other day. My eye health is stable and my vision poor. He gave me a prescription for new lenses; I'll have to go back on another day to deal with frames. I used to wear contacts during high school and college. At that point it was discovered that in addition to severe near-sightedness, I have a substantial muscle imbalance that causes double vision unless my brain quickly compensates - which it does skillfully. I was given prism lenses in my glasses that compensates for the imbalance - in those few centimeters between the lens and my eye. The first time I put the new glasses on, the network of nerves and muscles along the side of my face just melted away into overwhelming relaxation. Point being: I must wear glasses. However, when I sing or speak in public, the glare of the lights off my rims is distracting to me and makes me feel pinned in. Then there are datenites when I just want to gaze across the table at Philip and not see blurry ovals surrounding our gaze. Or (prophetically speaking) my frequent trips to water parks... Anyway, my previous requests for occasional contact use have fallen on deaf ears. (eye doctors with hearing impairment??) THIS doctor heard my request, sympathized with my reasoning, and trusted me to be wise. He ordered a sample of daily contacts. Ironically, they are not intended for daily use at all, but for special occasions.

I'm a tiny bit excited. The BEST part will be to slip a pair in for the visit to the frame shop. Hello? I think this should be a standard operation procedure. How are you supposed to select frames when you can't see the mirror???? I've experienced this countless times since that first time in 9th grade. You put these dud glasses on, turn toward the mirror on the wall, and the attendant asks, "What do you think?" hmmm. I'm not sure, since I CAN'T SEE! I usually just sit down with my top 5 and use the magnified mirror at the desk. I always approve of how my glasses look from eight inches away with my neck jutted out -- in order to get my eyes closer to the mirror without getting my face any closer. No more. I'll slap a couple "dailies" in, put on a chic pair of frames, and peer into the mirror across the room to get that "first impression" ruling. Who am I kidding? It will still be a ridiculously stressful decision: "We need you to pick something to stick on your face everyday for the next two years...for every outfit, every activity, every mood...and we have over three thousand frames to choose from!"

I had left my sunglass clip on the kitchen table, so driving home with my pupils dilated was painful and probably dangerous (woops). Squinting helped with the painful brightness, but not so much with seeing. After I made it home, I made lunch and checked email: two activities I won't take for granted in the future. I typed a reply "by faith" just like my 6th grade keyboarding teacher would have wished. And my kitchen is simply annoying when blurry. I had a cranky lunch. To myself, but aloud, I kept saying, "I can't see and it's tickin' me off".

Oh, I have to share this. When you take an imaginary photo with Ardyn's Tinkerbell camera, a recorded voice proclaims, "Seeing is believing!". Rest assured, Luke has already preached against such heresy. "Ardyn, the Bible says we walk by FAITH, not by sight. NOT SEEING is believing!" Ardyn goes to drama camp next week where they are producing "Peter Pan"...I apologize in advance for any apologia that may occur...may she speak the truth in love.

I stole this one off Rebecca's blog: Helen Keller was asked if there was anything worse than blindness. She replied, "Oh, yes! A person with sight and no vision."

Thank You, Lord for my eyes AND my glasses. Help me have Your perspective on life, and when I "can't see and it's tickin' me off"...thank You for being near. Increase my faith. Give me vision, not just sight. Help me accomplish that for which You've set me apart. I love YOU.

Not-so-Quotable

"Spelling is a pain in the neck. I do my best with it, but I figger if a guy has tremendous gifts as a writer, his audience will forgive a few slip-ups in the spelling department.
I mean, it doesn't take any brains to open a dickshunary and look up a word. Anybody can do that. The real test of a writer comes in the creative process. I try to attend to the big picture, don't you see, and let the spelling take care of itself." - Hank the Cowdog

Things of Which We Do Not Speak

For months, when someone asks what grade my oldest is going into, my response has been, "He's finishing up the sixth grade." Over the weekend, a friend asked me if Landen was going into the seventh grade. I sharply corrected her with my pet sentence: "No, He's finishing up the sixth grade." She just smiled and squinted at me in her loving way. I'm in four kinds of denial, folks.

He's twelve. He's going to a youth group welcome rally with James tomorrow night. He'll be adding more and more "youth" activities to his schedule as the next months and years unfold. His shoulders are broadening, his boundaries are broadening...my mind: not so much. I can hear Robin Williams' voice as the genie in Aladdin. "HUGE COLOSSAL POWER....itty bitty living space." My poor, poor brain.

He's so excited. He's kept up with his "May" responsibilities (regular and punitive) with a super attitude. This youth group stuff has hit a motivation button that until this point had been dreadfully elusive.

I'm reading "A Mind at a Time" by Mel Levine. His primary focus is to discover each child's mode of mental operation. He capitalizes the strengths and modifies the learning process to avoid exploiting the weaknesses. God is using this completely positive approach to go beyond my normal conviction of selling LP short. He's inspiring me to turn the corner with Landen and "name it and claim it" so to speak. Landen has many strengths. I pray that I can train him up into those strengths. I want to equip him to accomplish tasks despite weaknesses. And in all that training and equipping, I want him to be encouraged by me. wow. Lord, keep working on me.

Landen has always been an encourager. When he was three, he would regularly smile at the WalMart stockers and say, "Yoh do-ning a gwate job!" He has a divine demeanor with older folks. He will sit and chat...asking questions about pictures on their wall, pets they used to have, and tons of other questions that many might think too mundane or awkward. People love to talk about themselves, and Landen listens with very little commentary, just a steady, interested smile. He is an absolute work horse. His muscles and mindset allow endless joy to be found in an outdoor project. Also, he can remember sequential facts or numbers like a stinking Rolodex. He may not be able to put into words the central theme of a narrative, but he can tell you what page he was on when the phone rang....and what number showed up on CID. When I've asked him what happened in a particular chapter of a book, instead of giving a summary, he begins to recite the first several sentences from 11 pages ago...then gets frustrated that he can't remember any further. In the past I've been sure to see the comprehension issues as weakness (and have been verbal about it). And in the past I would fail to see the memory skill as a strength (and thus refrain from being verbal about it) Do you see how I've screwed up my kid? Perhaps this turning season will provide a turning leaf.

A new leaf. Se...Sev....SEVEN..TH gr...ade leaf. There. I said it.

Thank You, Lord, for new leaves. I guess they're all old leaves to You, but you allow us to learn and grow and discover while You patiently guide and illuminate our way. Forgive my impatience. It is not of You. Help me love & teach Landen the way you love & teach me. Gently, purposefully, patiently. Keep him and hold him as he ventures off (with baby steps) into some new arenas. Help me be open-minded and approachable...and encouraging. Open my lips to speak love.

More Cool Pool Pix

Ardyn's favorite part was diving for rings.



Ashli jumped off the edge 638 times!



After gulping half a gallon of pool water, Mari Alice decided to chill -- poolside.

No Sweat

Ashlin & Sean

The girls and I had a great adventure helping the Thompsons move to Ft. Worth. Heavy furniture and faulty tarping brought about much perspiration throughout the day on Thursday. But we made it! After we unloaded the trailer, we headed for Flannery-ville. Their backyard is so wonderful, it took an extra day just to soak in the fun. We returned in time to lay out church clothes and come to grips with the mountain of laundry on the living room sofa - a literal mountain. (At present, we've only come to grips...no one has actually folded any of it) Philip is running taxi service for the older children's activities this evening. Mari Alice and I are about to hit the streets...just one street...our street...and it's really a road...We're going for a walk! Thursday's sweat-a-thon started a landslide of weight loss. I'm gonna see what fresh, new "number" we can come up with in the morning. Toodles.