Where I am not, God is...

Where I am not, God is... I heard this yesterday on my favorite radio station and couldn't help but realize the truth being shared with me. I felt a sense of calm and peace wash over me as I heard those words and applied them to my life.

Many times in my life, including right now, I feel pulled to be in several places at once. Unfortunately (or fortunately for some), there is only one of me. Last night, I wanted to be at Ty's basketball game, but I needed to take Jacob to his basketball practice. I want to spend time at the hospital with my uncle and his family while he recovers from surgery. I want to spend time with my friend as she endures cancer. I want to be at school with my children to protect them from the evils of this world. I want to be home with my family, but have outside commitments. The list could go on, and on, and on.

I want to do it all, but I can't. And I shouldn't. I have to choose where I need to be...and that means being where God wants me to be. God doesn't need me everywhere. He takes care of me and everything else while I focus on what He wants me to do. I need to trust that God will be where, especially when I cannot.

Thought/Question: Do you think God will be at the grocery store for me? For some reasons, I'm able to be everywhere but there...

The Little White Lines

Okay, at the risk of soundy corny, I have to share this comparison. It hit me this morning and I can't get it out of my mind.

The sky was dark and the rain was heavy as I drove to work this morning. The wet road reflected the cars' lights and the streetlights. Staying in my lane was difficult as my eyes strained to see the white line lane markers. I tried following the red tail lights on the car ahead of me, but quickly realized neither one of us was in the correct lane. I tried to maintain the speed of the traffic around me, but then I forgot to follow the white lines. Without warning a huge truck passed me and splashed so much water on my windshield that I was temporarily blinded until my windshield wipers caught up. I wanted to give up and tailgate the car in front of me, but I knew that wasn't safe either. So, I continued my journey searching for and following the safest and surest way...the white lines.

Thankfully, my white-knuckle journey ended and I arrived at work in one piece. But while on my journey, I was graciously reminded how the lane markings on the road are like our Christian journey.

There are times when the future is unclear or something blocks our path. We are tempted to follow those around us or look to worldly "things" to guide us. But if we just look a little closer, God is there. God has set a path for us to follow. He is constant and ever-present. We must choose to seek His will for our life and not turn our eyes away from Him.

Has it really been that long?

Several times over the past month I have felt a nagging, tugging feeling of guilt to update my blog. Today I read all my entries and realized I really need to get back in the habit of writing about and sharing with you my family and my faith. So, here is my first attempt at getting back into the routine of blogging.

So much has happened since I last posted and here is the Reader's Digest version...
*Jeff and Ty have recovered from Influenza (Jacob & I are safe so far).
*Basketball season has officially begun, which means our schedules just got crazy!
*Our church has hired a new Sr. Pastor and we are enjoying the changes in our church.
*My employment continues to challenge me emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Some things never change.
*Ty is in 6th grade and LOVES middle school. He is starting to change - physically, emotionally and spiritually - and it is a joy to watch him grow.
*Jacob is in 3rd grade and still LOVES people. He is as sweet as he is feisty, and is beginning to provide us with new parenting challenges.
*Zoey (our cat) has separation anxiety and has decided that our personal items (blankets, clothes, etc) are a great place to pee! Ugh!
*Several people in my life that I love dearly are going through difficult, life-changing situations and are in desperate need of prayer.
*There were only two seasons in South Dakota this year - spring and winter. We skipped summer (which felt more like spring) and now are skipping fall. Seriously?
*Snow on my birthday (Oct. 9th) is a bit ridiculous.
*I am teaching Jacob's 3rd grade Sunday school class and have enjoyed each of the children.
*I am relearning the books of the Bible. I think I have them memorized...

There, that's enough for now. More to follow (I hope).

By the way, is anyone still checking this site? I may need to send out another link reminder, especially if I'm actually going to post. Have a wonderful day!

White Space

A co-worker of mine recently attended a motivational session and the speaker discussed the importance of reducing stress in our lives by adding in "white space." White space refers to an openness in your life to just "be." For example, white space (or open times) on your daily planner, white space in the number of activities you involved in, and white space in your mind and heart.

If I think about it long enough, I'm not sure what area of my life is the most difficult to include white space. However, I do know that when my calendar is full of all our family's activities, my mind and my heart are even fuller and my stress level reaches it's maximum.

Over time, I've been trying to reduce my stress level and increase my free time, or "white space." I've declined offers to "help", and even removed myself from a volunteer board. We only allow the boys to be in one sports activity at a time, and even though that is still busy, we are able to manage the schedule and still enjoy the events.

Despite any efforts (or futile attempts) to increase the white space in my life, my day will always be full. That's just who I am. I am much more productive when I have things to do and I'm forced to get things done. If I had nothing to do, then nothing would get done. Make sense? Strange, but true.

Do you have enough white space in your life?

It's Rummage Sale Time!

This weekend, we are having a rummage sale. We cleaned out the boys' toy room and closets and we are selling as much as possible. Although it's a great feeling to get rid of things, rummage sales are alot of work for very little financial return.

We've been marking items every chance we get for the past few weeks. I often wonder, "is this too high, too low?" I second guess myself during the first few hours of the sale, "Darn! I should have marked that higher!" It's such a mind game. I'm always amazed at people who want to offer a quarter for something that is 50 cents. Seriously!! It's already almost free. However, I usually give in because I just want the stuff gone - and this might be the only person that expresses interest. Ugh!

Needless to say, we've dug through the closets & rooms, marked our items, swept the garage, set up tables, carried ALL the stuff out to the garage, arranged it, and re-arranged it. Now the waiting game begins. Do you think I'll be able to retire off my earnings?

Middle School Church Camp

Yesterday we brought our oldest to middle school church camp. He was very excited to go and agreeably gathered up all the items to pack his suitcase (this is usually a daunting task for the both of us, but this time, he even made a list in preparation. (A boy after my own heart - I LOVE lists).

This week will be cool, wet, and muddy, but there is plenty of places for the kids to be warm and dry inside. We did pack a rain coat and umbrella, but I highly doubt he'll use them - not because he doesn't want to, but simply because he won't remember he has them in his suitcase. This may be strange, but I'm not concerned about him changing his underwear or showering everyday. Ty is a creature of habit and those items are habit for him. However, wearing a rain coat and using an umbrella are not, so I doubt he'll think to use them. I guess I'll find out on Friday when he comes home with his dirty laundry. Will it be wet or dry?

Besides the daily things, I'm praying for Ty's soul. Ty accepted Jesus into his heart at the age of 6, but as all Christians know, keeping Jesus there and living our life for Him is a daily choice. I'm praying that Ty learns to love the Lord at a deeper level and will experience a passion for Him. So often I've heard testimonies of people that accepted Christ or heard a call to serve Him while they were at church camp. I'm not sure if that is God's will for Ty's life, but if so, I pray that Ty's heart is open to Him.

Above all the rain and mud, the salvation of Ty's soul is my sincere prayer.

Life is Normal

Life is normal for us right now - nothing too serious, nothing too boring, just normal. However, everyone defines normal just a bit differently, so here is "normal" for us.

Summertime is filled with baseball, camping, mowing, weeding the landscaping, sitting outside, playing catch, grilling, visiting with neighbors, playing fetch with the neighbors' black labs, evening walks, windows open, and so it goes.

The boys are enjoying their summer days with Rachel and appear to be getting along quite well. She's baked cookies twice, which is always a treat at our house. Jacob started tennis lessons this week and absolutely loves it! He's still learning the game, but doesn't do too bad considering no one else in the family plays. Both boys are attending a basketball camp this week in the morning and seem to be learning from that as well. Next week, Ty is off to church camp for the week.

Our days do not seem to be getting longer, despite the sunrise/sunset times, but summer is slowly drifting away. Time continues to pass, regardless of what we do or who we are with. Needless to say, I wish I had more time, so I guess I'd better use the time I have, wisely.