Oh, Be Careful Little Feet

It started when William was about six weeks old. I would stare at his little feet and wonder where they would carry him. Would they carry him into sinful situations? Would they walk down the aisle some day? Would they run and kick a soccer ball? Would they carry the Word to those who need to hear it?

I've made a habit of praying about my children's feet (and hands!), so when I came across a story in my Bible yesterday, it resonated with me. I thought I would share it here.

True Success
by Martha Manikas-Foster

     I reclined on my hospital bed with my two-day-old daughter cuddled on my chest. As she slept I caressed her tiny fingers and wondered how she would use them as she grew up. Would they tap formulas and technical data into a now unimagined computer? Would they intricately stitch wounded human tissue? Or perhaps sculpt or paint using vibrant textures and colors? Although I randomly pictured professions at which she might excel, I focused my prayers then as I focus them now, not on what she might be, but on who she could be.

     I know that one day, probably before she puts away her dolls and crayons, she'll learn that some people measure excellence and success solely by "the bottom line" -- the money they take home. Some "put their hope in wealth" (1 Timothy 6:17) and build their lives to accommodate its pursuit.

     I trust that by that time we'll have taught her to value many things above money. Scripture teaches not that riches themselves are evil but that the value we place on them can lead to our undoing.

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap

and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men

into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:9)

 

     On the other hand, "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). The apostle Paul's charge to young Timothy is to flee from the pursuit of riches and instead pursue godliness. Paul further instructs Timothy to:

 

Command those who are rich ... to put their hope in God ...

 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,

and to be generous and willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

 

     When Connie reaches elementary school and her teachers ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, I expect that she will list "teacher," "firefighter," and perhaps "doctor" among her choices. But my prayer will continue to be that no matter what profession she chooses, at the core she will truly succeed by being a righteous and godly woman, full of "faith, love, endurance and gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11).

Good Times, Good Reads, Good Lessons

Yesterday at the park I saw a guy in Texas Children's Hospital scrubs, so I asked him what department he was with.

"Orthopedic oncology."

"Oh, wow," I replied. "My husband is a surgery fellow there."

"That means he's really busy these days."

"Incredibly."

That was the end of the conversation. A moment or two later Abigail came up to me and said, "You said 'my husband.' Why don't you ever say, 'My kids' dad'?"

I had a nice laugh.

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I read a really good book a few weeks ago called The Shack. (Thanks, Pastor Paul!) I laughed. I cried. But most of all, I felt closer to God. Add it to your reading list!

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Abby likes to dance, and nearly every time we are at the park, she asks me to dance with her. Although I usually don't like to call attention to myself, I always accept her invitation. My mind inevitably goes back to that scene in the movie Courageous. For those who haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil it for you, but there is a scene where a little girl asks her daddy to dance while they are waiting at the bank (they are outside the bank near a patch of grass). Her dad said no, basically because he didn't want to look silly. A few scenes later the dad gets a call saying the little girl has been killed in a car accident. Later in the movie the dad goes back to the bank, parks next to the patch of grass, and gets out and dances by himself, with his daughter's favorite song playing in the background. What a tearjerker! It certainly made me realize every moment is precious; we must seize them.

Maddie's One

Our sweet pea turned one last Sunday. We had a small celebration at home (cake and presents), and I'm pretty sure Maddie had no idea what was going on.

I gave a shot at making her birthday cake -- the first cake I've made for any of the kids' birthdays, and it turned out OK. I'll be making it again, with some modifications, for Abby's monkey-themed party in March.

Miss Maddie is so little, only making it into the 20th percentile for height! She's still a little baby in my eyes. xo

"Am I doing it right, Mom?"

Sugar Coma

The kids had more fun opening presents than Maddie.

Abby made a "mobile" for Maddie at school.

Rambling

About Me
I'm still enjoying my time as a stay-at-home mommy. I realize it is a true blessing that I am available to tend to the kids, do projects with them, cook, clean, take trips, make appointments, etc., on my on schedule.

Our time in Houston is half over. And we aren't sure where we are headed next. While I am certainly enjoying what I frequently have been calling "an extended vacation" (because I feel like we are only here temporarily), I would like to start planning for the future! I've grown in the area of patience and faith, I'll tell you that.

Though I was tempted with the idea -- and still may revisit it in the future -- of homeschooling Abby, I've been seeing that she and I don't mesh well when it comes to instruction. I was trying to teach her how to write something, and she yelled, "You aren't my teacher! Ms. Punch is!" Well, OK then.

I'm thinking I need to update my resume, not that I intend to hand it out anytime soon. I'm just afraid if I don't do it now, I will forget everything I did at my previous job. Not sure what the future holds in the job arena for me. Like I said, being at home is great. I've been wanting to write a book. Seriously.

About Chip
Chip is working his tail off! In Buffalo, Chip would be on call every other night, meaning he was only home every other night. Here, Chip takes home call, which means he is home every night. I LOVE that, although it means he works really long days... June can't come fast enough!

Chip has done lots of good cases while being here. I was shocked to find that people come from all over (both from within the U.S. and all over the world) for treatment.

He's been on several job interviews, and has one coming up in Greenville, SC. We are both in agreement that the right job is out there.

Although he has little to no free time, we do enjoy exploring the city and the plethora of restaurants on our weekly date nights.

He misses being around the kids, but he tells me often he appreciates all I do for the family.

About Abigail
Ab is thriving in kindergarten. She is still a mess (in terms of giving her mama grief about all sorts of things). Oh, and she is in love. Yeah. Her first crush. It's on a boy in her class. She likes him because he is nice and smart and reads things to her.

She is still enjoying gymnastics, and really enjoys going to AWANA, where she has earned a badge and a few jewels already (for memorizing Bible verses). I've signed her up for a cheerleading clinic in February -- we shall see how that goes.

My baby girl will be six in March. We scheduled her party at the gym where she takes gymnastics, and we plan on inviting her entire class at school.

Ab is great at telling stories (making up fictitious stories, not lies), singing and dancing, drawing and just being a good little helper. She has a best friend, Leila, and has a few other good girl friends.

About William
William has friends, too -- Clair and Caleb, along with any other friend he happens to make during one of our many visits to the park. He loves to ride his Big Wheel, and he likes to play games on my Kindle Fire.

He is great at numbers. In fact, he is a very smart kid. Can't wait to see what's in store for him.

William likes to "fight," and he has been a little aggressive with Abby lately. We always warned her that one day he would be big enough to fight back. That day is here.

I plan on putting William in a preschool program in the fall.

About Madeline
Maddie isn't walking yet, which is fine by me, but she is crawling up the stairs. Her little personality is starting to come through. She is very, very happy and easy going. But don't mess with the girl's food -- that makes her angry. Maddie will laugh loudly when we laugh, and her gappy grin is so cute!

Madeline

Path of Doors

I'd like to think I've matured, if only a little bit, when it comes to perspective.

There are certainly times in my life where I've experienced disappointment. Why did things not go the way I planned -- or prayed?

In the moment, disappointment can take over, quickly becoming consuming if left unchecked with a healthy dose of perspective. Granted, it sometimes takes a few years to see the "point" of the disappointment.

Looking back over my life, it is easy to see a carved path -- a path that would have looked vastly different if not intersected by disappointment. It is a breathtaking journey and clearly not blazed by me.

For me, these moments of not getting what I wanted is God's way of saying, "Child, I have something way better for you!" And He is right; never have I been disappointed by God's love and discernment.

How do you know when God doesn't want something for you? A metaphor people sometimes use is one of God shutting a "door." He doesn't shut them all -- there are certainly times when God leaves the door wide open. We must first pray and then get up and head toward that door to see if it is the right one for us. And that takes work -- and an amount of "risk"!

So when Chip and I were met with an unexpected shut door this week, it was hard not to be consumed with disappointment. I mean, we thought this door was wide open, ours for the taking.

Not so. And it stings a little. But after a shed tear or two, I felt a wave of comfort. Without a shadow of a doubt, God is in control and knows what is best for us. And whatever that choice is, it will be what we need.

After a little dusting off, we are ready to get back up and try again.

And would you believe a door has been recently opened? Could this be the one?

I'll keep you posted.

Three Days In

Happy 2013!

New Year's Resolution: Get my blog going again. I think I can handle that.

The past month has been a blur, but there is much to talk about and many pictures to post. I'll get right on that.

In the meantime, here's a funny that happened today.

Abby and William were playing remarkably well today, an unfortunate rare occurrence. They proudly ran into my bathroom, and Abby announced that she dressed her brother. "Doesn't he look handsome?" she asked.

"Yes!" I said, and I followed it up with, "It makes Mama's heart so happy to see her children playing so well together."

They ran off and returned a moment or two later. Abby had brushed William's hair, and he looked very pleased with her work.

"Mommy, your stomach happy?" William asked.

What? Is my stomach happy? I tried to process the question, wondering the rationale behind the inquiry.

"I think he meant to say, 'Is your heart happy,' " Abby clarified.

I laughed. Of course that's what he meant.

"Yes, baby. Mommy's heart is very happy."

We all grinned.