The Greatest Gift of All

So I have a friend who is going through a really tough time. She is struggling with some health issues and is discouraged because she simply physically can't do the things she wants and should be able to do. She and her family have just bought their first home, and she wants to be doing so many things to make it theirs. But she just can't...

Last night as I lay awake in bed to the sounds of a screaming child with an earache, I began praying. "Lord, please ease Em's discomfort so that we can all get to sleep!" I prayed. Then my thoughts turned to this friend. I had sent her an e-mail yesterday telling her that I would pray for her to be encouraged in the midst of her trials. In my e-mail I also reminded her that God loves her and has a plan for her.

As I lay there, I prayed, "God please do a miracle in her life. Bring healing to her so that she will see how much you love her." Immediately I felt God say to me, "I've already done something to show her how much I love her, and it was really big! This big..." and I envisioned Jesus spreading his arms out wide on a cross.

Talk about humbling! My tiny brain was praying for something physical to be done, and God reminded me that the physical is just temporary. He has plans that are eternal. And isn't that what today is all about--celebrating that Emmanuel lived, died, and then rose from the dead? God loved us so much that He sent His only son--royalty as He was--to be born to a poor carpenter in a stable; to live on a filthy, sinful earth; to die a sinner's death in the most horrible way imaginable; as a substitute for us...

He loved us this much...

My Child Has a Gift

We all know our kids are special. We brag on them. We tell people how smart they are, what great artists they are, how well-behaved they are. You get the point.

And yes, my daughter is a very smart 4 1/2 year old. And yes, she is an amazing little artist! And yes, MOST of the time she's behaving herself. But...Her true gift?


I know it's probably wrong on several levels, but I love it when she plays with my hair! She's also a great back-scratcher!

Sowin' Seeds and Sunshine

My dad always has a beautiful garden. He has for as long as I can remember. I love that my dad is a gardener. My grandparents always were too--until they got to where they weren't physically able to put in all the hard work a garden requires. Now that Daddy is retired, he is able to devote more time to his garden and has even planted potatoes at Grandma and Grandpa's house in addition to his own garden.


This year, my dad decided to till a small spot of soil for the grandkids to plant their own garden. Cason, Cali, and Kenli stayed with Gigi and Papa yesterday and got to plant their rows. Em and I went out today, and she got to plant hers. She planted beans, radishes, pumpkins, and carrots. She was very cute squatting beside my dad and dropping her seeds into place.


Then she got to help in the big garden! Dad tilled two rows, Em following right beside him until we realized she was walking in a row of tomato plants! She had a really good time, and I'm so glad that my dad is teaching her about gardening and sowing more than just vegetable seeds in her life. I'm thankful that my parents sowed seeds in my life too--seeds of time, love, faith, I could go on and on. I love you Mom and Dad!

Compassion International

Bryan and I used to sponsor a child from Rwanda through Compassion International. We couldn't pronounce his name, so we just called him Tim. We inherited him when the children's department and then the youth department at the church where we were ministering decided they could no longer pay the $21 each month to continue supporting him. There came a time when we were both in college and working multiple part-time jobs that we too had to discontinue our support of Tim.

Whenever I read about Compassion projects, I think of little Tim and wonder how he is now. I wonder about his family and the project there in Rwanda. I know this region of Africa has seen some extremely violent times, and I wonder if he is even alive.

I've written before about my friend Cindy and her daughter Jenn. Cindy is a precious woman of God who has such a heart for service. She and her husband have three sons and two daughters who also actively serve the Lord. Her son Chris pastors Ecclesia, and her son Brian actually works for Compassion International and recently adopted two children from Ethiopia. Her son Rob is a Christian recording artist--a.k.a Robbie Seay Band. Their two daughters are Jenn and Jess.

I say all of that to say, take a look at Jenn's blog. She and some friends are organizing an event in College Station that I think is really neat. She introduces it here, and she tells more about it here. I know some of you that read this are runners, so here's your chance to put that "talent" to work for something good. Maybe some of us need to get together to do the walk. Let me know what you think!

Whatever Happened to Mr. Rogers?

Saturday morning, Emma Leigh got out of bed before me, as usual! She usually watches some television while I sleep a few more minutes and Bryan eats breakfast. The normal Saturday morning shows are bizarre to say the least. She likes one with robots and another with dinosaurs--I think. We don't have cable or satellite, so her choices are pretty limited.

On school days, she watches PBS Kids in the morning while we get ready for school. Her favorites are "Martha Speaks" and "Curious George," but she also really likes "Sid the Science Kid" and "Dragon Tales." I like these shows, and they all teach valuable lessons whether they are educational or moral. But I've always thought there was just something missing from them.

And then I saw my old friend Mr. Rogers! This past Saturday I focused my sleepy eyes on the television as I warmed my bagel, and there was Lady Aberline! She was standing at King Friday's castle! Emma Leigh squealed, "Look Mommy! It's a castle like I learned about at school!" I told her all about how I used to watch Mr. Rogers when I was a little girl.

After the trip to Make-Believe Mr. Rogers had a puppet of Mr. McFeely and soon he was singing, "I'll be back when the day is new, and I'll have more ideas for you; And you'll have things to talk about. I will too. Good-bye Neighbor." This reminded me of how Mr. Rogers taught me to use my imagination.

It made me a little sad that Emma Leigh isn't getting to watch shows like this. Even though she watches very educational shows, there's just something about Mr. Rogers and his willingness to share the truth with kids. I did a search for him on Wikipedia, and I discovered that he was somewhat of a controversial figure. He wasn't afraid to tackle big issues like war and divorce. That's what made him real to me!

I hope Em gets the chance to watch him again soon. Watching him made me proud to have learned so much from him. He truly was a Godly man!

Ike Isn't Gone

This week, I attended the ACSI Conference in Galveston with many of the wonderful teachers from my school. I was excited about the opportunity I'd have to see how Galveston is rebuilding after Hurricane Ike. Today was the first day I was outside the Moody Gardens facilities during the daytime, and I was able to see the damage first-hand.

Although it's been nearly 5 months since Ike's landfall, Galveston is still recovering and rebuilding. Most of the shops and restaurants in the Strand district are still closed. Many, many homes, hotels, and condos still have blue tarps on their roofs. Plywood still covers the windows and holes left from the high winds that Ike brought. P.O.D.S and FEMA trailers sit in driveways and front yards of homes being completely gutted and remodeled.


The most eerie sight by far was the Flagship Hotel. A large hotel--and prominent Galveston landmark--that once stood supported by large concrete pillars out over the raging ocean waves, now sits separated from the mainland by demolished driveway entrance and exit ramps. A gaping hole in one end of the hotel reveals damaged rooms. Broken windows give crumpled curtains an escape to billow in the ocean breeze. A bed can be seen through one window, and the empty room in which it sits waits for guests that will never again arrive.



I took pictures but felt that I was invading the privacy and dignity of the people of Galveston. I want to post them to serve as a reminder of the work left to do in Galveston and of the beauty of a place that many seem to have forgotten. God has not forgotten, and I hope that I will not forget to pray for these people as they rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives.

Conversations

Conversation #1:
Last Sunday night we got home from church in time to watch the very end of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. As far as I know, we have never sat down as a family and watched this show. It's a great show, but we are just not usually at home on Sunday evenings to watch it. So Sunday night was the first time that I know Em has seen it.

Many of you know that we went on a mission trip to Amarillo last summer, and Em went with us and talks about going back ALL the time. Her latest musing about Amarillo went like this. "Maybe we can go back to Amarillo this summer and we can build somebody's house back that got destroyed from the hurricane and we can say, 'Move that bus!' "

She may not have all of the geography of hurricane tracking figured out, but I think there's something deeper there than that!

Conversation #2:
Em and I stayed home from school on Wednesday.

The original "day at home" was planned on Tuesday afternoon when I picked her up from school and she had a fever. After some cuddling and hugging and feeling her forehead repeatedly, we went to my classroom to make preparations for a sub the next day. Overnight, the cough and tight chest I'd been trying to ignore would not take, "No, you will not cause me illness" for an answer! I ended up at the doctor's office with my perfectly well four year old sidekick. Not sure what was up with the fever the day before!

On our way out the door, juggling the six Littlest Pet Shop animals she had chosen to take to the doctor's office in a much-too-tiny basket, Em said, "Mom, I probably should have chosen a different basket. These animals keep falling out!"

Conversation #3:
Then as we left the doctor's office, an hour or so later, we watched the bright yellow medical transport helicopter land at the Conroe hospital. After I explained that they were landing on the roof so that they could bring someone to the hospital or take someone to another hospital, Em again quipped with four year old certainty, "They probably are going to need a door up there on the roof."

I was amazed at the intelligence and clarity of our conversations the entire day. Wow my baby is growing up! I enjoy talking with her and seeing her mind wonder about the hows and whys of things.

Conversation #4:
Just a little bit ago, Em wanted an apple. As I peeled and sliced it for her, I became aware of her staring at me. I looked down at her and noticed she was tapping her foot also. Because she's usually singing or dancing or making up a new song, I said, "Are you keeping the beat?" She quickly replied, "No, that's what you do when you're waiting."

Conversation #5:
I love the group Watermark. I have their CD "A Grateful People" in my car and loaded on my iPod. I listen to it all the time. You may have heard one or two of their songs on my playlist on this blog. One of the songs that I have on the playlist is actually two songs put together, "Who Am I?" and "Grace Flows Down." I LOVE this song!

The words say:

Over time You've healed so much in me and I am living proof.
That although my darkest hour had come, Your light could still shine through.
And though at times it's just enough to cast a shadow on the wall,
I am grateful that You shine Your light on me at all.

Well, amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see.
And the more I sing that sweet old song, the more I understand
That I do not comprehend this love that's coming from Your hand.

Who am I that You would love me so gently?
Who am I that you would recognize my name?
Lord who am I that You would speak to me so softly?
Conversations with the love most high who am I?

What amazing words! The more I know, the more I see the enormity of what I haven't yet figured out--with my own life, with my daughter's life, with the amazing, wonderful life that Christ gives!