Well, it's been exactly one week since my last post. Life around here has been somewhat crazy as we're trying to tie up all of our loose ends down here before heading HOME TO MAINE!! It's crazy - we can still hardly believe that our journey here is almost over and that's it's time to begin another chapter in our lives. We will be moving home with Jesse being exactly the same age that Kaden was when we first moved out here! These past three years have totally flown by for us, but when I look at my children, I can how long it has actually been. Kaden wasn't even walking when we first moved...and now he's FOUR!
So, these past few days have been spent getting one last doctor's visit in for the kids, trying to prep for a yardsale, organizing, organizing, organizing...and of course a family trip to Cabella's! We've got to get in all of these "one last times!"
Anyway.....on to the title of this post.
These past couple of months - since Jesse has started walking - have started to feel a wee bit out of control for me. Before we went to Maine for our last visit, I was formulating some plans on how to become a little more structured with the kids, but was hesitant to put anything into practice until we settled back into our rhythm here. These past few weeks since we've been back, we put our plan into action, and I am very encouraged with the results.
I have been slightly overwhelmed by Jesse's busyness as of late. Neither Kev or I feel that he is bad.....he is just BUSY! (Oh so very busy, be still my heart). From the moment his eyes open, he is "on." And I have to help him turn "off;" otherwise I think he would just be like the perpetual Energizer Bunny who keeps going and going and going.......All......Day......Long!
I will never expect Jesse to be like Kaden. There could never be too more different (more different?) little boys who share the same genes! I absolutely love this little boy's strength and curiosity and intense desire to conquer life! I never ever want to crush his little spirit with unrealistic expectations, and I don't want to change him. He totally delights us and adds quite the zest to our family! However, this wee one also has a very very strong will which does need a little more help to be reigned in and "shaped," shall we say.
Jesse has a very hard time sitting still and focusing on anything for any matter of time. He also has the tendency to be quite clingy and demanding at times. So, one thing we have started implementing every day is "playpen time." Jesse wakes up about an hour earlier than all the rest of us. So, when he wakes up, I'll nurse him and then put him in his pack and play with a bunch of toys and a little snack, and then I'll get my shower and get my head on straight for the day while my other boys sleep. It took about a week, but he now plays happily - by himself, this is key - for at least a half hour and often much longer! This has brought great peace and harmony to our little family, and it has really helped in teaching Jesse to entertain himself for a period of time, and to also be content in a contained area for a period of time.
There are other little things that we've been doing, as well, but this has been, by far, the greatest encouragement to me and quite a victory, as well. Jesse DOES NOT like to be confined, in any way, and he does not like to be alone. And to see him play happily and stay focused on a few toys for a significant amount of time is very very nice!
Weekends!
It's scuzzy out today. We planned to go and pick some peaches and blackberries at our local orchard this evening, but we may just have to stay home and chillax whilst it thunders and rains outside.
Yesterday, out little fam kicked it for the day and went to a county fair over in New Jersey. Kev heard about it on the news, so we decided to go and scope it out. Both boys are at a really fun age to do something like this. Kaden loves the rides -even the scary ones - and there is enough action going on for Jesse so that he is very entertained and content while Kaden and I race from ride to ride. Daddy doesn't like the rides so much - but we are adrenaline lovers. It took me about fifteen minutes to convince this kid that he would not like the Gravitron! Do you all remember that ride? He thought for sure that he would love it, but we stuck with the kiddie coasters and little car rides, instead. No hurlage today, thank you.
Both boys loved the petting zoo, which, by the way, is my most favorite part of the whole fair. And of course - who can resist the yummy and oh so good for you fair food? De-lish!
But the highlight of the day was the "toddler races" that took place at high noon.
Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine - (hypothetically, of course) - two highly competative parents with a one year old who, at his well-child checkup the day before was told that at his age they only expect babies this young to be standing and possibly taking a toddling step or two. (Kaden didn't take a single step until well over fifteen months of age, by the way). WELL! Imagine my swollen head at the knowledge that our Jesse is not only running, but he is also able to climb on and off of all of our chairs, couches, and beds!
Soooooo, when we heard of this toddler "race" I was like: "Oh my word! Jesse is so totally going to kick butt in these races! Let's sign him up!" Kev was completely up for it, so we got some racing numbers slapped to his back and Daddy and he even had a couple of practice runs where Kev would run aways away and yell for Jesse to "Come to Daddy!" Kaden and I sat back and sized up our competition, and I pictured our very first trophy sitting on the shelf - completely convinced that we had this race in the bag!
WELL! When the race began we were told that one parent could wait at the finish line, and one person could "run" with their toddler. We could do anything but "help" them physically. (Looking back, I totally should have been waving his favorite snack in front of his eyes...then for SURE we would've won). ANYWAY.....He was raring to go, but I had to hold onto him to keep him from cheating and getting a jump start. Well, this got him all in a funk, so when the starting whistle blew, Jesse just stood there and crabbed at me for a good ten seconds! Then, when he finally realized that he was actually free and could run, he just mosied along like a little snail, he crossed over about four other lanes, he stopped and tried to flip over a wooden sign, he died laughing and walked like a drunkard, and HE CAME IN DEAD LAST!
Oh my word! We were laughing so hard, I almost peed my pants! You should have heard us cheering and seen how we acted like clowns trying everything in our power to get him to RUN to us! He would have nothing of it, and he absolutly loved making us look like idiots! He was so cute and so proud of himself! It was SO. MUCH. FUN!!!
Yesterday, out little fam kicked it for the day and went to a county fair over in New Jersey. Kev heard about it on the news, so we decided to go and scope it out. Both boys are at a really fun age to do something like this. Kaden loves the rides -even the scary ones - and there is enough action going on for Jesse so that he is very entertained and content while Kaden and I race from ride to ride. Daddy doesn't like the rides so much - but we are adrenaline lovers. It took me about fifteen minutes to convince this kid that he would not like the Gravitron! Do you all remember that ride? He thought for sure that he would love it, but we stuck with the kiddie coasters and little car rides, instead. No hurlage today, thank you.
Both boys loved the petting zoo, which, by the way, is my most favorite part of the whole fair. And of course - who can resist the yummy and oh so good for you fair food? De-lish!
But the highlight of the day was the "toddler races" that took place at high noon.
Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine - (hypothetically, of course) - two highly competative parents with a one year old who, at his well-child checkup the day before was told that at his age they only expect babies this young to be standing and possibly taking a toddling step or two. (Kaden didn't take a single step until well over fifteen months of age, by the way). WELL! Imagine my swollen head at the knowledge that our Jesse is not only running, but he is also able to climb on and off of all of our chairs, couches, and beds!
Soooooo, when we heard of this toddler "race" I was like: "Oh my word! Jesse is so totally going to kick butt in these races! Let's sign him up!" Kev was completely up for it, so we got some racing numbers slapped to his back and Daddy and he even had a couple of practice runs where Kev would run aways away and yell for Jesse to "Come to Daddy!" Kaden and I sat back and sized up our competition, and I pictured our very first trophy sitting on the shelf - completely convinced that we had this race in the bag!
WELL! When the race began we were told that one parent could wait at the finish line, and one person could "run" with their toddler. We could do anything but "help" them physically. (Looking back, I totally should have been waving his favorite snack in front of his eyes...then for SURE we would've won). ANYWAY.....He was raring to go, but I had to hold onto him to keep him from cheating and getting a jump start. Well, this got him all in a funk, so when the starting whistle blew, Jesse just stood there and crabbed at me for a good ten seconds! Then, when he finally realized that he was actually free and could run, he just mosied along like a little snail, he crossed over about four other lanes, he stopped and tried to flip over a wooden sign, he died laughing and walked like a drunkard, and HE CAME IN DEAD LAST!
Oh my word! We were laughing so hard, I almost peed my pants! You should have heard us cheering and seen how we acted like clowns trying everything in our power to get him to RUN to us! He would have nothing of it, and he absolutly loved making us look like idiots! He was so cute and so proud of himself! It was SO. MUCH. FUN!!!
Emotions....
I'm not a huge fan of change. Really, no matter what it is - initially, I don't like it. In fact, I feel like I am almost always a fairly optimistic person, but when change is on the horizon I become quite pensive and thoughtful - always imagining the worst! Weird.
This has happened enough times in the course of our marriage, that it doesn't weird me out anymore, and Kev knows me well enough to be very gentle with me during this time, so it's good. I think it must be the fear of the unknown and what the future is going to bring. Maybe it's because I'm not in control and that's nerve-wracking. I'm always thinking and wondering about how this is going to the change the dynamic of my family and what it may look like for Kev's and my relationship. The funny thing is - and I should know this by now - is that things always turn out fine, and once the change actually takes place I adapt just fine, and I always grow to LOVE it. God has proven Himself enough times in my life to show me that He ALWAYS does above and beyond all that I could ever ask or imagine in my finite little mind. He ALWAYS takes care of me. He NEVER leaves me or forsakes me. I am NEVER left alone.
Yet, I still am fearful and I still worry.
I remember the first time I was a camp counselor......We would get a new crew of kids each Monday, and every Sunday night I would cry because I had just gotten used to the old crew of kids - we'd just worked out all of our kinks, and I had just gotten to know and love them - and now I had to start all over again. On our way to youth group for the very first time, I honestly thought I was going to hurl - I was so terrified of walking into the teen room with all of those kids that would be staring at me and sizing me up! When we bought our new house, I cried for the first week because it was out in the country and I felt so cut off from all of my friends! I remember the first time we held Bible study at our new place, everyone just kept commenting on how far out we lived, and I was sure that no one would ever come out to visit me! The entire nine months that I was pregnant with Kaden, I was very pensive - wondering if I was going to be a good mom and worrying that it would change Kev's and my relationship! And don't get me started on the grieving that took place when Kev announced his dreams to uproot and move us out to Philly! Whew! Weeping and gnashing of teeth! Well, not quite, but close! Weird, eh? Yet, once the newness of all of these things wore off - I loved the new chapter and I thrived on the new change that had just taken place in my life.
So, here we are yet again, on the cusp of another change for our little family. The pensive, thoughtful side of me is once again thinking of the potential negative things that could take place: how stressful the packing and move could be with two little ones, not knowing where we are going to live for the interim until we find another house, saying good-bye to our church out here and all of the friends we have made, going home to another church and not the one we've always known - what if I don't see my old friends as much? What if the church doesn't like us? What if my boys become hoodlums - and Kev is supposed to be the "Pastor of FAMILY Ministries?!!" And it's been three years since we've lived in Maine.....I've changed...everyone's changed. It will be different, you know? What if? What if? What if?
Yet, quietly and softly, the Lord continues to remind me of how He has always been so faithful to me in the past. He calms my worries and He stills my soul. He calls me gently to Himself and asks me to simply trust. He is good. He is my Daddy. And He loves me more than I will ever know. He will take care of me. Be still, Amy. Be still and know.......
This has happened enough times in the course of our marriage, that it doesn't weird me out anymore, and Kev knows me well enough to be very gentle with me during this time, so it's good. I think it must be the fear of the unknown and what the future is going to bring. Maybe it's because I'm not in control and that's nerve-wracking. I'm always thinking and wondering about how this is going to the change the dynamic of my family and what it may look like for Kev's and my relationship. The funny thing is - and I should know this by now - is that things always turn out fine, and once the change actually takes place I adapt just fine, and I always grow to LOVE it. God has proven Himself enough times in my life to show me that He ALWAYS does above and beyond all that I could ever ask or imagine in my finite little mind. He ALWAYS takes care of me. He NEVER leaves me or forsakes me. I am NEVER left alone.
Yet, I still am fearful and I still worry.
I remember the first time I was a camp counselor......We would get a new crew of kids each Monday, and every Sunday night I would cry because I had just gotten used to the old crew of kids - we'd just worked out all of our kinks, and I had just gotten to know and love them - and now I had to start all over again. On our way to youth group for the very first time, I honestly thought I was going to hurl - I was so terrified of walking into the teen room with all of those kids that would be staring at me and sizing me up! When we bought our new house, I cried for the first week because it was out in the country and I felt so cut off from all of my friends! I remember the first time we held Bible study at our new place, everyone just kept commenting on how far out we lived, and I was sure that no one would ever come out to visit me! The entire nine months that I was pregnant with Kaden, I was very pensive - wondering if I was going to be a good mom and worrying that it would change Kev's and my relationship! And don't get me started on the grieving that took place when Kev announced his dreams to uproot and move us out to Philly! Whew! Weeping and gnashing of teeth! Well, not quite, but close! Weird, eh? Yet, once the newness of all of these things wore off - I loved the new chapter and I thrived on the new change that had just taken place in my life.
So, here we are yet again, on the cusp of another change for our little family. The pensive, thoughtful side of me is once again thinking of the potential negative things that could take place: how stressful the packing and move could be with two little ones, not knowing where we are going to live for the interim until we find another house, saying good-bye to our church out here and all of the friends we have made, going home to another church and not the one we've always known - what if I don't see my old friends as much? What if the church doesn't like us? What if my boys become hoodlums - and Kev is supposed to be the "Pastor of FAMILY Ministries?!!" And it's been three years since we've lived in Maine.....I've changed...everyone's changed. It will be different, you know? What if? What if? What if?
Yet, quietly and softly, the Lord continues to remind me of how He has always been so faithful to me in the past. He calms my worries and He stills my soul. He calls me gently to Himself and asks me to simply trust. He is good. He is my Daddy. And He loves me more than I will ever know. He will take care of me. Be still, Amy. Be still and know.......
Change is on the Horizon.....
A decision has been made.
A little less than two weeks ago, we went to Calvary Baptist Church in Brewer, Maine and Kev candidated for the positions of Pastor of Family Ministries and Worship Leader. The whole thing seems completely surreal looking back on it....
We had been back in PA for just a little over a month - having just checked out another job opportunity in Maine - and felt that we were probably going to make the decision to stay out here for one more year. I was accepted and registered to start grad school, and Kev planned to work at our church here leading worship and doing leadership development until I finished. This was the plan, yet both of us felt a bit uneasy with the decision that we had made. I felt restless and worried - wondering how adding a substantial class load to my plate would affect my family and especially my little boys, and Kev just didn't have any real peace either. Staying out here would mean the need for him to pick up another part-time job, as well, which would have just made life very busy and potentially quite stressful.
Anyway, a sweet girl (go, Anna!) facebooked us with a one-liner that simply said her church was looking for a Pastor of Family Ministries and we should check it out. Almost on a whim, Kev emailed his resume to the pastor thinking we would have nothing to lose. Our families had already reconciled themselves to the idea of us staying out here an extra year; if nothing came of this, no one would know the difference. Not five minutes went by before the pastor called Kev to talk about this opening. This led to a conference call with all of their deacons. And long story short, we found ourselves heading home again!
We had a week-end full of meetings with all of the various ministry teams that the church has, eating meals with the pastor and his wife and the deacons and their wives, spending a day at a camp on a lake with all of the teens and young families of the church, and then on Sunday, Kev spoke in the morning and led worship and a question and answer time in the evening. It was a FULL week-end, but it was good. We got a really good feel for the church and its people, and they had lots of chances to get to see us in all of our glory......including Kaden picking his nose the entire time our family was on stage getting introduced and Jesse biting Kaden while having lunch at the pastor's house. Fantastic. Yes - ALL our glory! We surely are human indeed. Oh, how embarassing for us all!.......:0)
Anyway - crazy crazy times. The pastor called back with news that the church wants us to come, and Kev called him today with a "yes." Oh my. Still processing. It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time! More to come a little later....this was just a "bare bones" post, but for me, nothing is ever bare bones!
A little less than two weeks ago, we went to Calvary Baptist Church in Brewer, Maine and Kev candidated for the positions of Pastor of Family Ministries and Worship Leader. The whole thing seems completely surreal looking back on it....
We had been back in PA for just a little over a month - having just checked out another job opportunity in Maine - and felt that we were probably going to make the decision to stay out here for one more year. I was accepted and registered to start grad school, and Kev planned to work at our church here leading worship and doing leadership development until I finished. This was the plan, yet both of us felt a bit uneasy with the decision that we had made. I felt restless and worried - wondering how adding a substantial class load to my plate would affect my family and especially my little boys, and Kev just didn't have any real peace either. Staying out here would mean the need for him to pick up another part-time job, as well, which would have just made life very busy and potentially quite stressful.
Anyway, a sweet girl (go, Anna!) facebooked us with a one-liner that simply said her church was looking for a Pastor of Family Ministries and we should check it out. Almost on a whim, Kev emailed his resume to the pastor thinking we would have nothing to lose. Our families had already reconciled themselves to the idea of us staying out here an extra year; if nothing came of this, no one would know the difference. Not five minutes went by before the pastor called Kev to talk about this opening. This led to a conference call with all of their deacons. And long story short, we found ourselves heading home again!
We had a week-end full of meetings with all of the various ministry teams that the church has, eating meals with the pastor and his wife and the deacons and their wives, spending a day at a camp on a lake with all of the teens and young families of the church, and then on Sunday, Kev spoke in the morning and led worship and a question and answer time in the evening. It was a FULL week-end, but it was good. We got a really good feel for the church and its people, and they had lots of chances to get to see us in all of our glory......including Kaden picking his nose the entire time our family was on stage getting introduced and Jesse biting Kaden while having lunch at the pastor's house. Fantastic. Yes - ALL our glory! We surely are human indeed. Oh, how embarassing for us all!.......:0)
Anyway - crazy crazy times. The pastor called back with news that the church wants us to come, and Kev called him today with a "yes." Oh my. Still processing. It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time! More to come a little later....this was just a "bare bones" post, but for me, nothing is ever bare bones!
12 Hours of Driving in a Car Together Later....
We are finally home. Yeesh.
This was THE longest ride home. Ever. Oh my living word. We hit significant traffic in three different places. We had a hold-up because of two accidents. When we sat down to eat at Cracker Barrel at our half-way point, the fire alarm went off so the entire restaurant had to evacuate. And the last half hour of the drive, Jesse screamed bloody murder and I had to pee so bad I thought I was going to lose it in our rental car! That was our day in a nutshell! Good times. Good times.
Anyhoo - we are home. Clothes are unpacked. Boys are bathed and abed. Clothes are ironed for church. And I am catching up at the computer for a few!
I will update tons later. As many of you know, we went home to candidate at a church this past week. It was a crazy busy trip, but a great one, as well. On the way up, we celebrated our 9 year anniversary by staying at a nice little hotel in Sturbridge, Mass. The boys were with us, but it was tons of fun. This place was in a great little town, and right on the property there was a lake to swim in with a little beach. This was HUGE for us as there are no lakes or rivers to swim in around here. How I love the feel of mud squishing between my toes and not being able to see what's on the bottom because the water is so cloudy! Love it!
Although most of the trip was for "business" purposes, we still managed to squeeze in some lovely four-wheeling, frogging, and bon-firing with my family, and a great family day to Campden with Kev's fam. We ate at our fave coffee shop and we walked the mile-long pier to the lighthouse in the rain; and the boys thought that was just the coolest!
In a couple of days, when the fog has lifted, I shall update more on the goings on in our lives. But for now, my bed - oh my glorious bed - beckons me loudly.....
This was THE longest ride home. Ever. Oh my living word. We hit significant traffic in three different places. We had a hold-up because of two accidents. When we sat down to eat at Cracker Barrel at our half-way point, the fire alarm went off so the entire restaurant had to evacuate. And the last half hour of the drive, Jesse screamed bloody murder and I had to pee so bad I thought I was going to lose it in our rental car! That was our day in a nutshell! Good times. Good times.
Anyhoo - we are home. Clothes are unpacked. Boys are bathed and abed. Clothes are ironed for church. And I am catching up at the computer for a few!
I will update tons later. As many of you know, we went home to candidate at a church this past week. It was a crazy busy trip, but a great one, as well. On the way up, we celebrated our 9 year anniversary by staying at a nice little hotel in Sturbridge, Mass. The boys were with us, but it was tons of fun. This place was in a great little town, and right on the property there was a lake to swim in with a little beach. This was HUGE for us as there are no lakes or rivers to swim in around here. How I love the feel of mud squishing between my toes and not being able to see what's on the bottom because the water is so cloudy! Love it!
Although most of the trip was for "business" purposes, we still managed to squeeze in some lovely four-wheeling, frogging, and bon-firing with my family, and a great family day to Campden with Kev's fam. We ate at our fave coffee shop and we walked the mile-long pier to the lighthouse in the rain; and the boys thought that was just the coolest!
In a couple of days, when the fog has lifted, I shall update more on the goings on in our lives. But for now, my bed - oh my glorious bed - beckons me loudly.....
Savorings
I got a reminder today (from a friend whose boys are now grown and out of the family nest) about just how quickly time does fly in these child-raising years. I've heard the quote often stated: "The days are long but the years are fleeting!" How true is that?! Some days I feel like bedtime just can't come quickly enough, but then I look at both of my boys and wonder how on earth did Kaden get to be so long that he almost hangs off the bed, and where in the world did my newborn go? I have a toddler who is RUNNING now! WHAT?
So, in honor of sweet Brenda who reminded me of the "fleeting-ness" of childhood, these are just a few snippets of things that I want to savor and drink in from my wee ones while they are still kind of wee.....
~ Nursing my baby
~ Smooching all of Jesse's neck rolls
~ Reading story after story after story to Kaden
~ Hearing Kaden beg me to scratch his back
~ Having Kaden come and get in bed with us in the morning
~ Jesse toddling up to me and draping his body around my legs
~ "Kisses and squeezes" and I love you signs from Kaden at every nap and bedtime
~ Family days where the boys still want to be with us
~ Being our boy's most favorite people on the planet......for now!
~ Hearing the boys play and giggle together in another room
~ Embracing the chaos of life in a bitty apartment with two rowdies
~ Going for long walks and talking about everthing and nothing
~ P.J. Days
~ Dive bomb hugs and lovies while I'm on my hands and knees cleaning
~ Hearing Kaden tell me OFTEN that we need another baby!
~ Jesse giving me his version of a kiss: A head butt to my face!
Things that make me go Aaaaaahhhhh!
So, in honor of sweet Brenda who reminded me of the "fleeting-ness" of childhood, these are just a few snippets of things that I want to savor and drink in from my wee ones while they are still kind of wee.....
~ Nursing my baby
~ Smooching all of Jesse's neck rolls
~ Reading story after story after story to Kaden
~ Hearing Kaden beg me to scratch his back
~ Having Kaden come and get in bed with us in the morning
~ Jesse toddling up to me and draping his body around my legs
~ "Kisses and squeezes" and I love you signs from Kaden at every nap and bedtime
~ Family days where the boys still want to be with us
~ Being our boy's most favorite people on the planet......for now!
~ Hearing the boys play and giggle together in another room
~ Embracing the chaos of life in a bitty apartment with two rowdies
~ Going for long walks and talking about everthing and nothing
~ P.J. Days
~ Dive bomb hugs and lovies while I'm on my hands and knees cleaning
~ Hearing Kaden tell me OFTEN that we need another baby!
~ Jesse giving me his version of a kiss: A head butt to my face!
Things that make me go Aaaaaahhhhh!
Smatterings
A verse and song lyrics that have blessed me tody:
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing!"
How amazing are the truths of that verse? He is WITH me, He DELIGHTS in me, and He REJOICES over me - ME! - with singing! Awesome. Awesome.
And the lyrics of a Sarah Groves song:
“Prayers for This Child”
I do not know how I am to pray for this child
as a mother I don’t want my baby denied
but in the waiting in the waiting
I learned
Every instinct in me wants to shield him from pain
take the arrows of misery heartache and blame
but in the sorrow in the sorrow
I learned to hold on
I only have two eyes - be all seeing
I only have two hands - be everywhere
I do not know enough - to be all knowing
I give this baby up into your care
I do not know how, how to pray for this child
I want to guard him from everything wicked and wild
but in the trial in the trial
I learned to hold on
And in the trial, in the trial
I learned to hold on to the heart of God
Hold your babies tightly this afternoon-
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing!"
How amazing are the truths of that verse? He is WITH me, He DELIGHTS in me, and He REJOICES over me - ME! - with singing! Awesome. Awesome.
And the lyrics of a Sarah Groves song:
“Prayers for This Child”
I do not know how I am to pray for this child
as a mother I don’t want my baby denied
but in the waiting in the waiting
I learned
Every instinct in me wants to shield him from pain
take the arrows of misery heartache and blame
but in the sorrow in the sorrow
I learned to hold on
I only have two eyes - be all seeing
I only have two hands - be everywhere
I do not know enough - to be all knowing
I give this baby up into your care
I do not know how, how to pray for this child
I want to guard him from everything wicked and wild
but in the trial in the trial
I learned to hold on
And in the trial, in the trial
I learned to hold on to the heart of God
Hold your babies tightly this afternoon-
Kaden-isms
Just a couple of cute things that Kaden has said lately:
At supper the other night Kaden said to Daddy: "Can you please not cut up my meat? I just want to stab it with my fork and eat it like a REAL man!"
Whenever Jesse does something funny or silly: "Jesse's a looney bin. I think we need to sell him to the zoo!"
A comment about my new flipflops: "Oh Mommy! Those are funky shoes!"
Waiting for a cargo train to pass by: "Wow! That was a WICKED! MASSIVE! SUPER HUGE! MASSIVE-EST! train EVER!"
And then there have been some highly hysterical conversations about body parts lately. But one of us Booker's is more modest than the other, so at the risk of embarrasing anyone, I shall refrain.....but feel free to ask me in person when you see me! Holy heavens! Oh of the mouth's of babes.......hilarious things shall come forth!
At supper the other night Kaden said to Daddy: "Can you please not cut up my meat? I just want to stab it with my fork and eat it like a REAL man!"
Whenever Jesse does something funny or silly: "Jesse's a looney bin. I think we need to sell him to the zoo!"
A comment about my new flipflops: "Oh Mommy! Those are funky shoes!"
Waiting for a cargo train to pass by: "Wow! That was a WICKED! MASSIVE! SUPER HUGE! MASSIVE-EST! train EVER!"
And then there have been some highly hysterical conversations about body parts lately. But one of us Booker's is more modest than the other, so at the risk of embarrasing anyone, I shall refrain.....but feel free to ask me in person when you see me! Holy heavens! Oh of the mouth's of babes.......hilarious things shall come forth!
Door #1 or Door #2?
Here's an El-Briefo Update-O because Mr. Scream-O feels like not sleeping.....Praises.
Okay. So - as of this September we will most likely be making one of two choices. Door #1 is this: Our church out here has made us an offer for a one year contract for Kev to stay on staff as worship leader and also do some leadership development with the men in the church. Kev could also use this year to jump start raising support for the leadership development ministry of Clarion Consulting and help the church transition into finding and working with a worship leader that will take his place when he leaves.
This is a really nice option, and a really nice offer that our church has made us. There are just a couple of things that are a bit unsettling for us. The first being that although the ministry of Clarion is something that has been life changing for Kev and is something that he fully wants to utilize in whatever ministry/work he does, both of us are unsure about jumping in "whole hog" and raising support etc. for this to be the "main" thing that we do. Just not sure if that is right for us right now. And the second thing is that we do not want to move from where we are at for only one more year, but in order to stay in the married student housing here at PBU, one of us has to be a full-time student or staff member. Soooo, if we do opt to stay, I will be going back to school. I am already accepted and registered for grad school and would start at the beginning of September.
We've both been praying pretty heavily about this "Door #1." Although getting my Master's Degree is one of my life goals, and knowing that a Counseling degree would wed well with Kev's ministry and passions, neither of us are sure if this is the time for that right now. On the one hand, life won't be getting any slower in the near future; nor will it ever be any easier than living right on a college campus. But, for some reason, neither of us have complete peace yet, so we are waiting. And resting. All of our ducks are in a row just waiting for the go-ahead which we have not received yet.
Door #2 is this: just three weeks ago, Kev put out his resume to a church in Maine for the position of "Pastor of Family Ministries" and Worship Leader. The job description has some great opportunities for Kev to be able to use his gifts and passions, conversations have gone great with the Pastor and Board of Elders, and so we are moving forward in this avenue, as well. We will be spending three days with this church - meeting with the various ministry teams etc., and Kev will also be preaching, leading worship, and leading a question and answer time during our stay. This is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. We are praying that the Lord will show us clearly what His will is for us. If we do this, we want it to be a good "fit" for us, but also for them, as well.
So, we shall see. We are praying, we are seeking, we are waiting, and we are trying to REST! We are praying that:
Psalm 138:8 - "The LORD will accomplish what concerns [us]!"
Psalm 143:8 - "Let [us] hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for [we] trust in You; Teach [us] the way in which [we] should walk; For to You [we] lift up [our] soul."
Ephesians 1:17 - "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give [us] a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him! We pray that the eyes of [our] heart may be enlgihtened, so that [we] will know what is the hope of His calling."
Sooooo - as of the beginning of September, we'll either be making the big move OR I'll be going back to school! I'll keep you posted! Crazy times. Crazy times indeed. My Mantra: "Be still and know that I am God." "Be still. Be still. Be still."
Okay. So - as of this September we will most likely be making one of two choices. Door #1 is this: Our church out here has made us an offer for a one year contract for Kev to stay on staff as worship leader and also do some leadership development with the men in the church. Kev could also use this year to jump start raising support for the leadership development ministry of Clarion Consulting and help the church transition into finding and working with a worship leader that will take his place when he leaves.
This is a really nice option, and a really nice offer that our church has made us. There are just a couple of things that are a bit unsettling for us. The first being that although the ministry of Clarion is something that has been life changing for Kev and is something that he fully wants to utilize in whatever ministry/work he does, both of us are unsure about jumping in "whole hog" and raising support etc. for this to be the "main" thing that we do. Just not sure if that is right for us right now. And the second thing is that we do not want to move from where we are at for only one more year, but in order to stay in the married student housing here at PBU, one of us has to be a full-time student or staff member. Soooo, if we do opt to stay, I will be going back to school. I am already accepted and registered for grad school and would start at the beginning of September.
We've both been praying pretty heavily about this "Door #1." Although getting my Master's Degree is one of my life goals, and knowing that a Counseling degree would wed well with Kev's ministry and passions, neither of us are sure if this is the time for that right now. On the one hand, life won't be getting any slower in the near future; nor will it ever be any easier than living right on a college campus. But, for some reason, neither of us have complete peace yet, so we are waiting. And resting. All of our ducks are in a row just waiting for the go-ahead which we have not received yet.
Door #2 is this: just three weeks ago, Kev put out his resume to a church in Maine for the position of "Pastor of Family Ministries" and Worship Leader. The job description has some great opportunities for Kev to be able to use his gifts and passions, conversations have gone great with the Pastor and Board of Elders, and so we are moving forward in this avenue, as well. We will be spending three days with this church - meeting with the various ministry teams etc., and Kev will also be preaching, leading worship, and leading a question and answer time during our stay. This is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. We are praying that the Lord will show us clearly what His will is for us. If we do this, we want it to be a good "fit" for us, but also for them, as well.
So, we shall see. We are praying, we are seeking, we are waiting, and we are trying to REST! We are praying that:
Psalm 138:8 - "The LORD will accomplish what concerns [us]!"
Psalm 143:8 - "Let [us] hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for [we] trust in You; Teach [us] the way in which [we] should walk; For to You [we] lift up [our] soul."
Ephesians 1:17 - "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give [us] a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him! We pray that the eyes of [our] heart may be enlgihtened, so that [we] will know what is the hope of His calling."
Sooooo - as of the beginning of September, we'll either be making the big move OR I'll be going back to school! I'll keep you posted! Crazy times. Crazy times indeed. My Mantra: "Be still and know that I am God." "Be still. Be still. Be still."
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