6 MONTHS TODAY...

 

{...and every single second has been pure love and joy!}

 

"Thus says the Lord who made you,
    who formed you from the womb and will help you...

I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,
    and my blessing on your descendants.
They shall spring up among the grass
    like willows by flowing streams."

Isaiah 44:2-4

HE IS NEVER LATE

Just when it seemed we might miss our window of opportunity toward the movement we've anticipated so long now...God stepped in.

He knew His plan. He ordered the timing intentionally. He didn't make a single mistake.

He is never late.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Psalm 27:14

Just when we got a little wobbly, even asking if we were still on the right track...God swooped in.

He wasn't surprised like us. He was purposeful in His orchestration of events, to the day.

He is never late.

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

He had us on our knees. He has us on our knees and as He develops our practices of prayer, we realize this is all part of the plan.
The way God writes baffles the mind and causes us to worship. We stand in awe of His Authorship and want to sing His praise!

Glory be to God Almighty! Praise His holy name!
 He is worthy of our adoration and so we testify that He is faithful, loving, wise, and good.

And He is never late.

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie.
Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late."
Habakkuk 2:3

JESUS ACT STICK DATES...LATELY

We love our Jesus Act Stick reward system.

We've used it for many years without wane and truly it's been a tremendous blessing for our family!

All of the kids down to our toddlers earn sticks when we observe that they've exhibited selfless love or sacrificial servant-hearted behavior with a genuine heart. When they've earned 10, they get to pick a special date with Mommy or Daddy and it's our honor to reward their kind actions. We display our Jesus Act Stick jars in a focal point on the piano where they can be visibly built into our daily life. I enjoy seeing with my eyes and allowing our children to notice tangibly the benefits of a loving heart.

The jars serve as a reminder.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

John 13:34

We believe in the power of positive affirmation and encouragement and find that when we stop to point out our children's good fruit, they grow even more. Of course, parenting also involves pruning via discipline, but we find that when we emphasize the positive, we perpetuate more positive. Children and adults alike believe what's spoken into their lives (both positive and negative). This is why we are intentional to point out and reward Christlike actions with Jesus Act Sticks and one-on-one dates with Mommy or Daddy to follow, usually alternating from parent to parent and date to date. We like to take parent/child photos together each time, ensuring that we have stored up special time capsules over the years. We talk about deep hearted things and hold hands. The kids are built up, parents as a matter of fact too, and quality time memories are made...it's a win, win! Here's to documenting just a bit of our Jesus Act Stick dates...lately.

 . . . . . . 

First up this time around was Elka...our generous girl...and her doting daddy.

Recently, Elka's special Pura Vida bracelet from Mommy (a gift before she left for China) had broken, so she went to Whole Foods with Daddy to get a new one as a sentiment for her and him, along with some organic purpley things to sprout for our garden. (We still haven't been able to find purple potatoes anywhere around here, today included.) Anyway, the one day that Whole Foods was out of bracelets and all things purple of course was today, but sweet Elka still had a great time with her daddy picking produce to grow.

They got organic pink potatoes, yams, and Japanese yams. Fun!

She also scored an extra special visit to the yogurt shop next door (consolation??).

I think so!

And...redemption when Daddy insisted she order a special bracelet online from home. 

Together, they chose "Toes in the Sand"...one of their favorite things together.

Elka, you're such a great sport!

We love your attitude to roll with things and especially your willing servant heart!

. . . . . .

Next up was Aida and Mommy.

As I pulled out of the newborn fog and started venturing out again, I enjoyed getting to go on a date with Aida. She's such a wonderful friend and support to me. It's my pleasure to spend time out with her and hopefully make her feel special as well.
We went shopping together for a few new things she'd been needing and had sweet conversation as always.

Aida, I'm so grateful for you and how well you serve our family.
You're growing up so beautifully and truly, I am blessed to not only call you daughter, but friend.

. . . . . .

For Brodie's Jesus Act Stick date he decided to surf with his dad at one of his favorite spots.

As always, they had a sweet time of fellowship, not to mention good waves...and bagels.

(and chocolate milk apparently :))

Brodie, as you grow into a young man it's a blessing to see you mold more and more into Christ's image. We're very proud of the maturity we see developing in you and we know God has great plans for you. Thank you for being teachable and desiring to follow after your Lord and Savior. He will always lead you and guide you. We love you, Brodie!

. . . . . .

Next up was Noble and Daddy...and since we knew we'd be moving soon and no longer have
our community pool, Noble knew exactly what he wanted to do for his date!

Hello muscles.

Noble's natural athleticism always amazes us!

Noble, you're truly a generous young man, always looking to the good of others.

Thank you for how you consistently put others before yourself.

. . . . . .

There was something in the water this time around...Olia chose the pool with her daddy too!

(It's a great date!)

As always, they had a wonderful time and even scored at the vending machine after!

Olia, you amaze us with your kindness. Thank you for being such a sweetheart!

As you grow older, you continue to blossom into a beautiful-hearted young lady. We are very proud of you!

. . . . . .

And that's a wrap on the latest Jesus Act Stick dates around here!

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them."

Matthew 7:12

HAPPY FOR HER

She mentioned it to me on the drive to see her daddy, the cardboard kid's box lunch she'd seen in the store before.
"It has a juice box and a sandwich and your own little bag of chips!" In her sparkly, dancing eyes it was the most specialist lunch EVER!

"Aw, that's so cute! Maybe we can get something like that someday..." I offered, knowing (both she and I)

that those aren't typically the type of thing our family buys x10. Sweetest Olia nodded, still smiling.

We were on our way to our usual library picnic, but stopped in to the market for fruit along the way. Quickly we gathered some apples and grapes while the others, including Olia, waited in the van. And there it was on the refrigerated shelf. That cardboard lunch box complete with even a fruit roll and cookie!! It lured my mama-heart in. I wanted to spend that $3.99 for my precious daughter so bad! But what of the other 9 picnicking children? I wasn't about to spend $40 on box lunches but getting just 1 for Olia didn't seem fair.

Then it happened.

 

My 2 older girls, growing up before my eyes, the ones who love their sister like I do, like He does...they rallied for Olia's lunch box. They convinced me that she would love it and the rest of the gang might be better off for learning a lesson in "being happy for someone else". Literally, that's what they said and I was encouraged. But the mom in me knew I was opening a can of worms. I had a choice to make: Avoid the potential conflict or face it head on. Seeing the value in the latter, I scooped up that lunch box and the big sisters gleamed. 

 

We couldn't WAIT to get to the car!

All 3 of us excitedly skipped to the parking lot, carrying our surprise loot.

Olia hopped out the side door to help us load bags when we handed her 1 just for her.

Ahh...the smile on Olia's face!

 

It lit up the whole world for a moment! We will all savor it as a reminder. The way my older daughters felt as they were happy for her will make them better mamas, sisters, wives, friends, humans. And it's a good thing because the story didn't end there.

Predictably, our other van-waiting little people didn't quite yet get the memo on the being happy for Olia part. They much preferred to have gotten a treat of their own and some were quite vocal about the whole thing. (Nameless little sinners of course.) BUT, never fear! We turned it for a teachable moment ending with the other treat I had gotten for them Mom-on-it style. We discussed as a group how much we all love Olia and how the Bible says to put others before yourself, to be kind to one another, to do to others what we would want them to do to us. And gradually they got it. Even the most disgruntled sibling had a change of heart and found joy for Olia, a selfless "happy for her" joy that we would have missed if I'd avoided the conflict all together. It was a memory made, only to be matched by the serenity on Olia's dear face that shone as she ate her special lunch at our picnic, savoring every last bite.



And wouldn't you know it! The queen of hearts found a heart shaped chip in her bag,

noting the odds of her lunch being the one with such a lovely find!



And so we picnicked and prayed and played and smelled roses. We ate sour gummy worms and cookies as we chatted in the gazebo and climbed trees. We thanked the Lord for Olia and for the lessons we learned at lunch: It's better to give than receive and better than selfishness is it to be honestly, genuinely, sincerely, and truly for reasons that God says matter, happy for her.

 

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

Philippians 2:3

SEPTEMBER FEELING

 

We said goodbye 21 years ago today. That's 3 years longer than the time I had with her. It's odd to be on this side of the equation, to have lived my entire adult life without her, to so thoroughly enjoy this precious motherhood knowing hers was (seemingly) cut short.

 

"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."

Isaiah 66:13

 

 

Jesus took me in.

 

"For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in."

Psalm 27:10

 

After my father's death, the orphan-ness would at times smother me. I'd remind myself what he would have said in his time here,

when I'd look to him for comfort, "Turn to your heavenly Father." That's how he would direct me...if he were here.

 

"I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 6:18

 

My gaze is on the finish line, the one that they have passed. And this life feels fly-by-short on these days of nostalgic reflection,
this September feeling that comes over me every year. My parents both entered the gates of heaven singing triumphantly...in September. "Back to school", the smell of wet black top, newly sharpened pencils, fall, they all flood back a sorrow and praise jumbled mixture. Yes, it happens every year as I reflect and as I soak in how very much I'd like to hold their hands longer than she held mine.

 

 

Nevertheless, it is well...has been for a while now. It is well with my soul to remember and it comforts my heart to celebrate how
Jesus took me in. And, He takes His children in. The Shepherd, He never leaves or forsakes us and it's true He never will.

He will always hold our hands.

 

 "For he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
Hebrews 13:5

We walked hand in hand through the courtyard, my little girl and I, singing Amazing Grace in harmony with the other tied in tight to my chest, and yet another asking to take photos. The knowing how few I have with my mom pushed away the temptation to reject the commemoration...something I suppose I ought to do more (let myself in on a photo every here and there...).

 

 

'Cause they'll spread their wings soon enough.

 

 

They'll one day soar just like we all do.

 

 

But for now while they're pulled in close I pour my whole self out, dump my heart into theirs and prayerfully His heart into theirs. I press on forward toward forever with the Lord, my Savior, my Rock, the Way I make it through a day, testifying that He'll be the same for them that He's faithfully been for me. He will. I've lived this truth...live this truth...know it branded in. And it's a precious homecoming that lingers through my heart and soul today as I steep in this familiar September feeling.

 

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."
Psalm 116:15