The Williamsburg

I admit, for all my talk about how glad I was summer was ending and school was finally beginning today was a turbulent day for me. All at once I realized this is it! This is what we’ve been preparing him for, sowing into him hoping that when it came to this moment–the first really big step toward his independence–he’d remember it all and make the right choices. That’s a lot of weight to carry for the first time! But he did great, of course. Hollis finally agreed to let him ride the bus and even took him to the bus stop this morning. Then he followed the bus for the remainder of the route, so we’d know the places this perfect stranger would take our child before dropping him off at school. The report once they got to school was that Jadon found everything and every place he needed just fine. At the end of the day Hollis went to the school again to meet the bus driver who’d bring Jadon home. Well the bus was late and Hollis was already there, so he offered to drive Jadon home. Jadon said No! He wanted to wait with his teacher and new friends for his bus.   So Hollis came home alone and we waited until it was time to go get him from his stop. We’d planned to walk to the corner as a family–Hollis, Caleb and me. However, about five minutes before we were to walk out the door, the doorbell rang and in the window was Jadon’s smiling face! His bus had dropped him off early and he walked home by himself! That was the biggest whoa of the day. I don’t think we had given him enough credit as far as how independent he could actually be. In a way he showed us he has paid attention for five and a half years and, given the chance, will make the good choices. As far as the school day went, all we could get out of him was he likes it, the teacher is nice, lunch was good but there was a crumb in his milk, the teacher doesn’t let them play outside for very long just like Ms. Jen (his preschool teacher), his new friends are nice, he read a story about a mouse, and you don’t need money to pay for lunch because you have a tag with your name on it and a number. I’m sure I’ll understand more of these reports as the year progresses. But all in all it was a good day for him. He’s still excited to be in school and that makes me very happy.

Meanwhile Caleb enjoyed his first day in a long time at home with my undivided attention. He spent a lot of time in my lap playing with toys and looking at books. I hadn’t realized how much of my attention he’d been wanting. He’s so laid back and Jadon is so not laid back I guess I’ve been guilty of giving the sqeaky wheel the most oil. So Caleb’s day was good as well. He starts back with his EC classes on Monday.

Yeah I know. I disappeared yet again. Sorry FB pals. As many of you know my hubby strongly disapproves of social networking websites (LinkedIn being the exception). And while I don’t agree completely with his reasons, the dissension is not worth upsetting Us. (You know what happens when you give the devil a foothold.) So I’ve chosen to give up Facebook in exchange for as peaceful a marriage as possible.

So what will I do with the time I spent on Facebook? I will promote real books! I decided to take the plunge I’ve been considering for years and become an Educational Consultant for Usborne Books and More. These books are really wonderful and have helped both my boys with reading. The other day Jadon and I both got engrossed in his new book, See Inside Your Body. Did you know your kidneys can clean all the blood in your body in four minutes? Did you know the largest muscle in your body is in your butt–the gluteus maximus? (Learning that kind of gave me new sympathy for Forest Gump.) Did you know nearly half the bones in your body are in your hands and feet? Anyway through playful but honest illustrations this book takes you through the nervous system, the bones and muscles, the digestive system, blood flow, respiratory, etc. And there are flaps on the illustrations which when opened reveal more indepth information. It is really a fun book; I recommend it. So look around my website when you get a chance and see what else Usborne offers that can help you help a child.

I will spare the details, but YAY! So far potty training Caleb has been as futile as trying to clean the house while the kids are home. Both have been Ecclesiastes experiences for me this Summer–Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! A chasing after the wind! But then today Caleb presented me with a stinky, little encouragement as if to say, “I know it’s been tough, Mommy. But hang in there with me; I’ll figure this out eventually.” Sigh. What a day.  

Just FYI: No, I did not take a picture, and Yes, I did flush it.

Yesterday I had a wonderful time with wonderful friends. Six of us traveled to Greensboro, NC to attend a women’s conference. It was a timely event as many of us felt greatly in need of some encouragement. And we were not let down in any way! The Deeper Still conference featured bible teachers Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore. We missed hearing Kay Arthur because she spoke Friday evening when the conference actually began. We had anticipated hearing Beth Moore because we’d done so many of her studies in our Coffee Shop Bible Study meetings my friend Disa began a few years ago. But Priscilla Shirer was new to me. Didn’t know what to expect, but boy did she blow my mind! She was funny, but at the same time she dropped revelation knowledge that went off like sticks of dynamite! Definitely will read more from her. And Beth Moore was of course just all up in my business. So I gleaned much from her as well.

My favorite part of the day came at the end. Throughout the day Travis Cottrell served as the musical worship leader. I’d never heard of him either but WOW! His voice is amazing. A few times I just closed my eyes and wept softly. The human voice is my very, favorite instrument. (My second favorite is the piano, followed by the guitar.) So whenever I hear an extremely gifted singer I want everything to stop so I can just close my eyes and savor the sound. That’s why my very favorite times of worshipping God in music are when there are no other instruments involved except voices. Well the conference ended in musical worship, and Travis played keyboard along with other band members as we sang. But then suddenly, as he played a few bars into one familiar hymn, he just stopped playing the keyboard. The band stopped playing their instruments. And the voices of 11,000+ women (and a few men) singing the same praise filled the arena. It made the hair stand on the back of my neck! OH! That has GOT to be a glimpse of what heaven is like. I list that experience as one of the bigger thrills of my life, right up there with falling in love.

Ladies, if this conference comes anywhere near you, I implore you to go! Really, it’s worth it.

The days are starting to run together again so I gotta brain dump not to lose the memories. Let’s see, where to begin?

Caleb is getting better and better at reading words. He even sounds words out phonetically. He plays word find puzzles. He’s taking the magnetic letters from the refrigerator and leaving random words around the house. It’s absolutely amazing. He still won’t have a conversation with us. But he sings to us and with us all the time. And even though we can’t understand what he says, he’s constantly carrying on a conversation in his own special language. And he’s still funny and sweet, but now there’s a bit of mischief and strong will in the mix.

We as a family are really enjoying our new (used) Wii gaming system. As a result Jadon’s developed a real interest in bowling. He’s good too! He actually wants to join a little league (because he can get a Transformers bowling ball). If he keeps it up, he may be able to give his big cousin some competition. Watch out Grant! He’s already giving us a run for it; he can beat me and Hollis at most of the games! Even billiards! The other day when they were Wii bowling I heard him say, “Daddy, you’re in it for the spares; I’m in it for the strikes!” I was like, Oh no he didn’t! He’s really got a competitive streak in him. And speaking of streaks, we are having to address privacy issues with Jadon lately, discussing “private” parts inside the context of Why you should close the bathroom door every time. Slowly getting there. His two front teeth have broken through! YAY! He should have a full mouth of teeth by the time he starts Kindergarten.

Our family has grown again–Ashley and Drew have moved back in, this time with a baby in tow. Ashley and baby Devin will stay here with us while Drew completes basic training for the Air Force. Jadon and Devin have become best buds. It’s given me a glimpse of how it might have been had my children not been born so close together. Would have been nice. Conversely Caleb pays no attention to Devin, and vice versa. It’s almost as though they are invisible to each other, which whomps because I was hoping Devin would pester him and keep him engaged. Then I wouldn’t need a puppy. It’s been suggested having a dog would be good for Caleb because unlike people a dog is more relentless at obtaining attention and affection. But I don’t want a dog. Had really high hopes a baby would accomplish the same thing. Ain’t happenin’.

Had Kid’s Kamp at church every night last week. Jadon had a blast. He couldn’t wait to go each night. He learned a lot too, although I think the way the passion of Jesus was portrayed had him a bit confused. When I asked him what he learned that evening, he said “Jesus was praying and soldiers came and punched him in the face and whipped him with sharp things. And then they put nails in Jesus’ hands and in his feet and stuck him to a ‘big T.’ And then Jesus died. But then God said ‘1-2-3′ and Jesus was alive again!”  I was confused about his interpretation of the story’s end until the finale service on Sunday. They re-enacted the same scene the kids saw earlier that week. To get the kids involved in the story, after they “buried” Jesus with a sheet they told the kids to count to three and then “Jesus” raised up victoriously from under his cover. I am trying now to teach Jadon the story’s actual ending, but he’s hesitant to believe me because the first story apparently was more believable.

So there are four more weeks until school starts and I’m pretty burned out. I guess I should have paced myself in the beginning. These days we spend more time indoors, which suits Jadon just fine. Caleb on the other hand tries to escape outside whenever a door opens. I really hope one day my boys will have similar interests, if only so I won’t always be pulled in opposite directions at once.

Oh yeah, speaking of being pulled in opposite directions, does anyone know anyone looking to rent/purchase a condo in North Charlotte? Please pass along this listing for this former model home in the Ridge Road Villas subdivision. It is next to the Highland Creek subdivision.

Well, I’m sure there’s more I’m forgetting to remember but it’s too late to go digging any further. G’night!

Edited and reposted for sake of positivity, because negativity is just too easy.

{stepping up on my soapbox for a moment.}

The body of believers that make up our church is supposed to be; so it has to work. If we don’t believe this, then there’s no point in committing to the relationship. If we do believe this, then we should be committed to each other no matter what.  I’m not saying our church is some utopia. But at the same time, you have to admit our church has done amazing things and been a tremendous influence in lives all over Charlotte. We are a church that still meets in a school, yet membership continues to grow beyond the 1,000 mark. And more amazing still is I have never heard one person say they felt anything but welcomed on a Sunday morning. The staff is committed to a standard of excellence that never fails to impress. And the commitment to honoring children makes me tear up sometimes. On the other hand, if every thing, every staff member and every leader were able to perform in a way that could satisfy every need of every member of our congregation, it would be a friggin’ miracle! But ultimately they are called to offices of authority under which we are called to serve. So even if the men and women get many things wrong as they strive to do everything right, we are called to honor their positions, if not their persons. And it is for God to judge their actions. Believe me; you don’t want to be part of that! (See Numbers 12)

Imagine a Place was a building campaign, yes. But there was more to it than that. The “place” we were to imagine had more to do with flesh and blood than with brick and mortar. The dream of any church is to be a body of believers committed to each other first. The church cannot fulfill its vision without the strength that comes from unity. Only if we the members of FHC are truly committed to each other can Freedom House Church’s vision–Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism and Healthy Relationships–authentically manifest beyond ourselves to build the church, more than just a church.

Come on Y’all! I know you don’t want to be unhappy, discontent, miserable, cynical, unstable, distrustful and bitter. I know you want to be part of something God-ordained, authentic, effectual, purposeful and bigger than yourself. I know you want to be part of a church that is nothing like the one you complain about. I know we all WANT to believe the best about each other. God wants that too! So let us build ourselves up in our most holy faith (Jude 1:20)! Bloom where you’re planted! Get confirmation that you are where God has purposed you to be; then you can serve with gladness, having peace you are exactly where God wants you. Deal with your offense! If you’ve been murmuring and complaining, own up to it. Apologize, repent and start again in the right direction. In love, have the hard confrontations, purposing in your heart beforehand to believe the best! Guard your heart against cynicism! Keep in mind we will be held accountable for every word we speak (Matt. 12:36). Sincerely honor everyone, even those who don’t honor you, and God will reward your obedience. (Are you participating in the current LDG study? It’s tremendous! Don’t miss it.) Let’s really try to live what we know Love is–patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs, not delighting in evil but rejoicing with the truth, always protective, always trusting, always hoping and persevering by any means necessary! As for getting spiritual nourishment, if you who are spiritual will seek divine revelation in each Sunday sermon, the Holy Spirit will speak through the undercurrents of the words a message straight to your heart tailored just for you! Believe by surrendering to the inside-, outside-, upside-down kingdom knowledge of God we will ultimately become the people we dream of being and, consequently, the church of which we dream to be part. This has got to work! If we don’t get this right where we are, we’ll end up taking old mess into a brand new building. And who knows, maybe it’s wrong attitudes that are holding up the groundbreaking! That does sound like something a father would declare to his children: “We are not moving until you get your act together!” Remember the Israelites roaming the desert for 40 years? COME ON Y’ALL! Shake it off and step up on top of it!

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. [I Peter 4:7-11]

{stepping down, picking up my box and going home}

Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. [Prov. 27:6]

Alright I’m back. The summer is rolling along and the days all seem to be blending together. Yesterday I tried to recall what we did last Saturday and I couldn’t.  So if nothing else, I need to keep record of how we’re spending our precious days.

Let’s start with my birthday (June 11). It was a Thursday, so it progressed like any other weekday until about 5:30p. That’s when Hollis came home and supplied pizza and my required cake from BJs. Love, love, love those cakes! A few of our friends came by to eat and to sing to me, and to watch me blow out my candles. I only allowed four candles on the cake–one for every decade in which I’ve lived. I finally feel like an adult. It happened somewhere between 33-34. I went from feeling like a child acting like an adult, to feeling like an adult who can be child-like. Hollis wrote me a wonderful letter, in which he guided me on a scavenger hunt throughout the house for my gifts. It was great! It reminded me of our courtin’ days. After gifts, pizza, cake and song, we left everyone here at the house while Hollis shuttled me off for another surprise: tickets to see a play in uptown! How in the world had I forgotten how much I love the theater? It was a really great birthday thanks to my hubby.

Fathers’ Day we served him breakfast in bed and gave him gifts, then we went to church. At the door each father was handed a small bag that contained a matchbox car. From the pulpit the pastors said that whoever had the white racecar with the number nine on it wins a prize. It was Hollis! As he walked to the front to claim his prize the song “Car Wash” was playing in the background (the prize was a gift card to Autobell carwash). I don’t know what came over him but the next thing I knew he was in front of the church dancing to the music! Of course people were clapping and cheering him on. I loved it!

My June summer days are crawling by. The boys and I are having fun together. That’s all we’re doing until next month. Beginning in July we’re going to incorporate some structured learning back into the day, so the transition back to the structured school day in August will go smoothly. But for now the kids are truly enjoying a break. I’m also working on getting Jadon out of the habit of midday naps. Turns out there will be no rest time in the school day schedule! I was shocked to learn that; I thought naps were part of all Kindergarten days.

Starting in July I’m going to up the ante on Caleb’s toilet training during the day as well. He’s going to spend more time in underwear instead of a Pullup. Not looking forward to this at all. However, it is TIME! I have been changing diapers for 5 1/2 consecutive years! ENOUGH!!!!!

Gonna start posting more in July. Thinking of putting Breakfast Blogging into our schedule, probably alongside Jadon’s Journaling. We’ll see.

Hubby forwarded me this email today and I was wowed. How on earth do we miss these little things we can do to solve our own problems?

I was buying food the other day at the grocery store. On the label of some products it said “From China.” For example, the Our Family brand of mandarin oranges says right on the can “From China.” I was shocked! So for a few more cents I bought the Liberty Gold brand or the Dole brand since they’re from California. Takes forever just to buy food and do label reading! 

Are we Americans as dumb as we appear?  Or is it that we just do not think? While the Chinese knowingly and intentionally export inferior, and even toxic, products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets, the media wrings its hands and criticizes the ex-Bush Administration for perceived errors. Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA!!

Just look on the bottom or label of every product you buy, and if it says ‘Made in China’ or ‘PRC’ (and that now includes Hong Kong), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without. Easter is just an example. Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. 

The point is do not wait for the government to act; just go ahead and assume control on your own.

THINK ABOUT THIS:   If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that’s a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor . . . fast! The downside? Some American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

The solution? Let’s give them fair warning and send our own message. Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on June 4 and continue it until July 4. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.

Remember ~ June 4 to July 4

If we can’t live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

Pass it on, America!

Sorry for the lack of updates (Mom). I’m there again, that place where there’s too much to say and words just won’t come to say it all. For the purpose of self-preservation it seems my emotions have been given a local anesthetic–only my feelings for others register right now. Feelings about myself and my life have been numbed. I’m hoping this season will pass quickly, that someday soon I’ll be reacquainted with the essence of me. But I’m kind of lost at the moment, so I won’t be blogging much until I get where ever I’m going. In the meantime, thanks for loving me, despite me.