I Love This Bracelet

Well not this exact one, but one that is very similar.

Something happens to little boys around the age of nine, in public they become very aware that they have a mother and that she is not always "cool"...I think I am always cool, but that is another story.

Anyway, a little over a year ago we had a guest speaker at church who was talking about being a missionary.

He did the children's chat and he was giving out these little bracelets to remind the children that wherever they go, they are missionaries.

I told Michael, who is nine, to get me a bracelet.

He was so precious, he sat through the chat and when they handed out the bracelets, he whispered to him "can I have one for my mom".

Then as they were leaving to go to childrens church, he very slyly handed it to me without a word.

The bracelet was so pretty with very vibrant colors. I wore it every day without taking it off, I wore it until it was so faded you could hardly tell what the colors were.

I did wear it to remember that we are always missionaries. Our life is to always be about Jesus Christ, but I also wore it because no matter how old our children get, they are still our precious babies.

Not too long ago, the bracelet broke. It broke because it was literally worn out.

I was very sad, sadder than I ever imagined I would be.

Then yesterday my precious son was in his room and he came out with a new bracelet he had.

He was excited to give it to me.

I am wearing it very proudly.

Deep Conversations

The mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. Habakkuk 3:10

I was driving down Hwy 6 tonight and the boys were in the backseat. Out of nowhere Michael says "did you know that there are parts of the ocean that are so deep they are undiscovered?"

This started a conversation about how you can not go to certain deep areas of the ocean because you would implode and it is too deep to even breathe even with all the technology we have.

We were talking about the fact that there was probably ocean life that people don't know anything about because we can't get to it...Michael added that we know more about parts of Mars than we do parts of the ocean...but that is just Michael.

Then we started the same conversation about tops of really high mountains, that you can't climb to because there is no oxygen and you would pass out or die...Alex said he could...but that is just Alex.

Then it led to traveling to certain parts of space that are too far away.

Then we brought it back to God...that is the part I like best.

How big God is that He created the vast oceans and all the life in it and He knows the animals that we don't.

He has been to the top of the mountains that we can't get to and He created all of space.

It was so cool to talk about the fact that we only see a small part of Bryan/College Station, but there is so much more.

Things we can't even imagine...things that scream out "I was created, not poofed into existence".

Michael asked me why did God create these things if we can not see them or get to them.

I love this child.

I got to share with him that we have no idea why God does the things He does, it is not always for us to know...that is faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

But I got to reassure him that it was for a reason, and it is good and we would know some day.

I love these conversations.

I told Michael that when he grew up he could go and explore the world. He told me, and I quote "are you kidding, with all of these oceans and mountains, I would never even make it to Canada."

We'll save that for another conversation.

Right now he knows that God is good, he made the world and everything in it, the winds and the waves obey Him...as he grows he will learn that he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength!!


LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

I Am Not A Pineapple

I want a bicycle.

I am going to get a bicycle.

The boys ride all the time.

Michael can do stunts and Alex has just started riding without his training wheels, so every evening they want to ride their bikes.

I started thinking it would be great if I got a bike and we could all go riding together.

I have not ridden a bicycle in probably 25 years. At least not a bike that doesn't move.

I can tear it up on a stationary bike!!!

So just for the fun of it the other day...when no one was watching, I decided to get on Michael's bicycle to see if I could even do it anymore.

His bike is little to me...not scary at all.

I could ride it easy, so therefore I thought I had it made and I couldn't wait to go get a bicycle.

Last night, Nellie's last night in College Station, the Freeman's (who live about three streets down from me) rode their bikes over to my house.

We were sitting around talking and I decided to try to ride Cindy's bike.

It is not so small and when I got on I froze...even with Ken holding on to the bike, I panicked and wouldn't pedal.

So I stopped.

From behind me I heard Cindy saying "pineapple", I had not seen this video so I had no idea what she was talking about, I thought she was calling me a pineapple for some reason.

They started talking about this video and we came inside and watched it...too funny, but in the back of my mind all I could think is 'I am not a pineapple'.

So when it was done, I put my tennis shoes on and I was determined to ride that bike.

I went outside and got on the bike...very slowly I pedaled and I rode. It was awkward and I ran into a bush and made my children get out of the way...for their safety.

But I did it...I am not a pineapple.

I will get a bike and I will ride well!!

Not So Good Clean Fun, Another Use For Wooden Spoons and Sweet College Girls

Is this not every kids dream? Mom, please put me over in a big pool with goopy mess and let me go to town!!!

These are some more pictures from our oobleck night of fun. Look at these faces, aren't they precious!

That is Easton back there behind Michael's head. He was concentrating very hard on the oobleck.

They used the wooden spoons for stirring, mostly they used their feet and hands, but occasionally they would use the spoon.

I used to not let them play with the wooden spoons because they were for discipline and not fun, but their little hineys have outgrown the spoon...yes, we have moved on to a long paint stirrer.

I wrote on it "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15

It definately makes an impression...both on their hineys and their hearts!!! But I still carry a spoon in my purse, for space sake!!!

A good time was had with the oobleck, but more of the good time was because of these girls. I love that these girls not only want to come over and get messy with us, they want to be a part of our lives. They want to play and pray and live and laugh with us.

What a blessing.

I love that it is "normal" to my children to have all of these college kids in and out of our house. I love being part of a body where intergenerational relationships are so important.

I forget that not everyone does that and I get strange responses from my co-workers and family when I talk about my college friends.

I will never forget a couple of years ago I went to Breakaway with my dear sweet Nellie, who is moving to New York soon (sniff), and she introduced me to all of the college students as "her friend Kathryn".

I am so glad that Mary, Nichole and Libby are here this summer for more fun...girls, be thinking of what our next adventure will be!!

**Unforgettable Alex quote...my sweet Libby brought turtle (carmel & chocolate) brownies for dessert the other night and Alex asked "how did they get the turtles in there?"

My Jesus

Wow.

I don't have any words.

This says it all.

I want to be like my Jesus.