Tag Archives: Christianity

Moving and A New Job!

Posted in All Posts, Family, Kids, Life by

I want to give a quick update for those of you asking how things are going.  In short, they are going near perfectly.  We are moving into my husband’s grandma’s house that has been empty for four years. 

The House (front) Needs some landscaping.

Back Side. Still a little messy.

We’ve been doing some major cleaning and organizing (while doing Vacation Bible School every night this week) and now it’s time to move all the stuff in.  Tomorrow will be an all out blitz of carpet cleaning and furniture moving.  I expect me and the hubby will be dog tired tomorrow night, but at least we’ll be in our house.  I know our presence in the saint of a mother-in-law’s house has been stressful.  She’s organized and likes a clean house.  Enter 7 dispossessed slobs with all their donated clothes and stuff in boxes and bags and a few random suitcases.  It’s not pretty.  I know she’s not freaking out about it or anything, but I still feel a little guilty about it. 

The only bad thing about where we’re moving is that it’s in a different (and worse) school system.  I was really concerned about that and was racking my brains for a way to keep them in the same schools.  Lying was out.  How could a preacher and his wife sign a paper swearing to something that was not true?  Everybody in town knew the house was gone.  So.  What to do? 

I’ll tell you.  Go to church, sit down and make brown paper bag “bricks” for a well, while others turn the social hall into a market of Nazareth by hanging sheets from the ceiling, and wait.  When you least expect it, a disembodied voice from behind one of the sheets will yell out, “Get a job in the school system!”  Was it the voice of God?  Yes. He just happened to be speaking through a lovely lady known as Jackie. One of the “perks” of getting a full-time job in the school system is employees’ children being allowed to enroll in the same school system.  It was brilliant!

So, I put in my application, and I was mortified when I had to list my last three jobs.  Wendy’s, Hometown Pizza, and Valley View Day Care.  It got worse when I had to list the dates.  My last job was in the year 2000.  Yikes.  Oh well.  I had to get back in the game sometime, right?  I was nervous.  I felt stupid. And hopeful.  The perfect solution to my problem had fallen into my lap.  In church.  Things had been working out so perfectly and I guess I was afraid I’d used my allotment of good blessings.  Stupid girl.

I got a call two days later and was offered a full-time job.  No interview required.  The hours and location were perfect.  6 hours per day, between school drop-off and pick-up times and only on days when the kids are in school.  It could not be a more perfect situation.  The only piece left is to find an acceptable daycare for the Baby Girl.  Call me crazy, but I know we’ll find the perfect place.  

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

Oh, I forgot to tell you what my job is!  I applied for it specifically and I am so happy!  If you’re curious, click the link for the answer!

 

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Putting Our Money Where Our Mouths Are

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My husband and I try to teach our kids what matters in life–God, family, friends, love, and compassion.  The intangibles.  Like all parents, we fight the incoming tide of materialism, and often lose.  They fight over video games, beg for more toys, and refuse to share.  My 19-month-old even snatches things up, clutches them to her tiny chest, and emphatically declares in her sweet little voice, “Mine!”  It’s cute, but also demoralizing.  How can we compete with human nature?

We all like our stuff.  Giant HD televisions, golf clubs, books, pianos, video games, cake decorating equipment, computers, handbags, shoes, Barbie dolls, movies, blankies, Legos…the list is endless.  But it’s not important.  We constantly have to remind them and ourselves that if we lost it all, we’d still be blessed with our family, our church, and friends. 

We are a Christian family. Like all Christians, we have a standard litany for times of trouble. 

  • “Our trust is in the Lord.” 
  • “God will provide.” 
  • “The Lord will take care of us.” 
  • “No matter what happens, the Lord will use it to his glory.” 
  • We’ll pray for you. 

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    "Consider the lilies of the field..."Matthew 6:28

They roll so easily off the tongue, I sometimes wonder if people really believe what they’re saying, or if they’re just following the script.  I’ve seen people who say these things spend all their time fretting and obsessing over the worst case scenarios instead of doing what they can and trusting God to take care of the rest.  And I wondered, do I really believe that God will take care of me?  Do I trust Him as much as I claim?  I’m positive my husband believes it, but do I?

Then, a police officer told me my house was completely engulfed.  “Oh, my God.”  A plea and a prayer.  Then, a stunned silence, broken only to comfort the children.  My husband and I followed the police car for the 10 minute drive, and we discussed it.  I don’t remember much of what was said, other than my husband’s statement, “Well, it’s an opportunity to put our money where our mouths are.”  When he said that, I thought about what I was really feeling–shock and concern for the children and our landlord. What I didn’t feel was fear, hopelessness, or despair.  I knew we were going to be okay.  I was at peace.  A peace that surpasses all understanding.

I do believe that God will take care of us.  If I didn’t believe it before, I have no choice but to believe it now.  We have gotten so much help from the church, the community, family, friends, and complete strangers.  I actually have to turn away clothes, toys, and furniture now. 

We have a fully furnished house to live in and more Barbies and bathing suits, Legos and notebooks, video games, and clothes than before.  We have money to help us buy the groceries, the cleaning supplies, the garbage cans, vacuüm cleaner, and all the other stuff you don’t think about unless you have to start over.  Look around your house at the things you use every day and write it down.  Hair brush, fingernail clippers, screwdriver for those pesky miniscule screws in kids’ toys, band-aids, tape, a can opener.  We have none of that.  It is going to be one heck of a trip to the Wal-Mart**.  A trip that wouldn’t be possible without the donations. 

**If you hate the Wal-Mart as much as I’ve grown to, you will reconsider that if you find yourself looking for a one-stop shop to buy a vacuüm cleaner, hair dryer, dishes, socks and underwear, books, tools, and a dozen eggs.

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We are blessed.  Abundantly blessed.

Next time, I’ll share the amazing things that people have done for us, from the state of Georgia all the way to The Netherlands.  Yeah, The Netherlands.  I can’t wait to give them a little tiny bit of the credit they deserve. 

Right now, I want to thank all you blogging buddies for your thoughts and prayers.  I am overwhelmed by the number of comments on Friday. It meant a lot to read all those comments.  I felt all warm and fuzzy.  (((Hugs))) and I love you guys!

Finding Peace on Easter

Posted in All Posts, Family, Tradition by

Image via Wikipedia

Daily Foglifter:  “The method for determining the date of Easter is complex and has been a matter of controversy.  Put as simply as possible, the Western churches (Catholic and Protestant) celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.” (Source)

It’s hard to believe it’s already the end of April.  I think it’s because Easter is so late this year.  I always think of Easter as the official beginning of Spring.  But Spring sprung over a month ago.  Nevertheless, Easter is here and it is the day above all days in the Christian faith.  Christmas may get more hype, but without Easter, Christmas loses much of its import.

Easter requires preparation.  The grand tradition of brand new Easter suits and dresses must be observed.  Have you ever taken five kids shopping for clothes?  It is the nightmare you are imagining, times 10.  Thank God I had reinforcements.  My saint-of-a-mother-in-law went with us and was there to witness the horror.  The kids fought, ran in circles, and couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.  #4 was on his absolute worst behavior and was lucky he didn’t get left at the mall.  When he was hiding in a rack of clothes, the brief but glorious vision of me rushing everyone out to the car and driving off at the speed of light, was almost too perfect to resist.

Besides shopping for clothes, there is also the necessity of getting the kids’ hair cut.  My oldest son is particularly resistant to haircuts.  The unfortunate return of shaggy hair for boys is a trend I could do without.  Of course, I don’t make a big deal about it.  I decided a long time ago that hair was going to be a non-issue.  My hubby has done some outlandish things with his hair in the past and I’ve dyed my hair so many times I have no idea what my natural hair looks like.  If I had to guess, it would be gray or the shade of white that occurs after a horrendous shock or scare.  How could it not be considering what I have to deal with on a daily basis?  Anyway, I try not to be a hypocrite, so hair is kid’s choice.  Within reason.  The rule is two haircuts a year.  One around Christmas and one at Easter because if the kid gets a new suit, he should at least look like a nice kid in a new suit and not a Bad News Bear in a new suit.

My son's hair if it was blonde

Have you ever taken 5 kids to get haircuts?  It’s not as bad as clothes shopping, but #4 certainly gave it a run for its money.  He refused to sit in the chair because he wanted his hair long.  He wiggled and squirmed and whined until I whispered various threats in his ear.  Then he calmed down. Briefly.  When his haircut was finished he refused to get up because he wanted his hair shorter.  He wiggled and whined until I dragged his behind out of the chair and sat him down in a chair.  #4 is the answer to my prayer for patience.  Be careful what you pray for.

I also have obligations outside my family.  As my kids make up a substantial portion of the children’s department at my church, I am a logical choice for head of children’s activities.  I don’t recall volunteering, but I’m it, nonetheless.  It’s not that complicated.  I have to arrange an activity for every season.  Fall is Trunk or Treat.  Winter is the children’s Christmas party.  Summer is a lock-in.  Spring is an Easter Egg Hunt.  That means filling plastic eggs, hiding them, helping kids find them, and giving the kids a cupcake and juice and praying they don’t make a mess of their pretty new dresses and suits.  Of course the kids always make a mess of their Easter clothes, but I do my best.  I forgot to pick up the eggs so I called a dear friend and asked her to pick them up for me.  She graciously volunteered to fill them for me and I gratefully accepted.  Now all I have to do is bake some cupcakes.

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Of course, there is the daunting task of getting five kids and myself ready for Church on Easter Sunday.  It’s not easy.  On a normal Sunday, I’m usually leaving the house with a wet head and have to resort to using the Dog-in-a-Car-Method of styling (hanging my head out the window so the wind can blow it dry.  It is very effective for that messy bed head look that’s so popular.  A little mousse and a the wind whipping my hair for about a mile or so and I’m all set.  I hope that look stays around for a while.)  But on Easter Sunday, it will be even trickier.  The Sunrise Service begins at 7:00 am and is followed by a pancake breakfast.  Of course I wouldn’t dare dress my kids in their sparkling new clothes to eat pancakes swimming in sticky syrup, so that means the Easter clothes will have to ride in the car.  The odds of forgetting a crucial item of clothing (shoes, tie, or the perfectly matched hair bow it took me three hours and five stores to find) are pretty good.

As you can see, Easter Sunday causes a lot of stress and frustration. The question, of course, is Why?  Why do we take a day that is supposed to be dedicated to the Lord and turn it into a week of toil and vexation?  Why is it necessary to have new clothes and shiny new haircuts?  I suppose it’s symbolic of Spring–new beginnings and being able to wear white shoes again.  Easter is also an important celebration and it’s human nature to dress up for special occasions.  Of course, this has nothing to do with the actual point of Easter.  Jesus is not looking at our clothes.  He’s not looking at our hair.  And He certainly isn’t looking for Easter Eggs.

Jesus is looking into our hearts and minds and He doesn’t want to see turmoil, stress, negativity, and distraction.  I hope that my heart is devoid of those things by tomorrow and instead holds Love, Compassion, Faith, Humility, Peace, and above all, Gratitude.  Gratitude for the sacrifice of my Savior, who paid the price of my transgressions when I didn’t even know I owed a debt.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  John 19:30