Timing is Everything

Timing makes all the difference in the world. Unfortunately my timing rarely coincides with God's. Why I struggle with that is ridiculous, because He has proven Himself so many times. My God does not sit back and let the world happen. Rather, He cares deeply about every detail and works everything for His glory down to the last second.

I plan. I schedule. Consider me a control person (not that I am proud of that). God continually shows me that He is the one who plans, schedules, and controls my life.

Bryan shared with me another example this morning of how God is making it unquestionable that He is all over this new work partnership. His timing astounds me. I cannot doubt that every second is planned by an all-knowing powerful God. It comforts me to know that even though I make mistakes, I cannot mess up His plan over me.

 

Rainy Days Can be Fun

Maddie challenged me today. Not that that is really anything new, but she made me slow down and think. As we were driving home from my Mom's, she asked if we could go for a walk in the rain to stomp in puddles. She made it clear that she would wear the boots and get all wet, not me. My first reaction showed that I was too busy. I thought - too busy for what? Why miss the chance to walk around the block with my little one? I would not be sorry. The older kids could take care of themselves. She dressed for the occasion in the cutest coat and boots. She giggled. I smiled. We held hands and scoped the street and sidewalk for puddles deep enough to make a splash. We arrived home a little wetter, but I was doing laundry anyway. Thank you Maddie for challenging me.

What a Beautiful Day

It was absolutely gorgeous outside today. One of those perfect weather days with a clear sky and brisk breeze. The kids were done school shortly after lunch, so I kicked them all outside. They did nothing in particular: football, swinging, chalk drawing on the patio. It wasn't the events that caught my eye and made me smile. It was that they were all playing together, at least for a while. I looked out my kitchen window and just watched.
After a quick snack outside myself, I pushed my little one on the swing. She is getting so big. I know she is only four, but I swear that she grew up over the summer. Her little arms pumped so strong. Time is flying. I enjoy these kind of days.

New Bible Study

I am very thankful that at our church we have a strong ladies' ministry. God has chosen to take me out of leadership in that ministry, but I am looking forward to attending the study with the other ladies. Kay Arthur's In and Out study of Philippians is the choice for this fall.
At Cedarville, I had the privilege of taking an inductive Bible study course which has drastically changed how I study the Bible. This study will also be an inductive study only not as in depth. As I have posted before, the book of Philippians is an awesome book to study. My challenge will be to take the appropriate time needed each day to dig into the Word. Easier said than done for a homeschooling mom of 4. Yet, I am convinced that time in His Word is
proportional to my spiritual growth.
I can be satisfied with the status quo or I can dive in and be challenged to do something to draw closer to my God. I need boldness. I need courage. I need to be willing to "step out of the boat" as my husband referred to this afternoon.
Philippians referrs to joy in circumstances. Honestly, my circumstances leave nothing for me to complain about. I am extremely blessed. Things in my comfortable world, though, are changing quickly: new job positions, financial challenges, college in a few years (that freaks me out a little). I want Christ's submissive mind. I want the security that comes only when I lay it all out before God and leave it there. I want a servant's heart that will change my focus when people are making it hard to realize joy in my life.
I pray that God will change me. I don't want to be the same after this study.

Couldn't Get Enough

Well, another weekend of scrapping come and gone. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to scrap with both my sister and sister-in-law. We had a blast!! The hotel was brand new and beautiful. We pretty much scrapped most every waking moment. I told my husband that it is a wonderful time to be reminded of all the many ways I am blessed: smiles, family time, a loving husband, places to go and people to see. I love showing off my family and wish that I could have more time to get my pictures in books. When I got home, my kids (and husband) enjoyed looking at the pictures of themselves and reading what Mom had written about them. I need to write more. I need to affirm my kids and husband more often.
One thing I can't believe I did . . . you know the little convenience pantries that suite hotels offer - we found some Ben and Jerry's ice cream that would be perfect for the brownies that my sister had brought. We went to get it and saw the price , three dollars. Three dollars, are you kidding???? They weren't and we were desperate for the chocolate. We paid the price, in more ways than one, I guess. We ate every drop. Making memories.
It was almost sad as we were intently finishing our projects so we could check out on time. We knew that we would hit the ground running when we got home. My sister has three little girls. My sister-in-law has three little boys. I have my precious four. None of us knew when we would get back to this uninterrupted, long span of time. When all is said and done, I know that I will never be sorry that I chose to spend time with my family over going away to scrap, but I have to say that every so often is not such a bad thing.

Future Chef?

I had to laugh. My little guy found a recipe for an easy apple crisp in a magazine that he enjoys. As we were doing our routine shopping (with three kids in tow), he was diligent in making sure we had all the ingredients. I would love to be a more free-spirited mom who lets her child explore his world in his own time - but I am so not that mom. I love to see my kids learn and challenge themselves so I will brag on my son for that. However, we did not get home from shopping until after 3:00, needed to put all the food away and prepare dinner for my family and get myself ready to meet a friend for dinner. This really was not the most opportune time to do this. He did, though, put it all together himself. I caught him heading outside to be with his sister after he put the dessert into the oven. Who would watch for it to be done? I guess he hadn't thought of that. Needless to say, he went out with timer in hand and came in every 10 minutes. When I returned later that night I enjoyed the fruit of his labor and have to say that it was very good. He was very proud of himself as he should be. Being comfortable in the kitchen and following a recipe is a great skill. Maybe next time it will fit into my schedule a little neater. Who am I kidding? Life doesn't work that way with a family of six. I am thankful for my little guy and his boldness to try something new. Keep it up buddy!

New Adventures

I am very excited about new things. I have been blessed to have my husband working out of our home for the last 10 years. However, God has been moving us in a new direction over the last year. It is now official; the law offices of Schroll and Bowman will begin November 3. Very cool!! (I am not sure they are the right words, but they are what are in my mind.) I am very happy for Bryan. We have been praying that God would lead in who Bryan should partner with and where they should set up business. God's leading has been obvious. I am excited to watch as God continues to work in amazing ways.

VCD

Have you ever heard of Vocal Cord Dysfunction? I had not until this past Wed. Evidentally it is becoming more prominent in young females and is often misdiagnosed. My oldest daughter has been struggling significantly this summer with asthma symptoms. We were at our wits end. Her soccer play was restricted and she was in pain after taking her inhalers. We visited a pulmonologist at St. Christopher's in Philadelphia to see if we could get any answers and were surprised at the diagnosis. Honestly, though, everything that I have since been reading makes sense. We have been praying that God would give direction and guidance in treating her. I was not thrilled about all the meds that she was taking. Not that meds are wrong in themselves, but they weren't effective. I hated puting stuff into her that wasn't working. Thankfully the treatment plan does not include meds, but teaches relaxation and breathing techniques to retrain the vocal cords. Kinda weird until I think back to my high school days when I lost my voice completely for weeks at a time due to vocal cord paralysis. Who would have thought that would come up again in my family? My daughter is not thrilled with the diagnosis. Honestly, it is much easier to take a pill or an inhaler. God is good. He is our creator. Nothing gets by him and he cares about all the details in our lives - even our breathing. I am thinking that it should be very interesting to watch how this thing plays out.

Mild Monday

I had planned on writing a cute post of my adorable 4year old, but something was goofy about the picture. Some weird blue spot was on her face. I don't know how to get rid of it, nor do I know how it happened. Oh well. The story is: I was out with my two younger girls using a Barnes and Noble gift card my daughter received for her birthday. One thing led to another and we found ourselves in the Cafe with a pile of magazines and books about fall as well as a huge double chocolate chip cookie to share among the three of us. Now I know, I like to practice healthy eating with my kids, however, chocolate is soooo inviting. We weren't having dinner until 7:30 when the rest of the family was to be home from soccer. A little snack wouldn't hurt - would it? Anyway, I enjoyed the short break in my favorite store with two of my favorite people in the world.

What I Want to Be

In a few moments with my little one, we discussed her "future plans" . She decided she wanted to be married and be Cinderella. I asked her what her prince would be like, and she said she wasn't marrying a prince, just a man. I pray all her dreams come true. You don't have to be in a fairy tale world to marry a prince. Bryan has proven that to me.

Facebook

What? Am I really doing this? First a blog. Now a facebook page. Is this mid-life crisis? I have to laugh. Honestly, though, it can be an addiction. I can see how one can spend hours on-line. Many of the applications can be a true waste of time. Of course, an occasional game of challenge sudoko can't hurt, can it?

I am reminded of the verse from Ephesians that I commented on earlier: make the most of every opportunity. I need that in front of my face all the time. It is very easy to sit and work on my computer. It is not all bad: pictures, school work, e-mail. I need to make sure that doesn't take the place of getting down and dirty with my kids, reading books to my little one, listening to my children tell the same story again and again. I am so blessed. I pray that I don't squander that blessing. Technology is wonderful, useful, and many times fun. God give me balance.

It's Way Too Late

I should be in bed. I will admit. Somehow I am finding myself on my computer while watching Fox News after Palin gave her speech. I have to say that I am impressed. It is kind of strange to think that a woman has a great chance of being the VP. She appears to be gifted and good for our country. My oldest daughter was asking my opinion of her. I am convinced that a woman has the privilege in our country to do or be anything that she wants to. God can use women in amazing ways. I think that Sarah Palin has great abilities and talents that can be used in our country. However, I believe that she has set aside the greatest job in the world - that of a mother. Now don't get mad and call me eccentric or idealistic. She will always be a mother. I just don't see how one can run her family and run her country at the same time, however, many women do both family and career. I can't imagine having a baby and then five months later be in the race for VP. I honestly feel sorry for her in that she is missing out. That said, I do believe that she is the best choice at the moment. Enough said. I am not sure this is very coherent. 5:45am will come too quickly. Good night.

Thankfully the Weatherman Lied

The weekend was hot and dry. Thank the Lord!! He chose to bless me with sunshine and blue sky. Of course, I felt a tad guilty with my request as I saw fields of dry grass due to lack of rain.

Our time was very filled considering we were on a camping vacation weekend. The PA state park offered free programs for the kids which included kayaking, frisbee golf, and a GPS scavenger hunt as well as birdhouse building. When the kids weren't busy with that, they set up their own Amazing Race clue hunt around the campground, rode miles on their bikes, and played a tournament of washers (I came in second to my son!). My youngest daughter spent most of her time with new found friends at the playground adjacent to our sites.

I had looked forward to some reading and possible a relaxing walk. That didn't happen. I sat for a little, but there always seemed like something had to be done. Why do I have such a hard time with that sometimes?

One thing I did enjoy immensely was sitting by the evening campfire sipping the tea my husband had made for me. We had a chance to talk, just the two of us, as we let the fire die down. I love my husband.

Camping is done for awhile. Soccer takes over our life for a few months. There are no weekends to get away as a family until Thanksgiving. Hopefully, Bryan and I can catch a few evenings along the way to sneak in some dates.

I love my family. They are my life. We have been blessed to do so many things. I have been challenged, though, and reminded that experiences are important, but they can't replace relationships. The hardest thing about soccer is that our family dinner time is challenged. I have guarded that faithfully, but this season will be difficult. I am grateful to my Lord who has allowed me to have my kids home during the day. I have seen God work in unique ways in my kids because they are with me more often. That is not to say that family can't be strong and relational without homeschooling (and our family is still learning daily), but I do think it has to be that much more intentional.

Camping is always an experience. I go to be with my family. There are always fun things for them to do and stories to tell. I still prefer hotels and restaurants as a rule, but "roughing it" (air mattresses and space heaters) has its benefits. God's creation is amazing and living directly in it for a few days is a good reminder of all He has given us.