Seasons of Love

Dearest Bloggy Peeps,

When I started blogging, I had no idea how richly rewarding and what a blessing it would be.  I am literally blessed DAILY by the relationships God has brought to my life through this blog.  I want to thank my lurkers for lurking, my new friends for commenting and touching my heart--by allowing me into yours.  And, I want to thank my "older" friends for bringing such richness into my life.  But I think my blogging season may be over.

It's because of these relationships, that it's difficult (in a way) to stop blogging.  But it's also because of these relationships, I believe, that my spirit is no longer into daily (or several times weekly) blogging.  As I've become more invested in the relationships that God has given, I've grown in deeper connection with many of you who live in my computer.  This has led to emails, phone calls, texts, a trip to Whidbey for a weekend, and forever heart connections.  All of the fun of blogging is important to me, but I've discovered that THIS is the most important.  THIS is where I've been led so far.  For example, I will call, email, or IM one of you, and this "cuts in" to my blogging time.  But I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I will miss the daily checking in.  And, in fact, as most of you know...I have been awful, recently, about checking into blogs.  I will also miss the ego strokes when folks comment on my blog.  I mean come on...who doesn't love that???  But I can't let those things deter my focus.  A focus which needs to be more of Him and less of me.  And I thank Him that this "former" people pleaser doesn't feel guilty--she feels peaceful.

I've been in my Bible nearly every day this summer.  Not so, when I blog.  I've been memorizing Scripture.  Not as often when I blog.  When I'm blogging, I'm thinking (often) about something from my heart, but also, I may just be thinking of a way to make people laugh, or comment.  Not very edifying, compared to what I could be doing. 

It occurs to me that I have 4 years before launching (God, please!) my son, 6 years before launching my daughter, and many years with a prodigal husband (God willing--not the prodigal part, tho!  God can change that NOW, please.).  I am feeling quite urgent about stewarding every moment and behavior as wisely as I can, so that I can feel like I've done everything possible to model a walk with Christ in my home; opening my mouth for Him to fill.  Please, friends, do not hear me condemning any Christian sister or brother for blogging--wouldn't that just be a mite hypocritical?  I have learned so much from you all.  For me, however,  the conviction upon my heart says to lay this part of life down for a while.  Dying just a bit to my selfish self.  I may be back.  Perhaps soon.  Perhaps after a while. Perhaps not.  And I will check in with you all from time to time.  But I must pay attention to the Spirit-led "disinterest" in this and see where He leads. 

Much love...

GladiWednesday: Funky Town

I'm in a funk today.  August is not my favorite month.  Hubby is leaving soon for a business trip.  Still not 50, 30, 10 pounds lighter than I was last spring.  Not finding myself as productive during these summer days as I'd like to be; therefore, nor are my children.  Feeling stress about a show I'm producing at church.  My hair looks yucky.  My skin, which has always garnered compliments, looks age-spotted and my ears appear to be growing.

So...I need to focus on grace, gratitude, and a glad attitude. 

1.  August yields to September, one of my favorite months.  The sun is shining, and we will have lovely temps.  I got to walk my dog w/my neighbor, sans rain.
2.  Big's trips mean Big's salary.  Salary to pay for schools which are just right for our family.  Salary to keep me home, which is such a gift.  One I wish to steward well.
3.  I'm 5 pounds lighter than last spring.  And am doing some right things.  Some of the time.
4.  Productivity is important, but so is nonproductive rest.  So is allowing my children to be children.  Allowing sleep ins and sleep-overs; late nights, and special moments that can't always be had during structured time are all important.
5.  Producing a show is always a bit stressful.  But I know that God is in control of the production and over all of the parts and pieces which will need to come together by December.  May I have faith in Him to provide and may I glorify Him in all that I do, reflecting a close walk with Him, not only for the production but in every way outside the production.
6.  Neither my hair, nor my skin speak to who I am on the inside.  I'm certain that the more I focus on Him and love on others, the more pretty I'll feel.  Listening well, and speaking less will probably also make my ears look better, too. Or at least I'll feel better about how they look. ;)


Still funky.  But hopeful and able to move forward.  One step in grace at a time.

In Which I Show My True Colors And Mad Skilz And the Kindness of Strangers

Okay, before you tell me that you're tired of all my Whidbey stories...I'll tell you that I need to share this one.  Just this once.  Because it tells you a lot about who I am and why I like Whidbey.  And you can always delete me from your reader.

You may remember, due to 11 or 90 reminders if you're a friend of mine on FB--that Big's and my 20th anniversary was on June 2nd.  You may also remember the pictures of our sweet weekend alone on Whidbey, and that I even mentioned getting my daughter a b'day present--a spatter paint Whidbey Island Lifeguard sweatshirt.  I was on FIRE, I was...gettting a present a full 2 weeks before it was required.  Woot!

Fast forward to June 18, a.k.a. Daughter's Birthday Eve.  I was inventorying (that's a verb) presents, and could not for the life of me find the darn sweatshirt.  Of course, my first step was to blame ask Big if he remembered where "we" had put the sweatshirt after our weekend. So then, as, as most good husbands do, he looked up, a blank stare on his face, and said, "I thought you took care of it.". 

Great.  Now, before you think I've raised a troll, my daughter was well blessed and full of gratitude on the big turning 12 day. 

So, we went into town, just strolling and browsing.  And she spied THE sweatshirt in the window.  The one I told her was unwise to purchase so close to her b'day.  The one that I'd so cleverly purchased and squirreled away.  Away-Away, evidently.

So...I told her.  "Sweetie...guess what?  Mom and Dad bought you that sweatshirt, and I'm sure it will show up, but isn't it funny?  We can't find it right now.  *attempting a weak smile*

"Oh..."she says..."That's okaaaay.  Hmmm. I hope we find it.". 

And away we went. 

Fast-forward to yesterday...after lunch...on an afternoon stroll in Langley.  "Hey, Mom...there's my sweatshirt, heh-heh."   (Have I told you that I dislike good-natured ribbing at my expense?  But I'm really good at dishing it out. Ahem.)

"Yeah.  Heh-heh. Tell you what, J., I'm going to just replace it.  I know we bought it, but I've probably thrown it away or something.  It's not fair to have told you...ya-da-ya-da-ya-da."

Feeling like an idiot taking a deep breath of resignation, I approached the cashier of the little boutique, and thought I'd make her day by telling her our little tale of woe.  In fact, I said something like, "Well, we're going to try this again..." 

To my surprise, after hearing my story, she asked my last name.  Seconds later, she retrieved my receipt, and pointed to the sweatshirt.   "You must've left it in town.  Somebody brought it back to the store, and so I was holding it for you.  I was just getting ready to hang it back up on the rack though, since it's been...uh...2 months." 

Me:  "Really? (stammering) I can't believe this!  Thank you so much!!!"

How about that?

Today

Thank you, God, for the little things.  Little towns.  Little gestures of good will.  Little serendipitous moments which show you're very imperfect people (me) Your love, in the most intimate, amazing ways.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

P.S.  The moral of the story:  Do not shop ahead.

GladiTuesday! Summer Style

Howdy!

Since my dear friend CPQ has given credit, perhaps credit must have its due.  Meaning...she's already posted her glads.  Me?  Well, almost.  Thought I'd do an ode to summer.  Since...let's face it, it's August, and there's nothing really special about August.  But here in the NW, summer has decided to show up just in time for fall. :).

1.  Glad for summertime relaxitude.  Sleeping in.  Meals at odd times.  Enjoying my kids more than coaching them/expecting thus and such from them.
2.  Glad for the teensiest bit of a tan.  I was raised at 5,000 feet from age 9 on, and lived at 6,200 feet for 7 years, so there is a titch of sun damage on my weathered   face.  But let's face it:  who doesn't look at least a little bit more vigorous with a bit of color on her face?!
3.  Glad for certain annoying toys which drive parents crazy.
4.  Glad for this verse, which is now a new (humbling) favorite.
5.  Glad for last Sunday--my first Sunday in church for a month.  Yes, I've been reading a bit o' the Bible, and doing a study, but for me...there's just NO SUBSTITUTE for the fellowship and teaching at church.  Not even a Porsche.
6.  Glad for "Friends" marathons in the UK and Ireland during downtime, and glad for "Frasier" reruns in the US.  So fun to hear Big and History Boy chuckling away in the other room.  Drama likes them, too--she's just still sleeping.  It's only 10:00.
7.  Glad for shower and make up optional days.
8.  Glad for the first (too tart, but they'll be fine in a day or 2) ripened blackberries on our backyard bramble.
9.  Glad that, in a week...only one kid will be in braces.  Holla!
10.  Glad...and sad...and everso grateful...that a year ago this week, I welcomed 4 new friends from their computers into my life, and they welcomed me back.  Miss them.  Miss those who couldn't come, but wanted to.  And so grateful for them all.