Tommy's tears and Mary's fears
Will make them old before their years.
-Mother Goose
Monday, September 25, 2006
Friday, September 15, 2006
Survivor
I am a Survivor fan. I have been since the show's beginning many seasons ago. Last night I watched the much talked about Survivor: Cook Islands premier. Much has been made of the fact that the producers started the show by separating tribes by race. It was great! The contestants themselves seemed to respond very well to the racial separations. It seemed to give them an instant bond and desire to "represent" their particular ethinic group.
Over and over the term social experiment was used. It is fascinating and will be fun to watch this season develop.
Over and over the term social experiment was used. It is fascinating and will be fun to watch this season develop.
Move over Miss Nancy
Wednesday morning was my first morning with my little "Green Lambs". I have prayed over the last week that God would fill me with an overwhelming love for my little assignments and a joy for the morning. God is faithful to provide us with all we need when he calls us to something.
As I reflect on the morning I can't help but laugh at myself. Imagine Miss Nancy of Romper Room with her high pitch whimsical voice: "Hi Nathan! I'm Miss Wendy! Here is the name tag that I made for you. This is YOUR name tag!" Good words, I forgot how much a 20 month old likes to call something "mine". "Let's do bubbles!" Another good one with little guys as they knocked each other over trying to catch bubbles. Next came story time, (to the tune of 10 little indians) "Who will come and sit on my blanket, who will come and sit on my blanket..." followed by "This story is from the Bible and it is true." (Oh, if only you could hear the sing song pitch.) Then came snack and craft (they LOVE stickers) followed by more wandering playtime.
Over all it went REALLy well. Time flew by and I enjoyed all the kids. Even Jonah, who spent the entire time wandering around with a constant whine/ cry. He was ticked about being there and unhappy with everything. Not crying enough to call his mom, just letting the world know he was NOT amused with the situation. One of my helpers commented on it and I realized it had become like white noise in the background. It really didn't even bother me. Now THAT is a God thing.
I can do this. 11 more weeks. I can do this. And, I believe, I will enjoy it. Who would have thought.
Note to Mike: Don't get too excited - Let's wait and see what God says before signing me up for a lifetime of nursery service!
As I reflect on the morning I can't help but laugh at myself. Imagine Miss Nancy of Romper Room with her high pitch whimsical voice: "Hi Nathan! I'm Miss Wendy! Here is the name tag that I made for you. This is YOUR name tag!" Good words, I forgot how much a 20 month old likes to call something "mine". "Let's do bubbles!" Another good one with little guys as they knocked each other over trying to catch bubbles. Next came story time, (to the tune of 10 little indians) "Who will come and sit on my blanket, who will come and sit on my blanket..." followed by "This story is from the Bible and it is true." (Oh, if only you could hear the sing song pitch.) Then came snack and craft (they LOVE stickers) followed by more wandering playtime.
Over all it went REALLy well. Time flew by and I enjoyed all the kids. Even Jonah, who spent the entire time wandering around with a constant whine/ cry. He was ticked about being there and unhappy with everything. Not crying enough to call his mom, just letting the world know he was NOT amused with the situation. One of my helpers commented on it and I realized it had become like white noise in the background. It really didn't even bother me. Now THAT is a God thing.
I can do this. 11 more weeks. I can do this. And, I believe, I will enjoy it. Who would have thought.
Note to Mike: Don't get too excited - Let's wait and see what God says before signing me up for a lifetime of nursery service!
Monday, September 11, 2006
"Me" Time
Yesterday afternoon I was lying on the bed reading a magazine while hubby was on the computer. I was tired and not at all ready to take hubby back to his dorms and face another week of being alone with the boys. The article I was reading started with these words: "We all do it. We all run that mental race as we zoom through our day. What needs to be done next? Did I remember to defrost the chicken for dinner?" At this point I put the magazine down and went to the kitchen to pull the chicken out of the freezer. On my way back to the bedroom I changed a diaper and pulled a load of laundry out of the dryer, threw another one in and sat down to fold laundry. When that was done I went back to my magazine: "Stop right there! It's time to lighten up and give yourself a stress break. Come on, take a little mental holiday from all those to-do's." Good idea! I put littlest down for nap. Showered, grabbed my magazine, gave hubby and Biggest a kiss goodbye and went to Starbucks for an iced coffee, slice of pumpkin loaf and some "me" time. It was so nice. I sat at an outside table. It was 80 something with a nice breeze. I read about fashion, supermarket saves, and recipes. I drove home an hour later feeling like I had been out all day. I even noticed some flowers (lots of them actually) growing on the side of the road near our apartment that I hadn't seen before.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Laffy Taffy
I love to serve women. Put me with a woman to talk to and encourage. Put me with a woman to counsel and pray with. Put me in a group of women to facilitate. Put me on stage and tell me to talk to them. I'll do it. Put me in a class with 10 children and tell me I have to stay there for 2 hours - shudder. What the heck was I thinking. I am really out of my comfort zone here.
Knowing God has put me here with a purpose I am trusting that he will equip me to stay and do a good job. I want to want to do this. I want to make these little ones (I got assigned 18 - 24 month olds) feel safe and secure. I want them to be entertained and distracted for 2 hours without mommy. I want them to hear about Jesus and have a positive association in their experience at CBS. I want the moms to feel secure leaving their children with me so that they can discuss the bible and learn and grow together.
At this point I am feeling a bit like Laffy Taffy. Stretched out and flopped over. I am certainly not able to do this on my own. But, "I can do all things throught Christ who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:13)
Knowing God has put me here with a purpose I am trusting that he will equip me to stay and do a good job. I want to want to do this. I want to make these little ones (I got assigned 18 - 24 month olds) feel safe and secure. I want them to be entertained and distracted for 2 hours without mommy. I want them to hear about Jesus and have a positive association in their experience at CBS. I want the moms to feel secure leaving their children with me so that they can discuss the bible and learn and grow together.
At this point I am feeling a bit like Laffy Taffy. Stretched out and flopped over. I am certainly not able to do this on my own. But, "I can do all things throught Christ who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:13)
Monday, September 04, 2006
The Blessing
On Wednesday I returned the e-mail of the bible study coordinator. I told her I had no baby sitting available to me but that if anything changed to please let me know. I receive a message back letting me know that they were short children's leaders but they were praying that God would bring more before the study starts next week as they had already turned several women away.
Oh, the quandry. I could volunteer. It will require a two day committment. One day for Leaders Council and one for the study itself. My own children are driving me nuts, how can I deal with a room full for 2 hours once a week. Children's ministry has never been my "thing". But, I am desperate.
I e-mailed back. I let her know that I am available if they would accept me. I fessed up that I was a Core Group Leader (adult leader) for this same organization 2 years ago in CA. I was clear that I am only available until the end of December (the study goes until May) and I have never had experience teaching children before, but I am willing.
I had a call that evening from the Children's Director. They really need children's leaders. They maxed out their classes last year and have been praying all summer for new leaders. I again brought up that I would only be here until December and that I have no experience in Children's ministry (though I neglected to mention I generally RUN from the opportunity). She was good with all of that and even tried to sweeten the deal for me by giving me some choices in age groups. I talked with Hubby about it this weekend and prayed before making the final commitment. Here's what I got:
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14
So, I report for training tomorrow morning. God is so good. My days were stretching out before me after the decision to not go back to California to visit. Now my weeks will be very filled. I will have my study with the leaders, the boys have a class to be in and maybe now other women can come too. None of this would have been possible if I had to travel for two weeks in the middle of it. I'm sure glad HE knows more than I do.
Oh, the quandry. I could volunteer. It will require a two day committment. One day for Leaders Council and one for the study itself. My own children are driving me nuts, how can I deal with a room full for 2 hours once a week. Children's ministry has never been my "thing". But, I am desperate.
I e-mailed back. I let her know that I am available if they would accept me. I fessed up that I was a Core Group Leader (adult leader) for this same organization 2 years ago in CA. I was clear that I am only available until the end of December (the study goes until May) and I have never had experience teaching children before, but I am willing.
I had a call that evening from the Children's Director. They really need children's leaders. They maxed out their classes last year and have been praying all summer for new leaders. I again brought up that I would only be here until December and that I have no experience in Children's ministry (though I neglected to mention I generally RUN from the opportunity). She was good with all of that and even tried to sweeten the deal for me by giving me some choices in age groups. I talked with Hubby about it this weekend and prayed before making the final commitment. Here's what I got:
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14
So, I report for training tomorrow morning. God is so good. My days were stretching out before me after the decision to not go back to California to visit. Now my weeks will be very filled. I will have my study with the leaders, the boys have a class to be in and maybe now other women can come too. None of this would have been possible if I had to travel for two weeks in the middle of it. I'm sure glad HE knows more than I do.
Talking to God
Last Tuesday was a rough day. I had been to a home school group function, hoping to meet new people in the area and came away feeling lost in the group of 100+ home schoolers there. It was nice but chaotic and the few people I spoke to I lost track of in the crowd. The event was at a library so we got a card and some books before heading home. Littlest seemed to think he was in a play area and continually tried to run in circles around me. I say tried because I restrained him by squeezing his shoulder muscle enough to keep him in one place, albeit squealing the whole time. The car started making a funny noise on the way home and the boys talked incessantly.
Biggest has handled Hubby's absence during the week by becoming the man of the house. He's done this completely of his own volition and it is driving me nuts. He bosses Littlest around and tries to correct me when I have not acted according to his wishes. This is very much in his nature, he'll be a great leader someday- if I don't throttle him first.
Littlest has reacted by exploding. I can't think of a better way to describe it. He has become VERY physical. He is either tackling his brother or throwing toys at him. He is talking back and taking his own sweet time in everything he does. Not to do it more effectively but to control the situation. Now the little boy who has a great imagination and has always played well by himself is a disaster if someone (i.e. me or Biggest) isn't playing with him at all times.
So, back to Tuesday. We got home from our outing to find a note from the apartment maintenance department saying they couldn't find the problem with the refridgerator and to call if it happens again (it makes a horribly loud noise everytime the freezer cycles that wakes me up at least 3 times a night - we have finally stopped jumping when it cycles during the day) and a message from the local bible study that I was planning to join that said they don't have room in the children's program for the kids but that I can come by myself. Hello, I am new to the area and DONT HAVE ANYONE TO WATCH THE KIDS. I was also frustrated for the kids. We are travelling on the weekends and haven't planed to join any one church in particular. We have attended a study run by this organization in California for 5 years now and I know they have an excellent program for the kids. And I had just been thinking that in the smaller group setting of bible study I would have a more intimate group with which to socialize, as would the kids.
That night I got the kids to bed on time (7:55 p.m.) and had just sat down to watch the only new show on for the night when the phone rang. It was Hubby. He usually calls just after 7, just before bedtime stories. By the time he talked to both kids it was 8:15. Of course, he wanted to talk to me, which I was happy about, but the show... So, he told me about his day and when I told him about mine he interrupted to ask a question that I had just answered. It turned out he was doing his homework while I was talking and hadn't caught everything I had said. I restrained from throwing the phone and bursting into tears. He apologized. We finished talking and I got off the phone at 8:45. So much for Bones. (It's not an outstanding show but it was the only non-rerun of the night.) So much for vacation.
I went to bed. I was going to pick up Gulliver's Travels but decided to pick up Face to Face instead. I went through the days scriptures/ prayers and it was very centering. Good to get my mind off of me and onto something bigger. I then started the conversation.
Father, Thank you that I have the opportunity to be here with Hubby. Thank you that our apartment is so nice. Lord, I am thankful that I am here but I am sad. I am sad for the things I am missing in California. I want to go to Cathy's wedding. I want to go see my friends. I want to be in Scott's wedding and I want the boys to be in the wedding. I want to be apart of all the things I can't be apart of and it makes me sad.
You will be blessed by missing these things.
Thank you, Lord.
That's all I needed to hear.
Biggest has handled Hubby's absence during the week by becoming the man of the house. He's done this completely of his own volition and it is driving me nuts. He bosses Littlest around and tries to correct me when I have not acted according to his wishes. This is very much in his nature, he'll be a great leader someday- if I don't throttle him first.
Littlest has reacted by exploding. I can't think of a better way to describe it. He has become VERY physical. He is either tackling his brother or throwing toys at him. He is talking back and taking his own sweet time in everything he does. Not to do it more effectively but to control the situation. Now the little boy who has a great imagination and has always played well by himself is a disaster if someone (i.e. me or Biggest) isn't playing with him at all times.
So, back to Tuesday. We got home from our outing to find a note from the apartment maintenance department saying they couldn't find the problem with the refridgerator and to call if it happens again (it makes a horribly loud noise everytime the freezer cycles that wakes me up at least 3 times a night - we have finally stopped jumping when it cycles during the day) and a message from the local bible study that I was planning to join that said they don't have room in the children's program for the kids but that I can come by myself. Hello, I am new to the area and DONT HAVE ANYONE TO WATCH THE KIDS. I was also frustrated for the kids. We are travelling on the weekends and haven't planed to join any one church in particular. We have attended a study run by this organization in California for 5 years now and I know they have an excellent program for the kids. And I had just been thinking that in the smaller group setting of bible study I would have a more intimate group with which to socialize, as would the kids.
That night I got the kids to bed on time (7:55 p.m.) and had just sat down to watch the only new show on for the night when the phone rang. It was Hubby. He usually calls just after 7, just before bedtime stories. By the time he talked to both kids it was 8:15. Of course, he wanted to talk to me, which I was happy about, but the show... So, he told me about his day and when I told him about mine he interrupted to ask a question that I had just answered. It turned out he was doing his homework while I was talking and hadn't caught everything I had said. I restrained from throwing the phone and bursting into tears. He apologized. We finished talking and I got off the phone at 8:45. So much for Bones. (It's not an outstanding show but it was the only non-rerun of the night.) So much for vacation.
I went to bed. I was going to pick up Gulliver's Travels but decided to pick up Face to Face instead. I went through the days scriptures/ prayers and it was very centering. Good to get my mind off of me and onto something bigger. I then started the conversation.
Father, Thank you that I have the opportunity to be here with Hubby. Thank you that our apartment is so nice. Lord, I am thankful that I am here but I am sad. I am sad for the things I am missing in California. I want to go to Cathy's wedding. I want to go see my friends. I want to be in Scott's wedding and I want the boys to be in the wedding. I want to be apart of all the things I can't be apart of and it makes me sad.
You will be blessed by missing these things.
Thank you, Lord.
That's all I needed to hear.
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