Another Amazing Visit!

Mr Peter flew in for a visit with G! 

G's anticipation before-hand was Too Much.

Me teasing G: What if you don't remember what Mr Peter looks like?

G: Mom.  You know.  I've been dreaming about Mr Peter and I remember.

Me: Yes?

G: Yes.  He has a striped sweatshirt... and a beard... and a smile... and hair.

My first love notes

From G:

I lve you I am soopr bcus it is soopr glab becus you r mine.

I luve you.  I luve you becous you are speshl.


Translations:

I love you.  I am super glad because you are mine.

I love you.  I love you because you are special.

Planning Ahead

From G, over breakfast:

"I have a big day today.  I'm gonna play with Abby on the playground.  I have a lot of friends who want to play with me.  I'm gonna have to tell them - 'Sorry guys.  I can only play with one at a time'."

Dream-Come-True Visit

Last month, I got to tell G that MR JIM was coming for a visit!

There was some nervousness:  "What do you think he'll want to do with me?"  I assured G that Mr. Jim would love to play cars, just like they used to.  Joy!

The visit was wonderful.  It included playing cars and going to the park and eating pizza and visiting a pumpkin farm and going to church together and going out for breakfast!

As the car pulled away, G's tears began.  And turned into sobs.  That went on & on.

This boy loves Mr. Jim.

So glad they got to visit.

G's Eye

Haven't provided an update in a while.  I don't want to bore you with the "same old," but we still need prayer for the "same old."

The eye has some irritation (which could hurt the retina).  Eye drops help the irritation but cause heightened eye pressure (which can eventually lead to blindness)  Eye drops #2 are supposed to lower the eye pressure but haven't been doing enough.  Eye drops #3 have recently been added to the regimen, trying to get that pressure down into a safer zone.  The pressure has been getting a bit lower, but the irritation has been increasing. 

Would love to see healing for this eye.  Thanks for praying!

G's Medical Insurance

I like G’s medical insurance plan.

 

Too bad I can’t keep it. 

 

The good policy we have is being eliminated.  Looks like I can start paying more money for a plan that covers less.

 

Thanks for nothing, “Affordable” Care Act.

 

Appetite

G just turned 7.

He's a lean little dude.

And he ate a whole Chipotle burrito.

All of it.

And then asked for dessert.

Mercy.

At the Playground

G is playing alone.

A family approaches.

Oldest daughter arrives first and calls back to the others: "It's a white mom and a black kid!"

G walks right up to her: "My name is G."

He walks away.

Then he turns back: "I'm Haitian."

And he keeps playing.

Soccer Quote

On our way to a game a few weeks ago, I said: "I hope I get to see you kick a goal."

G: "I only can do that when someone is distracted."

Sweet boy.

G Lost

G let me know that Grace and Isabel won Student Council elections.

Fortunately, G wasn't at all fazed about his loss.  We just went on about our night.

Then... the next morning... Tears.  G cried: "No one voted for me!  I have no friends!  ...  Well, I have four friends.  Just four friends!"  He was really sad.

I didn't like how well he could hide his sadness for a whole night.  I really had no idea how impacted he was.  Will be trying to watch better for those big feelings in the future.

Election Day

G is running for student council.

 

To get on the ballot, each candidate needed to submit two sentences.

 

From G:

1.       I am responsible.

2.       I like to help people.

You’d vote for him, wouldn’t you?

Funny in the Morning

Yesterday G woke with no trouble.  As he stumbled to the shower, he shook his head and said “..another busy day at school....”  As if he’s some 50-year-old on his way to the office.

This morning he made a funny face.  When I questioned him, he explained:
“I’m stretching my lips out.”

“Why are you stretching your lips out?”

“They feel a little bit tight.”

After I laughed, he added: “What?  Everyone does it.”

Really?

Return on Investment

The other night I was talking with G about his great choices of late.  I asked him what he thought made the difference for him.  He responded: “Well, Mr. Peter taught me, and I remembered.”

 

I'm so grateful for all Mr. Peter invested in this sweet boy.

 

Good Choices

G had an unbelievable summer, behavior-wise. 

 

There was the one incident with the locked bathroom door to conceal the broken faucet.  But I kind of chalk that one up to “boy” more than to “lack of self regulation.”

 

Otherwise, his choices have been astounding me.  Like when he asks for gum to help himself calm down.  Or when he calls: “I’m angry!”  Or even when I give him a consequence and he responds by… complying.

 

Not saying we’re perfect.  But we have come a lot closer to healthy.  And it’s very nice.

G-isms

Here's an example of one of my favorite G-isms.

A couple of young girls have been visiting their dad, who's staying in our neighborhood.  G wants to play with them, so he checks in with me:

"Mama, I'll just go and ringbell the door."

That's one way that G uses "ringbell."  The other is when he's actually pushing someone's doorbell.  As he pushes it, he says, "ringbell, ringbell!" It's very similar to "dingdong," but it's all his own.

Love it.

You know that moment...

... when you're up against an end-of-day deadline at work, but you get the call that your 6-year-old is home tantruming, and in talking you discover that he has deliberately locked the bathroom door closed (and the adults there can't get it opened) (your one bathroom that has a shower in it), so you de-escalate the tantrum and hurry back to your deadline, which is quickly approaching because you're leaving early to get to a 4:30 appointment, which lasts a bit long - which was great, but also not good, because you have to feed your child before you go to 7:00 Book Club, so you rush home and start some rice (and receive cheers for rice & beans) (thank you, God, for rice and beans!) and then you work to appropriately discuss the locked-door situation while still POURING into a 6-year-old love tank, and grabbing the Book Club book, when you decide to try fixing the door really quickly - and you get it OPENED!

And then you discover that it was locked to hide the fact that your 6-year-old broke the faucet.

You know that moment?

Hilarity from G

G dictated a letter to Mr. Peter.

 

Midway through, he had me write:

 

Knock Knock.

 

Who’s there?

 

Mr. Joke Man.

 

Mr. Joke Man who?

 

Mr. Joke Man YOU!

 

And that was it.  Rolling around on the floor laughter.

 

Awesome.

Memories

The other morning, I was warned that our air conditioning was broken at work, so I dressed accordingly – a sleeveless shirt that I haven’t worn since being in Haiti.

 

I came into the kitchen to make G’s breakfast.  He greeted me with a BIG smile and came to hug me.

 

“I love your shirt.”

 

"Why?”

 

“Because you used to wear this shirt in Haiti.”

Babysitters

Last week NewBabysitter #2 helped us.  During the week, G was punched in the eye and she didn’t see it. 

 

The previous week, NewBabysitter #1 helped us.  During the week, G broke my front window and she didn’t see it.

 

The previous year and a half, Mr. Peter helped us.  No issues.

 

Mr. Peter was always on time.  He worked hard to teach G - schooling, athletically, emotional control, etc.  Nothing significant was broken.  Every day he stayed and patiently reported his observations.

 

I'm not trying to say it's terrible now.  The young ladies are working.

 

But - we had it really good for a really long time. 

 

Just sayin.

 

 

Angry

When I moved into my house, I had to replace the big front window.  Very expensive, but now I LOVE my front window.  Its sides can crank open and let a terrific cross breeze through the house.  Actually, only one side cranks open.  The other side, G broke a couple of years ago, so it’s permanently closed.  I remind G often that he is not allowed to touch the crank.

 

But recently, he did.  And he broke the window.  Broke it permanently open. 

 

I was angry.

 

My first move was to confirm he had done it.  I asked.  He hesitated.  I asked why he was hesitating.

 

“Because then you won’t want me any more.”

 

Mercy.

 

We have a routine, started during our visits in Haiti, where I tell him he’s my son, I’m his mama, and I’ll love him forever.  Every day we go over that.  We talk talk talk about families and what it means that we’re a family.  He tells me that he never wants to leave me when he’s “a big man,” and I assure him that he can choose to stay if he wants.  Over and over and over.

 

I often turn down invitations so I can give him focused attention.  Since Joseph came home, he has commented on the constant efforts that I make to pour into G’s love tank.

 

Yet he would consider that I wouldn’t want him any more over a broken window?

 

And this makes me truly angry.  The years spent in an orphanage, molding G’s core beliefs, carving a deep pit of need in his baby heart.  Now our years are spent filling it up, by God’s grace.

 

“I could never not want you.  You are my son; I am your mama; I will love you forever.  Even if you made the biggest worst choices and I was the most angry, I would always still love you the most.  I will always want you because we are a family.”

 

I’ve read that, worldwide, at least 18 million children are living in orphanages or alone on the streets.  No one  to pour mama-love into them.  Does that make you angry?
 

If You're Praying for G's Eye

We saw G’s retina doc again. 

 

There is a prayer request, but I don’t think it’s due to the punch-in-the-eye that G received.

 

We seem to be in a catch 22.  G had been having dangerous irritation in his eye, so he was put on pred forte eye drops.  Those successfully cleared the irritation  but they were causing his eye pressure to skyrocket.  Normal eye pressure is around 15 (I think).  G’s pressure was up over 40.  So the docs changed his eye drops.  That got the pressure down around 23, but the irritation is concerning the docs.

 

It’s all concerning to me.  Appreciate the prayers!

Celebration Cards

G enjoyed the cards!

 

He cuddled in my lap.  Each card was opened & examined & listened to & commented on & enjoyed.

 

It was a great way for helping him to feel celebrated.  Thank you to everyone who sent a note!

Celebration

I’m planning to do G’s full card-opening love-lavishing celebration this weekend. 

We were also going to recognize the actual “half-your-life” turning point during the week. 

 

Instead, the babysitter greeted me after work with news that G had been in a scuffle with another boy at the park.  The boy ripped off G’s goggles, grabbed & wrenched his eye (leaving scratches on his cheek) and then punched G in the eye.  His damaged eye. 

 

What are the odds?

 

Really.  Is that even possible?  Some kid assaults G… by zeroing in on his injured eye?

 

It was back to the ER for us.  As we neared it, G said “this is my favorite hospital.”  Should a kid have a preference between hospitals?

 

I whine about our hospital familiarity even while I know that we are very fortunate to have had access to multiple excellent hospitals.  And fortunate that an eye injury is our biggest problem.

 

So.  With that attitude adjustment, I am very grateful to report that G’s retina appears to still be attached.  We’ll go next week for a re-examination.  Your prayers are always appreciated!

 

And G’s “half-your-life” was celebrated in a fitting way – popsicles at his favorite hospital. 

 

Most

Like any mom, I celebrate the wonderful uniqueness of G’s personality.  And I work to help him grow in all types of health.  I remind myself that, although it feels like G has always been with us, he spent the first 3 ½ years of his life in Haiti.  Most of his life was spent there.

 

Until now.

 

This weekend we’ll be celebrating the turning point.  Half of G’s life has now been spent home with our family.  From this point on, we can claim that most of his life has been with us!

 

Many of our favorite people live out of state so we won’t be having a big party, but I am inviting friends to mail a card to G.  The plan is for us to open cards and lavish G with celebration of him being home most.  And forever.  I think he’ll like it.

 

As for me, I lovelovelove to be passing this turning point.

 

My son is home.

 

Thank you, Lord.

Even In Summer

G’s bedtime habits never change.  In order to sleep he needs to be under his comforter. 

Under – completely, top of head down to toes. 

Comforter – big warm blanket, no matter the temperature. 

In winter he prefers to be under 3 comforters, but he’s willing to go under “just” 1 in summer – as long as he’s wrapped “like a burrito, Mama.”

Funny, sweaty child.

Things People Say

At a party last weekend...

"Hushed" because G was sitting next to me: "Does he know you're not his mom?"

Miracle

After a heart-wrenching good-bye to Mr. Peter, G spent the next day with a babysitter he hadn’t previously met, and then the following day with another new babysitter… and he had great behavior both days!  He’s talking about how sad he feels.  He’s using his tools to help himself through each day.

My child who cannot do transitions is doing well through this transition.  Praise God.

Soccer

G finished up his soccer season.  He improved TONS. 

 

He definitely exhibits the heart of a happy-to-be-playing friend rather than the heart of a warrior.  I’d vote him “most likely to end up sprawled on the grass” or “most likely to shout for fun while playing.”

 

His biggest learning was – when your teammate has the ball, let them go; when your opponent has the ball, go get it!  We had that a bit reversed at the beginning of the season, but he figured it out (with plenty of practice with Mr. Peter).

 

Before his last Saturday game he announced: “I’m gonna kick kick kick to the goal!... And maybe it doesn’t go in….  I’m just gonna do my best as I can.”  And he did.  He scored his first goal!  Even then, he wasn’t thumping his chest.  Whenever I prompted him to share his news, he explained “well, their goalie was distracted.”  Sweet boy.

 

Fun experience.

Sad

The last day of kindergarten, G sobbed – “I don’t want this to be my last day.  I don’t want to be a big man.  I don’t want….”  I’m forgetting his last point, but wanted to record the gist of his emotion.

 

Monday was Mr. Peter’s last day.  G held it together until the very end.  Then he couldn’t watch Peter leave.  He just sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.

 

So much sadness.

Promise from God

For a while I've been posting my favorite promises in the Bible.  I've shared some thoughts about hanging onto those promises with confidence.  Today I'm sharing a promise that I've been praying constantly for many months now.  Trusting God for this one.  In faith, waiting to see its fulfillment. 

"I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace."  Is 54:13

Wouldn't mind if you joined me in praying this for my sons.

Do you have any favorite promises you're praying?

Promise from God

Another of my favorite promises in the Bible:
"With all my heart I want your blessing.  Be merciful just as you promised."

Ps 119:58

The Earthquake. Finally.

G's buddy, 6 months older, often tells his family about his memories of Haiti.

G - never.

When he was first home, a trip in an elevator - feeling the floor move - would cause TERROR - screaming, clawing his way close to me - But he's never talked about it.  Earthquake, orphanage, anything.

He's been home over three years.  Plenty of opportunities.  Never.

On a recent morning we were cuddling.  I mentioned the orphanage.  And stories came out. 

How he felt the "rumbling in my heart."  Everyone was screaming and ran outside.  Then someone came and got him.  Took him outside, then inside, then outside.  The children all held hands outside.  There was no food.  If there was an earthquake here, our house wouldn't fall because "it's too short."  And more.

Memories of terror held silently in a little boy's mind.

House of Sad

We're fully into transition mode.

Only 3 more days left of kindergarten.

Only 9 more days until Mr. Peter moves cross country.

There's a lot of Sad right now.

Promise from God

Another favorite promise in the Bible:

"God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline."

2 Tim 1:7

Kindergarten Field Trip

For some reason, the other chaperones were assigned 2 children each, but I got 3 children.  Apparently, the teacher forgot that 1 of my children would be G.  Or maybe she figured that if I can handle G, I can handle anything.  So I got 3 little boys for my group.

Summary of our trip:
1. G dashes off wildly to the left.
2. Bethshoy dashes off wildly to the right.
3. Jason meekly tugs on my arm and whispers: "I have rocks in my shoe."
4. Repeat.

Not sure we learned much.  But we all survived.  And sometimes survival is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Mr. Peter

G's babysitter, Mr. Peter, is wonderful.  He really cares about G.  Saturday morning he woke up to join me for G's soccer game.  Sunday he and his sister went to church with us and then we all enjoyed coffee together. 

Last night G said, "I wish Mr. Peter was my brother."

And soon I'm going to have to tell him that Mr. Peter is leaving.  Moving many states away.

Sad.

Promise from God

Another of my favorite promises in the Bible:
"For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long.  Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!"

2 Cor 4:17

Promise from God

A great encouragement in the promises of the Bible:
"We who have fled to him for refuge can take great courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence."

Heb 6:18b

Confidence

In case you haven't yet purchased L.B. Cowman's book Streams in the Desert, here is another excerpt:

According to your faith will it be done to you.  (Matthew 9:29)

"Praying through" something might be defined as follows: "Praying your way into full faith; coming to the point of assurance, while still praying, that your prayer has been accepted and heard; and in advance of the event, with confident anticipation, actually becoming aware of having received what you ask."

Let us remember that no earthly circumstances can hinder the fulfillment of God's Word.  We must look steadfastly at His immutable Word and not at the uncertainty of this ever-changing world.  God desires for us to believe His Word without other evidence, and then He is ready to do for us "according to [our] faith."

Promise from God

Sharing another of my favorite promises in the Bible:
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Zeph 3:17

Internet Tip

Have you ever visited stumbleupon.com?  It’s not new, but I had never heard of it before.  It’s a good thing that I don’t have internet at home any longer.  Otherwise, months of my life would be dedicated to that site!  It’s like being in a book store that has a conveyor belt full of everything you like best.

I’m calling this a “tip.”  But it’s also a warning.  Way too interesting.

On the Phone

G likes to talk on his “phone.”  He’ll walk around the house for long stretches with the phone at his ear.

 

Picture DRAMA, VOLUME, EXPRESSIVENESS:

 

"What I did was I got this phone.  Well, it was in the Revolutionary War and they didn’t have phones so what I did was I got a piece of metal and I stuck cords in it to make a phone….  Yeah…. What?  Oh, sorry.  I didn’t hang up on you.  My phone was out of batteries….  Yeah….  Yeah….  I wash it.  I wash it for 10,000 months and 1 year….  Yeah….  I clean my phone.  When someone wants me to go to a party I have to wash it.  One time my phone was clogged up when it was so brand new….  Yeah….  Sometimes that’s what phones do.  It needs to, like, get used to it.  That’s why it takes a long time to make it work.  Cause if you don’t let it work, it won’t work....”

 

And on and on and on.

Storms

Encouragement from L.B. Cowman's book Streams in the Desert:

At first it seemed that a strange and almost cruel thing was happening to Israel.  They were hemmed in by a multitude of dangers: in front, a raging sea defied them; on either side, mountains cut off any hope of escape; and above them, a hurricane seemed to blow.  It was as if the first deliverance had come only to hand them over to a more certain death.  "The Iraelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them.  They were terrified and cried out to the Lord" (Ex. 14:10).

Only when it seemed they were trapped for the enemy did the glorious triumph come.  The stormy wind blew forward, beating back the waves.  The vast multitude of Israelites marched ahead along the path of the deep sea floor - a path covered with God's protecting love....

Today only questions surround your great sorrow, but then you will see how the threatening enemy was actually swept away during your stormy night of fear and grief. 

Today you see only your loss, but then you will see how God used it to break the evil chains that had begun to restrain you.

Soccer Fun

I'm glad G is able to be on a soccer team.  It's working because his babysitter Mr. Peter takes him to the 5:00 practices.  I meet them there and take G home.  Perfect!

Last Saturday we had our team photos taken.  I got to meet another mom - Denise - there.  Denise asked who my child was, and I pointed out G. 

Denise (confidently): I've talked with his father.

Me (stumbling, looking around to see if there's a Black man in the room): uhhh...

Denise (trying to help me): ... your husband.

Me: uhhh...

Eventually we determine that she has talked with Mr. Peter.  i.e. My 19-year-old babysitter.  i.e. NOT my husband!  Seriously?

This Saturday G had his first game.  G invited everyone under the sun, but the only person able to come was Joseph's dad.  He got to witness a thrilling game.  Interestingly, G - normally so very bold - was not.  He'd kind of jog over to the ball and then let someone else kick it.  He enjoyed playing but didn't seem to fully grasp the purpose or the competitive aspect.

Joseph's dad left a bit early and Denise caught my eye.

Me (helpfully): He's not my husband either.

Denise (confidently): But he is G's dad.  Well, obviously.

Me: No.  But he is my other son's dad.

Conclusion - G is currently the weakest link on his team.  I'm not much more solid among the moms.  But we are both enjoying soccer!

Promise from God

Yet another of my favorite promises in the Bible:
"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust."

Ps 103:13-14

God's Promises

Here are some amazing thoughts from L.B. Cowman's book Streams in the Desert:

Do as you promised...that your name will be great forever. (1 Chronicles 17:23-24)

On some occasions, and this was one in the life of David, we are fully persuaded that what we are asking is in accordance with God's will.  We feel led to select and plead a promise from the pages of Scripture, having been specially impressed that it contains a message for us.  At these times, we may say with confident faith, "Do as you promised."

Hardly any stance could be more completely beautiful, strong, or safe than that of putting your finger on a promise of God's divine Word and then claiming it.  Doing so requires no anguish, struggle, or wrestling but simply presenting the check and asking for cash.  It is as simple as producing the promise and claiming its fulfillment....

Every promise of Scripture is a letter from God, which we may plead before Him with this reasonable request: "Do as you promised."...

It is the everlasting faithfulness of God that makes a Bible promise "very great and precious" (2 Peter 1:4).  Human promises ar often worthless, and many broken promises have left broken hearts.  But since the creation of the world, God has never broken a single promise to one of His trusting children.
 

Promise from God

Another of my favorite promises in the Bible:

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results."

James 5:16b

People are Interesting

Alternate title: "I joined a Book Club!"

My neighbor invited me to join a Book Club that she's launching.  Of course, I had to join because it provided a chance to meet my neighbors from all the way down the street!  Big opportunity!

I have interesting neighbors.

One favorite was the lady who queried the group: "Does anyone here like to read?"  I raised my hand.  She promptly declared: "You need to get a life!"

Fascinating.  I'd known her for 30 minutes and she felt comfortable mocking me for being a reader.

At Book Club.

After she'd shared that she'd just come from her bowling competition.

Where she came in last place.

I did think to suggest that she read a good book like "Bowling for Dummies."

But - don't worry.  I kept my mouth closed.  And silently thanked God for interesting people - and Book Clubs.

Faith

Yet another great excerpt from L.B. Cowman's book Streams in the Desert:

As long as you are waiting, hoping, or looking, you are not believing.  You may have hope or an earnest desire, but that is not faith, for "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Heb 11:1).  The command regarding believing prayer is: "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24).  We are to believe that we have received - this present moment....

True faith relies on God and believes before seeing....

Faith that believes it will see, will keep us from becoming discouraged.  We will laugh at seemingly impossible situations while we watch with delight to see how God is going to open a path through our Red Sea.

Babysitter Trauma

Of all life's events, the WORST is looking for a new babysitter.

I know that "worst" might be an exaggeration, but not by much.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

- Must be completely reliable with excellent character.

- Must have strength for physical restraint when necessary.  And - must have superhuman self control for the same.

- Must have respect and affection for my child, spending time with him, consistently demonstrating care for him, regardless of the previous point.

- Must have patience and consistency.  And also creativity.

Babysitter will work many hours, for less-than-stellar pay.

Doesn't seem very likely, does it?

I remind myself that, against all odds, God brought us Amazing Mr. Jim, followed by Amazing Mr. Peter.  Both of them have been unbelievable gifts to us, Mr. Peter for the past 1 1/2 years. 

Does yet another miraculously Amazing babysitter exist?  Stay tuned.

Promise from God

Here's another of my favorite promises in the Bible:

"I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age.  I made you, and I will care for you.  I will carry you along and save you."

Isaiah 46:4

Best Hiring Story Ever*

 

(*Not including the crazy interview that my coworker Emily & I once did.  That was the All Time Insanely Best Hiring Story Ever)

 

 

Joseph has been job searching.

 

Yesterday he walked into a local donut shop.  He picked up an application and returned it later in the day.  The lady glanced at it for literally two seconds and told him to come back at 6am today wearing blue jeans and a white shirt.

 

Me: “Huh?”

 

Joseph: “That’s what she said.”

 

Me: “What?”

 

Joseph: “I think I have a job.”

 

Me: “It must be an interviewing tactic.  She probably gets a lot of questionable applicants, so this is her screen.  If someone can’t get to the interview on time, wearing what she told them to wear, then she can easily rule them out.”

 

Joseph: “Maybe.”

 

This morning he arrived there at 6am wearing blue jeans and a white shirt.

 

Joseph: “Is there an interview?”

 

Lady: “No, I looked at your application.”

 

Training consisted of a five minute introduction to the various coffee machines, and then they were busy, and he was working!

 

His coworkers were nice, the supervisor congratulated him on doing a good job, and he really liked it!

 

Me: “Soooo.. what’s next?”

 

Joseph: “She told me to be there at 6am tomorrow.”

 

Only Joseph.

 

In My House Today

We have homemade
- Zucchini bread
- Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
- Chocolate cookies, some of which were used to make a crust for...
- Cheesecake with a raspberry sauce

Sadly gone are last week's
- Maple scones
- Cinnamon rolls
- Espresso brownies
- Carrot cake

Before those we had....

Joseph has been baking.

And cooking.

But I'll tortue you with that list another day.

Sustenance

Here's another great excerpt from L.B. Cowman's book Streams in the Desert:

(the underlining is mine)

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil 4:4)

It is a good thing to "rejoice in the Lord."  Perhaps you have tried it but seemed to fail at first.  Don't give it a second thought, and forge ahead.  Even when you cannot feel any joy, there is no spring in your step, nor any comfort or encouragment in your life, continue to rejoice and "consider it pure joy" (James 1:2).  "Whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2), regard it as joy, delight in it, and God will reward your faith.  Do you believe that your heavenly Father will let you carry the banner of His victory and joy to the very front of the battle, only to calmly withdraw to see you captured or beaten back by the enemy?  NEVER!  His Holy Spirit will sustain you in your bold advance and fill your heart with gladness and praise.  You wil find that your heart is exhilarated and refreshed by the fullness within.

G is on a Soccer Team!

G has his first 2 practices behind him, so he is our new confident soccer expert.

Yesterday a friend asked G if he is good at passing the ball.

No, we just kick our own ball.

But when you play a game and there's only one ball on the field and you need to get it to your teammates - Are you good at passing the ball over?

(Firmly and patiently:)  No.  Everybody has their own ball.  You only kick your own ball.

...Which is true.  In both of his practices, the kids do all of the drills individually, using their own balls.  So - G doesn't know that in a game they'll be sharing a ball.

First game is a week from Saturday.

It's going to be great!

Promise from God

One of my favorite promises in the Bible:

"Trust me in your times of trouble,
and I will rescue you,
and you will give me glory."

Psalm 50:15

Library Planning with G

Remember that book about the dragon and the princess? 

The book our friends sent to you?

No.  Not that book.  The dragon's name was....  The dragon's name was....  I don't remember.

St George and the Dragon?

No.  Not that book.  The dragon said....  The dragon said....  I don't remember.
Can we get that book?

Peace

I've been appreciating L.B. Cowman's Streams in the Desert.  Here's an excerpt worth sharing:

God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. (Psalm 46:5 NASB)

Will not be moved - what an inspiring declaration!  Is it possible for us who are so easily moved by earthly things to come to a point where nothing can upset us or disturb our peace?  The answer is yes, and the apostle Paul knew it.  When he was on his way to Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit warned him that "prison and hardships" (Acts 20:23) awaited him.  Yet he could triumphantly say, "But none of these things move me" (Acts 20:24 KJV).

Everything in Paul's life and experience that could be disturbed had already been shaken, and he no longer considered his life or any of his possessions as having any earthly value.  And if we will only let God have His way with us, we can come to the same point.  Then, like Paul, neither the stress and strain of little things nor the great and heavy trials of life will have enough power to move us from "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" (Phil 4:7).  God declares this peace to be the inheritance of those who have learned to rest only on Him.

Dinner Conversation with G

I like airports.

Why do you like airports, G?

Dat’s where da airplanes are. (duh)

Is there somewhere that you’d like to go?

I would like to go to China.

Why?

To see da people.

To see Chinese people?

Yes.  To see da China people.

And what would you do there?

Wewl, if dere’s war, den I can help.

How would you help?

I get a sword and I poke people.

(Feel like I should clarify that he's imagining helping Chinese people, not fighting against them.  And also that I should clarify that I have No Idea why he started talking about this.  We've been reading about the American Revolutionary War and also about medieval times, so maybe he's coming from that?  But - really - Who could ever understand the mind of this child?)

Silver Cadillac Escalade

G is saving up his money.  The decision has been made.  Nothing but the Escalade will do.

 

It all began at the park.  G and another boy played together for a while.  Then the boy indicated that his dad should get something from their car. 

 

Out came a giant remote controlled monster truck.

 

The boy started driving it.  G stood, rapt, tracking every move. 

 

Time passes.  Periodically, the dad asks the son, “Do you want to let G have a turn now?”  G waits, full of anticipation.  The boy keeps driving.  Every now and then, the dad comments to me “He’s at that egocentric age” or “We’re hoping he learns to share soon.”  Then – “Do you want to let G have a turn now?”  The boy keeps driving.

 

I understand that disaster is very very close.  It’s time for G and me to leave the park.  I announce: “5 more minutes!”

 

“Do you want to let G have a turn now?”  The boy keeps driving.

 

“Ok, G.  Time’s up.  We have to go.”

 

I am prepared for what’s next – running away, yelling, defiance.

 

Instead, G places his hand in mine and we turn toward our car.  We make it halfway when G begins to sob – anguished heartbreak.  He continues walking  (oh what progress we’ve made!), sobbing.  I don’t know how long it lasts.  6-year-old devastation.  And incredulity.  It would never occur to G not to share.  Truly.  The meanness rocks him.

 

At home, G asks me, “That dad – where did he say dat monster truck came from?”

 

"There’s a store called Toys R Us….”  Three years in the USA and I’ve withheld the knowledge of Toys R Us from him.  Until now.

 

An excursion was planned.  That store is insanity.  Right?

 

G loved the vehicles aisles (yes. plural.).  He found a great remote controlled monster truck.

 

But everything else faded when we got to the battery-powered kid-sized vehicle aisle.  G sat in every car.  Each next car was THE car for him.  Until he spotted the Silver Cadillac Escalade.  Done.  Not even the police car would sway him.  The Escalade would be his ride.

 

The fact that it cost over $300?  “Das ok cause I can save my money.”

 

The fact that G earns $1-$2 per week?  “Das ok cause I can save.”

 

The fact that we have no garage to keep it in?  “Das ok cause Joey (next door neighbor) has a garage and I can park it there.”

 

The fact that our neighbors have no extra room in their garage?  “Das ok.  I find a place.”

 

The quest has begun.  I’ll keep you posted.

 

p.s. If you happen to be G's grandmother, please do NOT send over a Silver Cadillac Escalade.  Unless you send a garage with it.  Thank you.