I write therefore I blog

Aimless ramblings about the happenings of late

I got to spend some much appreciated time with Shannon this past week. She took the week to go visit our Grandmother in the Lubbock area and ended up passing through here before and after her trip. I was actually able to spend some time with her that was less hurried than her last trip. Of course, 'hurried' has taken on a whole new meaning lately... It was good to see her, nonetheless. Jealous?

Jaron graduated from Kindergarten, finished his first ever season of tee ball, and turned 6 years old all in the same week. It was quite a busy week for my little man! He's growing up so quickly these days. We had a small birthday party at the house and he has now become the leading authority on all things Lego's.

Avery is as delightful one moment as she is rotten the next. I think that's precisely the way my little girl should behave - just ask my mother. She is a capable, bossy, opinionated, and squishy sweet princess. I re-decorated her bedroom recently to her taste and not necessarily to my own. She has these ideas that she's already a big girl and that she should get a say in these things, so we went for a more mature look in her bedroom. Aren't these things supposed to happen somewhere between 8-10 years old?? She's 4 and feisty, that one!

Work is seeming less and less like work and more and more like ministry. That, in itself, is refreshing. In my vast experience of a little over two months as a Children's Director, I have learned a lot. I feel I have grown a lot. Most of what I have learned tells me I still have a lot to learn. There's a lot going on this summer between PCE Camp, Summer Camp, VBS, Working 2 other VBS's, Kids' Night Outs 2X a month, working a Chrysalis, and handling all the other day-to-day stuff that comes with the job - I am going to be in real 'teacher' shock by the end of the summer.

But I am grateful. I am grateful that God has surrounded me by such a sea of caring, genuine Christian brothers and sisters. I am beyond grateful for the wise and God-fearing man that is my boss and pastor. He has acted in ways to protect me that I cannot even imagine and I find myself endlessly appreciative.

I am thankful that things appear to be shaping up for us. This is going to be the very first year in our nearly 7 year marriage that 'even on paper' we will make it financially and then some. I am learning about generosity in ways I hadn't thought possible in our limited financial scope prior to now.

My children are witnessing their parents worship - together. So grateful.

No - not everything is going exactly according to plan. We have had some hiccups lately - hiccups that might have been big, life altering events in the past.
But we have peace. God has taken care of us. God will take care of us.

So many things have changed. In some ways, I still struggle with the feeling that my life is deficient in some areas. Just when I feel like I've got one area fine-tuned, I have to turn around and pull weeds in another.
I have not yet mastered the art of balance. Try as I might, my self keeps getting in the way.
Wifely things, motherly things, necessary things, personal things - just seem to choke out any and all need for anything over and above that which MUST be tended to.

However, above it all, I am grateful for the opportunities that God has extended my way. To think that after all the (as a friend put it) left-turns I have taken in life that I would ever be in a position to have a devoted husband, two amazing children, and this awesome mantle of responsibility to introduce and disciple children toward God is utterly mind-boggling!

God continues to surprise and bless in ways my earthly mind cannot imagine.
And I am Grateful.