What I Learned Yesterday

This is what I learned at Coventry this week.

I am not in this world for myself.
Others need my smile, hug, and pat on the back.
I will look around and see how I can be a blessing.
I can make a difference in someone's life every day.

I don't know if they know it, but they bless me greatly. Their hearts are so big.

During Circle Time someone shared that a friend's 18 year old son had been in a car wreck over the weekend and was now a paraplegic. He was a freshman in college and on the soccer team. She asked for prayer for him and his parents. Our wheelchair bound Star's heart broke open and she wept as she prayed about the changes and challenges in this boy's life.

As I listened to these sweet people talk to God, I couldn't help but think that He must lean in extra close to hear their honest prayers. It must make His heart sing to listen to them.

I got to hang out with "Sneaky Pete" on Thursday. Of course, that isn't his real name, but he is supposed to be working on the muscle coordination in his right hand and arm and when I would turn my head he would sneak up his left hand and use it. He laughed at my nickname for him and gave me "head hugs" and you haven't lived til you've had a "head hug".

Jay asked me how Corinn was doing and if she was going to visit that day. I was shocked he remembered her name. When I told Corinn she laughed and said her teachers didn't even know her name. He told me he would take me on Superman at Six Flags. I said I didn't like to wait in lines and he said I wouldn't have to wait in line if I was with him because he is handicapped and can go to the front of the line. I asked him if he would hold my hand and he said "yes." I asked if he would scream like a girl and he said "no." I said that I would. That made everyone laugh.

I'm looking forward to next week. Wonder what I'll learn then.

Tired of the Parties

This is how I feel about the political party conventions:

Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in their nostrils;
For why should he be esteemed?
Isaiah 2:22

Hurricanes and Haiti

This is from Aaron Ivey's blog. You can read the entire thing here. This is the part that jumped out at me.

so many have been kind to call/email/text us about how our kids are doing with all the storms and flooding. (it is a humbling thing to know that people around the country are thinking and praying for our kids in Haiti). They are both fine and safe. We communicated with Licia and Lori today. we definitley got the scope of how rough things are there right now. the MAJOR problem right now is lack of drinking water. the flooding has washed out all of the water pipes which brings in fresh water to the village and mission. there are no supplies to fix these pipes, so when their reserve supplies of fresh water run out, they are in trouble. they can’t drink the water from the overflowing rivers because it is filled with “dirty” water (contaminated). Licia is doing everything she can to conserve, collect rain water, and limit washing clothes and diapers. she says her food supply will be ok, but major concern is water.

How is your water supply today?

Glass Floor

The Glass Floor has been broken. Most people hit a glass ceiling, but I was having trouble going down. Now, only 30 more pounds to go. I still weigh more than I did nine months pregnant with any of my kids.

Diving In

I've decided to dive into Isaiah. Before I just splashed around here and there, but now, I'm going for a Laura Wilkinson platform dive. The kind that forces you to go deep. Jesus for President and Justice In The Burbs finally got me to climb up the tall ladder.

This is the passage that got to me this morning:

Where will you be stricken again,
As you continue to your rebellion?
The whole head is sick,
And the whole heart is faint.
From the sole of the foot even to the head
There is nothing sound in it...

My rebellion is continuous. It affects every part of me and causes pain for those around me. I need to get well.

Cooking with Clay

I mean my son, not stiff, sticky fine-grained earth. He made the chipotle rub for the chicken. We cooked it so there was a choice of pan-fried or baked thighs.

Clay liked it so much he ate two pieces of chicken. Of course, he chose the pan-fried version.

I Got A Letter

I got my first letter from four-year old Grabiela. She writes she is attending church with her brother who is learning pantomime.

I have no idea what that means, but I love it.

Go to Compassion and find a child to sponsor. Then you can get a special letter from your sponsored child.