Okay...so it's been awhile since I've shared anything about life around here...my friend Heather recently said it best, and I will echo that: There's been lots on my mind and lots on my plate, and I just haven't wanted to share it with the world...
However, to those of you who have been wondering, our family is going to stay in Kansas and in our sweet, cozy townhouse. It doesn't make any much sense to uproot and go to Colorado at this time as a Chiropractic Graduate cannot work under a licensed practitioner's license in the state of Colorado, (but they can in Kansas.) In Colorado, Joe would have to work as a Chiropractic Assistant until he obtains his license, and they make only a few dollars per hour and the practice out there is only open 28 hrs. a week. It's a no-brainer. We simply can't afford to do that. So...we are in a new stage. We'll get jobs, and he'll continue in the fall to obtain his license...
...and life goes on...
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Word of the day
FORBEARANCE
for-bear verb,to hold back, to wait, to refrain from
for-bear-ance adjective,the act of refraining from anything, self-restraint
Anyone out there ever find themselves in the whirlpool of
strife and contention? Sibling-rivalry, unruly neighbors, natural-born enemies...I know we all have them. Ooooh..I hate that!
Offense.
Defense.
Darn it all. Can't we all just get along?
Why is it so difficult to always be kind and unfailingly follow the great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself, and love one another, love your enemies, no matter what?!
Where's the default button that reads, "Love"?
(Should be as easy as that after all the opportunities I've had to exercise this concept!)
How overpowering is your urge to strike out and go with
FIRST REACTIONS?
WELL-
Forbearance is NOT a sign of weakness...
...it IS something I need to work on more.
So, for today's meditation:
D&C 98:23-27
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Today's "Red Bull"
Isaiah 40:28-31
Contemplating this will get me through the day today.
And Joe will be HOME at 3am Friday.
AAAHHH...
Friday, April 2, 2010
Perspective 101
I just got home from the library...and I thought I was having a hard time this afternoon.
You probably don't really need or want to hear it, but the demands of motherhood seemed to be pulling me in four directions this afternoon. The toddler was a nap-deprived wreck. The three older children had been home from school today, changing the typical routine. We had already been to the library a little earlier; I had stopped by and let my oldest go in and gather a stash of entertainment for the weekend. While he perused the library, I thought it would be a good opportunity for the crabby toddler to nod off as we waited in the quiet van. Oh no. After a long 20 minute wait...no such luck. Upon returning home, one of my daughters immediately began asking (nagging) me to make and deliver an important time-sensitive something-or-other for her friend. So you can imagine I was less-than-thrilled when the oldest son informed me that one of his DVD's of choice was not working and would need to be exchanged before the (early) Friday closing of the library. Then the other daughter began to let her negative opinion on the subject be known to all...Oh, yes. I snapped fiercely. And then felt rotten.
So, there I moped, saddened by my inadequacies and shortcomings...in the libray parking lot, waiting again (only this time, our little man decided he'd finally take some time out for a <5pm> snooze. Just great.) I began wondering just how late he'd be up tonight, and at what magical hour I would get to sleep. Poor me.
It was then I noticed a short, balding man coming out of the library. He wore a T-shirt that read, "I'm not dead yet."
He had NO ARMS.
As he marched in front of me at the cross walk, I heard the jingling of keys with every step. Odd, I thought, he had keys on a cord around his ankle. In awe, I watched him continue to march toward a sweet, slick and shiny midnight blue Camry. Would you believe it? He took the keys off his ankle, put them in the keyhole, unlocked his car door, got in, shut the door, and drove off...using ONLY his FEET.
I teared up...
Lesson learned.
You probably don't really need or want to hear it, but the demands of motherhood seemed to be pulling me in four directions this afternoon. The toddler was a nap-deprived wreck. The three older children had been home from school today, changing the typical routine. We had already been to the library a little earlier; I had stopped by and let my oldest go in and gather a stash of entertainment for the weekend. While he perused the library, I thought it would be a good opportunity for the crabby toddler to nod off as we waited in the quiet van. Oh no. After a long 20 minute wait...no such luck. Upon returning home, one of my daughters immediately began asking (nagging) me to make and deliver an important time-sensitive something-or-other for her friend. So you can imagine I was less-than-thrilled when the oldest son informed me that one of his DVD's of choice was not working and would need to be exchanged before the (early) Friday closing of the library. Then the other daughter began to let her negative opinion on the subject be known to all...Oh, yes. I snapped fiercely. And then felt rotten.
So, there I moped, saddened by my inadequacies and shortcomings...in the libray parking lot, waiting again (only this time, our little man decided he'd finally take some time out for a <5pm> snooze. Just great.) I began wondering just how late he'd be up tonight, and at what magical hour I would get to sleep. Poor me.
It was then I noticed a short, balding man coming out of the library. He wore a T-shirt that read, "I'm not dead yet."
He had NO ARMS.
As he marched in front of me at the cross walk, I heard the jingling of keys with every step. Odd, I thought, he had keys on a cord around his ankle. In awe, I watched him continue to march toward a sweet, slick and shiny midnight blue Camry. Would you believe it? He took the keys off his ankle, put them in the keyhole, unlocked his car door, got in, shut the door, and drove off...using ONLY his FEET.
I teared up...
Lesson learned.
Friday, March 26, 2010
God was busy today...
(Last night's journal entry)
God was busy today...
*HE listened with a tender ear as I prayed over a list of specific needs.
*HE answered promptly with clarity.
*HE prompted a spirit-led friend to deliver a sum of money for some work I'd done for her....it was exactly what was needed to cover a checking account....she had no idea!
*HE helped a kind lawyer explain that payments could indeed be made to speed a relative towards a safer, happier life. Oh, the relief.
*Tonight, one of the children thanked God for our trials, "so we can learn lessons from our mistakes". I felt His love then, and am grateful that my children are learning gospel truths.
*My Heavenly Father was in a meeting behind closed doors today. Unbeknowngst to us, a certain hard-working intern was a topic of discussion. Needs this month will be met. Gratitude abounds.
*Did you know that our Father in Heaven loves Boy Scouts? I didn't. But, HE was at a Pack Meeting tonight. Jake received his Arrow of Light award, and work pays off for everyone involved. I received a much-needed testimony of the importance of Boy Scouts for this particular son. I'm thankful for Spirit-led leaders, too.
*HIS Mighty Hand was there when the keys got locked in my van. Helpful neighbors came to my rescue. One offered a phone number, resulting in the prompt arrival of our maintenance man to let me into my house to fetch my spare keys. The inconvenience was short-lived. (If you've ever lived in OP Estates, you know that "maintenance" and "prompt" are rarely in the same sentence.)
*I saw God at work late this evening, helping the Kansas State Wildcats advance to the Elite Eight!
*And did you notice what He did outside just today? Oh my goodness. Blossoms are popping out, and buds are coming to the surface. And that lucious green grass--- oh. so. vibrant. But, best of all, gray skies be gone! The sunshine and warmer temps feed my soul.
He loves ME. He did all this for ME. God was busy today.
God was busy today...
*HE listened with a tender ear as I prayed over a list of specific needs.
*HE answered promptly with clarity.
*HE prompted a spirit-led friend to deliver a sum of money for some work I'd done for her....it was exactly what was needed to cover a checking account....she had no idea!
*HE helped a kind lawyer explain that payments could indeed be made to speed a relative towards a safer, happier life. Oh, the relief.
*Tonight, one of the children thanked God for our trials, "so we can learn lessons from our mistakes". I felt His love then, and am grateful that my children are learning gospel truths.
*My Heavenly Father was in a meeting behind closed doors today. Unbeknowngst to us, a certain hard-working intern was a topic of discussion. Needs this month will be met. Gratitude abounds.
*Did you know that our Father in Heaven loves Boy Scouts? I didn't. But, HE was at a Pack Meeting tonight. Jake received his Arrow of Light award, and work pays off for everyone involved. I received a much-needed testimony of the importance of Boy Scouts for this particular son. I'm thankful for Spirit-led leaders, too.
*HIS Mighty Hand was there when the keys got locked in my van. Helpful neighbors came to my rescue. One offered a phone number, resulting in the prompt arrival of our maintenance man to let me into my house to fetch my spare keys. The inconvenience was short-lived. (If you've ever lived in OP Estates, you know that "maintenance" and "prompt" are rarely in the same sentence.)
*I saw God at work late this evening, helping the Kansas State Wildcats advance to the Elite Eight!
*And did you notice what He did outside just today? Oh my goodness. Blossoms are popping out, and buds are coming to the surface. And that lucious green grass--- oh. so. vibrant. But, best of all, gray skies be gone! The sunshine and warmer temps feed my soul.
He loves ME. He did all this for ME. God was busy today.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wading and waiting...
Well, Joe is off to Colorado Springs today for the very last leg of his internship with Atlas Chiropractic.
Only 3 weeks left. He's been out there since the first week of January, and he's completely enjoyed the work out there. The doctors are welcoming, helpful, and they are teaching him more than he dared hope. The practice is his high-energy, high-volume style. And he loves being in the mountains. He's been able to come home every 2-3 weeks, so the separation has been manageable. The most difficult part for Joe has been the sheer loneliness during his abundant down time (the office is only open 3 1/2 days a week). But even that has worked out to his benefit so he could study diligently for his Board exams! The worst part for me has been ridiculous anxiety about our financial future, and the humility of realizing I'm being ridiculous! (See Matt. 6...HE watches over the sparrows, and clothes the lillies of the field. Are we not more than they?)
So as with every other stage of our life, we have been offered some trials to help us learn and grow as well as sweet, sweet blessings that prove that we are not in control, and our Father in Heaven still has our best interests at heart and He will make sure those deep desires are granted!!
Everyone asks me all the time what our plans are. I wish I had a more clear-cut answer to give. But, we just have to WAIT right now. We stare at our list of exciting and not-so-exciting options, and WAIT. We have work to do, and lessons to learn and to improve upon in the interim. Lessons like humility, endurance, trust, patience, time-management, gratitude, partnership, self-reliance, optimism, and striving to always do our best even in challenging circumstances....
Admittedly, some of these lessons make me feel like I am WADING through a stinky, mucky bog on the way to my destination. It's not easy, fun nor pleasant. "Bogs" are on the map, you know. They should not come as a surprise. I was forewarned. But even when adequately prepared, WADING through is just plain tedious.
Joy in the journey!?! Surprisingly, yes! Of course! I'm moving forward, and I know the road continues on the other side of this bog. There is an end. The map says so! And for this particular bog, that end is in sight.
So, that is where you will find us for awhile longer....WAITING and WADING...
Only 3 weeks left. He's been out there since the first week of January, and he's completely enjoyed the work out there. The doctors are welcoming, helpful, and they are teaching him more than he dared hope. The practice is his high-energy, high-volume style. And he loves being in the mountains. He's been able to come home every 2-3 weeks, so the separation has been manageable. The most difficult part for Joe has been the sheer loneliness during his abundant down time (the office is only open 3 1/2 days a week). But even that has worked out to his benefit so he could study diligently for his Board exams! The worst part for me has been ridiculous anxiety about our financial future, and the humility of realizing I'm being ridiculous! (See Matt. 6...HE watches over the sparrows, and clothes the lillies of the field. Are we not more than they?)
So as with every other stage of our life, we have been offered some trials to help us learn and grow as well as sweet, sweet blessings that prove that we are not in control, and our Father in Heaven still has our best interests at heart and He will make sure those deep desires are granted!!
Everyone asks me all the time what our plans are. I wish I had a more clear-cut answer to give. But, we just have to WAIT right now. We stare at our list of exciting and not-so-exciting options, and WAIT. We have work to do, and lessons to learn and to improve upon in the interim. Lessons like humility, endurance, trust, patience, time-management, gratitude, partnership, self-reliance, optimism, and striving to always do our best even in challenging circumstances....
Admittedly, some of these lessons make me feel like I am WADING through a stinky, mucky bog on the way to my destination. It's not easy, fun nor pleasant. "Bogs" are on the map, you know. They should not come as a surprise. I was forewarned. But even when adequately prepared, WADING through is just plain tedious.
Joy in the journey!?! Surprisingly, yes! Of course! I'm moving forward, and I know the road continues on the other side of this bog. There is an end. The map says so! And for this particular bog, that end is in sight.
So, that is where you will find us for awhile longer....WAITING and WADING...
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Winter Band Concert
This year, Jacob joined Band at his school and has learned to play the trumpet! I have to say, he's a natural. He learned quickly and easily, (astounding his parents, for sure). So, his band gave a Winter Concert performance, and I especially enjoyed learning the fact that he chose to learn the more challenging harmony part for "Jingle Bells". I walked away from the concert proud of him.
Here is a portion of his practice session before the concert...As a side note, Jake rarely spends any time practicing at home. You may be able to figure out why in this video! (And all the more reason I'm impressed with Jake's skills!) :)
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