From Igneous Rocks to Diamonds

           

In case you aren't familiar with the process of how diamonds are formed, let me give you a brief overview: Contrary to what we have all been told, diamonds are not created from coal (according to geology.com's article "How Do Diamonds Form" and the less reliable but still cool-to-know information from Minecraft,) but instead, most are created from igneous rock located approximately 90 miles below the earth's surface.  Now, the extreme pressure and the high temperature that we've all been told about is still needed, but there are a couple of other factors that are necessary before our final products (those beautiful, expensive diamonds) are created.  There must be temperatures of at least 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, extreme pressure, STABILITY, and forceful volcanic ERUPTIONS before we can even BEGIN to look for our beauties.  Other methods for diamond formation include plate tectonic processes, earthly asteroid impacts, and meteorite collisions in space (see referenced article above for more information about these processes)--all of which still require high temperatures and extreme pressures for formation.  *My nerd-self is super excited about this short lesson in geology, by the way!* 

So, what does this all have to do with Paths of Purpose?  Does this really relate to being the Hands and Feet of Jesus?  Well, for our Crazy Crew, it definitely does.  This spring has been full of extreme pressures, and high temperatures, and (attempts at) stability, and DEFINITE forceful eruptions as we have journeyed through this crazy experience called life.


When God saw fit to bless us with each of our Crazies, He had already determined what our purpose would be in regards to teaching our kids, as well as what their purpose would be in regards to teaching us--their parents.  As we have (and I'm not kidding) S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E-D through this parenting journey, Joel and I have often questioned whether we are doing the right thing; I'm 100% certain we are not the only ones who have this never-ending question.  And when your kids are involved in extracurricular activities, you REALLY question (at times) whether you have made the right decision because there are "Plot Twists" around every-stinkin'-corner.  Sometimes what you think will be, will be; other times, you get something better; but then there are those times when you get (what seems to be) the absolute worst possible outcome.  Yet, still, we hold firm that God is sovereign; and all things, whether good or bad, are ultimately for His glory.  But how do you explain that to your kids--a 9-year-old to be exact?

We used words.  

And we used actions.

It's the pressures that igneous rocks must face, and the refining fire for silver, that ultimately reveal the beauty of the creation.  It isn't until everything has settled down and cooled that you see the finished product.  Over the past few weeks, We've watched the pressure and refining that has been taking place within our 9-year-old crazy, Si-Guy, all while providing that much-needed stability in hopes that the final product will be something of beauty.  Tonight, that forceful eruption occurred and our diamond surfaced.  It is now that Joel and I know we did the right thing even though the experience cut us all (some of us more than others) pretty deep.

These days, kids don't often experience heartache and trials--we Americans tend to shelter and "protect" them too much.  It hurts like breaking your foot in a car wreck and finding out your pregnant at the same time (trust me, I have first-hand experience with this) to watch your kids learn how to deal with conflict and adversity; but MAN OH MAN is the end result worth it!!  AND the end result can't really be worth it if we parents aren't positive role models for our kids.  Just like the temperature, pressure, and stability all have to be present when creating diamonds, we too must provide our kids with the opportunity to experience conflict and adversity, the tools to work through these difficult life experiences, and the encouragement and support from the sidelines if we want that beautiful, priceless, final product from our kids.


So, for right now, Conway and I are purposefully being the hands and feet of Jesus to our kids in order to teach them how to be hands and feet to others--both now and when they are on their own. While our quiver is currently full, eventually we will shoot these little "Crazy Arrows" out into the world all the while still praying that they are continuing to be used for the glory of the Father...and hopefully we "did the right thing" in preparing them for their own crazy adventure we call "ADULTING."

Ode to My Moms

                                                         

As a mom of four little blessings, I am always in go mode.  I don't often have much down time because there's cooking, and cleaning, and washing clothes, and homework, and theater, and baseball, and softball, and hide-n-seek for my keys and glasses because the 3-year-old hasn't started extracurriculars outside of the house.  

There's settling arguments, and teaching kindness, and instruction on responding with respectable tones of voice (there's an almost teenager in the house so this one is KEY!).  

There's "where's my uniform," "can I take my lunch," "don't forget awards ceremony tomorrow," and "mom, I wet my pants."

There's watching Blaze and the Monster Machines, My Little Pony, the current seasonal sport, and Gilmore Girls.

There's losing my patience, gaining it back, losing it again, and then gaining it back once more.

There's I love you, I love you, I love you, and I love you.

I have been honored to learn about being a mom from two of the most amazing ladies I've ever known.  Most people are blessed with one mom, but I have so graciously been given two.  From these ladies, I've been taught...

• How to love unconditionally.  (I was NOT at my best during my teenage years.)
• What forgiveness is all about. (Who is okay with someone walking away from them just because of selfishness and then graciously accepts that person back with no strings attached?)
• That being a friend is important, but being a mom is more important.  
• Working to make a living is what has to be done, but there's always time for family vacations.
• If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right and worth giving it your all.
• That a mother encourages her children to tap into their God-given talents and use these talents for HIS glory.
• Mothers worry...a lot...even when you're 37 years old.
• A mother's heart grows bigger each year because of all the pride she has for her children.
• A child doesn't have to be your own "flesh and blood" for you to love them as your own.
• Moms are great for settling dads down when they often lose their patience.
• Moms are excellent interceders between dad's and daughters who are both EXTREMELY hot-headed. 
• Moms are fun to embarrass in public, but their paybacks are often more than you can take.
• If I need someone to bring me back to reality and help me stop wallowing in self-pity, all I have to do is make a phone call.

and finally, and probably the most important thing...

Moms are great at telling you that you look like a hooker if you're wearing something that's not so flattering.

I've learned so much from each of my moms, but the one thing that I know without question is that I am loved to the depths of my soul (and theirs) by each one of these ladies, and for that...I am eternally grateful.  No matter how hard I try, and no matter what I do there is no way that I could ever out love either of these precious ladies.  But I'll continue to try.

Happy Mother's Day to both of my moms.                               

Communion with The Crazies

today was our "family communion service" at church.  what a wonderful time to sing carols, worship the Savior, breathe deeply and relax from the hustle and bustle of Christmas, and share an intimate time with our church family.  what a great idea, right?   not for us.  this was a fail...total, complete, epic fail.

let me set the stage...  it was an over-cast, sunday morning and all 6 of us were ready to leave ON TIME.  this probably should have been a warning sign, but we took it as a sort of blessing.  we arrive to church ON TIME (this happens about 20% of the time...again, should have been a warning sign), and we find seats on the first row of the upper section in the theater--you know, the ones with the metal bar dividers.  the communion table is four rows below us.

the girls, smasher and i take our seats and wait for the hubs and si-guy to come in.  we begin to sing "silent night" (although not so much of a "silent sunday morning" for the littlest crazy).  soon, everyone is seated, and we are worshipping together as a family.  at this point, smasher begins to swing on the metal bars...then crawl up the stairs...then swing on the metal bars...then crawl LOUDLY up the stairs.  as i grab him, i look up and catch the eyes of a "still honeymooning" new mom--i see her fear.  i wanted to say, "yes, this is what boys are like.  this is what they DO. they MUST move."

nestled somewhat quietly on the back ramp of the theater, smasher begins to run and move.  at least his noise isn't quite so bothersome back here.  at least he can move and not distract others.  im ok with this.  im fine with walking and singing. i am wondering, however, when we will take communion together.  will the hubs come and get me?  will he just bring the bread and wine to me and we partake together as a family?  will i miss it altogether?  then i see him!  my knight, my hero, my best friend.  he's coming with miss may.  but she just has to use the bathroom.  so we tag-team.  i take her, and hubs has smasher.

upon our return, the hubs is selfless enough to tell me to go ahead and take communion while he watches smasher.  so miss may and i walk to the table.  i take the bread and the wine.  we walk back to our seats...AND THEN IT HAPPENS...

all of our church family seated in front of us, and beside us, and behind us begin to say, "Sheree!" and point...and laugh.  my heart sank as smasher began to scream and cry LOUDLY while AT THE COMMUNION TABLE.  

mortification...shear mortification (if only i could have seen that new moms face then...)

i had no idea that he had followed me...the hubs thought that i knew. 

im not exactly sure WHAT happend at the table. (did he play in the bread?  did he dump it out?  did he turn over the grape juice?  DID HE DRINK THE WINE??????)  thankfully two "soon to be parents" grabbed our littlest Crazy and met me with him.

we go back to the ramp.  the hubs takes smasher completely out of the theater.  i begin to pray...A LOT...for MANY reasons...about MANY things.  im a little teary-eyed, spending some time with The Savior...

AND THEN.........

"hey mom! can i go get some of that grape juice?  im thirsty!"

"no, son.  but you CAN go get your sisters...we are leaving."

i see quite a few teachable moments here.  theres a great deal of parenting that needs to take place.  we have a year (365 days) to practice and talk through and teach proper communion etiquette.  until then, i will take in all of the days with these little Crazies and cherish all of their adventures...even if they DO mortify me at times.  this is what family is all about...this is how memories are made.  this is where we see our purpose...