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... 

Seeking Validation

Over the past few weeks I've been struggling with this whole concept of "validation."  Often during our childhood and teenage years we look for confirmation from so many different things--friends, sports, clubs, family, academics.  As adults we are supposed to "out grow" these feelings or needs of validation, right?  I mean, at least the STRONG desires for validation, right?  Or...do our desires of validity simply switch to other, more grown -up things?


Why do we feel the need to be validated anyway?  Why are we created in this manner? Do all of us, regardless of age, struggle with this, or is it just me?  I feel so childish having these feelings and questions at the age of 35.  I mean, we seek to perform well in our jobs and activities; we all look for those "atta boys" and "atta girls," and we all like to here "job well done."  How many of us DON'T enjoy those pats on the back and words of affirmation from colleagues, bosses, family members, friends, and even STRANGERS?  But how many of us ACTIVELY SEEK validation from these people and things?  Surely I am not the only one...


I often think that I am being hypocritical because I tell my kids not to worry about what others think of them, yet I do the COMPLETE opposite of what I teach them.  Why is it so hard to "practice what we preach" to our kids?  We are supposed to be examples for them!  The Father has charged us with teaching our children to trust solely in HIM and to seek validation strictly from HIM, and we are to do the same...but it's SO...STINKIN'...HAAAAARRRRRRD!


When I was in college a few (x 5) years ago I read this verse in Colossians that I felt was perfect for that particular time in my life.  The verse goes something like this..."For you are complete in Him, the head of all principality and power." (Col 2:10 KJV)  At that time the verse was a reminder that I didn't need a significant other to make me complete; all I needed was HIM.  These days the verse takes on a completely different meaning for me as I'm struggling with this validation thing.  I tend to exchange the word "complete" with "validated" (Shhhh! Don't tell my Father-in-Law.) and rest in this truth.


Colossians 3:23-24 (KJV) reminds us "whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."  I tell my kids this quite frequently; I remind myself of this not as frequently. But regardless of what I'm doing it should be for the Lord and not for man.

                                                    

I've learned that seeking validation from The Father requires me to be quiet.  For those of you who know me, this is rather difficult!  I am NOT a quiet person; I like, no LOVE, to talk; I'm a teacher by profession. And in order for me to learn to seek validation solely from Christ I have to be quiet...THIS IS HYSTERICAL!!! And another post for another day......

Baby Blessings

Our family trusts that everything happens for a specific purpose.  In Ecclesiastes 3 we are told "for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." There's even that famous song by The Byrds that echoes this same idea ~ "To everything--turn, turn, turn; There is a season--turn, turn, turn; And a time to every purpose under heaven."

Over the past few months my "Mama heart" has been on a roller-coaster of sorts with all of these "seasons of life" and "matters under heaven." Lives flourishing, families taking root, little ones fighting so hard to be brave until the very end.  Even within my own little extended family we have had some CRA-Z "matters under heaven" that have made me question God's reasoning, cry for understanding, rejoice for new life, and laugh because His timing is definitely not ours.

As an older sister, I feel that it is my DUTY to take care of my "little sis" and tell her EVERYTHING I know.  I even like to tell her stuff that I know will make her squeamish just so I can watch her facial expressions. I derive much joy from watching "little sis" get grossed out! Here lately she's been asking a few questions that could result in REALLY GROSS answers ~ she's asking birthing questions. Hahaha!!!!  As a first time mom, "little sis" is nervous and excited.  She is anxious and at times overwhelmed.  She's got a lot on her mind and is trying to adjust to many new situations...new job, new home, new family...yep, right now for her is SUPER CRA-Z-Z (yea, that's a double 'Z' at the end to signify the intensity of the situation).  As a "fixer," I want to just get everything taken care of for her.  I want to make my lists, get everything in order, plan her LIFE, and tell her EXACTLY what to do because I obviously know the answers to everything since I've had 4 crazies and "little sis" is just now working on her first! Bahahahaha!! POSH! I don't know jack, and I simply pray each day that I haven't messed up my own kids that God has given me to shepherd.  Relinquishing control is really hard to do ~ ~ and so is keeping my mouth shut when advice has not been asked of me.  I simply want everything to be perfect for "little sis."

"Little Sis," "Big Papa," and "Baby Laird"

                                               
A few posts back (two to be exact) I made mention of my sweet "little" sister-in-law that is moving to Africa in a few weeks.  She's expecting a baby too!!  I'm SO excited about being an aunt two times in one year, but again I want to meddle.  At least for "little sis-in-law" this isn't her first go round (it's actually her 4th), so she's pretty well seasoned with this whole parenting thing.  But I mean...A-F-R-I-C-A!!  She's actually going to be having a baby...IN...AFRICA!  Like the jungle, next to giraffes and lions and hyenas and zebras and cheetahs and stuff...Ok, so not really with all of those animals; "little sis-in-law" will have great medical care thanks to the IMB (International Mission Board) but still...it's AFRICA!! Selfishly I think about not being able to hold or squish or kiss or sniff THIS little blessing for a couple of years!!

"Sweet Sis-in-Law," "Spectacular Bro-in-Law," "Sweet Baby Biscuit,"
and a Hello Kitty band-aid.

                                           
Again, I question God's timing and wonder "Why?" but trust completely in HIS perfect plan. Thankful that I am not responsible for making the big important decisions, I rest comfortably in these lyrics by Owl City..."from life's first cry, to final breath; Jesus commands my destiny."

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what was planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Flowers, Fruit, and Freaky Grasshoppers!!

The previous residents of our house were blessed with "green thumbs."  I like to try my hand at growing things, but usually my plants and flowers end up in the trash because I forget to water them OR I water them too much! (I'm very thankful that my kids are WAY more resilient than plants!) 

We call these hummingbird flowers

Pomegranate Blooms

Figs!!

a little artsy photo

I'm incredibly grateful for the abundance of color that has burst forth over the past few months. Gator, my oldest crazy, and I get really excited when we see new growth sprouting forth. (I get excited when I see new growth sprouting forth in my kids, too!) It's like a new season in my soul every time a flower blooms, and when that flower withers I get a little bummed out.  HOWEVER...I trust that new growth will burst forth again soon and with that small hope my soul rejoices again.  I'm thankful for the lessons learned from these amazing (albeit small) blessings.

As I look at the beauty our Creator has hand-crafted I can't help but wonder: "What PURPOSE do each of these things serve?"  I mean, there's the obvious answers like "flowers provide pollen for the bees to use to make honey" (and doctors to make money because there are WAY too many of us afflicted with allergies) and "fruit trees give us sustenance," but WHAT is their ULTIMATE PURPOSE?  For us, "the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever."

"baby" grasshopper

I guess for now it is sufficient for us to rest in knowing that, just like these flowers, fruit trees, and freaky grasshoppers, we serve a purpose. We are "blooming" for a specific reason and although our paths may not make sense to us (and they MAY NOT be what we had envisioned for ourselves), ultimately EVERYTHING is meant for the glory of The Father.

Lilly

Black-eyed Susans

 

Inspiration

For a few years now I've had a desire to blog. Once, I even created a blog site, wrote the first post, and then successfully DELETED the entire thing because I didn't think I was ready or capable for the entire adventure.  Recently, I've felt an urging to try this whole adventure again and so here we go...

My goal for this site is to be purposeful with my posts and allow you guys a small glimpse into our paths in life.  There are three AH-MAY-ZING ladies from whom I have gleaned inspiration for the blog (and my daily life), so I've decided to make this first post a tribute to them.

Lynn's the one in the middle. :)

                                             
First there's this fabulous mother of two who is being purposeful and adventurous in the lovely town of Yorkshire located in fantastic England.  Lynn is a kind-hearted, book-loving, photography buff who works alongside her husband teaching and shepherding others.  She is such an encouragement to me, and I am happy that she is a part of my extended family. You can check out her family's paths of purpose by visiting her blog Wherever I Am.

Katie

                                                 
Next, I must credit my FANTABULOUS sister-in-law Katie for her blogging inspiration.  She began her adventures in blogging when my nephew was just a wee one and is using the blog as a sort of scrapbook for the family. (She's even filled up the entire space for one blog and had to start another!!) This chickie is the mom to 3 (almost 4) little blessings, and she ROCKS.MY.SOCKS! Katie exudes sweet and makes everyone want to be a better person. She and my brother-in-law, along with my neices and nephew, are heading to Africa to follow the path that our Father cleared a little over a decade ago.  We hate to see them go, but we can't WAIT to visit and join them in their purposeful living.  You can check out their adventures when you visit A Glimpse of Our Vapor.

Kathryn

                                                   
Last, but certainly not least, is this amazing lady.  Kathryn mothers well and lives purposefully EVERY.DAY. Her heart is very much UNLIKE the Grinch's and, instead of being three sizes too small, is ten sizes bigger than everyone else's.  As I think about the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians there isn't ONE that she lacks! She has perfect fashion sense, perfect hair, and perfect purpose.  She's a real-life Mary Poppins--practically perfect in every way.  I can only DREAM of being like her when I grow up. The Father has blessed Kathryn with three amazing kids that she shepherds well.  Since they are all almost grown she has decided to begin her own blogging experience.  Woodbank Lane is a bit Southern and a lot classy...just like her.  She's got some delicious recipes posted, so check her out when you get a chance.