We're Back!

Well, we are back. It is good to be home again. We had fun but it's time to return to our home.
Sunday we had much of the day to sightsee. The USS Midway is stationed right at the harbor of San Diego and is open as a museum. We toured it for about 4 hours and I'm not sure we hit everything. It is a huge aircraft carrier that was retired after Desert Storm. I really have an appreciation for the servicemen and women who defend our country! Thank you, Thank you for all you do. The Midway had a crew of 4,500, they served 13,500 meals daily and the deck where the planes landed is 4 acres. It was amazing!

Monday while Glenn was in meetings, I walked to Horton Plaza, an open-air shopping mall that is 7 stories! While I was there a woman asked me for money. She said -"It's not for alcohol or drugs, it's for food!" I gave her a dollar, but as I did a guy that was walking by, "Hhrrump." Was this lady telling me the truth, was it a lie? I said a silent prayer for her as I walked away. I kept hearing from the Bible -"what you do for the least of these..." But there were so many homeless people! I couldn't give them all money, I was crying out to God on their behalf. The temperature was about 57 and the average is 70 degrees, which makes it better to be homeless there I suppose. But as I walked back there were more people gathered and being from my sheltered life, I was scared by myself. I found out later there was a "tent city" nearby. My eyes were opened and I was deeply humbled for all the blessings that I have been given.

Tuesday, Glenn was out early so we walked to Seaport Village, a shopping area right on the habor. Then we took a trolley ride about the city for about 2 hours. We saw Coronodo Island, the ocean, Old Town, the Gaslamp section of town. It was fun to see the whole downtown of the city and to hear the history about it.

My kids are glad to have us home. Grant got the flu on Sunday night, I am so sorry my mom had to deal with that and with homework. Homework is the pits when grandma has to have that burden too. I am glad to be back and thankful that I went. I will post pictures later!

Regrouping in San Diego

Well, the time has come. Glenn and I leave today for San Diego. I am somewhat anxious about going and leaving my kids. I always get this. My mind goes to what would happen to them without me... but I think that is satan taking advantage of my fears. So I boldly say, Stop. God will care for them even better than I. God will provide for them. Grandma will be with them so I know they will have fun!
So I am looking forward to spending time with my husband. We can even have a real date! Sometimes as moms and dads you just need to regroup together and go forward. It is so important to take care of yourself as you are parenting, and sometimes that means taking a break, having a date, spending time alone.
I am not sure what we are going to do in San Diego but what ever it is it will be done together. Except when Glenn is in his meetings, then I will just have to lie around and read one of my many books I have brought along :)! San Diego temperature is about 57-65 degrees, not real warm but compared to here last week - it is an 80 degree difference! It will be balmy there!

God is so good! It is Friday and I have been busy all week! Lord, let me know what you want me to do!

Empty Nest

I thought I would be crying in my soup today. Cole started full time kindergarten today. I feel like I'm going through mini-empty nest syndrome. I am searching for my role as some of my identity is changed. But I am surprisingly not crying. God is good and holding me up. Maybe it's because of all the good talks I heard on Saturday. Or the crying I did on Friday, when my husband hugged me and said,"God will keep you busy." So I guess I am waiting for my God to give me direction on what He has in store for me. But I got to tell you a story.

Thursday was Cole's last day off. I told him that I had a dentist appointment and then we could do whatever he wanted to do and go out to eat where he wanted to go. He asks, "Even McDonald's?" I said, "Even McDonald's, or we could see if dad could get off for lunch and go to Stone Soup or Cedar Rock because they have french fries, too." Cole asks, "Do you have any of that left over spaghetti left?" I said that I did. Cole,"Well, then dad can have that and we can go to McDonald's." LOL. McDonald's rates pretty high in this house!

My thoughts on Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.



Do not be anxious about anything.
Lord, does that mean everything?

Do not be anxious about anything
But Lord, I have this tendency to worry about things

I know, Do not be anxious about anything
But Lord, what really does anxious mean - I can worry right?

Do not be anxious about anything. Anxious means to be troubled with cares.
But Lord, I don't know how to do this.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
But Lord, what does that mean, don't you get tired of hearing all my junk? Aren't you sick of all the garbage that I bring to you?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,(having childlike confidence by representing prayer as the heart's conversion with God) with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Ok, Lord, I think it's becoming a little clearer. I can not be anxious or be troubled with cares, worry about anything, and with everything I need to pray and have a heart to heart conversation with you like a child. Children have such a great faith because they don't doubt anything and will pray about everything - I get it Lord. Help me to put it into practice!

Yea for Grant!

Did I tell you my son is in wrestling? Yes, his father and I know nothing but he is pursuing the sport. Well, there was a meet last night. It was the second-ever meet for Grant and the excitement was tense! He did so well, he did his best. The first meet it was like he did not know what to do; but this meet he really tried hard! I am so proud of him! He got 4th out of 4, but it's the greatest 4th Place finish ever, because he tried so hard!

He is having fun, but sometimes it's hard to watch, I don't want him to get hurt! But I have to look at it from his eyes. A friend of mine asked of the last match - "Well, Grant how did you do wrestling?"

Grant - "Great, I got 4th place!"

Friend - "Well, how many kids where there?"

Grant - "There were 100's of kids." LOL

Friend - "How many did you have to wrestle?"

Grant - "Three other kids." (The meet runs in brackets, where each kid wrestles 3 others and then they all get placed -1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th and get a trophy. ) Grant was proud of his 4th place finish and I need to be too!

My son is a wrestler and he got 4th place! Gotta love it!

Comfort

You know I was thinking - if I can feel so protective of my sons and hurt with the deepest hurt there is for them - How much more does my Father in Heaven hurt for me. You know the hurt that I am talking about - the one where the lump in your throat grows and grows, and tears well up in your eyes and you're mad at the same time? God, my Abba, feels this pain when I am hurting too. Wow, who would not want that God, who would want something else than a relationship with an awesome God that you can crawl up into His lap and be comforted! What a blessing. I gave my son to God to help him - because I can't. I need to do this daily, I really do. I am writing it down.

Hurts

It breaks my heart when I watch my sons struggle. But what if they are struggling at something that they like doing? When do you step in as a parent and say that is enough. I watched my son at practice today, he did not get picked as a partner. He stood in the middle and looked around, looking lost. I just about sat down and cried right then and there. Is is my pride that it hurt so much that no one wanted to be his partner; or mother-bear instinct; or just hurt because I know what it feels like? I know that he is not very good at the sport but he is my kid, I love him, I want to protect him. What do you want me to teach him, Lord, what do you want me to learn? Please protect him and his tender heart. Give me the words that are from you that will encourage him and give him what he needs.

New Year and Anniversaries!

Happy New Year! May you all have a blessed New Year and peace and happiness in this coming year.
On the Dec 29 was Glenn and my anniversary! Happy 18th, Honey! We had ice the day before our wedding which made the luminaries really look pretty! I can't believe that it has been 18 years, seems so short and yet a lifetime! I can't imagine spending it with anyone else! Love you! We spent the day at a wrestling tournament in the morning and then at friends at night. We are getting away just the two of us late January! I can't wait - San Diego here we come. Glenn has meetings and I am going along for the ride!
Best wishes to all this new year!