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!