Alarm-ing

Not sure how many of you caught my little snippet about Grace crowing like rooster in her sleep. Well, she was tickled about that. While it did not make it into the dream journal, she has commenced to crowing in the mornings...a delightful sign that morning has sprung & she's ready to meet the day. However, it's not cockadoodle-doo. It is CLOCK-a-doodle-doooooo. Funny - get it? CLOCK a doodle - alarm CLOCK? Hee hee - I have got to get some sleep.


But 1st - this Sunday was truly a reprieve after some serious schooling though the week & spilling on to my weekend. Darn..these weekend courses...I mean "Thank you, God, for this scholarship award." Anyway, just a time of refreshing & consecration. I was already thinking about taking Gracie up to pray with me when Pastor Chris suggested we bring our children. This youngster is anointed for missions work - I know it; known it from the womb. So, we waiting for our turn to be prayed for and she begins to cry. Now at first, I really believe it was in response to what God was doing and then that might have scared her a bit - feeling something new. Lots of other folks were crying; obviously touched by what God was doing. But then she said "Mom, I don't want to get pointed. It might hurt." No, honey, we're not going to get pointed - but ANOINTED - meaning God's going do something really special in us. So, it took some convincing she would not be pointed OR poked by any sharpy thing. :o)



BTW, Grace said she wanted God gift of music and violinin. OK - dear, ask & you shall receive. :o)

Catch Me

Lovely day yesterday, bright with sun that warmed me inside and out. We enjoyed some park play after work and school was finished. Grace made it across the monkey bars unaided for the 1st time at our favorite Circus Park. I'm so proud of her.

Another youngster was toddling around, climbing on this and checking that out. You can tell the kids with confidence. You can tell which have parents that have safeguarded from a slight distance--within reach. Kids need space to learn, take risks and try new things--developing their confidence and "I can do it" skills - all within reach of a parent who's there waiting.

"Mom, you be ready to catch me if I fall, Ok?" I'm right here, Grace...right here waiting and within reach.

And isn't that just like our heavenly Father- waiting to catch us if we fall...supporting us in His confidence that we can do it? If we are willing to walk where He's called us, even in unfamiliar or uncertain territory or circumstances - He is there within reach, cheering us and ready to catch us if we stumble...when we stumble. Stumble we shall, yet He is there to break our fall and dust us off; maybe tend to our wounds, only to encourage us to get up and try again.

He is my confidence. He will catch me. He gives us roots and wings. I love this Mark Harris song - the video is of his family, but it's a great song. I'll do my own video someday. Until then~ Here's to roots, wings, and confidence!

Crabby Pants & Marshmellow Pie

Knowing that water soothes the cantankerous soul, I said to Grace one evening this past week "Hey, Crabby Pants, hop on into the tub." Welling up with tears, the saddest face said to me "Mom, we don't call names. I don't like it & it hurts my feelings when you call my pants crabby."

True - we don't call names - except we do. Gracie cakes, Sweetie, Honey Pie, Babeluv & a dozen others. I humbly apologized, whisking those crabby-now-sad pants toward the lavender (because it calms & relaxes) infused bath. "If you want to call me a name, mom, it needs to start with Sweetie. Like Sweetie Pie, Sweetie Cakes, Sweetie Marshmellow Pie, Sweetie Peety." Ok - I got it. :o) We both felt lots better after Ms. Sweetie Crabby Pants took a bath. :o)

I love Sark's How to Really Love a Child - my friend, once college roommate & fellow child lover gave me a card with Sark's delightful instructions. Years later, an afghan, just like the one shown, was a loving gift from a boyfriend - now friend, with his own little crabby pants...I mean sweetie marshmellow pie. :o) It's one of her favorite snuggle blankets & a good reminder for me.

Good pie & adios

Well, the pie was a hit. Gracie's eyes were big as saucers when she saw just HOW MUCH Uncle George loved her pie. He said the lips & hearts on top were the best part! Nice visit, yummy dinner & we all napped in the afternoon after marathon services (3-count them, 3) at CLC. Though I do love to sing praises to our King. It really was a great day for confirmation of what God was already speaking & then the healing - deep healing for some. Seasons -we're all living through one or transitioning from one to another. Reminds me of one of my favorite heartsongs. I'm singing this morning~

and everything that's new, has bravely survived
teaching us to breathe
what was frozen through, is newly purposed
turning all things green
so it is with you and how you make me new
with every season's change
and so it will be, as you are all creating me
summer, autom, winter, spring

My brother left out in the wee hours of the morning while dark & Chicago slumbered still. Good visit in due season. Adios & glad so you enjoyed the pie...see you in the spring. Your spring is coming, brother.