Tums

I was perusing an advertisement for "Back to School" gear that arrived in the mail yesterday. Said advertisement was for Target which happens to be one of my preferred stores and "Back to School" is a high priority for me... not so much for buying lots of trinkets but the nostalgia that goes along with the beginning of a school year. But I couldn't believe my eyes when I came across an ad AND a coupon for Tums... for children! Seriously? Could that be correct? Oh how sad!

I began thinking about the necessity of giving children an antacid. Is there really a need? The ad said that it was beneficial for relieving acidic symptoms as well as adding calcium to a child's diet. I can think of better ways to add calcium... milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, juice with added calcium.

Has our society become so driven that we are now causing our children to suffer from stressful events that might produce excessive stress on their bodies? Are we so concerned with the need to be #1 or to be busy "enough" that we'll give our children an adults' medicine product? How about our kids' diets... are they nutritious "enough" that we're actually enabling God's design for the human body to function as well as it can?

I don't want to judge or to condemn those with legitimate health problems/concerns, but I just couldn't let this directed ad in a "Back to School" flyer pass by without a second thought. I pray that I would be mindful of the expectations that I put on my children and remember to care for them as the precious blessings that they are. As for expecting kids today to need Tums when returning to school... oh, Lord, help us all!

A Lesson in Perseverane

When Ben and I were first married, I promised to him to camp at least one time in our marriage. You see, I'm not a camper... not even remotely interested in the bugs, the outhouse facilities, the roughing-it mentality. It's so "not me." Well, I fulfilled my commitment to him this past Wednesday. We were a part of Chick-fil-A's "first 100" in St. Joseph, Missouri.


Last fall a good friend of mine, Melody, told me all about CFA's "first 100" event. Participants stand in line 24 hours before the opening of a new CFA to be selected to camp in the parking lot of the restaurant. You cannot leave the area for 24 hours; if you survive the night, you are awarded with 52 coupons for a free meal (not just chicken but a meal!). Ben was game; I was hesitant... after all, what would we do with the kids? Well, D stayed with Grandma and Pop Pop; there was no way I would bring a 19 month old to this event. J and K were pumped to "camp." K even told the checker at Target that she was going to camp at CFA "tomorrow." The checker looked at me with a inquisitive look!

At 3:40 AM on Wednesday, Ben and I showered and brushed our teeth and packed the few things needed for 24 hours in sweltering heat - tent, fruits and veggies, water, a book, and a change of clothes. We swept the kids up at 4:15 AM and headed for St. Joseph, over an hour away. Upon arriving at CFA at 5:30, we quickly took our place in line where 25 people had already lined up. At 6:00 AM, the CFA staff greeted us with smiles and encouragement for the task before us. There were more than 100 eager beavers so a raffle was done. Ben was #44 and I was #101... yes, 1 away from 100. 10 people are asked to stay as alternates in case people decide to leave or are kicked off for various reasons. I stayed.

The day was met with 90+ degree sun and a heat index of over 100. We sweat through some fun games put on by the CFA staff and relaxed by our tent, under a makeshift tarp/canopy that Ben rigged up. The kids did fairly well - no napping but they found stuff to do or just decided to relax... easy to do when you sweat while just thinking! CFA provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us, but with our detox diet, we declined for ourselves and longingly looking at the kids' meals of juicy chicken, waffle fries, and sweet tea! Oh yum. Fruits and veggies were hard to swallow that day.

As nighttime approached, we heard that there were chances for a thunderstorm. Just as we drifted off to sleep at 10:15, the rain came in and thunder and lightening rolled. For safety reasons, we were allowed in the building where bleary-eyed participants found curious positions for sleeping. J and K ended up sleeping in a booth! Around 1:00, we moved the kids back outside in our tent that got wet, on top of slightly damp air mattresses. Overall, we slept for 2 hours... the kids, a little more.

At 4:15, we woke and decided to start breaking camp. With everything put away around 5:40 AM, the CFA staff once again had us line up, and it turned out that I was #97... four people had left (no wonder with our crazy weather!). So, we now have 104 free meals to CFA for the next year. In the picture, you'll see Ben lined up at 6:00 AM to receive his free coupons... K and J are also present.

We persevered and found it a rewarding experience. It's only taken 2 days to get back into the swing of things. This is one thing that I'm pretty sure the kids will talk about for years to come!

Blessings!

The Glory of the Lord

Isaiah 58:8b "...the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." How's your rear? Are you being guarded by the Lord? Allow me to blog, if you will...

The Lord impressed upon me, last week during my quiet times, a very powerful image that I'd like to share with you. I was reading Psalm 36 and verse 7 spoke to my heart, "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wing." Refuge... peace... protection... for all, not just the elite. Do I find refuge under His wing? What does that mean anyway? This is the image that I had. Imagine with me a large wing of a beautiful white bird and under this wing is you, small in comparison. Now in order for there to be a shadow, there has to be a source of light that shines down and slightly behind you. Can you see it? The glory of the Lord as your rear guard is that Light source. Oh how beautiful!

God's glory is amazing; we can see it everywhere we turn. In this scenario, though, I imagine a brilliant white light that shines down from up above and strikes the wing of the One that is protecting me. I find shelter and solace in that place. Here's the interesting part... I only remain in that shadow as I continue to move forward as His glory compels me. If I refuse to move where He wants, eventually His glory will pass over me and be a harsh light in my face, with no protection, no shadow, no refuge. God is not harsh, nor is His light, but if I refuse to keep moving in His will, His glory will be a hindrance, not a blessing, to me.

In meditating a bit further, I think of others. God's glory is best seen through me as I work under His will, while pointing others to His light. There is a gentleness about doing God's work so that others may see His glory as opposed to stepping out from under that wing.

Words cannot do justice to my thoughts, but I pray that you may be blessed by thinking a little differently about God's protection and His glory as you move forward all for His Kingdom!

Blessings!

Bunk Beds

Oh the joys that have started in the evening at our house! Son #1, 5 years old, is now bunking with son #2, 19 months old, and this is only the second night! What is the hurry, you might ask!? Let's start with the basement...

I was adamantly opposed to having our schoolroom be in our basement. It is "partially finished," but it has a musty smell and allows for very little light. In addition to those faults is the fact that it's cold in the fall and winter with very little heat pumped out of the vent. As much as Ben thought it'd be perfect for schooling, I tended to think that it wasn't all that ideal. Go figure!

Stick with me... I'll get to the bunk beds. J has been dreaming of being a top bunk sleeper for months. He loves the idea of sharing a room with D, and we persisted in telling him that it'll be a "few more months." The quote was then changed to a "few more weeks" as D continues to grow and looked mighty cramped in his crib. His departure from baby crib to big boy bed caused us to think fast and find a bed for him; we decided to get the bunk beds but not to bunk them for a while.

Now, return with me to our basement which served as the kids' playroom. After a late night discussion of what to do with J's room once he vacated it for bunk-land, we tossed up school room vs. play room. As much as I disliked the notion of school in the basement, it really does make the most sense. It's a large space and has many possibilities for projects, bookshelves, etc. Ben won me over when he told me that we would do a mini-makeover, complete with painted ceiling, painted walls, new flooring, new lighting, and a space heater. I was sold. Now the work begins in getting it ready before August 9, my start date for school.

Are you tracking? Well, after pulling up carpet tiles that served as basement flooring, a horrid stench emanated from the floor. The mildew and mold is trapped in the adhesive and was leaching its way onto the toys. Therefore, said toys needed to evacuate to their new home. Thus, J is thrilled beyond measure to finally be bunking with D.

D wasn't ready for the transition after only having one week to acclimate himself to a big boy bed. We are now on night 2, and I'm growing weary already. Both kids are awake at 9:30 with no sleep in sight; laughter and squealing abound, but the morning brings crabby kids who just want to whine and complain all day due to tiredness. It's only for a season, right? I keep convincing myself that this too shall pass!

Sweet dreams to all and, hopefully, to all in this house, too!