Under Siege

I’m bunkered down, hiding. The constant noise of incoming attacks proves deafening. I cover my ears and bury my face. I long to disappear, find a place where phones don’t ring, emails don’t ping and notifications don’t summon my attention.

The news always bad, the storm cloud always threatening. The stress mounts and I feel dizzy. I wrote a couple of weeks ago about being Washed Out & Waiting for the Rainbow. Honestly, I expected to quickly compose a post to tell how God swooped in and saved the day. I want to tell the world that God has already provided my rainbow in high-definition Technicolor. I want to.

Instead, I sit bunkered and under siege from stress and bad news. At every turn, I find my to-do list growing. In the midst, a loved one faces a biopsy, a much-needed vacation must be canceled, and our housing situation a mess. Every minute of every day scheduled.

The rainbow seems covered by storm clouds. I stand firm in my faith. God has brought us through rougher storms than this. In Jeremiah 1, the Lord says in verse 18:
“For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a
bronze wall.”

I may be under siege. You may be under siege, but take heart. God has made us strong. I can not be captured. I will not be captured. I know the rainbow will reveal its splendor in due time.

 

Run, Momma, Run

Marathon. Half Marathon. Iron Man. Iron Woman. I have many friends that have either completed one of these or are in training to do so. I’ve considered adding it to my bucket list. I’d love to look like the athlete it takes to accomplish these feats, just haven’t put in the work to do so.

However, if you are a mom, let me remind you that you are in a race. A race against time. Not in efforts to rush you, but to encourage you to finish well.

Here’s an idea we got from a good friend of ours:

1. Count the number of weekends you have until your child leaves for college. Got that number? Oh, of course you can use a calculator!
2. Place 1 marble for each weekend in a vase or other container. It is better if the container is see-through.
3. Place an empty vase or other container beside the full one. Again, better if the container is see-through.
4. Every weekend you have with your child, move one marble from the full vase to the empty one. This visual will help remind you that your weekends are passing by. This can be even more fun if you use gum balls instead of marbles (munch, munch).

The vases should provide encouragement for you to plan your time. Enjoy your children. Be a parent. Understand there might not be much time left to teach them what they need to know.

Run, Momma, Run. You might not “win” the race, but aim to finish well!

 

Road Trip

Clothes are packed, car is loaded. One more trip to the bathroom. Yes, you must try to go. Ready to go. Car ignition to the “on” position. Gently reverse out of the driveway. Stop the car. Open the doors. We forgot something. And so begins our road trip.

Joey, Sarah and I ventured to the Florida Parent Educator Association Homeschool Convention. Lovingly referred to as the FPEA Homeschool Convention. Our destination lies three hours from our home. We head out in the late evening, so we arrive in time for some rest before the start of the convention. We start out excited to hear from some of our favorite speakers at the workshops. We know we will find something new and exciting at the Exhibit Hall.

Besides the encouragement I received from the conference, I appreciate the time I spent with Joey and Sarah.

Joey enjoyed lunch at the Sports Cafe with the 2 story TVs all showing ESPN. The food was great, too.

Sarah enjoyed taking notes at the Workshops. If you didn’t get the digital recording, she has a written copy.

Joey enjoyed meeting a few of his favorite authors and receiving autographed books. I hope to give him one of mine autographed someday.

Sarah enjoyed keeping us on schedule, making sure we didn’t miss a thing. I love to watch her organize.

I enjoyed best the concert in the car, with my iPhone plugged into the stereo, volume cranked as high as it would go. We sang everything from Mandisa to Maroone 5 with a little Journey and Heather Williams mixed in.

This was one road trip I won’t soon forget. Summer is here and families are making plans to travel. I pray you will enjoy the road trip as much as the destination.