Pray for the children

I don't think I've ever mentioned before that I'm the leader of my women's circle group at church. I have to confess that I first took the job because it seemed no one else was interested and if I didn't do it, no one else would - and I didn't want to see the circle group just fall apart. However, now that I look back, I can see where God's hand was guiding me in that decision. It was one of those things where I just didn't feel equipped - but, as I often have to remind myself, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.

One of the goals of our group this year has been to really return to the heart of what the group was established for - missions. In the past several years that I attended the group as a member, there was a gradual decline in the focus of the group - from missions to social club. It's easy to understand how that can happen - when a group of moms get together without the husbands or kids, well, of course there's going to be a grand time of fellowship. Admittedly I enjoyed it, of course, but I was convicted to work to try to return the focus of the group to serving others. We now have a dedicated devotional leader and we have made Bible study a vital part of our meetings. We have also completed several projects this year including volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, holding a bake sale to raise funds which were used to purchase gift cards for families in need, visiting a women's shelter to learn more about how we can help there and our most recent project is providing a homemade meal for a children's home. This coming Saturday we'll be taking a meal to the children's home and sharing a craft and the story of salvation while making salvation bracelets with the children.

The children's home that we will be visiting is a 24-hour emergency shelter for children who are victims of sexual or physical abuse, neglect or abandonment. Usually the children are only there for a period of 90 days. During that time DSS conducts an investigation of the child's home, a Family Court hearing is held, and a treatment plan is presented. During my volunteer orientation I learned that only 20% of the children ever return to their original home environment. While there I was taken on a tour of the facility, including the cottages that serve as the living quarters for the children. I saw the small dorm-like bedrooms and in one room, there was a tiny twin bed that held a napping preschooler and there was also a crib for his 9 month old baby brother. I met the baby brother - he was the most adorable baby with a huge smile and bright blue eyes. Sadly I realized that when he was put to bed in that crib, it would not be by his mother. Even more sadly I learned that staff and volunteers are not allowed to hug or kiss these children. The only appropriate sign of affection is a "side hug." Children may only sit in your lap if they are under the age of 5 - and you are not allowed to even kiss the babies. You may stroke their cheek and hold their hand, but that is all. I don't even want to begin to imagine the circumstances that led to having to enforce such strict, and seemingly harsh rules. However, I was told repeatedly that the rules are in place for the security and protection of the children.

I am asking my readers - the few of you there are - to pray for me. I am feeling led to become an active volunteer at the children's home. However, I do not feel emotionally stable enough to do so. I found myself fighting back tears several times during my orientation and tour. We were told that we can't show that kind of emotion around the children - we cannot express sadness about their situation. While they are at the home, the environment is to be one of safety and happiness. If a child brings up their situation, we are to re-direct them and encourage them to talk to their counselor since we as volunteers are not professionally trained to offer advice. Such a tough thing, and yet I am feeling strongly led to help in whatever way I can. Pray for me - and pray for the children.

I have great memories of this holiday from childhood. The tiny gold leprechaun footprints in the classroom...the mess he left behind...and the pot of gold coins! What fun! And lest you forget to wear green and bear the shame of warding off pinches from your classmates all day long!

The other special thing about this day is that it's my mom's birthday! Today my mom is a very youthful and energetic 78 years old. We enjoyed a special visit and dinner together this past Saturday. I am grateful for those times together.

In other news - I found my camera!! Hopefully I'll have some new pics to share soon. In the meantime, Top 'o the mornin' to ya!! :-)

Ode to Chick-fil-a

We love us some Chick-fil-a around here, so when a friend posted this on facebook, I just had to share! Too funny!

15 months and a couple of steps!

Isaac turned 15 months yesterday and it's like a light switch went on! He's been randomly taking a couple of steps at a time. I don't even think he realizes it! It's usually when he has something in his hands to focus on rather than on the fact that he's walking. It appears as if he's been doing it forever - almost effortless!! He only takes a few steps and then goes down, but still - it's progress!!

I took him to the doctor for his check-up today. He's 33 inches long which is the 95th percentile, and 25 lbs, 6 oz., which is between the 50th and 75th percentile. So we think he'll be tall like Jonah, but a little more "petite". Jonah has always been tall and solid, but I think Isaac's build will be a little more slender.

Chad came by just a few minutes ago and picked up the boys to take them to church. Normally I'd be there, too, but I've been battling a terrible headache and nausea all day. I think it may be allergies. I noticed there was pollen floating around in the air when I left to pick up Jonah from school this afternoon. 'Tis the season, I suppose. Nevertheless, it's nice to have a few rare moments to myself - which never happens in the evenings!! It's quite nice for a change!

Funny, but sad

No title needed

Writer's block and a missing camera

So I've been mia. Maybe you've noticed. All two of you. I've been trying to figure out how to get more people to read my blog. I've sent the link to family and friends letting them know I've added new pictures or whatever. They visit one time and never come back. I guess maybe some of them don't understand that they can come back - that it's not a one time thing. Or maybe I've said something/posted something that they didn't like. This blog is mostly about my kids, of course, but every once in a while I come across something that I am convicted by or truly believe in and I share it - like the video below about abortion.

On occasion I'll have what I consider to be a "blog worthy" moment. I'll think to myself that I need to write about it later - or take pictures to share later. That would be great - except that I can't seem to locate my camera at the moment. I thought I left it by the computer after downloading the last batch of pictures, but apparently my memory has failed me. Sometimes I'll sit down to write about the latest happenings and words just fail me. I think to myself - maybe this isn't as interesting as I thought it was.

I read other blogs and am so fascinated by other people's lives. Not that they're that much different from mine - I guess it's just interesting because it's someone else. It's like getting to peek into the window of someone else's home - not in a peeping tom sort of way. That would be creepy. More like reality tv. I just like to know what's going on with other people - even people I don't even know that well.

So...what's going on here? Well - let's see...we're still waiting on Isaac to walk. He has his 15 month appt. next week and I'm starting to worry a little. He pulls up and stands and cruises all over the place. He stands unassisted. He'll start to take a step and then change his mind. So I don't think it's a matter of ability. I'm just surprised since he's been pulling up and cruising since he was 9 months old. Other than that, though, he is wonderful. He is so happy. God really blessed us and we couldn't have picked a better name than 'Isaac' - which means laughter, by the way. The Bible tells us that Sarah laughed when she found out she was going to have a baby. She thought she was too old and that she and Abraham would never be parents. In the same way, I wasn't sure I'd ever have another baby after Jonah. It took 4 years to get pregnant with Jonah and that was with some medical assistance. Isaac, though, just happened. He was a surprise - a very pleasant one at that. And I laughed! So it was no question as to what his name would be when we found out we were having another boy. Everyone always comments at how happy he is - and it's true. I am amazed. He will sit and play and just laugh - almost like a cackle - it's so stinkin' cute. I don't know what he's laughing at, but he is just happy. It makes me happy, too.

And my Jonah - my sweet, sensitive Jonah. Let me tell you what just about broke my heart. There's a little boy that Jonah has been friends with since...well...just about forever. Lately, though, they haven't been "clicking." The other boy is a little older and seems to be interested in different things from Jonah. This little boy had a birthday not too long ago - I don't know if he had a party or not - but if he did, Jonah wasn't invited. I didn't say anything to Jonah because I knew his heart would be broken if he remembered the boy's birthday - he would question when the party was going to be and wonder why he didn't get to go. So rewind a little bit - for Christmas my sister-in-law gave Jonah a huge laundry basket full of art supplies. It was a little overwhelming and, admittedly, we've "donated" some of the items to church - it really was just a little too much. Anyway, Jonah has been having the best time creating stuff. I'm very pleased because I don't have one creative bone in my body. So the other day he brought me a card he had made - it had the number 7 on it - for the boy's age - and it said Happy Birthday - and he wanted to know how to spell the boy's name. I helped him with that and he said he wanted to mail the card to the boy because he knew that he was 7 now and that he had had a birthday and he didn't get to give him a card. It was all I could do not to burst into tears in front of him. I just pulled him close, kissed the top of his head, and told him that was a very sweet thing to do. I'm not sure what to do about actually mailing the card. The parents may think it very strange that a random birthday card shows up several months late. I set it aside and haven't said anything more about it - but I'm not sure how to handle it if he brings it back up. I was just so amazed that he thought to do something like that all on his own just out of the blue. One thing about Jonah that I can see - he will be a loyal friend - almost too loyal. I'm afraid he'll suffer a lot of hurt for that quality, but I'm hoping that others will notice it and appreciate it one day.

Ok, well, so much for writer's block, huh? I have rambled enough! Hopefully now someone will show up and actually read this. Let me know what you think about the birthday card situation if you do. :-)