The 10 Ten Things I Have Learned This Year & Randomness

10 Things I Have Already Learned This Year

#1)  Read your children's Bible Storybook to them carefully - there may be minor misprints that completely change the logic and the meaning of the story

#2)  Our life "plates" change and we should not compare our plates to other people's "plates".

Our portions are different and they evolve; our portion of grace is different.

I learned last year in a very real way the truth behind the old adage that "everyone thinks his sack heaviest."  We might do good to reflect upon other's plates with eyes of mercy, not criticism or jealousy.  

This lesson I learned in two ways, from either side of the plate controversy.  One very real way it hit home for me was when an older lady shared a prayer request for her aging mother.  She asked for patience and grace in loving her, as she was becoming like a child in many ways.  This was my prayer request, but for my handling of my children.  

I think it is so hard to be where I am, with two young children, hardly ever getting to sleep through the night (because of nightmares, accidents, or teething pain), no lunch hours, no sick days, no easy errands, and I might covet other people's life-stage thinking it is easier.  Or I might be deceived into thinking that maybe I can skip learning patience because I won't need it later on in life.   

From hearing this 50-60 something year old lady's prayer request, God showed me many things in my heart and changed my perspective on so many things.  I used to think this lady's life would be so easy - and why did I think that?  I think because I saw her as more of a "free agent" than myself.  Isn't that what we all want, when left to our flesh?  

Motherhood has taught me the scriptural truth that "my life is not my own" and mercy has taught me that other's lives are not their own, either.

We are slaves to something, as Paul exhorts us.  

May we grow in the grace to be slaves to righteousness.

#3)  To Simon, our bedroom is the "good-smelling room"

Explanation:  We thought we had heard it all when one night Simon crawled in bed with us and we asked what was wrong.  (Usually he is scared and we pray with him and take him back to his bed.)  He said, "My room smells bad.  I want to be in the good-smelling room."

#4)  If you come home from ladies' meeting with Sally, and have found out that Matt and Alex have waxed your floor ... Well, it's not necessarily a good thing.

Explanation:  When Sally and I came home Thursday evening after an encouraging night of teaching, somehow, a candle had "exploded" and wax was all over the kitchen floor.

Also, miscellaneous info:  Sally and I went for a walk earlier that evening and witnessed an odd thing:  it appeared to be several military aircrafts overhead.  Then we realized, it was probably former President George Bush's escort to his new home in Dallas.

#5)  Pay special attention to the scripture verse you happen to get at a midnight's eve Watchnight Service....

And be wary if it is Revelation 21:4, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  

The 'prophecy' may come true sooner that you dreaded, um, expected.  

And you might have a chapped face and eyes that are too exhausted even for contact lenses.

Also, I was really sad that Matt received 2 verses (front and back) on his scripture promise card.  I received one lonely verse on crying, and on the opposite side, a nice sentimental prayer, "Dear Savior, help me to grow in your grace ... even when the tears are falling!"  I felt kind of cheated, where's my second scripture! And please make it have nothing to do with crying!

Explanation of above picture with Evie crying:  While Evie does like to dust, she feels a little overwhelmed by gender stereo-typing.

#6)  A Grateful Heart and Encouraging Spirit are Contagious and Inspiring

Just as Simon in the above picture is exuberant that Evie is almost "walking," we should be just as enthusiastic to praise and encourage others, especially those in the faith with us.  

If I am jogging with someone else, I can easily run a mile.  By myself, I am more likely to give up or be distracted.

#7)  Laughter IS Medicinal

The scriptures are right!  Laughter is good for us!

For my 30th birthday, we hosted a Comedy Night.

There's a verse in Proverbs 31, "...She can laugh at the days to come..." which we thought was suitable for someone crossing the 30-threshold.

I am sorry I didn't get any pictures of that night!

My favorite part (it just happened to be my contribution) was "Dmitri's" two voice messages.  I laugh everytime I think of it!  And Matt's Jimmy-Hendrix rendition of The National Anthem.  And so many funny you-tube videos!

#8)  As Iron Sharpens Iron

"Ironing" influences in our life are irreplaceably sharpening.

And God reminded me this January what incredible friends we have - both near and far!  I just had the best conversation over the phone with my dearest friend Kellie in Afg.

#9)  Living in Texas, it is very difficult to teach the seasons to Simon.

I took a picture of our outdoor clock and thermometer on January 3rd.

It was 80 degrees.

The next day the high was in the 40s.

It is very confusing.

And wonderful.

Simon is wondering about snow and the beach, all at once.

#10)  There is a bonus to emotional stress

You might lose your appetite (and unfortunately sleep, too) and you a couple of pounds!

Caption:  Matt serving Simon one of his favorite things:  a stack of pancakes.

That ends the Top 10 for January.

Here are some random insights.

On my actual "birthday," I purposed to only do enjoyable things.

I played with my children.

Simon and I made granola.

Simon and I read a few chapters of Charlotte's Web.

(We're finished now - it was his first official 'chapter' book.)

I went in to work at the office.

After a little editing, I was surprised by my department with a yummy chocolate cake in the cafe that actually had 30 candles on it.

Terri and Rachael offered to keep our kids for a little bit.

Matt and I played tennis and grabbed some ice-cream (ironic, I know).

Simon's interesting comments

"God pulled me away from the coffee." 

 (when he almost ran into a cup of coffee)

"Can we buy this movie?"  

(After Matt read him the story of Lazarus.)

"I didn't get dead." 

 (after I told him not to keep the screened door open to the driveway and to play with his skateboard on our driveway without me)

We've had a difficult January with many opportunities to be overwhelmed - from everything to Matt and the kids being sick, an expensive car repair on our only car that now has over 150,000 miles, a huge electric bill that makes my mind think about how we need an updated and more efficient ac unit, my grandfather has cancer and this was my first Christmas (yes in 30 years) not to see my extended family over the holidays, a misunderstanding and confusion that rocked our world, and just the day to day challenges with two little kids.  A lot of days I feel like a failure if I compare myself to others.  I have equated God's approval with man's approval, and have thus wrongly sentenced myself for good and for bad.  

I have not been taking thoughts captive.  

We're emerging though with a clearer vision of God's goodness and faithfulness.

Cutie Patootie

Our front door is magnetic.

Before motherhood, I never realized how charming the concept of magnetism was.

Simon measuring.

He loves to measure things.

It will keep him busy for a looooong time.

We went outside and measured and compared the circumference of a couple of trees.

Simon pointing to the school he will attend next year, Lord willing.

Simon drew Walle-E.