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Gratituesday: Nineteen Years and Counting

August 12, 2013 by Laura 31 Comments

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It’s our wedding anniversary this Gratituesday!

What I am actually most excited about this year is that while soccer season has usually already started by the time our anniversary rolls around, this year it begins the day after. Wasn’t that thoughtful of the calendar to work with us this year? (Remember our 17th anniversary? While we couldn’t be together that day since Matt was away at a pre-season soccer retreat, I think that still may be one of my favorite anniversary memories.)

This year, we get to be together! And so, we’ll spend our special day schooling the kids, working on our rental properties, painting our house, doing everything we can to get ahead so that our busiest season of the year will go more smoothly. Then come evening, we’ll steal away without the kids to use a gift card at a local restaurant, and enjoy time to eat together and have real and uninterrupted conversation.

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Soccer season? Bring it on. But the evening before during our special date time? It’s all about us. 19 years and looking forward to many more!

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Gratituesday: Oh, I Remember Now

July 29, 2013 by Laura 12 Comments

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This has been one great and busy summer so far. Our two younger boys went to visit grandparents for a few days, then spent lots of time here at home playing with friends. Our two older boys went on a mission trip and to camp for several weeks. As a family we went on a service trip, then later to camp for a week. In the midst of it all, we have had lots and lots of company. What great opportunities God provided for the six of us this summer!

With all of the fun and craziness, I had almost started to forget what “normal” was. How many plates do I get out for each meal? How much food should I fix? It was different every day, depending on which boy was where, how many extras we had, and truly, by the middle of July, I just gave up figuring it out and just started grabbing a big pile of plates, replacing those left unused at the end of each meal. Food portions? I gave up on that too, and found that if I had too much, leftovers were welcome. If I didn’t have enough? I’d make it stretch by slicing up extra fruit or setting out veggies with ranch.

As of Saturday, we are now back to all six of us and just the six of us. It’s quite wonderful. Stories of what happened at camp, and oh yeah remember when we were painting houses on the mission trip, and has anybody seen the book I started reading back in May conversations fill the house. I’m back to making triple batches of waffles, knowing that this will be just the right amount.

At this very moment, I hear my boys playing Sting Pong upstairs. Sting Pong, you ask? Yes. You see, Ping Pong is sooooo regular. Why not see if we can smack the ball at each other from across the table to see who gets the biggest welt? Why??? Why do boys do this stuff?? Beats me, but they are laughing and proudly showing off the circle shaped rings on their skin. “It doesn’t really hurt that bad, Mom. And we need to get used to it for when we play Paint Ball at Dads-n-Lads in September.” Uh-huh, I’ll just stay downstairs and make waffles.

I remember now what it was like to have all of my family home together at the same time. Bliss.

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Gratituesday: Ah yes, this…

July 22, 2013 by Laura 12 Comments

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Well, here we are. At church camp. With the frogs. And the locusts. And those one things with a bunch of legs.

All bugs aside (and under my chair), I can tell from just one day of being here that church camp is exactly where God wants us to be this week. I’m watching our oldest son love his life as a camper. I’m watching our three other boys jump right in with their kitchen and canteen duties. I’m seeing Matt engage in meaningful conversation with youth and young adults. I’m experiencing God’s work through me as a teacher to teenage girls. And I am beginning to form relationships that I believe will be very important this week and into the future.

All I can say, is that this – this is the joy we experience when we listen to and obey God. That is why I’m here – me, the one who doesn’t “do camp.” God called me here for so many reasons. It is rich. It is beautiful.

And shucks, I haven’t had to cook a meal or wash a dish since I arrived. It’s a vacation, service opportunity, growing experience all in one. :)

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Gratituesday: Too Cold at Church

July 15, 2013 by Laura 39 Comments

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It was bound to happen eventually. Indeed, a few years ago, he was finally arrested and put into a well-guarded prison. Ah, one of those kind of guys, was he?

Yes, he was one who attempted to worship God in a country that did not allow it under any circumstances. Not only was this man put into prison, he endured unspeakable torture, then watched the murder of all of his family members. By some miracle, he was able to finally escape and flee from his native country to find refuge.

That’s not a fun story to hear, but perhaps it may serve to put our possible frustrations in perspective.

Do you know how many complaints I hear about churches in our free country? I’ll admit to rolling my eyes sometimes myself. (By the way, if everyone would just get on board with my way of doing things, church life would obviously be so much better.)

We all have different preferences for song selection, sermon delivery style, order of worship, carpet color, and all of the other details we deem important for our church gatherings. Okay fine. We’re allowed to have opinions. But I believe we would (should) all be very ashamed of ourselves for caring that each of our worship preference desires aren’t met when there are many who would die to even worship at all. Literally.

Okay, then I’ll be sure to pray for those being persecuted. But would somebody please tell that visitor that he’s sitting in my favorite pew and while you’re at it, suggest that the minister lose the orange plaid tie? It’s hard to look at while he’s preaching, especially when my nerves are on edge after having to sing that hymn that was pitched way to high for my voice range.

Stop it already. Nothing is perfect about any church family, but I’ve just got to say that I am so richly blessed and thankful to be a part of one.

How grateful I am that we can (at least try to) sing our hearts out at too high a pitch or perhaps a tiny bit flat when Brother Whats-His-Name is leading singing. What a joy it is to pray with fellow believers in a building right out in the open in the middle of town, even when the one saying the prayer stumbles over his words. Was there a misprint in the church bulletin? Glory be. We are allowed to type the name of Jesus on a written document.

Do I fear for my life while I worship? It’s never even crossed my mind. (Perhaps because I’ve been too concerned that people may have noticed that I wore the same outfit two weeks in a row.) The biggest fear I have in a church assembly is that the air conditioner will once again be set too low.

From now on, I’ll take a sweater just in case. Our freedom to worship God is not something to be taken for granted. The argument over chair arrangement in our Bible classrooms? I think we can let that one go.

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Gratituesday: I Miss My Boys

July 1, 2013 by Laura 8 Comments

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It’s been quite the summer around here. We have had (and currently have) company. We are painting our house and getting other major projects done. We’ve traveled here and there. Through it all, our oldest two boys have been gone more than they have been home. We did have them home for two weeks in June and treasured every minute of it. (We also handed them a paint brush.)

When we signed them up for their activities this summer, we knew what we were doing. We knew that they were making big commitments and that they would be away from home quite a bit. But we also knew that what they were signing up for was exactly what they should be doing with their time. They went on a mission trip, and now will be at church camp either as a counselor/staff or as a camper for the next four weeks.

Our boys are growing up. They are becoming leaders and growing in their relationship with the Father. We are so proud of them.

As I was thinking of them this morning and praying for God’s protection of them and guidance while they are at camp, I realized how much I miss my boys. It occurred to me what a blessing it is that my kids are so great that when they are away from me – I really miss them. It’s not a relief to have them gone. I don’t welcome the break. I really miss them.

At the same time, I’m joyful and grateful for all they are blessed to experience this summer. I’m pretty sure this is God’s way of helping to prepare me to let them go in a few years. Oh but never mind. Let’s not talk about that yet.

God, take care of my boys and continue to draw them closer to you as they develop a more personal relationship with your Son. What a privilege it is to raise kids to love the Lord!

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Gratituesday: Company, Company, and More Company!

June 24, 2013 by Laura 10 Comments

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Shucks, I don’t even have any pictures to share of our recent events. Ah well, words will have to do…

For the past few days, we have been hosting friends from out of town. My boys have had an extra little boy playmate, I have been able to get a baby-girl fix (Ladies, there are hair bows in my house!), and we adults have been catching up on all the latest.

Today, more friends drove into town. They bring with them even more boy playmates (and another little girl with hairbows). I’m guessing I won’t see my youngest boys for the next several days, until they emerge every few hours with their friends to find a bite to eat.

There is much excitement in our house tonight. Food is abundant. Board games are scattered here and there. We are all having a great time.

We are blessed to have so many wonderful friends in our lives and grateful to be able to bless them in our home.

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Gratituesday: Pull Up a Chair

June 10, 2013 by Laura 17 Comments

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I’m not good at just sitting. I love working hard and keeping busy, so it’s hard for me to just sit and do nothing. (As you can imagine, I am a joy to travel with. Cooped up in a car, seatbelt on, can’t cook, can’t exercise, can’t do anything but make long to-do lists for tasks that can’t be done anytime soon. It’s pretty.)

But lately, I have been learning that sitting doesn’t necessarily mean that I am doing nothing. I’ve been choosing to sit each morning (if possible) before I hit the day head on and take time to reflect and find refreshment in God’s word, simply by sitting still in His presence. If this doesn’t work in the mornings, I try to find time in the afternoon.

With our official school schedule on pause for the summer, I have realized that the “extra” time this affords me must be spent in this way. And come August, when school and soccer season come back in full force, somehow I’ve got to continue finding time for this. My health and heart need this.

I am beginning to understand what Martin Luther said hundreds of years ago: “I have so much to do that if I didn’t spend at least three hours a day in prayer I would never get it all done.” I’ve never understood what he meant. But now I can say: Yes, yes, yes!

Three hours, you ask? Well, I can’t say that I’m sitting that long each day. :) But taking time to stop, sit, be still, breathe, and listen to God absolutely does not take away from my work time or limit me in what I can accomplish the remainder of the day. On the contrary, it empowers me, energizes me, and allows me to more peacefully serve my family and others throughout the day. And in fact, I am finding that being more in tune with what God wants, the more I am able to wisely pick and choose how He’d like me to spend my time. God writes a much better “to-do” list for me than I can ever write for myself.

Having difficulty finding time to “get it all done” each day? Take time to sit with the Father. Ask Him how you should be spending your time. Listen for His answers. Breathe. Reflect. Pray. That’s the only way to tackle your to-do list. I am so grateful to be learning this.

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Gratituesday: Better Than a Cruise

May 20, 2013 by Laura 10 Comments

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We could have saved up for a cruise. We could have taken our kids to a theme park. And shucks, maybe we will do one or both someday. But after the week we have experienced, I’m not sure anything could compare to the fun we’ve had, the memories we’ve made, and the blessings we’ve received.

Since last Wednesday, we have been hitting various places in the Denver area and in Colorado Springs, serving in various ministries as God opened doors for us. We’re still not home, and therefore I’m not able to sit down and write out all of the details yet.

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Yes, Malachi is wearing a vanilla wafer box (helmet?) on his head. Who says serving isn’t tons of fun?!

We have learned so much, have met so many wonderful people, and have reacquainted with many that we haven’t seen in years. We have had experiences we never could have had in our small town, seen sites and people that have made our hearts hurt, and been able to serve in ways that have brought us so much joy.

Beyond ministry opportunities, we were blessed to attend the wedding of one of the ladies on our YC soccer team. On the walk from the ceremony to the reception, we turned around and saw two young ladies that we haven’t seen for way too long. I admit it. I cried. We LOVE these girls. By the way: The one in the purple dress? I was her first grade teacher. Yep, taught that girl to read, I did. A few billion years later, she’s all grown up and I have four big kids. Great times.

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Okay, that’s all I have time to share right now! I have loads of pictures, and thousands of words to share with you about this trip. Details are coming in a few days. I can’t thank God enough for this trip. His goodness constantly amazes me. How good it is to be a part of His family!

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Gratituesday: An Upcoming Date and an Unexpected Gift

May 6, 2013 by Laura 20 Comments

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Last week, my husband asked me out. I said yes. :)

Many recommend that you date your spouse once a week, or at the very least, once a month. Matt and I have never felt that we needed to make “going out” on dates a high priority. However, what we have made a priority is spending time together often and making plenty of time for meaningful conversation. We’ve never felt that we needed to spend money on restaurants, movies, and babysitters to keep our marriage healthy. But really…the occasional date that involves going out and spending a little money? Well, that’s pretty fun every once in a while. :)

Our kids are old enough to stay on their own and fix their own meal, so Matt and I decided that the two of us would go out for lunch this week at one of our favorite local restaurants, Chances R.

I’ve been excited since making these plans, and we looked at the schedule to pick a day this week to make it happen. That alone was going to be my Gratituesday post, but guess what else??!!

Sunday at church, we were handed a “thank you” card for a ministry we’ve served in for the past two years. On the way home, I opened the card and told Matt, “Ha! Look what we just got?”

Inside the envelope was a gift certificate to Chances R. How about that? I believe I can now splurge by getting a dessert with my meal. What do you think?

Isn’t it neat the fun ways God gives gifts and bonuses to His children?!

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Gratituesday: Meaningful Discussions

April 22, 2013 by Laura 14 Comments

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Sometimes, it seems like all there is time for when it comes to talking with our families is, “go put your shoes away” and “hurry up, it’s time to leave” type conversations. Sad, but true.

I find it funny (in a not so funny way) that I can be with my kids all day – teaching them, working with them, driving them to and from games and practices, and eating with them – and not always have very many meaningful conversations. Yes, logistics have to be worked out and plans have to be made. Recounting how the soccer game played out is fun. Joking around about what might happen if a ninja alien super hero giant rat was to join our household gets the creative juices flowing (and then some). Those types of conversations serve a purpose, there’s no doubt about it. (Although, ninja alien super hero giant rat? Really? Can we not sometimes stay just a little bit more within the realm of reality while we’re eating lunch?)

Lately, Matt and I have worked to be more intentional about making our boys think about and discuss more important, and sometimes difficult, topics. They are all old enough now (ages 8-15) to go beyond silly subjects and pointless jabber. And, because of their ages, no longer do we need to keep Bible study and character training as basic and simple as we did when they were little.

Last week, we studied in depth together 1 Corinthians 13. What is love? What does it really mean to love like Jesus loves? If love isn’t rude, isn’t self-seeking, isn’t easily angered, how then can we take on those godly traits? (As in, Laura isn’t rude, Laura isn’t self-seeking, Laura isn’t easily angered… Something to meditate on, for sure.)

This week, we are studying Ephesians 6, looking in depth at the armor of God and the spiritual battle we face each day. God has already won the battle! How can we put on our armor so that we can stand our ground when evil comes our way?

This has been a great opportunity for Matt and I to share our ideas on these topics with our kids. But even better? Hearing what our boys think. Letting them express what these scriptures mean to them. Watching the wheels turn in their minds while they consider God’s love and His power to help us fight our spiritual battles.

These conversations have been rich. Our goal is to keep them going. Here’s hoping our kids will learn and grow from what they are hearing and studying. I know I sure am.

And I will brace myself for the fact that we are sure to balance these discussions with vivid and detailed accounts of a one-eyed creature whose amazing super power has everything to do with none other than earsplitting, green, gaseous bodily functions, which means that he obviously takes over large cities by….

Well anyway. You get the picture.

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