This was William's idea.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
The Other Side of the World
Friends of ours from Providence are spending a month in Kenya on a medical mission. They have two kids the same ages as William and Lily. We've been following their blog and looking at pictures of Kenya on the internet.
Lily has a special affection for their Ella, and so she has been praying for her while she's on her big trip. We bought a blow up globe and found Kenya and Lily likes to tell people about her friend on the other side of the world. I'm looking forward to hearing Ella tell Lily about all her experiences when they get back.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Special Grace
I love being a mom.
However, there are a few things that tempt me to self-pity in this job: when I'm sick and I still have to care for my kids, when my nursing baby bites, when I have to clean up poop, pee, and throw up. This week has been full of all of the above.
The worst was this morning. William has been sick since yesterday, and he has been asking to drink orange juice. I kept saying no. Then this morning he got some for himself while I was upstairs. He spilled it on the table and floor, and then threw up the rest on the carpet.
And yet God is helping me. As I sopped up the mess, I was surprised I was just fine- not especially excited, mind you, but not upset at all or sorry for myself. That's amazing grace! Something I can't explain, and I'm so grateful.
And all week has been like that- seeing cancelled events as a chance to get projects done at home and start homeschool, enjoying little things like animal-shaped sandwich cutters, lift-the-flap library books, playing ice cream stand with Lily, and hearing William call Lily by her name.
Of course, I'd still appreciate your prayers for us all to get better. The girls seem to be on the mend, but Eric says he isn't feeling well now, though he still went to work today. But it's so sweet to know that the grace is there for whatever the day holds. God is our Good Shepherd, and He is watching over us.
However, there are a few things that tempt me to self-pity in this job: when I'm sick and I still have to care for my kids, when my nursing baby bites, when I have to clean up poop, pee, and throw up. This week has been full of all of the above.
The worst was this morning. William has been sick since yesterday, and he has been asking to drink orange juice. I kept saying no. Then this morning he got some for himself while I was upstairs. He spilled it on the table and floor, and then threw up the rest on the carpet.
And yet God is helping me. As I sopped up the mess, I was surprised I was just fine- not especially excited, mind you, but not upset at all or sorry for myself. That's amazing grace! Something I can't explain, and I'm so grateful.
And all week has been like that- seeing cancelled events as a chance to get projects done at home and start homeschool, enjoying little things like animal-shaped sandwich cutters, lift-the-flap library books, playing ice cream stand with Lily, and hearing William call Lily by her name.
Of course, I'd still appreciate your prayers for us all to get better. The girls seem to be on the mend, but Eric says he isn't feeling well now, though he still went to work today. But it's so sweet to know that the grace is there for whatever the day holds. God is our Good Shepherd, and He is watching over us.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Little Conversations
Sometimes the most significant interactions happen in short little conversations in the middle of doing life. Lily's starting to have these with me, which is so fun.
In the bathroom while getting ready in the morning:
Lily: Mommy, I can go on the potty.
Me: Yep.
Lily: I go on the potty all the time.
Me: Yes, you do.
Lily: William doesn't go on the potty.
Me: He's learning. You know, William's brain doesn't work right. Remember that book we read about the girl and her brother was in a race and his brain didn't work right?
Lily: Yeah, I remember that.
Me: Well, William is the same way. His brain doesn't work right. That's why he has trouble talking, and he's still learning to go on the potty. But that's ok, because we still love him. And he's trying his best, that's what matters, right?
Lily: Right.
While getting dinner:
Lily: Where's Daddy?
Me: He's at work.
Lily: Why don't you go to work?
Me: I work here at home.
Lily: Why?
Me: Because someone has to do the laundry and the grocery shopping and make the meals and take care of you guys.
Lily: I'm sure someone else could do that. You could find someone else to take care of us.
Me: Yeah, you're right. Someone else could do that. We could find someone else. But I want to be the one to watch you guys. You are so much fun, and I don't want to miss out!
All the stuff going on with Sovereign Grace right now reminds me of a little conversation I had in the kitchen with my dad when I was a little girl. Mama was making dinner and Daddy was talking to her about something about Billy Graham.
Me: Daddy, who's Billy Graham?
Daddy: He's a famous evangelist. He travels around the world telling people about Jesus.
Me: Do you wish you were a famous evangelist?
Daddy: No.
Me: Why not?
Daddy: It's really hard to be humble when you're famous. Billy Graham is amazingly humble even though he's famous, but if I was famous, I'm not sure I would do that.
That was a teachable moment that is still instructing me today.
In the bathroom while getting ready in the morning:
Lily: Mommy, I can go on the potty.
Me: Yep.
Lily: I go on the potty all the time.
Me: Yes, you do.
Lily: William doesn't go on the potty.
Me: He's learning. You know, William's brain doesn't work right. Remember that book we read about the girl and her brother was in a race and his brain didn't work right?
Lily: Yeah, I remember that.
Me: Well, William is the same way. His brain doesn't work right. That's why he has trouble talking, and he's still learning to go on the potty. But that's ok, because we still love him. And he's trying his best, that's what matters, right?
Lily: Right.
While getting dinner:
Lily: Where's Daddy?
Me: He's at work.
Lily: Why don't you go to work?
Me: I work here at home.
Lily: Why?
Me: Because someone has to do the laundry and the grocery shopping and make the meals and take care of you guys.
Lily: I'm sure someone else could do that. You could find someone else to take care of us.
Me: Yeah, you're right. Someone else could do that. We could find someone else. But I want to be the one to watch you guys. You are so much fun, and I don't want to miss out!
All the stuff going on with Sovereign Grace right now reminds me of a little conversation I had in the kitchen with my dad when I was a little girl. Mama was making dinner and Daddy was talking to her about something about Billy Graham.
Me: Daddy, who's Billy Graham?
Daddy: He's a famous evangelist. He travels around the world telling people about Jesus.
Me: Do you wish you were a famous evangelist?
Daddy: No.
Me: Why not?
Daddy: It's really hard to be humble when you're famous. Billy Graham is amazingly humble even though he's famous, but if I was famous, I'm not sure I would do that.
That was a teachable moment that is still instructing me today.
Friday, August 19, 2011
One Down, Two to Go...
Thanks all of you who are praying for the kiddos' potty training. It's humbling but sweet of you to join us in this very personal adventure.
Lily has been dry all week, so I think we can say she's successfully potty trained. Praise the LORD! I'm not taking any credit for this. It seems like such a miracle that we're finally there.
You can keep praying for William. I would love for him to get there before school starts next month.
(The picture is of Lily eating a s'more earlier this week.)
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