ain't no stoppin' us

The kids and I had a grand (albeit sweaty) time cleaning up the yard today. We raked dead leaves, fallen twigs, nuts and gravel from around the sad azalea beds and yard. The front and side yards were complete when we stopped for cinnamon buns that my husband brought home for breakfast. It was a comfortable day even though my shirt was soaked in sweat.

With breakfast done, we headed out to tackle the back yard. We had previously located (in the worst ways) two yellow jacket nests. Little did we know that we'd stumble into a third today. My back to her, raking more piles for her to hoist into the large trash can, I heard Caitlin scream. It was a sharp, piercing, ceaseless explosion of pain. I turned to her to see a bee clinging to her arm, as if it were actually stuck. Turns out, it was.

Funny how fast things happen and you don't remember exactly in what order or how. I can't remember if I actually pulled the bee off her, swatted it off, or with what. I have to assume my bare hand. If left a good portion of its abdomen and the stinger behind. I know that I scooped her up in one arm and carried her to her daddy. I have no idea what my right hand was doing (probably still holding to the rake), but I specifically remember putting my left arm behind her and grabbing her under her arm, hoisting her to safety.

James pulled the stinger from her arm and we hurried her inside. All the while, I was feeling little pierces on my thighs. A yellow jacket cousin had buzzed right up my shorts and stung me four times. Cait and I were sad sights. Large red whelps formed immediately and daddy deemed the yard unsafe for anymore clean up. Thank the Lord above that Jackson was not near us when the bees unleashed their fury.

After ice, acetaminophen, and plenty of tears, Caitlin calmed down and the stinging has subsided. My legs ache and for a while I had sporadic cold chills. We're okay. It's the kids coming in two weeks for Neighborhood Bible Club that we're worried about. A pest control representative paid us a visit and said they will aggressively pursue the 'jackets and their sometimes basketball-sized underground nests.

It's unreal that our yard has at least three of these nests and possibly more.  All I can think is that God must have something wonderful in store for our NBC for these attacks to persist.

Jesus, bring the rain and we will continue to praise you!

Photo: The Bee That Stung Me, by Casey Higgins

wash away the day

Dirty little toes need a good scrubbing at days end, but the washing of the feet is so much more than removing the dirt.

A mother is nothing if not humble; kids make you that way. When Jesus washed his disciples' feet, it was an act of humility and a show of love.

"A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean." - John 13:10

If we're to be "clean," we need only accept Jesus Christ as our savior, accepting that He is the earthly son of God who died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. When we're baptized, we rise anew from the water. The blood of Jesus is the only thing that can make us white as snow. It is He alone who can wash away our sins.

Walking with Christ is a lifelong choice and a winding road that one can easily step off course from. Do not hang your head and give up if that happens to you. Rather, pray for God to make your path straight and dedicate your life to Him. We will all falter. The one and only perfect soul now sits at the right hand of the Father. Think you're doomed when you stray? Repent and know that Jesus is interceding on your behalf.

The bottom line to Christianity is that you can't win or earn your way to heaven. You must only believe and make the choice that your life will be lived in a way that is pleasing to your Father God in heaven. At the end of your days, you'll want to know that your name is in the Book of Life. When Jesus comes to claim his people, won't you want to be one of the saints marching in?

Humble yourself as if washing the feet of others. Do God's will. Be a good person who does for others. It's not just a Christian way of life, it's the right way of life.

Hoping You're a Friend in Christ,

finding my calm in a sea of chaos

<< This is my home right now. Nearly every room of it. Each time I get one box-free something else creeps in. I feel like I'm about to lose my mind, especially when we're opening our home in a few weeks to feed His flock.

I remind myself that appearances aren't what's important, it's our heart to spread the Word and reach children in our neighborhood.

I recall a plaque I painted once ... "The cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow, for babies grow up, much to our sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep."

That wonderful gem hung in my firstborn's room for a long time. It reassured me that it's okay to ignore the chaos that living in a home produces, but I suppose it's not as valid now as it used to be. While my babies are definitely not keeping and are filling my heart with sorrow as I watch them grow up before my very eyes, it is time for some order in my court.

As the Queen, I hearby declare that every box (within eye shot of visitors) will be unpacked with their contents neatly stowed away by no later than August 15, the day before we greet new neighbors and tell them how much Jesus loves them.

Hold Me To It,

love like no other

The love siblings share is precious and as equally full of heart as it is jealousy and contempt. It's raucous, sweet, competitive and unmatchable. It's years of moments, tears of shared punishments, and the grief of each other's existence ... brothers and sisters have a relationship like no other.

As I sit here watching my kids play hard in the backyard, my heart is overflowing with a love for them as well as my own brother. I remember "baby tractors," HORSE basketball tournaments, and the day he had a bicycle accident that let me know I was much stronger than I gave myself credit for. We were careless, mischievous, protective, and more than willing to instigate trouble for each other.

I want happy memories for my kids - of their childhood, each other ... us. These blinks we call time are but a flash in the pan. Never will we have it to do over.

I wish I could watch this scene outside my window every day from now until eternity. They're magical, full of life, and full of love for each other. What a miraculous blessing siblings are.

"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all wrongs." -Proverbs 10:12
Photo by Casey Higgins

an unscratchable itch

There's nothing worse than wanting to write right in the middle of a work day. Okay, I'm paid to write, but not here ...

Hoping the itch remains until I can do something about it.

teachable moment

I was stunned when my daughter confessed to me today that she'd been tempted to steal. As it turns out, she's envious of what other little girls her age have. We're not indulgent parents, so oftentimes there are plenty of material things other kids have that she doesn't.

I took that moment to have her think about why she wants what others have. She pondered it a while and came up empty.

I remember what it's like, and in fact, I still have those moments of envy. They are much fewer and way farther between than they used to be. While I've learned to be satisfied with either A) what I have, or B) what I can actually afford, having a seven year old claim the same understanding is another story. After all, it's taken me more than 30 years to grasp it myself.

Carefully, I encouraged my daughter to pray about being happy with the things she's already blessed with, and pray for God to continue to bless her with things and moments that bring her enjoyment.

When envy has a foot-hold in your heart, it's really hard to shake it loose.

One way my husband and I have worked to instill a giving heart in our children is to regularly go through the toys and have them choose items to donate to others. We very intentionally DO NOT replace those toys with new ones. Outgrown clothes are also handed down, and we contribute to clothing drives, canned food drives, Angel Tree, etc.

Being an example is key to instilling a giving heart in young ones, and my husband is a great example for our daughter. She said of him today, "When we were leaving Wal-Mart the other day, a man asked Daddy for $15 for a bus ticket. Daddy didn't have $15 so he gave him $20." As an aside, my mouth hit the floor that Daddy is quite THAT giving right now, but she went on to say, "And when we were walking away Daddy said, 'he better not be going to the liquor store.'"

Boy, oh, boy.

At any rate, be diligent with your kids. Encourage them with the things they already have, and find ways to put a new spin on old things. Verbally reinforce the daily blessings you're experiencing in your family. Children will always want what others have, but we have a duty as parents to raise them as grateful beings. Never forget that we're raising the next generation. Changes to society begin at home.

Photo Courtesy and Suggested Reading: http://www.sheknows.com/articles/812173/5-lessons-for-kids-about-charity