Crying Foul

Most are familiar with the story of the boy who cried wolf.  That little rascal got everyone's attention 3 times!  Talk about being charismatic, wow, this kid had the skills.  He was lying his head off but, there was a perceived need and his "crying" worked.  Eventually though, the need was no longer perceived only but, rather a legitimate desperate cry for help.  The lad (at least in some versions) loses his life because of his lying lips.
Switching gears now...my husband enjoys playing "pick up" games of basketball.  It is my understanding that in such games people get to call their own fouls.  This I feel is totally up to the one being fouled to care enough about the offence that they speak up. 
In life like that little rascally boy we sometimes for sport or spite call out a need that isn't necessarily warranted.  Yet, as in the game sometimes legitimate "hurt" occurs.  The crisis point comes when we feel we have been fouled.  What should we express? What should be suppressed?  This is what I ponder.  And further when a "foul" is reported what should my response be? 
None of us get to say how deeply a hurt goes in another's life. Even if I "foul" someone and do not think their "cry" is legit am I not obligated to listen and respond to the need? 
These thoughts are extra scrambled this morning.  I would love to entertain any thoughts or questions from you dear ones. 
Have an extra good day!

Redeemed

Child.  This word speaks to me of vulnerability.  A blank slate.  A new start.  My brother-in-law and his wife are expecting their first child.  There is an audible buzz of excitement over the soon coming arrival of this child.  I am thrilled to have a front row seat to this chapter of their lives.  I know they (with God's guidance) will be excellent parents.
But, what about the kiddos who need a home? What about the under cared for ones?  What about the ones that don't know proper love? 
I call it untrained love.  You've seen it in the hollow eyes of children you've seen in your Sunday school rooms, the grocery store, or the park.  While we grasp the hands of our darlings what about the others?  Sometimes we get a chance to reach beyond the cracked and tattered exterior and attempt to touch the cold hearts of these lost children. 
What will their response be?  I call it King Louie syndrome.  Love is risky business.  When we attempt to love as Jesus loves us the result is not guaranteed.  This is because each person makes his/her own choices.  So, sometimes the response of "untrained" love is a bit of a spoiled nature.  This must compel us to work hard to love anyway (after all it is not all about us).  I know about wanting to give up on loving.  But, then I think about redemption.  We are greatly loved.  We must pass the love we were freely given on to others.  Jesus loved us when we were so very cracked and tattered.  He does not give up. In fact, He gave the ultimate sacrifice of love. 
For shame to me should I strive to do less.  My prayer is that Jesus would help me to love all who walk across the threshold of our home and church ant etc. I am wanting to live with an attitude of redemption. 

Extra Ugly

Sometimes things get ugly! I don't have it together. I think I am learning though if I wait on my Jesus not lagging behind or pushing ahead He will help the ugly.  I want Him to work on me! Always in all ways! 

Worth It

Whirly twirly swish and swirl!  A quick swab of the deck, a batch of brownies, and an invitation later and we have ourselves an instant party!  It is so worth it to make the connections with our church family! 
Note to self: make the effort.  In all aspects of my life I am discovering that a little extra effort goes a long way!  It is worth it! 
Here is a picture of 3 amazing boys. I just thought I would share they make me smile:

The Race

Today we went to a festival in the town were Zane grew up. My my my it was interesting.  Mom and Dad Hurst picked us up a little after 9 am this morning.  The festivities kicked off with a delightful parade.  I am always so proud to see our nations flag leading the way!  I also love to see the horses.  It was a very nice parade.
Then came the turtle race!!! For real, they had a huge circle. They put all the turtles in a make shift fence then when it was time they removed the fence and the turtles were off! There were over 100 of the little guys!  Everyone seemed to really be enthralled with the race. It was rather thrilling I must admit :). 
Of course that race made me think of life.  It seems like we are all always racing about.  Well, I should get personal and say I feel the intensity of the race very keenly at times.  It is in these moments that my guard is down. It is then that I snap at my boy whom I love so dearly.  Why?  I have a theory.  I think it is because we weren't made for the short race.  When we focus on the short race we get short sighted.  We were instead made to run the long race.  Running with patients like Paul talks about so often. 
I don't want to quit the race or really even to rest.  I want to learn to run swifty and efficiently.  I want to be well equipped with good running tools. So, I read and pray and praise more.  I apologize and serve more. I follow my Jesus closer.  I run the race. Not the rat style one but the heaven bound one.  With Jesus' help I do better next time because I am learning to run consistently.
My boy and my husband witness my race every day.  They are extra patient with this gal and I am grateful.  God is helping the three of us on our journey together!

Hide It

Hide  It

Do you ever feel like things hide in your home? Not creepy people of course but objects? It seems to me that we are always  hunting for something. Socks are the main thing that elude us :) The pictures on the left all have a small story.

  The top one is zucchini brownies! They were yummy. It was so fun to hide some veggies in brownies :). 

The next picture is of Felix's backpack. By the time we went school suply shopping hello kitty was  nearly the only kind left. Our 15 year old was not having any of that. So, through a near run in literally we met a lady who suggested another store were we found  two backpacks for the price of one! 

  Next, is a caculator. Some of you may know these calculators cost around 90 dollars. Felix needed one for school. We had nearly given up hope of finding Zane's old one then...Zane and I were talking with his sister and she knew right were it was!! 

Thinking about hideing things made me think of trust.  We don't have to try to hide from God we can trust that He knows us best. Including how to love and discipline us best! I want to run to that kind of relationship! I want my true self to be found and developed by my Jesus. There is so much joy in this journey with Him! I once was lost but now I am found was blind but now I see!  Extra excitement!

Ten

Ten
Extra! Extra! :) It is a thrill to have 10 plates to wash this morning!  Last night we were privileged to have the Fenn family join us for dinner.  There are 5 of them.  They lift my spirits and bless my life every time I see them.  I must needs brag on the training they have given their 3 precious kiddos! After the meal they each took their plates to the sink! It was very refreshing.  I would have gladly cleared all the dishes from the table but, I felt so warm and fuzzy about their kind gesture! :) We were also blessed to have two of Felix's cousins joining us.  It was a joy to have all of these fine people around our table.
A little extra food, time, and energy made a big difference in my week. I'm so thankful today for the warmth of friendship.  A dish is a dish and soon they will be washed, dried, and put away but, my warm memories the potential of carrying me through rough patches. Thank you Jesus for the "extra" of friendship.

Flip-a-roo!

The Flip Side
Every year since I was six I have gone to school except two.  The first year I didn't go to a school building I did take several online courses. Then there is this year...I am dropping my child off at school. Wait a moment...how did I manage to skip to this stage.  It is a bit like those games where you roll the dice and jump ahead however, this is no game.
On August 19th my husband and I after being married not quite 2 months obtained legal gaurdianship of the young man in the picture.  He is one of the extras. I am humbled by the thought of parenting him.  God is faithful.  I know I can trust Him!
So, this buisness of flipping...I once the teacher have now joined the ranks of parents. It is my prayer that God would bless my boy this year. I pray that God will be with the teachers at the school. This I pray beliving God for the good things...the extras.

Welcome!

The phrase the extras has been tumbling around in my head like a pair of tennis shoes in the dryer.  You know the sound well...thump the thump the thump.  I feel like my life is full of the extras. This as a general rule is a positive thing.  For, you see these extras work like sand to oysters.  The very thing that is rough and uncomfortable at times has the ability to shape one of the rarest most beautiful stones.  So, the extras are shaping this "oyster" and one day I trust sooner rather than later I'll be something pretty too.  It is through the ups and downs that the extras bring, that beauty can be formed and cultivated.
At this point it may be hard to understand what I mean by "the extras.". I think I am still in discovery mode myself.   However, I wanted to share this journey with the extras and I, with you. I hope we enjoy the ride.
 Welcome!