A day to be somber.

(1) For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: (2) a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; (4) a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
      --Ecclesiastes  3:1-2,4

Today I am filled with so many emotions I'm not really sure what to do with them all. I understand God has a perfect time and place for all things, but today I just don't see it. God's plans are so much bigger than my own, and I know I'm just focusing on one small part of this tapestry that is life, but I just cannot seem to grasp reality today.

A friend of mine had a beautiful baby girl nearly three months ago. She is perfect in so many ways, and I have yet to meet this little dear. This makes me sad. I love her older sister, and even have that precious angel in a couple of my senior pictures. They have a beautiful, loving family, and I miss them.  The mother and father were some of my dearest friends and now they live too far to visit regularly. The mom was one of my role models and I miss her lovely face daily.

Another friend of mine is facing the unknown as she helps take care of her nephew. Her sister and brother-in-law brought a beautiful preemie baby boy into this world six weeks ago, and are now in the hospital praying for healing as he struggles through pneumonia and a urinary tract infection. This tiny baby has already been through so much, and these wonderful parents are doing everything they can with a baby in isolation. On top of all of the difficulties and struggles they are having with their new baby, they have another little boy that is almost two. As the parents are dealing with the youngest, my friend and her parents are dealing with the oldest. Whoever is off work cuddles and loves on and plays with the toddler, reminding him how much he is loved by his parents and new baby brother, all the while praying for a miracle. Both boys are precious, little treasures, and the family as a whole could use so much prayer.


An older gentleman I work with lost his wife today. She had been battling an illness, and everyone thought she was getting better. I was so caught off guard when he told me that I almost choked. I cannot even imagine what he is feeling right now. As I called to get schedules covered and arrangements made for the office I couldn't help but be upset by the way he sounded on the phone. His voice sounded hollow, and nothing like the cheerful man I'm accustomed to. I suppose that is to be expected, but I cannot fathom the change that has occurred within him to create such a drastic change. My heart is broken for him, but at the same time, I can't help but long for a relationship with Darling that lasts that long and is that passionate and loving and gentle. I pray we always remember the things we love about each other, and continue to see the good in one another even through times that seem impossible to deal with.

If you're the praying type, I ask that you remember the three families I mentioned in this post. Please pray for guidance, healing and comfort as they deal with new experiences, illness and loss.

If you're not the praying type, for whatever reason, I ask that you lift them up in your thoughts, and count your blessings twice.

Today is just a day I feel extremely blessed to be where I am in my life, and I also feel extremely burdened for those around me. I personally pray that each one of you reading this understands how truly thankful I am that you took the time to finish this post. I appreciate each and every one of you..

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Davey and Goliath and my little meltdown

I'M TEACHING A LEGIT-FOR-REALZZ CLASS AT CHURCH TOMORROW NIGHT! Not the usual read-a-Bible-story-and-color-a-picture-along-with-some-Play-Doh-time teaching that I usually do with my toddlers, but a watch-15-minutes-of-Davey-and-Goliath(because I love them)-listen-to-Kaelyn-jabber-for-10-minutes-have-a-related-memory-verse-and-object-lesson-and-craft-and-snack for the 5-10 year olds kind of teaching.

I'm going to wet myself.

Then they'll eat me alive.

If you're the praying kind (even if you aren't) I could use some thrown up for me. I'm terrified and excited all at the same time.

For real though, how cute is claymation?

Also, I grew up with Davey and Goliath and I absolutely love them. The kids seem to like them too. They're pretty fascinated with Claymation, so it works out pretty well for me.

My lesson is on racial tolerance, though, and I'm not sure how that will go over. I'm more focused on the "love others who are different than you, because God loves you just as you are and loves them just as they are" aspect of it. I don't think I'll delve too deep into black, white, red, brown, or purple part of it, but focus more on why it's ok to be different. Some of my kids are home schooled and go to co-op and some of them are in public schools, some are adopted and others live in foster homes and some have a large blended family, so this is something I think would be neat to talk with them about and hear what they think about being different, or if they feel left out because they think they're different. I just really think it would be so neat to be able to hear from these kids about the prejudices they are experiencing, before they really understand what prejudice and intolerance are. I don't really want to expose them to that yet, but I do want to put in the back of their mind that God loves them and expects us to all love as He does.

We're going to
Watch: Davey and Goliath: Blind Man's Bluff
Draw: On one half of the paper they have to only use one color and then on the other half they continue the picture with many colors.
Object Lesson: Overflowing shaving cream to show how great God's love for us is and, if we keep our love inside us it can't do it's job.
Memory verse: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. --John 15:12
Snack: Sugar cookies with colored icing and an assortment of toppings

Help.
I don't know what I'm doing.
My goals are huge.
Prayers appreciated.
I know I'll for sure be in a constant state of prayer.