More on Keeping the Future In Mind

A little more on this thought. Here are some videos from Trinity's final elementary concert. Sniff. The future is coming way too fast.

Here are some videos from Blake's second grade concert as well. Of course being short mom I couldn't see him in any of them so I figured watching Isaac while listening was the next best thing. =)

I told Jeremy last night that when you are in the trenches sometimes you can't see that you are winning the war. I have been attempting to memorize a scripture every two weeks along with Beth Moore's SSMT (siesta sisters memory team). I didn't sign up for it officially or anything, I'm just using their schedule and enjoying knowing there are other ladies out there posting their new verses and why they chose them. The verses that have come to me have jumped out for different reasons. One was in a Lent devotional, one I just opened my bible and flipped until something made an impression on me. They all seemed very random but this week I wrote them all down on one sheet of paper. 

I'm noticing a theme in these. They are all very good for PARENTING. God is so faithful that even in my bible meanderings and divided attention between devotionals and studies, he pulls out things to meet my needs. Some of the most important things (big picture) I could train my children in are covered in these verses:

guarding your heart

humility

confession

prayer

rejoicing

Godly repentance

authority of scripture

blessings of faith

I have faith in God's good plan for my children even though I can't "see" their future.

Keeping this broader perspective of God's hand on them helps me to let go of the feeling that I am wholly accountable for their outcome. It's not about ME and my performance for crying out loud. 

Ah, wonderful, sweet, news. 

Keeping the Future In Mind

On Sunday a new hospital opened nearby. I thought it would be fun to check out their grand opening. The kids were already pretty worn out from the day but they were excited to try a "skittle-ectomy" using some of the hospital tools. Funnily enough, just seeing them there with surgery gear on put such a smile on my face. 

                 

                 

So often as a mom I am caught in the day to day. I can't see past the thirty minutes I just spent repeatedly taking my toddler to his bed for quiet time or the 10th time I asked my olders to start their homework and found them doing something totally different. Even just last night I had read a very long story for bedtime and was kissing the boys goodnight when Blake grabbed the hood on my shirt and demanded his nighttime routine. I was tired and had put extra effort into the story, so at that point I just wanted to go downstairs. I was angered by his demanding fit. (he wanted rock, paper, scissors but not just any version; he wanted HIS version which is double fisted "pirate, ninja, cowboy") I didn't wan't to "give in" but there was a little voice inside me simultaneously shaming me with "what sort of mom won't finish bedtime with her son?" It was like a war in my head. People say take parenting one day at a time but sometimes just that one day is completely overwhelming and what really helps is releasing the stress of that moment and finding an opportunity to catch a glimpse of their possible future. 

                                                                                              Isaac is working for hard on getting that skittle!

     
don't trust the surgeon on the right. . . .

                     

                                   

That's what Sunday's hospital tour afforded me. They were using a little vacuum to suck candies off of baby dolls and I was bursting with pride. lol. I was reminded to help them dream big (sure you can be a surgeon), to not get lost in the minutia (rock,paper,scissors), but to teach them the broader aspects of faith (honor God!), character (honor your mother!), independence (do not grab your mother), and determination (walk away from the mother!), so that when the future unfolds they move boldly into it. Of course those broader things rely on the moment to moment parenting (vicious cycle). . . parents please nod your head that you get what I'm trying to say here!

It was like coming outside of the dark house into the bright sunlight. There is so much more to my children than the challenges they throw at me each day. Frankly, I forget that. 

The rest of the cousins go bowling.

The Minnich kids had never bowled before so of course that was a must! I bowled a 134. Not bad.

Easter 2015

Yesterday was a happy day as our family has come out of a brief season of sickness just in time to celebrate our risen savior. It was food, church, more food, egg hunt, and a massive cake to top it off. Pretty much the perfect day. I missed Jeremy though, as he did not travel with us this time. The sunshine was gorgeous and I am VERY happy it wasn't doing what it is right now. . .snowing.