Adults in the life of my children

Today my 16 yo daughter was not doing very well. Actually it has been a veeerrryyy lllooonnnggg wwweeeeeeek of her not doing well. Today at Homeschool Park Day, a woman from our homeschool group asked her how she was. She said OK, but the woman wouldn't take that for an answer. She knew that my daughter was lying, and she said so! Next, she encouraged (well, actually, demanded) that my daughter call any member of her family if she is ever depressed. Some member of her family would come and pick my daughter up to bring her to their house for the day.

How thankful I am to have other adults in my children's lives to help them along the way. I am not so delusional to think I am the only influence in my kids' lives. No Way! They need other grounded adults to show them the way to go. My daughter needs others to tell her the very things I tell her because she does not always think I'm the smartest person on the planet. She can take "medicine" from others when it's difficult to take it from Mom.

I attended my nephew's 8th grade graduation in Santa Rosa on Wednesday. Each middle-school teacher picks a few graduates to bless. I was impressed by the love shown to these students by their teachers. Not only do these students have parents who care - they have teachers who care about their character. Most of the blessings were about character.

There are sometime adults that I do not let my children around. Usually, unfortunately, they are from our church family. These adults tear down my kids and try to spread gossip with them. These kinds of adults really aren't mature Christians they are just physically mature human beings with an infantile spiritual life. I am very careful to be present when these adults approach my children. I have told my children that I will protect them from these individuals.

How careful we are to be as parents! Do I let my kids go with that person? Do I let my kids take a class at the community college? Do I let my kids hang out at that house? Most of the time the Holy Spirit will give me a sense of who is safe and who is not. I am thankful for His guidance in all areas of my children's protection - physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.

The Hunters Are Home

My son, Samuel, turned 13 on Nov. 2. He spent his birthday hunting in Colorado and shooting his first deer, a doe. He had a great time with Dad. I sent some homework with him, but he didn't do it. He told me that all they did was hunt, eat, and sleep. I guess I could count it as P.E. :)

Jordan is 15 today!

Today is my daughter's birthday. She is a wonderful 15 year old. We have so much fun together. She got to paint her room and is working on re-decorating it with a retro style - James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, I Love Lucy, etc. Her new room has one black wall and 3 pink walls. It looks great!

We got her 2 new movies - Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden. She is making herself peanut butter cupcakes to share with us tonight. Thank goodness she wanted sushi for lunch, it was delicious.

She doesn't have to do school today. I've decided to let the birthday person not have school on their birthday. Many of my homeschool friends already do this. I think it's a good rule.

I'm so thankful for a daughter who wants to follow Christ and dedicate her life to serve Him. What more could a Mom ask for?

Jordan's Home

On Monday, August 31st, Jordan came home. She had a wonderful time in Zimbabwe. She says she wants to get a job to make money to go back as soon as possible. My friend Kathy, who runs the mission, had some very encouraging things to say about Jordan. I missed her so much. The last week before she came home was really weird. I think the boys and I were just wanting her to be back home. She's our sunshine.

Unfortunately, she has the flu right now. I'm glad she is home and sick and not far away and sick. She is recovering pretty quickly, thanks to some homeopathy.

I'm just enjoying the girl vibe that is back in our house! All that testosterone was getting to me!

Anniversary Getaway

Tomorrow Scott and I are going to stay at our friend's house in Lucerne on Clear Lake. We get just one night, but we are looking forward to some peace and quiet. We do things like read all day and take a walk to get coffee in the morning. Scott does some fishing too. Our anniversary is on Tuesday, the 11th. It will be 19 years of marriage for us. How thankful I am to be the wife of a godly man.

Our friend and her three girls are staying with the boys at our house. She kindly offered to do this for us. My 12 year old had an odd look on his face when I told him who was staying with him and his brothers. I think the idea of all those girls in the house is daunting. Afterall, we do live in a "boy house", especially since Jordan is in Africa. Oh well. He'll have a good time.

San Francisco and My Parents

Today we are heading to San Francisco for the day. I love that city! I have crossed the Golden Gate Bridge too many times to count, yet each time is so spectacular. I'm not sure what Scott has planned for us, but I hope it includes the Japanese Tea Gardens and the Hard Rock Cafe.

My parents are flying in from Hawai'i tonight. They will be here for about 2 days. Then we will take them and Jordan to the airport to leave for Africa. I'm excited for Jordan to go to Africa. I'm a little nervous too. She's only 14, and I hope she doesn't get into any dangerous situations. She will be rooming with a Christian college-age girl. I've basically told my parents to stay with her all the time. She gets to go to Victoria Falls, The Hide (a wild animal park), and Swaziland. In Swaziland there is an orphanage where she can work with the children. Overall, I think she will have a life-changing time. She wants to serve God in missions, so this is a good start for her. My Shona friend, Sylvia, who grew up in Zimbabwe, warned me that people fall in love with Africa. I'm wondering if that will be my daughter.

If you think of Jordan during the month of August, please pray for her. (For her mother too, for that matter). This is a good lesson for me not to worry, since worrying is one of my besetting sins. That's why I have the Matthew passage up on the top of my blog.

difficult times ahead

There are some difficult times ahead for our family, but I know God is right here with us. Here is one of my favorite Psalms:

Psalm 27 - A psalm of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.
Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.
Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Arin as Anne Frank

Tonight I went to see my niece in her school's production of The Diary of Anne Frank. She was absolutely shining! Her performance got a standing ovation tonight and it was well deserved. I can't believe she memorized all those lines, and her acting was flawless. I'm amazed by her talent. She is an extraordinary person.