Family- Where did the time go?

I never thought that I would see the day when I would only see the back of my kids' heads as they run out the door.  Oh, the days when I could sleep in until noon.  I think those where the days when I had more hours in the day. Nowadays I am up before the sun and off to work.  My kids are up at noon and to their jobs until evening.  I see them when they are hungry after work as I am slipping into my PJ's.  They are back out as I am falling asleep on the couch watching TV or heading off to bed.  Have I become my mother?  You bet!  Someday they too will look back and say "I glad my mom was around."  Whether it be toiletries and food that magically appear in the cupboards or a leftover dinner scrounged from the fridge, I know that someday those times will be fond memories.

Faith-In God's Timing

I recently read an article titled, "Never Empty Nest."  I realized that my husband and I will also never have an empty nest since our nephew Joe, who has Down Syndrome, has come to live with us full time.  I could look at this two ways.  I will never have the retirement freedom that most people will have to travel and just relax and do what they want.  Or, I can find joy in the fact that I will always have family around, besides my husband, to talk with and travel with.  I will always have someone to care for and cook for, who always compliments me and my cooking.  God's timing is never what we think.  He always keeps us on our toes and sends us little clues.  The problem is that we don't always stay still and listen to or even recognize that it is God.

I found the below devotional that was so perfect for my day.  Joe is a welcome interruption.  I feel truly blessed that God has trusted my husband and I to care for Joe.

Today’s devotional: open to God’s timing

Are you so wrapped up in the “schedule” of your life, work, and ministry that you risk missing the unexpected opportunities God sends your way?
Blaine Smith describes following God’s timing as one of the great challenges of the Christian life. It’s easy for us to get so focused on what we think God has planned for us, that we aren’t prepared to take advantage of unplanned ministry openings. He points to Jesus’ ministry as an example of a life lived in accordance with God’s timing:

Much of Jesus’ ministry was a sanctified response to interruptions. Take a typical day: After teaching a large crowd for a long time, he breaks for time alone, only to have his disciples ask him to explain his parables (Mk 4:10). That evening, while traveling in a boat, they awake him to deal with an unruly storm (Mk 4:38), and when they arrive at the other side of the lake, Jesus is confronted by a man with multiple demons (Mk 5:1-13). In each of these cases, Jesus responds immediately to those who need his help.
Many opportunities, both for serving Christ and for experiencing his provision for our own needs, come packaged in unwelcome interruptions. We need to pray constantly for alertness to these openings when they confront us. Without such awareness, we’re likely to lag behind God’s timing.

Is there an “interruption” knocking at your door right now, threatening to divert you from the careful plan you’ve set for yourself? It’s worth asking yourself if it’s truly a diversion, or if God is presenting you with an unexpected opportunity to serve Him.   

Fun- The Simpleness of the County Fair

One fond memory of my childhood was the County Fair in the summer time.  As I got older my mother would enlist my teenaged children to come and visit during the Tri-County Fair season.  They seemed to love to "work" for Gramma Rose.  Funny how work seemed different with her.  She would take them to the Tri-County Fair as payment of work done.  Her little fair always seemed to have the biggest names in entertainment.  My kids would come home from a week of visiting with Gramma Rose and Grampa Bruce tired and dirty.  They relayed stories of eating cookies whenever they wanted and sugared cereal.  Well, I guess the reward for being a parent is actually being a grandparent.  I look forward to spoiling my children's children and sending them home with fun memories too.

Food- Healthier Eating

I recently tried  fresh fruit and vegetables from a company that works with local farmers that provide fresh vegetables right to your doorstep.  The company name is "Farm Fresh To You".  You can order online for fruits and vegetables to be delivered to your home.  It was a great deal because they offered a special of $10 off each order for your first four orders through my employer.  The prices ranged from $25 to $55 for home delivery.  They also offered small to large orders of just fruit for offices that ranged up to $110.  So far so good.  They show you what you will get each week depending on the available seasonal harvest.  Check them out at http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/.

Family- Watching from Afar.

I took my nephew Joe, who has recently come to live with us full time, to a Christian group, through "Young Life."  The group is called "High Rollers" and is for High School and College students with disabilities.  He had the best time and even came home with a hoarse voice.  I peeked in as I dropped him off and saw that they immediately welcomed him and started the intruduce him to everyone.  As I came back to pick him up, I saw the biggest smile on his face as he was taking everything in that he had not experienced before.  It was refreshing to see all the "buddies" that were there to mentor and just hang out with these students.  They have a heart of gold and I think get back just as much as they give each week.  Our hope is definitely in our youth.

Faith- Relying on God when everything seems to be going wrong.

Wow!  What a week.  I'm still trying to handle all of my father's affairs after his death almost 3 months ago.  It seems real easy for everyone else, but some don't realize that I now have two more jobs.  I am now the executor of my father's trust and the conservator of my 19 year old special needs nephew.  I am not complaining.  I feel honored to take on this responsibility.  I just wish some who really need to rely on God would just trust in Him.  It is hard and frustrating at times, but the more I give it all to God, the more patience and peace He gives me.  I am not trying to be perfect, just honoring of God.

Fun- Watching My Family Grow

Fun can take on a lot of different forms.  Most recently I watched as my 20 year old son planned to move into a different room in the house to make room for my special needs nephew who was coming to live with us.  He did a great job painting.  I had the pleasure of picking out some carpet with him for his new room, formerly my husbands den, which had never been painted and still had the original blue carpet from 17 years ago.  More to follow....