Not Quite Sure How I Feel About It Yet

This is an epic day. No, I do not think I am exaggerating one bit, though I am known to use hyperbole. (Besides that, epic can be defined as "extending beyond the usual or ordinary" according to m-w.com) I got the news while I was shopping at Target. My stomach felt sick the minute the words were out of my husband's mouth but as I contemplated it I couldn't really pinpoint why I felt the way I did. Are you ready for this? I don't know if I can actually type the words but, here goes...the college boy got his ears pierced. Yes, both of them. I haven't seen them yet. That will be tomorrow. Little sister, apparently, knew about LAST WEEK and even gave her approval. She failed to mention it to her parents, however. Not sure how I feel about that one either. One thing you gotta know, though. Little sis idolizes the college boy. She even said so on her "25 random things" list on facebook. She called him her hero. Nothing could make her betray him...and telling us in advance would have been a betrayal, in her mind. Little brother is at a friend's house and we called to tell him so he wouldn't make a big deal about it at church tomorrow. He just said that it was stupid.

So, here's my dilemma. I am seeking advice and counsel. I feel old just admitting that I have a problem with my son having pierced ears. As the day has worn on, though, I feel not so upset. After all, there are so many things that are worse....right? I mean, he's a good kid. He doesn't always make the best choices (who does?) but he's a moral and godly kid. We have a good relationship with him. I could go on about his good qualities and the positive things about his life but the point is, why do I care? He's old enough to make his own decisions and he's gotta find out some things for himself. We can't control him but we can support him. He asked his dad if it would affect our relationship with him. Not on your life...not one little bit.

About two years ago we were going through a particularly hard patch. I sought the advice of a friend of mine at church who has 3 kids that are grown and out of the house and 2 teenagers left at home. She said that the one thing she always tried to do was protect the relationship. No matter what the kids did, the choices they made, they places they went...protect the relationship.

Ok, what do you think? Anyone up for this topic?

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Just a Threat of Ice

We don't even have any ice on our roadways yet here in the south part of the metroplex but the kids are out of school. My daughter called around 10:30 to say they wanted all the kids gone by noon. I have 8 high school kids over here but my jr. higher went home with a friend. Glory! Not that I don't love jr. highers, but the high school kids are a bit quieter. Not much, though. Especially when there's eight. I hoped to work on the material for our upcoming retreat (which, after I spent 4 hours in the library at the seminary yesterday, I think is coming along pretty well) but I'm a little distracted by all that's going on around here.

I'm fascinated by the biblical account of Elijah. The amazing defeat of the false prophets on Mt. Carmel immediately followed by his running and wallowing in self pity. From the mountain top to the pit of despair. Arthur Pink wrote, "Consistency of character and conduct is dependent upon a steady walking with God." How quickly circumstances and situations change...our readiness to handle what life gives is dependent on how we walk every single day. "Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh,' the apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:16.

Sometimes that flesh desire is expressed in anger or rebellion or deceit (among others) but sometimes it is reflected in self-pity and doubt. Like Elijah...

God didn't leave him alone to keep wallowing, however. God cared for his physical needs by providing rest and food but then He met with Elijah on the mountaintop. "You're not the only one. You are strong enough. You can handle it. I'll help you." (interjecting my own imagination on the conversation)

He says the same thing to us -- "You can do it. If I've called you then I'll equip you. I will give you the strength you need to go on." I love it that the words written on the pages of Scripture, though intended for an original audience, are words written for modern believers as well. It's at my disposal to "hear" God speaking to me...to take the timeless message and integrate it into my life.

And, I'm thankful for that.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

The heavens are telling of the glory of God...

...And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:1) -- which is absolutely evident on this spring-like day in the middle of January in North Texas. Absolutely perfect day. I already went for a jog at the park today but am now thinking, "Why am I in here, in my office, when I could be on the back porch soaking in some vitamin D?" Why indeed! So, I'll gather up my books, Bible, and commentaries and go. I'm amazed at the Creator God. Completely amazed.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen (especially on a day like today!), being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20 (To understand that last phrase of the verse please check it out in context!)

Glory to God!

Serving the Creator God,

Jeanette

And on the second day...

of our wildly popular new president's administration he will be providing funds for abortions. Yes, that's right, our tax dollars will be going to NGOs that murder babies. He, apparently, isn't wasting any time inacting his liberal policies. Read for yourself this article I copied from foxnews.com:

President Obama will issue an executive order on Thursday reversing the Bush administration policy that bans the use of federal dollars by non-govermental organizations that discuss or provide abortions outside of the United States.
Obama will sign the executive order on the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states.
The policy, known in governmental circles as the "Mexico City policy," requires any non-governmental organization to agree before receiving U.S. funds that they will "neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations."
The language was announced at the United Nations International Conference on Population in 1984, and was approved by President Reagan and originally drafted by his assistant secretary of state, Alan Keyes.
Keyes ran unsuccessfully as the GOP nominee against Obama for the U.S. Senate in 2004.
President George Herbert Walker Bush continued Reagan's Mexico City policy.
President Bill Clinton issued an executive order lifting the ban on Jan. 22, 1993. President George W. Bush issued an executive order re-instating the ban on federal dollars for NGOs that discuss or provide abortions on Jan. 22, 2001.

I really just have one totally superficial and unrelated thing to add to this blog. Mrs. Obama seems to wear cute dresses a lot of the time. I, however, have a hard time finding cute dresses. Pants are everywhere. I wonder if we'll start seeing more dresses in the stores.

Just feeling a little blunt today.

That's all.

Jeanette

A Break, Really? Already?

The kids are home from school today. It seems like we just went back to school from Christmas break. We did! In fact, Josh just moved back into the dorm on Saturday...2 days ago. Classes at DBU don't even start back until tomorrow. A little confession...I did cry a little on Saturday when that white truck pulled out of the driveway. I just got used to him being home again. Johnny said I did better the day he moved in back in August. Saturday night Johnny and I were sitting on the couch together and I said, "I wonder what Josh is having for dinner tonight." Hohum... BTW, he was at Buffalo Wild Wings eating and watching "the fight." He's become quite the UFC fan apparently. Ok, back to the subject of this blog .... which really is randomness. Since we had a long weekend Jacob had 4 buddies come home with him from church last night -- yes, 5 13 & 14 year olds spent the night here. At about 2:20 am I could not take the noise over my head anymore and we told them to go to sleep. The morning was wild -- the airsoft gun being shot in the house, etc., until the threat of me taking them to the high school track to run a mile each was made -- but the boys were all picked up in time for Jessica to come home with a pack of girls. They're cooking in the kitchen (a cooking contest against some of their guy friends) and the music is blaring. Oh the sweet sounds of teenagers in the house -- I try to take in each conversation and activity (except the ones past 2:00 am) knowing that all too soon the noises will stop and there will be silence. Rock band and guitar hero will be gone, giggling and wrestling and body noises will be of the past, texting at mealtime even when mom says put the phone away will be over.

Tomorrow they'll be back in school and I'll have peace and quiet. I will enjoy it and will probably get a lot of work done that I didn't get done today. I don't want to rush it or wish one day away. Not one single day...

Making the most of today,

Jeanette

Never boring

I had such great expectations of myself that I would blog about the bestest tv show, 24. I even had not one, but two, nights worth of 2 hour episodes each to gush about. Alas, life happens and goes on and 24 commentary is not on the agenda today.

This morning Johnny and I had his entire office staff and the pastors that work along side my man over to the house for their weekly staff meeting. We treated them to a brunch...and, though I did do most the planning, shopping, and cooking, my own pastor did help me out. It was just our small way of saying thank you for all the hard work they do week after week on the behalf of the kingdom of God. They are an amazing group of people! I am grateful beyond my ability to express that God brought us here to this church and am thankful for each person that sat around my living room today. I'm thankful for their creativity, their enthusiasm, their ability to get along and enjoy one another, their willingness to be stretched and their willingness to do whatever it takes so that our church can be a light on the hill for Mansfield.

And with that, I'm off...I'm writing material for our women's retreat today and am planning for my trip to Asia coming up way too fast!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

The Weekend

We went to basketball last night...our Jessica's team won and I saw her name in the paper today in the box scores. I checked it out while I was waiting for my vanilla latte at Starbucks this morning. Today I had to buy groceries. The main thing about this weekend is that it's time for re-grouping after the first week back to school after the break. Getting the house back in order, making sure all the boxes of decorations are put back up in the attic...I keep finding things that I forgot. And, I stashed all my regular decor in various places and am yet to locate it all. (sigh)

Ok, I admit it, the real big event for this weekend is that 24 is starting back! Jack is back! Tomorrow night I'll be glued to the tv with some friends and family. If you're a fan check back on Monday and let's share our thoughts and comments on the season opener...

See ya then!

Jeanette

BCS Championship

Just watching me some BCS Championship football tonight with my man. I reluctantly admit that I'm cheering for the Gators. I happen to be a Tim Tebow fan but not really (ever) a Florida fan. Especially when they play our Georgia Bulldawgs. However, could I ever go for OU, even if they are a Big 12 team? Certainly not!

Earlier tonight I had some college girls here at the house cooking. They were having a "cook-off" with my college boy and some of his buddies. The guys were cooking at another house so the girls cooked here and then transported the food over to the guys' location. I won't say who won the cook-off but I did have a hard time voting unbiasedly. (is that a word?) I just wanted everyone to win and tried to write "tie" on all my ballots. It was great fun, though, I really liked spending the time with the college kids. All too soon Josh will move back to campus and we'll be missing him again.

Gators scored, three points ahead now. Lots of time left, though.

Good night!

Jeanette

Interception by Florida....

Teenager #2 in on the loose

I just watched Jessica drive off to school -- BY HERSELF!! What a day. This is our first day back to school after the break and she got her driver's license during the holiday. I'm torn in 2 with feelings -- sadness that the time is passing by so fast and I can't believe she's already driving and gladness over having a teenager driving in the house again which makes my taxi cab services not as necessary!

The break is over and we are all getting back into a routine today. The college boy is still home for a couple of weeks so that's really awesome. I like routine. It's the crazy evenings with basketball games 3 nights a week that are a little hard to deal with at times. We sat out around the campfire during our Christmas break camping trip -- just sitting and talking and watching the fire. (except Johnny, who must play in the fire. Which, BTW, gave him no reason to be upset with the teenagers when they threw a mini aersol can in their fire that exploded because they learned by example. Really, that's a story that's way too long for this day's blog.) The sitting and relaxing around the campfire was the resting up for the weeks ahead. I know they will be super busy but I'm ready.

Along that same thought, our women's retreat theme for this year is "Rest." It's from Matthew 11:28, of course, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest." The weekend is going to be relaxing and refreshing and low-key. I am super excited about it. It's been a tough year for some of the women I know. The economy is tough, relationships can cause stress, some are dealing with aging parents & little kids at the same time. I could go on but the promise that we have is believers is that we have Someone to lean on, to turn to. That's a promise to count on.

And I'll be leaning hard these first few weeks I let my daughter drive off by herself...

Serving the King,

Jeanette