Empty Seats, Full Heart

As Thanksgiving Day draws near, I find myself reflecting not only on those things for which I am thankful, but also on those for whom I am thankful. Holiday celebrations mean family gatherings. And I can't help but think of those who will not be joining our dinner table.

Of course, their dinner table will be a much grander affair - golden place settings, bright white linens, long time friends and family, unlimited fine wine, color and beauty beyond description and pure joy! They will be feasting with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

It is hard to believe, but this will be the ninth year without some of my beloved family members: my mother, Ruth Ann; my step-dad, Earl; and my grandfather, Floyd. And just a few years ago, my grandmother, Virginia, joined their ranks. I miss them still but will honor them for the time we shared together, the unforgettable memories. And for that, I am thankful.

Each of my family greatly influenced my life. I can still hear their voice speak to my heart some of their notorious responses, whimsical advice and lingering lessons.

"Don't make my mistakes. Learn from my mistakes and go make your
own." -Mom

"Always carry a pair of scissors." -Mom

"Well, sure you do!" -Grandpa and Grandma

Dance with the one you love! -modeled by G'ma and G'pa

"You have good tires on that car?" - Grandpa

"You turkey, you!" -Earl

When you think of your loved ones, what do you fondly recall? Add your quotes and memories in the comment box.

What's A Mom To Do?

Balancing family and work is a challenge! When I have a sick child, I feel torn between being a mom providing for my child's health and comfort and being a dependable employee assisting the educational needs of other people's children. Usually, my child wins.

Today is such a day. My amazing G has struggled with headaches for years. When she came home from school yesterday, it wasn't long before she voluntarily went to bed. We made several attempts to awaken her, but she ended up sleeping most of the night until morning. And the headache still persisted in addition to a sore throat and coughing. She ate, took some ibuprofen, and waited for it to kick in. School is not something she wants to miss. After the bus came, the headache was still going strong. Not feeling well myself, I encouraged her to stay home and rest for the day. This is my sleeping beauty, my strong, optimistic daughter, resting on the couch, but fully prepared for reading in the event that her headache diminishes.

Thankfully, my current employment permits me to take time off for sick children. I realize that is not the case for so many working moms. I am extremely thankful to have a job that I love and that allows me to be a mom first.

As far as the headaches go, G is keeping a "Headache Journal" and we have a follow up appointment with a DR. next week.

There's No Place Like Home

Much of our summer was spent at a campground in Bristol, Indiana, where the kids and I enjoyed swimming, biking, walking, visiting local attractions and , of course, patronizing the local library on those rainy afternoons. The camp site was just 10-15 minutes from the job site that demanded most of Jon's working hours throughout the summer. The campground provided a nice distraction and get-away, but there is no place like home.

By mid-August, each of us was ready and anxious to return home. Cleaning, shopping, preparing for school and catching up with friends and television programs occupied our days until school began.

So now, we are entering our third week of school and I predict a great school year!

N is a bright 7th grader who mostly tolerates school. His passions include youth group, LEGOS, all things Star Wars, music and art. Next week, he will enter the phenomena of teenager!

G is a highly determined 5th grader. She has grown and matured so that many new friends assume she is our eldest child (not that she minds)! G set a very high goal for herself to qualify for Avant Garde and was recently invited to participate in this prestigious program. Pulling her away from her summer reading was a challenge, so we were thankful for the times that she "Graced" us with her presence and engaged in face to face conversation. She awed us with reading over 12,000 pages this summer and enlightened us to the huge void that exists for engaging and appropriate pre-teen fiction for girls. Through it all, she is learning and exercising discernment. G definately has her own style not to be thwarted by peers, siblings or mom. A few weeks ago, I suggested she wear some boots, dress shoes or sandles with her skirt (anything but those tennis shoes) to which she replied "Mom, you're just going to have to get used to me being me!"

A is a confident 2nd grader. Some of her interests include music, reading, art and watching as much tv as mom will allow. She has her sweet, silly ways that make her unique.

When I think of our children, hungry for knowledge and thirsty for acceptance, I am reminded of the importance of the role of parenting. What a blessing to be given this opportunity to shape these lives and what a huge task!

Jon continues to work in Southern Michigan and Indiana. And I will begin tutoring full-time next week. We are continually thankful for God's provision of jobs we love!

As we enter into autumn, we are looking up and sensing the changing winds. What a great place to be.

I Am Changed

It has been a long while since I have shared my heart with you. Although I cannot express all that has culminated in the past months, I can sum it up with these words:

"I AM CHANGED"

I am changed by the Great I AM.

I am not what I was.

I am not what I thought I was.

Nor am I who I hoped to become.

But I am what I am. And the Great I AM approves.

Years of hurt and bitterness....

gone! Not just buried or lying dormant deep within, but vanished!

Fears and anxieties that plagued me mercilessly....

nothing but a vapor!

Unrealistic expectations and lies long held as truth....

exposed and discarded!

LISA

Consecrated to God.

Called by Him to BE.

I am imperfect, but important.

I am unworthy, but purchased at great cost.

I AM because He Is!

Summer Splurge

We did it! We gave away our old, ugly couch and ushered in a new sectional as well as a new curtain and valance for the living room area.

It was no easy feat, although very much worth the effort. All the hours invested in looking, pricing and saving was worth it since we were able to pay cash for our purchase! No new debt makes the couch even more attractive!

Cherishing Letting Go!

PERCEPTION
This is my beloved, "most comfortable ever" couch! If you have been to our home in recent years, you have probably cringed at the thought of having to sit on it! Yeah, I saw that look in your eyes. You look at my couch and see rips, smudges, grime and....isn't that a bed sheet?

But when I look at my couch, I see something totally different! I recall two young lovers making their first major furniture purchase over 16 years ago. I remember the countless nights of sharing dinner on our couch while watching Star Trek Enterprise. I think of our naughty puppy, Sasha, perched upon the back of the couch, staring out the window, awaiting my return from work. I see friends laughing and lounging and proclaiming what I have always known, "Yes indeed, you do have the most comfortable couch ever!" I see our first-born infant napping with dad. Years later he is protectively posing with his baby sister and later still, the two of them taking turns feeding a bottle to our third child. I hear stories being read, songs being sung, boisterous laughter and muffled cries as we shared our joys and burdens through the years. My couch is forever intertwined with all that I treasure. It is my sentient scrapbook.

I am reminded of something in scripture:

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.

Man looks at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.

I Samuel 16:7b NIV

Thankfully, God treasures me more than I treasure my couch.

Mercifully, He sees me, not for my flaws, but as I am fixed in His son.

Pain-stakingly, He removes my stains and restores me.

PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS.
I say this to my kids regularly. Slowly, methodically, I have been trying to model this by easing my grip on those inanimate things that I so cherish. I have been shopping for a replacement for my ugly couch. I want our home to be comfortable for entertaining. I hope that instead of our home being a place where you are counting the minutes until you can leave to wash off the possible contamination from decades of stains and germs lurking on my couch, it will be a place where you are free to spill your drink on my new, stain-guarded couch and where you dread the closure of our wonderful time together.

My husband, who hates to shop, has been accompanying me on countless furniture excursions over the past three weeks. I guess that is because I am more important to him than things, like relaxing on our soon to be replaced ugly couch. That, and he doesn't want me to come home with something too flowery or too expensive or too petite. I'm not the flowery type, nor am I a heavy spender. But I could be a minimalist, and I am grateful for the company and feedback. Finding the perfect furniture at the perfect price is a big undertaking; and the perfect guy is at my side through it all!

This is me letting go. Or trying to.

Letting go of my couch and cherishing the memories.

Letting go of my desire for perfection and cherishing my time with others.

Letting go of my perception of failure and cherishing the lessons learned.

Letting go of my inhibitions and cherishing embracing life.

This is me, cherishing letting go!

A Little Song and Dance

I was able to capture our seven year old in the middle of her private worship. She had no idea that I was recording her until......well, I don't want to spoil it for you! Enjoy!