Random Reflections

You know how we all go through dry spells in our spiritual life and/or in our relationships with other people? Where you don't feel like you have the time or the energy to put into making it as great as it could be? I've had a dry spell with my blog. Hopefully it's over and I'm ready to get back to it. Here's a bit of randomness to catch you up on the last few weeks:

First, a couple of major things. Right before Spring Break, the Director of Children's Ministries at our church resigned. She talked to me about taking the position, and I said, "No, thank you." The personnel committee asked me to consider it. I said, "No, thank you." I kept saying no, but I knew I couldn't wash my hands of it without talking to God about it. So I asked Him. He directed me to Luke 9:57-62. Go ahead and read it, but I'll summarize it for you. It's the story of when Jesus is walking to Jerusalem and he says to a man, "Follow Me." The man (basically) says, "Sure, I'll follow you, but first I have to go home and tend to my dying dad." Jesus comes across another man and commands, "Follow Me." And the guy says, "Sure thing. You go on ahead and I'm just going to run home to grab a few things and say goodbye......" Here's what the author or my devotional book says: "Our commitment to follow Him is more than a promise to do His will when our circumstances are right, or when His plans do not interfere with our own. It must first be to the person of Jesus Christ, even before a particular task. Total commitment.....does mean Christ must be in His rightful place for everything else in our lives to be in their rightful places." I shared this with my husband, and with his encouragement and blessing, I took the job. Now I am up to my ears in Vacation Bible School, but I am excited about what the future holds for our church and our children.

I had a CT scan last week. It's the first time I've been back to the Dallas hospital since November. I was dreading having it done, but it was already past time. So I put on a brave face and went. Let me just say, I am envious of people who have never had to drink that pre-test stuff. No matter what "flavor" you choose, it's awful! There's no point in rehashing the details of the scan. The combination of the terrible drink, the contrast injection, and the moving table always makes me nauseous, this time to the extreme. Skip ahead a few days......my oncologist's assistant called me last night to let me know that they don't see anything on the scan and I am ALL CLEAR!!! Those words lifted a heavy weight from my shoulders. I am so thankful for God's protection. I face a few more tests in the next few weeks--no big deal--and I see Dr. M next week. I am much more lighthearted about it now that I know all is well.

Goliath is playing baseball. This is our family's first experience with organized sports, so it's kind of a big deal. He is SO CUTE in his uniform!!! Of course, we WOULD be on the team that has to wear white pants. You moms of little boys, can I get some sympathy?!? Hubby is enjoying his undershirts being truly bright and white now because whatever goes in with the baseball pants is bleached!!! Anyway, I had really tried to talk Goliath into playing soccer. He is a lot like me in that he doesn't want to attract unwanted attention, and I thought if he played soccer he would be less likely to be singled out if it didn't go well. We "discussed" it at great length, and when it came down to it, He. Wanted. To. Play. BASEBALL. Okay then. So the first few games were rough, but now the team is kind of in the groove and they are actually doing OK. When you get a bunch of six-year-olds on the ballfield, it's really to everyone's advantage that they don't keep score. Goliath "made a score" (that's kindergartenese for "scored a run") last Saturday, and he hit a double at last night's game. His coach is impressed with his power hitting.

We think that Baby tried to give himself a haircut. Or else one of the brothers helped him. Our hairdresser was mortified when we took him in earlier this week.

Little Middle is definitely all boy in that he loves bugs, lizards, and all other things creepy-crawly. For his birthday, my in-laws gave him one of those caterpillar-to-butterfly kits. You get a couple of jars with live caterpillars in them and you get to watch them form their chrysalis, live in their cocoons, and transform into butterflies. Perfect gift for Little Middle! Last week the butterflies finally started emerging, and now we have a total of 8. Turns out butterflies only have a life span of 2-4 weeks (who knew?) and so we have tried to explain to him that we need to let them go soon. He's in no hurry, though, to free his pets. I cringe when I think of what it will be like if the butterflies perish at the hands of my son!

My Bible Study group met at my house this week. It was the day that we had 5 hair appointments and 2 dental cleanings, so the meal I prepared for my friends was a simple taco salad. For dessert, I made a new recipe, and it turned out so fabulous, I thought I would include it here. Girls, this is for you:

Sopapilla Cheesecake

2 cans crescent rolls

3 packages cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar, divided

1 1/2 T vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1 stick butter

Preheat oven to 350. Beat cream cheese 1 1/2 cups sugar and vanilla until creamy. Grease 9x13 pan. Cover bottom of pan with one can crescent rolls. Spread cream cheese mixture over rolls. Top with other can. Pour melted butter over top. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over butter. Bake for 35-40 minutes. YUM!

Now, a big shout out to my friend Lisa ("Horton, this is Who. I'm in Whoville. Can you hear me?" HA!). Your poor husband's crummy work hours worked out great for me! We had a blast with you guys! You are a precious lady and I am just delighted that you are in my life. Goliath rode home hunched over in the backseat because he was worried that someone might see his near-naked, mud-covered self!!! :) My boys and I are already looking forward to next time........

Tomorrow morning Hubby (who by the grace of God was spared having to travel to Los Angeles today) will come to preschool to admire Little Middle's and Baby's hard work in the annual Art Show. The kids are so proud that their stuff is on display--it's a hoot! This weekend my parents and my sister are driving up for Goliath's baseball game, followed by the elementary school's carnival on Saturday afternoon. Whew! I don't know how I'll manage it when all 3 boys are playing games and doing "stuff"!

This is long and I am done. Faithful readers......consider yourself caught up!