My Wise Friend

Proverbs 14:1
"Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands."

One of the things God has always blessed me with is good and godly female friendships. My female friends are indeed the jewels and treasures in my life.

Today I was mulling in my head the various struggles and issues that I am facing as a mother and a step-mother. I called my high school friend Catrina. She home schools 3 boys and has taken in a friend's teenage daughter as a 4th child. I knew she could give me a little perspective.

But it wasn't a little perspective, it was a deep well of wisdom. And I drank with much thirst. I so appreciate a wise woman. A woman humble enough to share her faults and brag about the grace and mercy and intention of God in conforming her to Christ. Catrina had a spiritual and practical answer for every one of my issues --- it was such an encouragement to me.

I will credit her husband Nate too who I know also encourages in her daily efforts to nuture, train, and grow her family. She also has to be reminded of the big picture regularly because like me, and many moms, we get distracted by the daily little "dramas" or mishaps or unscheduled happenings.

Is the life I am providing this child the best for this child regardless of seeing or not seeing "results" from this child? Am I remembering to submit to God's authority to serve and love and pour out grace regardless of this child's appreciation or lack of appreciation?

Are my eyes on the seeds I can plant and NOT looking at the soil impatiently for the seeds to finally sprout?

It came down to this: I am a farmer. I am here to plant seeds of Christ in my children. I am not here to force those seeds to grow. If they start to grow, I am here to provide the environment and relationship to nuture it. But plant, plant, plant. Its a good thing I look so cute in overalls.

Plant honesty. Plant service. Plant grace. Plant selflessness. Plant sacrifice. Plant joy. Plant patience. Plant mercy. Plant compassion. Plant dependability. Plant peace. Plant kindness. Plant wisdom. Plant gentleness. Plant forgiveness. Plant, plant, plant.

Yes, I am to plant the seeds of Christ. But I am also to grow the seeds that are already in me too. No point in planting if the seeds in me aren't growing and blooming and bearing fruit.

Thanks Cat.

Tree Trimmin'

Last Sunday we headed out to a Christmas tree farm to cut down a fresh tree. It was fun, but we didn't find any left in tact we liked enough, so ended up buying a tree already cut --- its about 7.5 ft high and smells NICE!

The kids, Danny, BamBam and I all had fun! Its always interesting when 2 families with their own personal traditions/histories of Christmas try to combine them. I was grateful when Michael insisted on colored Christmas lights b/c that's what I grew up with. I handed out the ornaments while everyone else placed them on the tree. And yes, I do believe I "art directed" as to where which ornament would look best. They kept hearing me say, "There's a hole there. There's a hole there -- it needs an ornament."

In the end, my husband, was sure to let everyone know only I would have the honor of placing the angel on the tree top. She is a beautiful white angel. I know they make black angels. Would be nice to have an Asian Angel??? She could say, "Melly, melly chlistmas!" Oh, I'm so bad.....

Studly Seventeen

Yesterday was Michael's 17th birthday. Now there are officially TWO seventeen year olds in the house. It feels like they are outnumbering us somehow despite the same 50/50 ratio.

I meant to post yesterday but between my crazy cake decorating class, and various logistics of wrapping his gifts, sneaking cards into his lunch, and sneaking his favorite pizza home from Mello Mushroom for dinner, I was lucky I survived the day!

And the irony of the whole cake decorating class thing was I played it safe and made Michael a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. The pictures will show that it is CROOKED! But boys don't care about a decorated cake at that age. They care that they can consume large amounts of cake. And Michael and Danny did so.

Tonight Michael is having about 9 other friends from school for a slumber party. I don't know why I thought having 10 teenage boys in my basement was a great idea and a cost effective way to throw a birthday party. After hitting the BJs, and gettin' wings, pigs in a blanket, six 6packs of Mountain Dew, chips, carrots, cookies.... I realized...... I haven't a clue how to take care of grown boys.

Well, happy birthday Michael from your evil step mother.

P.S. Lauren is skat and spending the night at a friends. Wish I could go!