Monday, September 24, 2012

Grateful

What a busy week!

Joshua got to speak at a United Way meeting in Heber Springs for ENTERGY. He did SUCH a good job and everyone was so nice to him. Jim and I were so proud of him...just thinking that this was the little kid that many people thought would never amount to anything (and, trust me, if he never spoke to anyone about anything, we would love him just as much!). This young man stood in front of at least 30 people and gave a short talk on what United Way has meant to him (you can designate UW funds to go to Special Olympics). He had everyone's attention. They clapped and cheered. One lady videoed it. One man took pictures. When he was done, he received what he called a "standing probation." He had to miss his group's outing on that day, and so he was a little bummed about that at first. Anytime one of the members of his Therapeutic Rec group have to miss for ANY reason, it causes a disturbance in the force some concern and lots of questions among the friends...but he got a good meal and a FREE t-shirt, so it was all good!

I took Clark to ACH for his annual oncology check-up. It was good to see Dr. Becton and the nurses. Clark and Dr. Becton spent most of the time chatting about football and all of that. We got the results of Clark's lab work on Thursday, and it all came back NORMAL! Praise the LORD! So thankful!

Holly and Aaron graciously offered for Joshua to spend the night with them on Tuesday. FIRST. TIME. EVER. Joshua was in ALL his glory! He had the best time with his sister and his brother-in-law...and his "furry nephew," Marley. Holly picked him up from the Center on Tuesday afternoon, and then took him back on Wednesday morning...saving me two trips! Snaps for Holly and Aaron!

My friend, Carolyn, invited me to have lunch at her house with a few of our "old" gang...from back a long time ago when we lived in LR. Our other friend, Karen, was in town for some speaking engagements. She travels a lot for Lifeway...to conferences and things. I was thrilled to be able to spend some special time with her and the others. Carolyn is such a warm and welcoming person. Walking into her familiar house, I was taken back in time...back to when Jim and I were much younger, and in Carolyn and Earl's SS class. They were great mentors to us during our early years, and Carolyn pretty much taught me how to be a Mom. Karen taught me how to be deliberate in parenting my children toward Christ, and she was one of the first people who came to see Joshua at our home after he was born. I remember her sitting on the couch and holding him on her lap. She looked at me and said, "just love him."

JUST. LOVE. HIM.

Yeah...I could do that.

I absolutely LOVED spending the afternoon with those precious women.

On Thursday, after I dropped Joshua at the Center, I headed to Bryant. Holly and I painted the master bedroom. What a job! There was a section we couldn't do that was behind their bed, but the rest is done. I think it will all need a second coat...but that goes faster than the first coat, right? Right? :) On Thursday night, I met my friend, Amy, in LR and we went to hear Karen speak at First Baptist Church. I got to see several people from our past and that was so fun! And...BONUS...got the name of a potential new "hair-girl" for me and Holly to try! Karen spoke on having a spirit of gratitude...even when things go wrong, even when things don't go your way, even when things aren't GOOD, even when things aren't FAIR.

Ouch!

She gave several examples from her own life, some things I had not heard before. I felt really bad that I'd been complaining about this house. So it's not what I would've chosen...so what? Maybe everything doesn't have to be about me. I know that GOD has provided a beautiful place to live. I know that GOD will honor my obedience if I have a grateful heart. I know that GOD is allowing our other house to be used by our children, for such a time as this, and I am beyond thrilled about that!

Friday night, we had a football game. Even tho Clark still cannot play, we made the drive to Russelville to cheer on the team. We got there on time, but there was a lonnnng line and the visitor's stand was FULL. We had to sit on the home side, but everyone around us was really nice. :)

On Saturday afternoon, we went down to Bryant and saw H/A for about an hour...then headed down to see the in-laws at the lakehouse. We had a great dinner, loaded up some groceries...and headed home.

On Sunday, we went back to Second Baptist Church. It was our 3rd visit. I really like the pastor, like the direction of the church, like that there is a corporate effort and focus to reach the lost in our community. I love that it's a church of missions...and lots of ministry opportunities. If someone will just reach out to Clark...(sigh) I am anxious to see how he fits into their youth department. And then there's Joshua...none of the churches we've visited have a place for him. Or, at least not that we know of! We serve a big and mighty God, and we are trusting that He's got this ALL under control. HIS control.

And today...huge praise. Clark had another appointment with his orthopedic doc who said Clark is doing MUCH better. Not 100% yet, but significantly better...and released him to do some lifting and exercising and running. Yay! Still "no contact," but getting stronger. :) So many people have been praying for him.

This week...looks really busy as well. I'm gonna try to make a concerted effort to be GRATEFUL and GRACIOUS in all things, even when I don't understand. Wish me luck!

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways!" Romans 11:33

Monday, September 17, 2012

Unsettled

Unsettled.

That's how I am feeling. 

This house doesn't feel like "home" yet. Our other house is still on the market. I see people I don't know everywhere I go...football, church, the grocery. It's gettin' old. 

(Hello, I don't believe we've met. I'm Wendy Whiner)

About 2 weeks ago, we had some "lookers" come to our house in Bryant. We were excited to find out that it was their 2nd time to view our house! After their visit, the realtor called Jim and gently suggested that we "update" that house.

Ugh.

Not really trying to put a lot of money into a house that we are trying to sell.

I see it, tho...what they are saying. About the house. It's plain...but isn't that okay? I mean, for the price? It's a huge house and we had a ton of happy memories there. It wasn't perfect when we moved in...but we were okay with it. We changed a few things, and I painted a lot...but for the most part, we left it the way it was. It was big and comfortable and homey...and there was room for everyone.

I don't think I would ever let a paint color determine whether or not we would buy a house. 

But that's just me.

One of the houses I looked at before we bought our Conway house...had a white wall with a GIANT Wampus Cat (Conway's mascot) head painted on it in BRIGHT, royal blue. The homeowner had placed a sticky-note on the wall that said they would be happy to recommend an artist that would paint anything we wanted on that wall.

(I just hope it wasn't the same person who painted it on there the first time, because Joshua Garland could have done a better job. I'm just sayin'.)

Now let me just say here and now that I'm a fan of the Wampus Cats...or, I'm slowly getting there. But I would have NO PROBLEM whatsoever slappin' a coat of paint over that Cat head. No ma'am. None at all.

This house we eventually bought in Conway, it's not perfect. I would not have chosen it, but Jim loved it and I wanted him to be happy. I know we will make great memories here, too. There is still work to be done here in this house, but it's had to be placed on the back-burner while we tend to things in Bryant. And things are MUCH BETTER since Leanne, Robin and Kevin worked their magic here.

So, I have been spending time working on the house in Bryant...updating the kitchen cabinets and painting in the master bedroom and bath. Holly has helped me a lot, and for that, I am grateful.

We are also very thankful that Holly and Aaron have been able to live in that house while it is still for sale...and oh my goodness...she has it decorated so cute! I think it helps to have someone living there. So while we are anxious to get the house sold, we definitely see God's timing at work.

I still feel unsettled, but, as my friend, Ruth says, "it's just a season."

On another note: Joshua asked me this week if Jim and I ever "square-danced" in our bed at night...and, if so, had we ever fallen out of bed. Eeek!

"...He is your constant source of stability..." (Isaiah 33:6a)


Monday, September 10, 2012

Lately...

Wow.

I can't believe it's been 7 weeks since I've written on this blog. Since I've written anything. Who knows what will come out of me.

I've been in a slump for sure.

So much has happened. I was nearing my breaking point with this move...with this house...when my 2 sisters and my brother-in-law came to my rescue. They came in like a storm...made a plan and began to execute it.
Immediately.

The plan: paint and glaze my kitchen cabinets, paint the built-ins in the family room from white...to black, new ceiling fans and light fixtures, new blinds, curtains, rugs, accessories.

It took every bit of a weekend. We all worked until we dropped, but in the end...our house is more of a home. It's more...me.

I have a great family. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, and so, so blessed.

"Bear one another's burdens..." (Galatians 6:2)