Chase ended, new decisions

After further research, I decided we would be best not to get the model of phantom vehicle we drove 100 miles round trip to see. I found another model that got much better customer reviews, and we drove over to Plano to check it out. I loved it, hubby approved, and we signed the initial papers. Although our financing isn't finalized (they are trying to beat the prearranged offer we brought in), after a $500 deposit, they let us take the vehicle home for the night.

Of course, I'm going through the usual doubting you get whenever you make a major deal like that. At least it's a big deal for MY family! Is it the right vehicle? Is the ride TOO stiff and bumpy? And most importantly, we will be able to make the payments?! It does give me incentive to manage my work time better! And we HAD to have another functioning vehicle.

Also, I got a call this morning from my son's dentist. My son's 6-year molars are in bad shape. The dentist thought it might be best to just pull them, hopefully to be replaced by the 12-year molars in position, which would in turn be replaced by the wisdom teeth. I went to see the orthodontist, as recommended, who said he thought the teeth roots were healthy, but said if the dentist said they needed to come out, they could come out without too much trouble. He did say it was a long-term gamble as the wisdom teeth aren't too predictable. However, my dentist didn't act like he had any information from the ortho when he called me. Which is strange, considering the ortho shares office space one day a week and they said they were writing up notes to leave for him.

Now the dilemma -- to take him to an endo, who will probably say to save the teeth at all cost? Now, I don't want to mess around with my child's mouth, but we don't have the money (especially with a new car) for four crowns now, which will need replacement later as they wear out. The alternative is to ask the dentist if he will just pull them anyway, or to seek a second opinion. Ahhhhhhhhhh! I hate tough decisions!

Wild Geese

Today we went on a wild goose chase. We drove 50 miles across town to look at a used vehicle at a dealership. I made sure to call first to see if the car was still available and if they would accept our financing. Things were looking good as we headed through patchy rain, everything from a downpour to a drizzle to spots were the roads were completely dry. About 5-10 away from the dealership, the salesman calls me to make sure we're not lost. He must be ready and waiting, right?

We drove around the parking lot, which was TIGHTLY crammed with cars for sale, searching for a place to park. We ended up out back on one side. Toting our umbrellas, we marched in and searched for the Pre-Owned department, asking for our salesman. His desk wasn't even in that part of the building, so another salesman walked us across the building to the new car area and sat us down at our salesman's desk.

We waited about 20 minutes for him to finally show up. He walked in briefly, introduced himself, fussed about the previous salesman having disappeared and his inability to do three things at once, and disappeared for another 20 minutes.

When he came back, he looked at our financing paperwork and disappeared in search of the keys for the vehicle in question.

About 20 minutes later, he came back with the news that the car in question, although present, had a deposit on it through another salesman. Then he proceeded to persuade us to take another "acceptable" vehicle, even though we had driven 50 miles to see this specific vehicle which we had searched out on the internet. He grabbed his umbrella and headed out to find what he thought would be acceptable vehicle for us.

We waited another 10 minutes and then just left, driving another 50 miles towards home.

I don't mind waiting patiently when necessary, but I hate it when people waste my time and then try to talk me into buying something I don't want!

The good news of the day was that, although an hour late, we made it in time for dinner at a minichurch gathering. We were able to meet the mom and sister of our friend whose oldest sister had died Saturday evening from lung cancer.

God worked out all the details of the oldest sister's passing. Difficulties of getting the family there were smoothed out. The oldest sister was able to recognize her mother and sisters. She also had the opportunity speak with her deaf daughter who couldn't come. And she died out of the hospital at her son's home, as she had wished.

I praise God that she was a believer, and I pray earnestly that those family members who are not yet believers or are not strong in their faith will be drawn to God through this event.

It was a joy to visit with the visiting mom and sister, to laugh and joke, and to just be there in support of the family. The sister we visited with expressed her understanding of why our friend loved it here in Texas, being surrounded by a family of supportive friends.

That's how I want to be spending my time -- being a supportive friend. Sorta puts those wild geese in perspective.

Sharing Life

Last night our family had the awesome experience of sharing life with our Crossroads Bible Church Family as we celebrated the graduation of our teens. It really brought back memories to see the pictures of children we watched grow up. And it was good to get to know some new friends who are at similar places in their life journey. What made it even more awesome were the parents of juniors and sophomores who came to serve so that we parents could enjoy our time with friends and family.

We had the privilege of spending about 24 hours with my sweet mother-in-law! She'll be 90 in July, but she's going strong, although slowly! She drove about 3-1/2 hours from Oklahoma to come to John's graduation reception last night. Being a home body, she's heading back this afternoon.

My father and his wife also came from across town (about an hour's drive) for the reception. I only had a short visit with them as those kind of events are so busy! But they didn't really expect to be able to visit with me much.

We also had an adult friend of John's make a rare appearance. He was a previous Awana leader who had a special bond with John. He is no longer attending Crossroads, but he came back after a 4-1/2-year absence just to bring John a gift and his best wishes. He didn't stay for the party but used the opportunity to see John.

I also had a chance to meet one of the men who has served as a Bible study leader for John for three years, and to thank him for his influence in John's life just by being real.

We are so blessed to have adults in our kids' lives who love God and demonstrate how to follow him, who love our kids and encourage them, who inspire them in ways that we would never be able to.

We are blessed to have a body of believers to go through life with -- the ups and the downs, sharing burdens and sorrows as well as joy and excitement. How beautiful is the body of Christ!

Life is fragile

It is easy for us to take life for granted. We assume there will always be a next year, a next week, a tomorrow, a next breath. But there are no guarantees.

A friend's sister is in the hospital dying of cancer. The doctors have guessed that she has hours left. She was diagnosed in the fall and has steadily gone downhill since.

Fifteen years ago, I watched my mother slowly decline in health. However, I had small children, so I couldn't spend as much time with her as I would have liked. And we didn't know how close she was to death, so she at the hospital without any family present when she passed from this life to the next.


Watching a loved one suffer makes us feel so helpless and powerless. We would give anything to take away the pain or anxiety or suffering. But all we can do is watch and pray and encourage the best we can. And remember that life is fragile and today is a gift.

When a close friend lost her 3-year-old to a sudden illness, God gave me a song. I'll share the chorus with you:

Give them your best today, together at work or play.
Sing to them of the Lord, tell them stories from His Word.
Give them your best today. Don't let the time slip away!
We know not what tomorrow holds, so give them your best today.

Today is a gift, not a promise. What are you doing with your day? How are you investing your time in those you love? In those who need to hear of God's love and Christ's provision? In communing with your God and Creator?

Carpe diem.

Lone Spartan

Who is that lone Spartan?

OK, I'll add a few details. The high school guys have an Ultimate Frisbee game every spring with the Juniors and Seniors playing the Freshmen and Sophomores. The Seniors have a tradition of dressing in costume. John went as a Spartan from the movie 300. (Yes, he was seen in public looking like that!)

John and I made the costume, I took a picture, and Dad did some creative editing!

John gave me a compliment (I think!). He told Brent that I had made the costume. Brent asked, "Did she know it was for this (Ultimate Frisbee)?" John replied, "Yes. She's not your typical mom!" To which Brent agreed. Well, I'm pretty sure JOHN meant it as a compliment!

His will, His time, His way

That's become my motto of late. God has been echoing this message through the people around me.

Pastor Mike taught on the raising of Lazarus on Sunday and how Jesus delayed his coming until after Lazarus died that God might be glorified through the resurrection. Of course, on Jesus's arrival, Mary and Martha didn't quite see it that way.

My friend Lori shared how that same story and that same point had jumped out and grabbed her (so to speak) just a couple of weeks back.

My missionary friend Robyn shared with a group of friends how God has put her in a role Germany that is so different from what she thought she would be doing when she first signed on with Greater European Missions. She also had to wait three years to get to the mission field, facing obstacle after obstacle. During this time her position with GEM changed and her children were prepared for her departure.

It is hard to trust God and not lean on our own understanding. To wait on him for the perfect timing. To see his hand in the midst of tragedies.

As my wise friend, Lori, observed, he walks with us through the tragedies and weeps with us. I must remember that his timing and methods are for His greater glory and for our greater maturity -- even if we never understand the whys of His will, His time, His way. The best way!

Congratulations, Graduate!

My older son is graduating from high school! If you're at CBC, take a look at his pics in the lobby. I had a few walks down Memory Lane putting those together! It seems like just yesterday I was struggling to get him to read! Math, however, has always been intuitive to him.

It's thrilling (in both senses of the word) to watch your children mature into adults. It's like teaching them to ride a bike -- they will never get the hang of it until you let go and send them sailing out on their own! And sometimes the only thing we can do is be available to help with the "skinned knees" of life.

I'm proud of my son for making some very wise choices in life.

• He has thoroughly enjoyed four mission trips to Mexico to build houses with the high school group and two trips to Haiti to visit our sister church in the village of Chambellan. As a matter of fact, he is going back with the highschoolers to Mexico in two weeks to serve as an adult on the team!
  
• He has served four years on the Midschool Servant Team -- our highschoolers lead the midschool discipleship program on Tuesday nights. His favorite jobs are manning the kitchen (set-up and clean-up) and guarding the halls & stairs.
  
• He has voluntarily served our Worship Pastor as "roadie", helping him carry his guitars and music out after the services.
  
• Whenever he finds himself at church on Sundays with nothing to do, he seeks out our Children's Ministry Director to request a job.
  
• He has served several years running in the VBS and Music Camp programs at our church. The last few years he has helped with the sound system, and he would like to be trained to be a regular member of the Sound Team.

He is planning to enlist in the Air Force in order to serve his country and to fund his education. However, he is going to delay his enlistment in order to take advantages of some opportunities here while he can, such as taking a discipleship course offered by our church and working for a bit. He can also use the time to meet with a recruiter to prepare for enlistment.

I want to thank all the people at our church (past and present) who have loved my son in spite of his antics, giving him a chance to serve and learn and grow -- Miss Nesha, Miss Edna, Miss Anne, Pastor Dave, Mr. Davis, Mr. Bogie, Mr. Ramsey, Bryce, Brent, Melissa, Bob, and many more!

Congratulations, son!