November Miscellany

A few thoughts, quotes, events, and pictures as we move out of this season and into the holidays....

Fall sunsets here are captivating. These pictures are from a spontaneous evening on the shore... just a few moments of play as the sun set.

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Tired of politics and all the nonsense it has caused within relationships? Instead of getting all up in arms with what's going on in our culture, consider this:

“The patriot, who hopes that schools and lyceums (or colleges), and the general diffusion of knowledge, will promote the good order and happiness of the community while family government is neglected, will find that he is attempting to purify the streams which are flowing from a corrupt fountain. It is maternal influence, after all, which must be the great agent, in the hands of God, in bringing back our guilty race to duty and happiness. O that mothers could feel this responsibility as they ought! …There is no combination of causes so powerful in promoting the happiness or the misery of our race, as the instruction of home. In a most peculiar sense God has constituted you the guardians and the controllers of the human family.” (The Mother at Home, John S.C. Abbott)

Think again if you feel that "moral" government, culture, schools, etc. will turn out a better generation. Get offline and live in reality, doing the work God has given you right in front of your face, whatever that means for you.  :)

My life will have the greatest impact now and for the generations to come if I faithfully raise up children that hope in God, equipping them to go into the world and be difference makers. We have an incredible opportunity and responsibility as moms. May we not get side-tracked. Stay kingdom-minded. Keep your eyes on Jesus!

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A good thought on accepting each of our days as they come (including the surrounding circumstances and trials):

“Mercifully, God does not leave us to choose our own curriculum. His wisdom is perfect, his knowledge embraces not only all worlds but the individual hearts and minds of each of His loved children. With intimate understanding of our deepest needs and individual capacities, He chooses our curriculum… An angry retort from someone may be just the occasion we need in which to learn not only longsuffering and forgiveness, but meekness and gentleness; fruits not born in us but borne only by the Spirit.” (Keep a Quiet Heart, Elisabeth Elliot)

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I took pictures till it was too dark, then played with the rest.

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The truth is I’m still a complainer at times, but I’m working on it! Here's a good reminder regarding the goodness of God in all things:

“Everything about which we are tempted to complain may be the very instrument whereby the Potter intends to shape His clay into the image of His Son— a headache, an insult, a long line at the check-out, someone’s rudeness or failure to say thank you, misunderstanding, disappointment, interruption. [Seek] a peaceful and happy contentment in the assurance that goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives.” (Keep a Quiet Heart, Elisabeth Elliot)

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What He Said:

“When I grow up, Mom, I want to be either a trash truck driver or a pastor.”

Um, I had no words. So many, many thoughts… but not a single word.

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Because of Romans 6, and other passages:

I thanked the Lord today— out loud as I was driving— because I am learning new things from His Word. They are things that I knew before, but hadn’t fully understood in a way that applied to my life practically. This is the difference between illumination and simple head knowledge. God’s Word is immensely practical, and it works in us in a way that changes us. I am learning in a deeper way what it means to LIVE… To have true LIFE... FREEDOM from the dominion of sin. With the work and help of the Holy Spirit, this is huge in my daily life and tremendously practical. It changes everything!

Oh, that I would increasingly take hold of this truth in such a way that my life continues to change, bearing fruit for His glory.

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I wasn't sure if I was going to post these pictures, but I asked the opinion of a special someone and now here they are. I ran my first half marathon this month...

It was a very early morning and the temps were quite a bit cooler than normal. I am not a morning runner. In fact, I am not a morning anything! 

A pre-race smooch. 

I should have been quicker about getting in the lineup because I had to run at a slower pace than I would have liked for the first mile or so. I learned a thing or two about strategy through my mistakes and through the observation of others in this race.

It was fun seeing my people just passed the start, then again midway. Cheers from my tiny crowd were the best!

While I ran, the others played in the cool fog...

I'm thankful for these pictures taken by Jon.

Half way-ish...

It was super special to be on the receiving end of cheers! Having never participated in team or competitive sports, this was a special experience for me.

I typically run my best after the first 5 miles, but in this case I had the worst ever cramps ever to fight through (ladies... you know the ones!). 

Waiting some more. I so appreciate their patience!

Then after I crossed the finish line...

This race was so good for me: training, perseverance in setbacks (shin splints), increased health, completion, new habits, increased motivation... I am thankful. I spent my 20s growing and feeding babies, and entered my 30s physically depleted. My health was not in the best standing for other reasons, and intense fatigue and musculoskeletal issues made me live in pain and exhaustion. The reality of an aging body came swiftly and intensely. Pain and fatigue meant that I wasn't active, and a loss of activity led to a loss of strength and mobility.

But the Lord has been gracious. Though I entered my 30s more or less like an elderly lady, I hope to exit this decade strong and ready for more usefulness ahead. It has always been my desire to enjoy the activity of life with strength and energy. I want to be useful for the kingdom for as many years as the Lord gives me, and focused training and discipline in the area of health is an investment I am eager to make. Yes, I benefit in so many ways, but so do my husband, children, and others whom God places in my life.

On the other hand, if God chooses to take away the use of my legs (for example), I pray that I would recognize the fact that they were His to begin with. Ultimately, He is the one who enables me to use them; if He takes away ability, may I serve Him fully to whatever extent He gives me. I want to use whatever it is He blesses me with to the max for His glory.

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We are entering a season of back-to-back festivities, celebrations, and togetherness! It will be a 5-6 week period of increased hospitality, ministry, and energy and financial output. It is a special time to be sure, but I pray that I would never lose sight of who and what truly matters most.

~Katherine

End of Season

Another season of flag football wrapped up for Jacob and Andrew last weekend. They had such a good time again, only wishing their teams made it "all the way!"

We have loved watching them play. If Jon was out of town during the games, I'd text him the updates... whenever one of the boys intercepted or had a good run, or scored a touch down. Jon did the same for me if the two boys' games and locations conflicted, and I could only attend one. 

Most of the season was played under the lights, and I only took my camera along during the afternoon playoff games.

Eyes on the ball...

I just love all the expressions.

Michael spotted me aiming my zoom in his direction... never a serious face!

In fact, both boys were full of beans that day! And Olivia patiently endures!

Going for the flags...

Injuries are a calculated risk in sports. Same goes for climbing cliff-sides and trees, and using jack-knives! It has been my observation that the children of overprotective parents are typically the ones who get hurt the easiest. Maybe it's because their bones don't develop as strongly (because they are underused) and because these kids don't get a chance to develop coordination and agility? I don't know. It's just my theory. But moms, seriously, let your boys be boys! 

Second place medals. Fun group of boys and awesome coach. We are so glad for the new connections we made through this team.

This boy loved every minute of it!

Football is very much a head game for Andrew. He made himself flash cards to learn the plays, and would often go to sleep thinking through new strategies.

His loose tooth fell out during the third quarter of a playoff game.

The school year is almost complete, too! Woo-hoo!!

~Katherine

Notes for August

Summer break is winding down quickly and I am feeling sad already! I've never liked the start of school, either as a student or as a homeschool mom. This year we have joined a charter school so there will be a lot of change for us. Although my kids will have some traditional classes, most of our courses will be homeschool/independent study. Olivia will have the most class time since she is in high school now, and she will be on campus 4/5 days even though half her schooling is still independent study. I am fiercely independent, and I can tell already that answering to a "system" and proving myself to an "educational specialist" is going to rub me the wrong way at times. The administrative load is significant, and in my opinion much time is wasted. However, my boys are excited about their elective classes and Olivia is looking forward to new experiences and resources. Overall, it will be a good experience and new opportunity for growth. I'm sure the discomfort I have toward change will soon dissipate as we settle into a new routine, and "change" begins to feel "normal."

Flag football has begun, much to the boys' happiness. Jon is coaching all three teams because this makes enrolling in sports more do-able for us. Since he is coaching, the practices are held back-to-back, and the games are all on the same day at the same location. I'm so thankful for Jon's practical involvement, but especially for his desire to do things like this with the boys.

sports = injuries

The benefits of sports outweigh surface injuries, and boys equate blood with toughness and, well, qualities that make boys manly. Or something like that.

No tears. 

And now for the sake of feminine balance around here, my stephanotis growing well and smelling wonderful.

Olivia is in braces again. The pain is nearly gone now, but she was feeling it when I snapped these shots last week.

Jon took Michael on a fun little father-son getaway earlier this week, so I made it my business to do something with the other three. They chose the beach and late evening tacos after the sunset. Since school has started in some districts, the beach was noticeably less busy.

Undistracted by a surfboard, Olivia enjoyed playing with her little brothers.

Fun in the waves and funny faces!

Tiny brittle stars in the washed up seaweed.

Blond-tipped eyelashes

Low tide

Clear water, good waves

Bracing himself for the torrent of water...

...Ahhh!

Our end-of-summer-vacation sky

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"Be still and know that I am God." This has always been a special verse to me. In fact, I heard that sentence as a kid and held on to it long before I even knew it was a verse in the Bible. It just seemed so right that this would be the safest, happiest place to be. Be still. Know. God is GOD... and it's going to be OK. It's so simple.

"Be still," God says. But I've not been perfectly still. I've wiggled and squirmed like a child impatient on her parent's lap. I have trusted him, I think, but with impatient discomfort.

Perhaps if I didn't have that deeply set knowledge that God is indeed GOD, I might be more than impatient. I might not even hope to find stillness and rest. Maybe I'd be downright angry. For me anger can come in not understanding.

I've been tested more than once by God in pretty significant ways. His grace is the only way I've stood firm. It wasn't by my super-faith that I had resolute trust in His goodness and coming provision when it appeared I might find myself to be a widow and single mother of four. It wasn't because of my immense spiritual maturity that I weathered days in the PICU with my four-year old son whose broken neck and bent spinal chord weren't responding to treatment. Car accidents are not accidents in God's economy 'cause He ordains events in our lives with love for our good and for His glory. And in His love for us, He provides all that we need. His grace carried me through, and I can take no credit.

But unlike car crashes and physical injuries where there is no choosing or personal culpability involved, some trials are harder to accept because personal responsibility and choice feel central. This trial with the two foster kids did involve choice. And the choices seemed to be lose-lose.

So the lingering question remains: "Were my choices and actions right?"

Will this question haunt me till I die?

And the questions persist: How did I fail? Should I have been more resolute, more trusting in the Lord? Could I have been more compassionate, more loving? Given the nature of the situation, did we make the right decision for everyone involved?

Yes, I believe the right decision was made, but there is that lingering "What if...?" that is tormenting at times.

And so here I am. I find myself impatient with what God is doing in my life. I am squirming because it's hard to be still.

Now what? The change of events and resulting disappointments have left me out of sorts. My insecurities seem magnified, deficiencies outweighing any capability. It seems so juvenile, so whiny... but yeah, I feel like I'm not good at anything. What are my natural talents, and what are my spiritual gifts? Will my life be the hum-drum story of a comfortable, clean and shiny Christian that never worked hard, never got down and dirty to produce fruit?

"God, you know my heart. Lead me to the place of quiet rest and stillness in Your sovereign plan. Enable me to do what pleases you most."

And so if God chooses to bless me with relative ease, should I not receive that with thanksgiving...?
...Because what He really wants is for me to delight in Him.


~Katherine