On a Sunday Morning

On any given Sunday morning things are crazy around here.  Even knowing how long it ends up taking to get out the door, we never leave ourselves enough time to do so without being flustered and even annoyed (or angry...extra fun on Sunday!).  I often say that we could live in the sanctuary and we might be on time for worship.  (If you recall, we live four houses down from our church.)

Last night I laid out the clothes for the kids and had in mind what I wanted to wear myself.  I can't say that I got to bed early, and I had a weird night.  But, I got up after my alarm went off and woke the kids up and gave them breakfast (breakfast number 2 for Eliana).  Mike had to assist in worship this morning, so he was doing his own thing.

My big kids got dressed after they ate, and then walked themselves to Sunday School.  It took me a little longer to get myself together and of course Eliana had to poop.  Better here than there (at least at this point).  We got that taken care of, and put on our shoes, and then we, too, were out the door.

Although we were a little late, there was no yelling, no fussing, and no fighting amongst siblings.  No one cried before leaving the house!  I count today a triumph already.

Next mission:  to find a Sunday School class for myself, since Eliana is now happily attending Sunday School herself.

Random Things That Brought Me Joy This Week

I opened up a birthday card (it had gotten buried in our mail basket...land's sakes, what a disaster) and the card said,"Dear Christina (written by the sender) Hoping you will find renewed joy in old-fashioned pleasures and simple treasures  Warm Wishes on Your Birthday  Love in Christ (signed by a sweet woman from my church family in Richmond)".  How special and timely was that?!  I cried.

Michaela believes that I am a pretty good seamstress, even though I don't know what the heck I'm doing and make it up as I go along. 

Christian had a great day, and a great few days, really.  He has been positive, helpful, and pretty cheerful.  I've watched him literally making a choice to do the right thing when he could have done something else (for example, gotten angry in a particular situation and stomped away).  I think Karate is very good for him, and am excited to watch him grow in these areas.  Proud, too.  (Yes, I did tell him so!)

Eliana tells me she loves me any old time.  She can make me want to pull my hair out, but...she can be so, so sweet.

I redid Eliana's Fall Fun Fest costume, and am very glad that I did.  I learned as I went along a better way (figured it out) and decided to go back and fix it.  It looks much better.

If I could have recorded the bedtime silliness tonight, I would have.  For posterity..."So...Buddy the dinosaur, from The Dinosaur Train, creates a giant robot spider to fight Mr. Incredible, and it ends up in the Wizard of Oz!"  And then,"And Buddy says...'Let's all get together and figure it out!  Figure it out!  Figure it out!'"  Hysterical (HYSTERICAL) laughter.  Squealing, giggling, and did I mention hysteria?

Forgiveness is a beautiful and mysterious thing.

Joy at the End of the Day

There are dirty tissue piles here and there, that haven't quite made it to the trash can.  There are pajama pieces strewn about, Christian's top and bottoms in the living room, Eliana's top on the bottom of the stairs.  The dishes aren't done, and the laundry pile is as big as ever.  Our bed is piled high with clean sorted laundry, waiting to be carried to the closet in the other room.  There are shoes everywhere at the back door, from the rack and then within a ten-mile radius.  Okay, ten-foot radius.  The ironing board remains up in the dining room, because of course it's the classiest place to keep your ironing board.  Also your sewing machine. 

My house says a lot about me, I'm afraid, and yet here I sit, wasting time on the computer.  I avoid the work.  I know this needs to change, and I think it will, but I do have to do something.  It won't change all by itself.  Meanwhile, my thoughts tend to go to those bad places.  "Why haven't you done the dishes?  It would be easier if you had unloaded the dishwasher earlier!  Can you just put that clean laundry away?!  Sweep already!  How long since you mopped your floors?  Cleaned your toilets?  Dusted?"  Then I tell myself,"But I've been making dinner each night!  Ha!  So there!"  I guess small victories are victories, nonetheless.

And just when I am feeling pretty cruddy, and head to the kitchen to finally start the dishes...

Joy enters in an unexpected way in an unanticipated moment. 

And now I have tissues and dishes to take care of...

A Beautiful Thing

Our church has five Sunday morning services.  This morning, two of the services met together and worshiped with music.  The contemporary service and the All Nations service gathered as one and praised the Lord with one voice.  All Nations is made up of mostly Africans, and they are full of such joy!  It is impossible to be around them and not feel that joy, too.

After we sang, the sermon given by the Senior Pastor was streamed in from the sanctuary.  It was great. 

The contemporary service's main worship leader stood after the sermon and said that it was amazing to look out over all the faces, gathered together, different nationalities, and so many different backgrounds and situations...he said it was beautiful.

I have to agree.  And a cause for great joy.

Joy is...

having a daughter tell you how much she loves the dress! you made her, even though the seams are crooked, the bottom half is not centered, and it doesn't drape very nicely.

friends who walk with you, talk and laugh with you, and love you through your very crazy moments.

having the ingredients on hand to make a "dinner-in-one-pot" at the last minute.

getting all three of your kids to bed peaceably.

making things right with someone important.

a beautiful verse which serves as a prayer for me and for you:  "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13