What?! You want me to go where??

Do you know where Liberia is?

Could you point to a map and find it on the continent of Africa? (See I gave you a hint!)

Until a month ago, all I knew about Liberia was that it was a country in Africa somewhere.

Well, now I know a bunch more. Why the interest, you ask?

I'm going there. But it's in AFRICA! Yep. I'm aware. I'm still going. When God's after you about something, you don't just tell Him no without consequence. (think Jonah.)

I was sitting in church during the "most wonderful (er busiest) time of year" when they first mentioned the trip. "Calling all teachers past and present! Our sister church in Monrovia Liberia needs help educating their teachers."  That small Voice nudged me. You need to go. You need to as much as they need you. It was so quiet that the busy turkey and gift season soon drowned it out.

I was sitting in church in the quiet stillness post-holidays when the trip was mentioned again. This time, the Holy Spirit came in the form of my husband's elbow. This man doesn't suggest things that he hasn't thought through. He knows me so well. As I saw the calm of peace in those blue eyes, I knew that whatever fears I piled up in my own mind and heart were nothing God couldn't sort out.

And sort out, He is. Shots (I had none as a kid and need a BUNCH), the rainy season, clothing, culture, BUGS, SPIDERS, more BUGS... do you get the bug factor?? Yeah. Let's just say that when I went to camp, my dear mother sent me with a super-sized can of Raid and a giant flyswatter. I was the most popular girl in my cabin.

I even wanted to be a missionary. I went to Moody Bible Institute, made it out without my Mrs degree but instead a BA in Elementary Education. I wanted to throw wide the doors of my heart and go wherever God called - Korea? Germany? China? Spain?  Aaand I ended up in Arlington Heights, IL. Not the least bit missionary-like I know. But I did meet the man who gave me my Mrs. degree. :)

God's got a serious sense of humor. He's taking me (a teacher who hasn't taught in 10 years) to a country that has lots of bugs and other living conditions that freak me out to prove how great He is and how I'm not.

I'm beginning to understand... that's the point.

A little TLC

That's what I haven't done in awhile to this now very neglected place.

A little bit of time, a few 100 words or so, and some creativity... but alas. My poor little blog sits all by itself and you readers are ignored.

To reassure you, I have not been inhabiting a palm tree filled island drinking lemonade. (Although I did get to spend 3 days with my sister in Kansas City, MO - which at 105 is tropical enough for my tastes.)

Rather, I've been riding the wave that is Summer With 3 Kids.

You know... the one where you constantly feel the tug to do something fun, but your sensible side says, "But Wait! The house looks like a Tropical Storm passed through!!"  We have had a ton of fun doing a bunch of different things, balanced by the quick "hey guys, let's get the laundry put away before we go".

It just doesn't produce a whole lot of time to thoughtfully write. Though, I've probably written at least 2 posts in my head... they just haven't made their way here yet. :) I know... excuses, excuses, but honestly... it's true. At one point in an airport, I was in the very act of fleshing out a really cool idea when I got zapped by the Family Drama Monster and I never got back to completing it.

But, there was a BONUS silver-lining - I was finally able to finish some mending/sewing projects... and even reorganize my scrapbook space! Such an "aaahhh" feeling now when I walk into my office/craft space. I feel creative and inspired instead of defeated and dreading the unending list of projects never started - not to mention never completed.

For us, Fall and school have begun to finally sink in and puncture our current reality of going to bed with the sun. School supplies are sitting crisply in their appropriately labeled paper bags waiting for the appointed day. Backpacks stand ready to be worn. And my to do list is getting longer by the day with all the things I meant to do over the "immensely" long summer but in reality, like life, you blink and you miss it.

Michael just completed Kinder Camp - a "pre-jump" into the year so the kids can get acquainted with their new teacher and some classroom routines. I don't think this kid ever stops thinking. He's always processing something. Tonight at dinner, he asked me, "Mommy, does my teacher know about the Bible? I know he can't teach from it, but do you think he knows about the Bible and God?"  With his second mother interrupting me and trying to outvoice me, I said, "Sweetheart, why don't you ask him?" He responded with, "Can I bring my Bible to show him?"  Smiling, I said, "I'm sure your class would LOVE to see your cool Bible for show and tell." That satisfied him. :)

This year will stretch and pull and grow us all. It will pinch and be a pain at some points too, but I'm going to remember that a little TLC goes a long way... especially in this blog!

That's my summer dance coming to a close... :)

The Dance - Thoughtless Words

"Mommy, I don't think I'm ready to go to school yet." he says as I'm tucking him into bed.

My heart sinks as I realize that my words have had an unintentional effect. Our school district here in Michigan has made Kindergarten an all-day every day program replacing the 2day/3day every other week program. As a mom, I cringe for the little Kindergarteners who will jump from a few days a week preschool programs to fulltime school. As a teacher, I cringe on behalf of those Kindergarten teachers who will have the Mt Everest job of adjusting 20+ tired 5 year olds to the classroom during September, October and November. Then again in January after the holidays!  The problem is that I'd been talking about my frustrations to other moms and friends and didn't think about the little pair of ears taking it all in.

Dr. Michael

I felt terrible. It is so easy to vent to friends and forget how much they internalize what I say. Quietly, I ask God to forgive my thoughtless words and help me regain lost ground.

His wide blue eyes are inches from my face as he leans down from his loft bed to give me a hug. I hug him tight as I reassure him that after the summer, he'll be so excited to go to "all-day" school.

He looks at me doubtfully.

I smile and tell him that he will have so much fun in Kindergarten learning and playing and counting and writing and even reading! He smiles but then it fades.

I launch a preemptive strike and ask a familiar question - Who made you?  He is quick to respond - God did!  I ask - Who made your mind?  Again he says - God did!!  I look intently into those precious eyes of his and use his famous phrase "Didja know" that when you use your mind to learn that it makes God very happy? He made us to glorify Him. He loves it when we use what He has given us to show how He made us. Your mind is amazing, my dear little boy. Use it to learn and show how God made you!

He finally relaxes and his smile spreads until it covers his face.

Really, Mommy? God loves it when I learn?
Yes, sweetheart! He loves you so very much. Michael, didja know what?! 
What, Mommy?! 
When you play, that's part of how you learn!!
Really, Mommy?! 
Yep! That's how God made kids to learn.
Okay, Mommy. Night, Mommy!
Love you, Michael.
You too, Mommy.

That was part of my dance this week... how was yours?!