Lest I Forget

At the very beginning of Lent, Anna and I were going over her religion lesson, when I noticed that they had an outline for a children's Seder Meal. Growing up, our parish always had a Seder Meal during Lent. I have fond memories of the school gym lined with tables, each with a lamb cake as a centerpiece, and all the families gathered together. I was picturing all this in my mind as I asked the kids if they would like to do this activity. Then, I thought, why not ask our group of homeschool families if they would like to join us? And so I did. And so yesterday four families gathered at our house to celebrate a Seder meal. Four moms and twenty children..... Anna volunteered to play the role of the mother. She lights the candles at the beginning of the Meal. The religion book called for her to wear a shawl and a necklace. The Hawaiian lei was the only play necklace I could find in the dress-up bin. One of the older boys volunteered for the big role of the father. He led most ...

After a rainy, stormy night, I awoke today to a typical cool fall morning. Last week, October showed up and it was still in the mid 80's. It made for a wonderful time in  Historic Jamestowne. This is the actual site of the original colony. It is a good thing we visited on this day, because the government shut-down closed this park the very next day. The sun was dancing through the trees, the skies were painted with thin white clouds, a nice breeze would blow and swirl around us every now and then. I truly believe we were outside more than indoors that whole week. Breathing in the air, the change in routine, the company, all made my stress melt away. I felt a calm and a laid-backness wash over me and it was good. I tried experimenting with some black and white shots with the camera. One day, I will learn how to use my camera. One day, I will not have all these little ones always needing me. Then I will be sad that they are not always needing me, but right at this very moment, I wo...

The wise words from my few readers last week was to step back and regroup. I can be silly and stubborn at times and probably would have continued on in a bad mood. Sometimes God knows how to help us put aside our own pride and follow that good advice. He sent one of my dear friends and 7 of her children to stay with us for a week. We got a week long pass to the Williamsburg historic triangle and had the best time. At least I did. Believe me when I say that I am bone tired, but in such a beautiful way. In having their family stay with us, I was shown how to live out my faith as God intends. Not just when things are good, but in every moment. I somehow had this crazy idea that I was failing my family if they were not perfect all the time. But instead of using those moments for gentle reguiding, I was beginning to yell and be anything but Christ to my family. Not good, I know. Oh, but being with this friend helped me find Jesus in my heart, buried beneath all that sinfulness and pride, an...