One Crazy Week

This was one crazy week!

Monday - My Dad's new doctor confirmed a more accurate diagnosis, which will take him off some nasty drugs (Thank you, Lord!); my failure at work from last week was resolved; my 16- year old started full-time dual enrollment at the college (Yikes!); the first day of classes began for about 8000 students on campus; had to adjust to helping two kids with homework; oh, and there was a 97% solar eclipse!

Tuesday through Thursday - I tried to recover from Monday and get in a new groove.

Friday - My daughter spent the night with a friend. I got a call around 10:30 pm informing me that she had been bitten in the mouth by the family's dog. (I think being broken in by a fearless son kept me from rushing over.) They cleaned the wound and covered it with neosporin. I told her to take Tylenol and an hour later she said she was good and wanted to stay. 

Saturday - Left the house before 7 am to see my son run in a 5K. He ran it in 19 min 47 sec, only 15 sec off his personal record; late afternoon I volunteered at the college for the Starlight event (a welcome back for students and the community); fireworks rounded out the evening.

I'm so glad God designed a day of rest because I really needed it!

Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 

Mistakes

I really dislike making mistakes, but I'm human and make them all of the time. Seems like I would get used to it, but when I discover them the feeling of embarrassment floods me. This week, my glaring mistake was made months and months ago when I transposed two numbers in a single line of data. That sounds simple, but the effects are huge. I have 10 days to correct them. It's doable. The corrections will be done, even if I have to correct all 14,404 lines of data. However, I will have help.

First I admitted my mistake and took ownership, I investigated the effects of the error, I went to those who knew more and asked many questions, and came up with test plan to make the correction. Thankfully the test worked. This week we will actually replace the bad numbers with correct numbers. If it goes as planned, we will have kept it from becoming a critical issue.

Life as a Christian is much like taking ownership of your mistakes. In order to be forgiven, you must acknowledge the problem.

Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 

Middle School

It happened. My baby started middle school this week. Neither of us was ready, but time marched us to this point. I think she was less nervous than I was. She actually slept well the night before and was ready to go early. Her reaction to day one was not favorable, but day two was good. As the week progressed, we tried to set up a new routine. Unfortunately, we ended up eating out three evenings just because I didn't plan well.

Since middle school is such a change, I really wanted to surround her with another focus. Our church has a large program just for middle schoolers. She went to an intro picnic for 6th graders, started attending a Bible class for 6th grade girls and attended the Wednesday evening middle school group. I'm hopeful she will make some good friends and realize that life is not all about school. Balance is what I'm praying for her life.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of folks will be destroyed.

A Day Off

I took a rare, summer day off last Monday because we just needed a day to recharge before school started back. I told my 11-year-old we could do whatever she wanted. "Sleep late." That's the answer I got. She got her wish while I worked a couple of volunteer hours at her new middle school.

I asked my 16-year-old what he wanted to do. "Buy running shoes." He also got his wish. What about me? I just wanted to spend time with the kids. I took them to lunch at a place with outdoor tables. We talked over a variety of topics and spent almost 2 hours doing only that. Perfection! :) 

Some days are made to be taken slowly and savored.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.