Where did the Week Go?

It was just last Sunday. That was like yesterday, right?! I had no clue what a rocket ride this week would be. It started off weird last Sunday when after church, we had a guy working on removing a fence in my yard. It has taken weeks and weeks to get almost done, then the tractor broke down. In my yard. Monday came with torrential rains all day. My son had to practice running in it, so I did my morning walk in it. (I eventually got dry.) After work, we had to study for a calculus test he took the next day.

On Tuesday I thought I would get a break, but my daughter stayed longer at karate to get some schoolwork completed. We got home at dusk, then the dad of the guy (who owned the tractor) came late to pick up some tools that were in my garage. Thankfully they were able to get the tractor started earlier in the day. 

Then my week got really crazy. After work, I picked up my daughter and her friend for church. I help pack about 150 backpacks with food, then helped my son with calculus - in the car using the inside light. I got everyone back home and crashed. Thursday I worked a 1/2 day, ate lunch with Daddy and drove to Unicoi State Park to see my son race in a JV Boys Region Championship. He placed 3rd with a 5K personal record of 18:22.6 minutes (5.55 min/mile pace). Wow!!! It was so fun seeing him cross the finish line and come to me with a high five! I spent 4 hours walking, watching the team and taking photos. It was a beautiful day in the 60s. Just fabulous!

After the late Thursday, I took off Friday to celebrate my mom's birthday with my family. We surprised her at Cracker Barrel and just had a great time. I kept busy the rest of the day getting groceries and taking the younger child to a trunk or treat event at the karate studio.

I woke up Saturday to news that my Dad had been taken to the hospital with bronchitis or something similar. Mom and my sister were with him and he didn't want me to come, so I took my daughter shopping as promised. Seven hours later, we were through. After dinner, I headed up to the hospital to visit with him a while. He seemed a little better when I left.

So here we are on Sunday again. Dad has to stay one more night to get his energy up and I'm about to start working with my son on calculus again. But I am so thankful that we have the stamina to make it through weeks like this. I definitely feel like I've lived out this verse over the past week!

Proverbs 31:27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Fields of Faith

On Wednesday, my 11-yr-old joined about 1000 preteens and teenagers meeting at a local high school stadium to eat, sing, and hear about Jesus. It was simply amazing to see so many kids from all around the county worshipping together. As the evening came to a close, at least a dozen kids came forward to surrender their lives to Jesus. Then everyone stood along the sidelines, completely surrounding the football field. What a joyful sight!

Luke 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Downtime

I am on my last day of a full week of vacation. I didn't take a trip or make big plans. I just proceeded through each day doing all of my usual things, except going to work. I did a lot of reading, helped the kids with homework, took the younger one to and from school, and tried to help mom and dad figure out their phones, iPads and Fitbits. However, there were two things that were not ordinary.

I donated a large amount of goods to a thrift store that locally supports victims of domestic violence. I talked with one of the staff and she explained how some goods were used directly by the families, while the rest were sold to the public, with proceeds going to support the facility housing the families or to pay their legal fees. I liked the set up and was happy to donate. 

Later in the week, I drove an hour just to have lunch with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. Although we only got to be together for an hour and a half, it was well worth the time. We both enjoyed the change in our routine and getting together was exactly what each of us needed.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

Keeping my Word

Making a decision can be easy and hard at the same time. Choosing an outfit or even a meal may seem challenging on occasion, but in the big picture those choices are not the ones you often think about later. This week I was faced with a decision that tugged at my heart. Weeks earlier, my son volunteered me to help at a National Honor Society induction ceremony. I happily agreed since he was an officer in the organization at his high school. A week before the event, I received a notice that my daughter would have a black belt midterm for karate at the same time. I couldn't believe it! I had never missed one of my daughter's tests, but I had already committed to the other event.

Obviously, I stayed with my commitment. There was really no choice. Both of them knew that I had to keep my word. However, it was tough when my daughter pointed out that I had never missed one of her tests. Still, we made the best of our situation. An hour before her midterm, I took her a snack and sat in the car with her for about 15 minutes. My mom attended and filmed my daughter's self-defense and form routines while I worked at the induction ceremony. I watched her test when I returned home.

Matthew 5:37 But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,'  and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. 

Gaining Wisdom

This week flew by like a rushing river! My son and I studied calculus during lunches and evenings because I was heading out of town for three days. We crammed in all of the studying we could. My daughter finished her homework Monday, on the off chance she might need my input. I headed to Atlanta for a conference running Wednesday through Friday. I did the same thing they did, by working furiously the first two days so I wouldn't get behind. I even took my son's calculus and worked on it between sessions so I wouldn't get behind.

The conference was good and the session leaders gave me some great ideas I'd like to use at work. It was great seeing friends and colleagues, and just having a break from the office. I needed that more than anything.

As I look back on the week, I see it as exceptionally busy, but I also see it as a sharing of wisdom. I gave what wisdom I had to make things easier for my kids and I gave my attention to those at the conference who could share their wisdom with me.

Proverbs 18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.