A Tender Mercy and a Terrible Pioneer

We replaced our hot water heater today. In fact, it is now a quarter past 10 and they are still working on it. And it has been a tender mercy in disguise.

What is a tender mercy? Well, to me, they are the things that happen in our life that prove God watches us and is aware of our needs. Let me explain.

Our friend was driving by and stopped to briefly talk to Dustin. In the back of his mini-van was a brand new hot water heater. Seeing this sparked something in Dustin. You see, for the past little while Dustin has been telling himself to replace the hot water heater, but it always got overshadowed by so many other things that need his attention. When seeing his friend, it lead him to go check on ours. And what did he find? A leaky, VERY leaky, hot water heater. He said that if he had waited any longer, it would have been too late.

I'm so thankful! Thankful for Dustin to finally listen to the prompting and thankful for friends and a stranger who helped us all day long. Our friend who was replacing his hot water heater offered his help. And his brother, who we don't know, came and did all the plumbing that needed to be done! Thank you. Thank you!

But most of all, thank you to a loving Heavenly Father who I know loves and watches over us. I know he knows what we are in need of. I couldn't have handled the stress that would have came if our water heater had flooded the basement!

As for the terrible pioneer, well, that'd be me. We have gone without water all day. It was not very convenient. Our toilets didn't flush. GROSS! We were not able to do dishes, get drinks, shower, laundry.... the list goes on and on!

Who knew that I used so much water in everyday life? Not me! Guess what I'll be filling in the next couple of days? The two 50 gal drums that have been sitting on the side of the house for the past couple of years....EMPTY!!! I guess it is important to be prepared!

Anyway, I'll just be happy when I can flush my toilet and do my laundry again!!

I just said I'd be happy doing laundry!!

Being a Good Friend, Being Kind

I knew I would teach my children to accept everybody. I knew this long before they were here. I knew by personal experience. I wish I could say it was because someone was awful to me, but I can't. It's the exact opposite.

When I was in the 6th grade, I was pretty popular. I wasn't the most popular- that would be my best friend- but I was well liked and had a lot of friends. I had known these kids since 2nd grade after all.

These girls and boys were extremely nice. I have some really good memories of my life at Hazel Grove. I do, however, have one memory I'm not so proud of. I can say, though, this experience taught me an important life lesson. And it has stuck! I decided then- almost 22 years ago- that I would accept everyone, and my kids would accept everyone.

The experience:

There was a girl named Angela. She did not have many friends. She had red hair, was chubby, and she never wore in-style clothes like the rest of the group (neither did I, I was the exception). This group of about 10 girls had decided she was not cool and worthy of our torment. Mean tricks were played on her, bad words were said to her, and I remember her being hit with a tether ball multiple times, on purpose! We were not nice. I remember chasing her and yelling things to her. I don't remember what was said as we were running, but I can see it in my head. Can you imagine being this girl? You are 1 person and have a group of 10 running after you?! It is this moment that changed me.

We were running after Angela. She had no where to go. All of a sudden she turned and ran under the big tree by the hill that you walked up after coming from lunch. She was cornered! No escape.

We ALL went barreling after her. But all of a sudden Jenny stepped out in front of Angela with her arms stretched out to protect her. She stood between us. She yelled something like this, "You guys are all mean! Leave her alone!" Jenny didn't back down. She stood there until we left.

As I walked away, a feeling of guilt started to overwhelm me. The thought came, "You know better than this. You should've been the one to stop them." I looked back at Jenny. She was still with Angela, making sure she was okay.

Jenny used to be my best friend. She was the first person who talked to me in 2nd grade. I instantly had a new friend. She protected me and made me feel comfortable. I remember having a bazillion sleepovers at her house and going to the video store with her mom to pick out movies. I road my first roller coaster with her at Worlds of Fun. So many fun memories, but now we barely talked to one another.

On that day I decided I would be more kind. I would like to say that I stood up to that group of friends, but I didn't. I did choose not to take part in the meanness. Unfortunately this was at the end of the year. I wish it had happened sooner. I would like to think I would have gotten the strength to apologize to Angela. I never did. It is a regret I hang on to.

In hopes to make up for it, I have stressed the importance of being kind and being a good friend to my own children. I believe they live this principle. They have a tender heart for those who feel left out and try to include everyone. They are not always perfect, especially with each other, but I have witnessed how they treat others outside my home.

I have had the opportunity to watch this play out in Ryan's life. He entered jr. high. I wasn't worried because he has a lot of friends. But what surprised me was how some of these friends changed. It was hard to hear of friends not standing up when they should have, or maybe believing others opinions about Ryan that were not true. Thankfully it has all been worked out. All is as it was before. But I will admit, my heart hurt for him for quite a while.

Ryan was an example to me though. When he came home upset one day and told me what had happened, I said, "Why don't you tell him to stop being a jerk?!"

"Mom, I'm not going to be mean back to him. That won't solve anything," was his reply. He worked it out all on his own and remained a good friend all the while! I would like to say it was all my good mothering skills and example, but because of the a fore mentioned incident, you can rule that out.

Ryan has always been a good kid. He has encouraged his friends to be kind. He has chosen not to take part in the bullying. I can't say he was ALWAYS perfect at it, but for the most part, and especially now, he's done well. Ryan has a good heart. He reminds me a lot of my friend, Jenny. And of that I'm very proud! I couldn't ask for him to be anything better!

Finding Peace

Life can be crazy!

At times I feel I'm just rushing to the grave so it's over with. I forget that I actually came here with a purpose. Do you ever feel that way? Is it only me?

This song, * It is Well With My Soul, is my new favorite at the moment. It has reminded me "the clouds, not the grave, is my goal".

I'm learning to enjoy what life brings me and to find peace in it. And sometimes that's not easy. I so much like playing the victim at times! (did I just really admit that?) It's the easy way to live! The truth is we are responsible for the way we choose to react to life. We need to be willing to take whatever comes our way with a smile and say, "It's okay. I'll do whatever you need me to do, so I can become the person I was meant to be." We need to be willing to turn our will over. After all, it's really the only gift we can give that is truly ours to give.

* click to download my fav version by Jericho Road for $.99, totally worth it! Their album, Day of Rest is amazing!

Mother's Day 2011

This year my gift was a little different. But I was real excited about it. Not only did I get these:

but this was going on:







Dustin and the boys built me some garden boxes in the backyard. Dustin cut away about 1 foot of concrete around the perimeter of the basketball court. It never went all the way to the fence and we have wanted to do something with it for a while. What better thing to do than plant some veggies and stuff!!

Here are the first sprouts!


Can't wait for more!

Cucumbers, beans, peppers, onions, a few herbs, carrots, and tomatoes are on the way!