A mountain top weekend.

March 26, 2018 | Stacy

Some seasons, we find ourselves in the valleys of life; we walk through hard places and experience painful refining.

Other times we are wholly on top of the mountain, just basking in all that is good and joy-filled and life-giving.

On Friday afternoon, it suddenly dawned on me as I dropped off my boys at the Charles Finney School that I was having a mountain-top weekend.

For starters, Marie, Tabitha and Johanna were performing in the church’s production, “Who Can He Be?” This is the same production our church did in 2012 and 2013. I was able to participate in 2012, and John participated in 2013. Marie and Tabitha were also in both of those shows, albeit as markedly younger performers. This time around, both are part of the adult ensemble and had much larger roles.

The boys and I were able to go to the dress rehearsal on Wednesday, March 21st, and I was able to watch a second time on Thursday, March 22nd.

I was blown away by the musical. Though I had been in it in 2012, I had never watched the entire production from start to finish. My sister, Kelly, also played the woman at the well.

My joy would have been complete if that was where it ended.

Oh boy – that’s only half the story.

Since December, Stewart and Nigel have been practicing at the Charles Finney School to be part of their production, “Acts – A City Rising,” a modern retelling of the book of Acts.

Stewart was cast as Saul of Tarsus/Paul, and Nigel was cast as Isaac, a zealous defender of God and persecutor of Christians.

As I dropped them off for their cast call on Friday and hurried home to get the girls ready for their performance and over to the church it dawned on me how this is the kind of joy-filled weekend I had to hang on to. Remembering just how abundantly we were blessed for this weekend should constantly remind me of how God loves us. My kids – my HOMESCHOOLED kids – get to be part of fabulous, Godly stage productions. How cool is that?

I could blow up the internet with images of the boys’ production. They put in almost 100 hours of rehearsal. Stewart met with Mr. Carl Wager many, many times as Mr. Wager helped him advance his singing abilities. I had no idea the treat I was in for as my son sang triumphantly as he conveyed Saul/Paul’s life.

As the boys and I left the production Friday evening, they asked if I had cried at the end. I confessed I had not and they were disappointed. Truth-be-told, I think I was in shock. I believe it wasn’t until after the third production that I truly grasped the full story; until that point I think I was just absorbing, “Those are my handsome boys! There are my handsome boys!”

I feel like I know the apostles so much better after this show. And I am in awe even more of how much God loves us and how He grew the church. I can barely express how moved I was by this musical. What is more, I can barely express how generous God is.

I love it when a plan comes together

November 5, 2017 | Stacy

especially when God is in charge.

Let’s dial this day back to a day in mid-September.
I overheard the secretary of our Scarlet Knights soccer club, Aly, say they didn’t have a church venue set for the annual banquet. The church we normally use had experienced some changes and had some date conflicts.

I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me – “Suggest your church.”
I pushed back. “Aly is exceedingly capable. She has everything under control. She does NOT need suggestions from a peon like me.”
Again, “Suggest your church.”
Me, “Our church isn’t big enough.”
The push was palpable, my voice was small, “Excuse me, Aly? My church isn’t too far from here, and we have done some dinner programs in the past. Would you like me to see if it is available?”

She asked a few questions and I sent an email to the church from the field. Kim, the church secretary, got back to me in minutes.

And so it began.

Early on I got NO response from anyone from church on A/V support. This was going to be a key component. My nature is to WORRY and want every thing set. But I did not have a moment to work on it because Friends…. October was BUSY. So exceptionally busy. I had a heavy work schedule. Marie’s soccer team played all over the county. And there were the normal speech, Spanish, piano, guitar, orthodontist, co op, etc., etc., etc. I think I literally threw my hands in the air and said to God, “LORD, you need to take care of this for me. I just can’t.”

I squeezed in an appointment to meet with Kim, who was a real hero. When I was a little stressed out early on she was SO encouraging. When I shared with her that I was too busy to think straight, she reminded me it would work out.

A week before the banquet I had zero commitment from our church family. The back up plan was for a dad in the SK group to lug in all his sound equipment and another dad to bring in his projection stuff.

Then my friend Steve approached me. While he normally does video recording he was willing to do the mic piece for us. There – standing before me – grace. An answer to prayer. And even better, someone stepping out of his zone with a heart that wanted to help. That was more of a blessing than the audio!!! He even emailed me the following day saying he’d looked into some of the projection pieces, too.

But then things started unfolding, not BECAUSE of me, but WITHOUT ME. We had a ton of appointments this week and my brain was really thinking more about my family and uncle, and I just really couldn’t do ANYTHING unless it was send an email from some parking lot via my phone.

And – EVERYTHING fell into place. AND IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So many lovely ladies… but even more so – THOSE SMILES!

I mostly played barista in the kitchen. (I’m not complaining! I’m not much of a sitter, anyway. I love to burn off my nervous energy by working.) But I snuck away for a few pictures and to watch the video for the modified team (amazing!).

I heard so many cool comments.
People sincerely appreciated the location being so much closer, and loved the lay-out; but even more than that:

“My older girls did Pioneer Girls here when they were little.”

”I haven’t been in this kitchen in YEARS,” from a former MOPS mom.

And my favorite, “I was married in this church in 1994.”

I love our homeschool community.
I love my church home.
I love that they could morph for a night.

So many connections. People who know people who know people. Worlds colliding. THIS is what heaven is going to look like.

And I having a front row seat to what God can do with our obedience.
It all started with a nudge, and I ended up blessed beyond measure.

Luke 18:27
But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

When worlds collide

October 29, 2017 | Stacy

I took this photo on my unit in the hospital. Though I spend oodles of time on 5200, and I talk about my family a TON while I am there, they very rarely visit my unit. We were in the hospital to visit my uncle, and I had the kids scoot over to meet a few co-workers. It’s so crazy to me to see my people at work.

What is not crazy to me is how good God is.

We’ve been reading in Exodus for Community Bible Study this year. God tells His children more than once TO REMEMBER. He tells them to remember when the Angel of Death passed-over their homes. He tells them to remember when He parted the Red Sea. He tells Moses to WRITE DOWN for Joshua about how he led the Israelites in war against the Amalekites. He says to remember His provision, because it can sustain us in future hard times.

I want to remember how God carried us through October.
I’ve worked a ton this month. As the year started to wind down John noted he still had 9 vacation days he had to use up, or lose, by the end of the year. While we certainly did not have the means to actually use his vacation days for vacation, we also know from the past that when he and I are home together, house projects ($$$) usually get started. SO – we opted to have him take vacation days while I worked, thereby actually getting AHEAD financially. What is more, I worked many evenings on days he did NOT have the day off. My unit is short staffed and, as I said, we could use the money to get caught up.

Now – I gotta admit. I was not in love with the idea of working so much – or why I really needed to. I mean, come on… it’s called WORK for a reason. And for every hour a mom is not at home, a mom is NOT at home! It’s not like mom just slips off and things go on as they would if she were home. It requires a lot of planning and prepping.

But I saw fruit that I would not have seen otherwise, and I am focusing on that and want to remember that.

•We got to see the kids pony up and really pitch in in the mornings. Mornings after I worked I would sleep in until 7 A.M. and they would run morning as usual and I would join them already in progress just in time for devotion.

•They also managed many, many, many dinners without me. Nigel and Marie took the lead there.

•I got to brush up on a LOT of skills. I saw my boss more, as well as other folks from ancillary departments. I got to refresh and learn a lot anew. And I did enjoy getting to know a lot of the newer staff better. I even did chest compressions during a code; something I hadn’t done since I was pregnant with Tabitha. ‘

•But most of all – my working overlapped my Uncle Mickey’s hospitalization perfectly. I got to see him, as well as my Aunt Kathy, and cousins Michael and Andy a great deal. It was bittersweet. At first we were sure it was a little set back, but as days and weeks wore on we were all stunned at how rapidly he began to deteriorating before our eyes. So today, after church, we unanimously agreed we’d head up to RGH to say hello. We have been praying steadfastly for him, and are not ashamed to say we are praying for a miracle.

I am not glad we had such a hard summer. I’m not glad to spend that kind of time away from my family. But I am choosing to reflect on how God allowed it to line up in ways that allowed me to see my extended family, and how I could see my nuclear family work together.

Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Goal!

October 16, 2017 | Stacy

SK games are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except when they are on Mondays.
Mommy works on Fridays and Saturdays, except when she works on Mondays.

Marie got a goal on Monday, October 16 while Mommy was at work.
Really.

But – this is where I love our fabulous God’s care for us.
Marie recently started attending youth group. Her youth pastor, D.L. had sent out an informative email a few weeks back and mentioned if our kids had games, or concerts, or meets, etc., to let him know as he enjoys supporting the kids in their endeavors. Well – it had dawned on me when I read that email to let him know about Marie’s games. But I let it go, because the youth group is HUGE this year and I thought it was better not to add to his load when he could maybe concentrate on the oldest kids who would be leaving youth group sooner; Marie has years of soccer in front of her.

However, this morning I felt a huge ~~nudge~~ push of the Holy Spirit to let D.L. know Marie had two upcoming home games. I argued with the Holy Spirit for a while and finally decided I would just let D.L. know, but also let him know we had zero expectation he needed to attend at all, much less these two upcoming games.

Hours later, after the text was forgotten, I was in the med room at work. Nan had taken Marie to the game and was texting me play-by-plays. Then there it was – the text, “Marie got a goal!” Tears of both joy and regret sprung to my eyes. How had I missed that? I struggled and talked to God about my anger, disappointment, and also about how weary I am in general with my aggressive October work schedule. My good God comforted me, and I pushed through my responsibilities.

About an hour later I was having dinner and I got this image on my phone from D.L.

It was this shot that delivered the goal.

I can’t make this stuff up.

God is so good.

Oy.

November 5, 2016 | Stacy

Now – WHY would I have a post with just a photo of sleeping bag?

We have this wonderfully big van. I was happy to be asked to drive some of the youth group to their retreat in Canandaigua Friday night.

Saturday morning at 7 A.M. I got a text from Stewart that he didn’t have his sleeping bag. I asked how he slept. He used his towel and a towel of his friend.

Sure enough – I went out to the van and there was his sleeping bag.

Here is what I think happened. His sleeping bag was on the top of a PILE of items in the back of the van. As kids unloaded the back, that bag must have gotten pushed forward into the seat. Stewart, in particular, helped to unload a bunch of boxes of supplies the youth pastor had for the weekend. The kids were instructed to quickly dump their stuff in their cabins and hurry to dinner. Stewart headed off with his load and I got back to the van.

This is the killer… I DID check the back, AND I opened the side door and looked UNDER the seats. I did not climb into the van and look into the back seat.

Now – some people said I was “TOO NICE” because I drove it down to him. I should have had him “LEARN A LESSON.”

But I have a few thoughts.

First – he was busy unloading things for others and probably got confused by the number of trips he’d already made.

Second – I took off without checking thoroughly, and without saying goodbye.

Third – and most importantly – I have been extended new mercies by Jesus over and over and over. In my head I heard, “Do not with hold good from another when it is in your power to do so” paraphrased.

And so I headed down to camp a second time.

More Soccer Spotlights

October 30, 2016 | Stacy

We missed the soccer banquet last year because, frankly, we didn’t know there was such a thing and we let our weeks get busy…

This year, Marie and I were able to go while other family members helped John’s parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

First off – the coach introduced each player and shared a little story about each one. I loved Marie’s.

Then this.
This trumps ANY goal, in my opinion.

Oh – how I hope that THIS is her life song.

Everybody’s got a story to tell.

October 28, 2016 | Stacy

And I hope you’ll let me tell this one.

You might remember that Marie broke her toe in Oregon last year on June 8th, but that it did not get diagnosed until July 30th, at which point we began treatment. She was frequently reassessed, but Marie ended up missing all but the last two games of her soccer season.

Of particular note was September 18th, 2015. We left the orthopedic office that day with news that Marie needed to continue to sit on the sidelines to allow her foot to heal. It was not the news she’d longed for and the tears (hers and mine) flowed freely with disappointment on the drive home. She didn’t have a case of “poor me” but rather just sheer sadness at a lost opportunity. After a few minutes of crying I gently started bringing her back to the truths we know. God is good, all the time. Nothing of her heartbreak was a surprise to Him, and He would somehow use all things for good according to His purpose. She was keenly responsive to these words of life and added many of her own. She remembered that God knows the plans He has for her, and we just prayed that He would help her through the hardness of it.

When this season came around she embraced it wholeheartedly. She’d been walking on the treadmill for months to build up endurance and was ready to hit the field. She’ll acknowledge alongside me that the first few games she was just a bit hesitant at times. She noticed how small some of the players were the first game and somewhere in her heart she just pulled back a bit at times. I think there was some sense of self-preservations there, too.

Then one game it switched. It was a game where (1) Daddy was able to come watch and (2) she had to play the entire game because there were only two girls there that day and the rules say two needed to be on the field at all times. She was making strong progress and then sprained her ankle at Community Bible Study. It was touch and go there emotionally for a few hours as Satan tried to speak words of doubt to her. With the help of the Holy Spirit her great attitude prevailed and she embraced healing like it was her job. She elevated and iced her leg for three days uninterrupted and was ready for practice 6 days later missing only one game (that we still attended and cheered on together.) Her game improved every single time she was on the field and it was exciting to watch her grow. Her one disappointment (hers, not ours!) was that she had not scored a goal.

SK red (Scarlet Knights red) made it to the play-offs with a record of 7-2. They lost their two games to Rapids Green and Rapids White in games 1 & 3 of the season.
They narrowly won their first play-off game against Scarlet Knights white in overtime with a penalty kick. It was so close.
They went to the next game against Rapids Green. It was freezing. It was an intense game. Our team won 3-2 and it was a nail biter.
The final game was against Rapids White. This team was undefeated in regular and post-season and we were playing on their field.

Because it was modified championship the commissioner was there and prayed for the players. The coaches then introduced the team members individually.

It was cold. And it was intense. The game was scoreless deep into the first half. Our team was racking up the shots-on-goal, but could NOT penetrate the net. Shortly before the end of the first half, Coach Marshall sent Marie out as striker (first row offense). John and I were standing on the sidelines close to her position and I confess wholeheartedly that I was like, “What?? Coach is doing what?” This was THE game they had to win and exactly when you’d expect a coach to only play the top scorers with proven records. But there she was. Right in front of us. And she played like she was a soccer-machine. The ball was hers and pity-the-fool that thought otherwise. She did not make a goal but watching her –right in front of us- was SO very, very awesome. I was thinking just then that at half-time I would tell John that she’d just had her personal best time on the field. I was so happy for her.

I ran to the bathroom and don’t-you-know Rapids White scored twice. Twice in rapid succession. Ugh.

The teams switched ends at half-time, so John, Tabitha, and I went down to the other side. Shortly into the second half, doesn’t coach send her in again in the exact same position! “For real?” Yup. For real. She was on the far side from us, so we had a great line of sight. And this is where it got crazy real.

SK red made a total of 25 shots on goal that day.
A team mate passed the ball toward Marie’s side of the field.
Marie met the ball and gave it a moderate kick. It was NOT a powerhouse drive. It was a perfunctory kick.
The ball rolled past the defender. The ball rolled past the goalie. The ball rolled over the line.
Marie scored a goal.

It was so unbelievable.

I remember my stunned ~~scream~~ cheer. I specifically remember that I was the only one who made any noise. I looked at John. There was this weird noiselessness. I said, “Was it real?”
He responded, “I don’t know. I think so.”

THEN we heard her team mates congratulating her and the crowd cheering and clapping. It was that unusual a goal.

AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!

And – I have to share this for completeness. I had had a repeating vision in my head for the past few weeks of Marie scoring in the final game of the year. But I kept scolding myself and telling myself I was being prideful. Her goal in this game looked exactly like what I’d been imagining. I can’t make this stuff up.

Her team never made another goal, and they ended the year in second place.

They took their “victory lap.”

And they ended their season on their knees.

As friends said goodbye, and parents cleaned up the field I worked hard to keep calm. I know there were a lot of hearts leaving a little sad that they had not won the championship. But all I was thinking was “YOU GOT A GOAL! YOU GOT YOUR GOAL!!!”

Marie was sad when we left. Not sad they’d lost. Sad that this year’s team was done. Sure, she can play again next year. But the make up will be different and the snapshot of this year is complete. A final page in one of her life chapters.

We did the unusual – John, Tab, Marie and I stopped at Applebees for dinner.

The thing is… This game was remarkable for Marie. It was like a giant hug from God.
Now – I’m not at all convinced that God cares all that much about sports. But for SURE God cares deeply for his children. He ministered to Marie. My mommy-heart is hope-filled that she will long hold on to the joy she felt seeing how God ironed out the details of this life event.

As I was sharing the wonder with one of Marie’s siblings they hesitated in joining me in joyfully exulting what God did for her. “How do you know it was God? Maybe it was just normal soccer.”

Ok. I can entertain that thought for a second. “OK. Let’s do that. Let’s NOT acknowledge the supernatural hand of God in this. YOUR SISTER is all that. Your SISTER is the MAN. She was the ONLY one to penetrate the toughest defense in the league.”

Either way it’s all good.

But really – it was a God-hug. A whisper, “I’ve got you.”

Specs

September 21, 2016 | Stacy

We switched pediatricians last spring. It was a long time coming and not entirely easy. But we did. Hanny met her for the first time a few weeks ago as we finally got around to her annual Well Child Check. This office has a cool device that they point at a child’s eyes, and tell them to look into it while the machine does some analyzing. The day Han looked into it, it reported that she had an astigmatism.

Three weeks later she was at the ophthalmologist’s office

picking out glasses. Changing doctors wasn’t easy, but we’ve been blessed a few times from having made the move.

I was super proud of her. She selected her glasses based on how they fit, not on bling, or style, or color. Ok. Ok. She did not want pink glasses… the point is still that she cared most about comfort.

We went two days later to pick them up.
I couldn’t have posed these photos if I’d wanted to.

This is her being so surprised at how she can see me through the mirror.

Isn’t she gorgeous???!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

March 20, 2016 | Stacy

It was nothing short of God’s great love for us that Stewart, Nigel, and Marie got to be part of this fantastic production.

Friday night John, Tabitha, and Johanna went to the show.
Saturday afternoon, after Tabitha, Johanna and Katriel had their last swim lesson, Tabitha and I went to see the production. I then ran Tabitha over to the church where John was taking a class and I went back to get the performers for a pizza lunch at Cam’s. It was excellent! And yes, the kids DID wear their make-up to the restaurant!