on the outside- not so much. It's like this: when my kids ask me to do things- like cartwheels- for example, I am quick to say, "Oh yeah. I can do that." I am not lying (technically), because in my mind I can totally see myself doing those things.

So let's do take cartwheels as a case in point. Not so long ago, my daughter Sophia was obsessed with learning how to do a cartwheel. We happened to be in my parents' yard one sunny afternoon when she asked me, "Mom, will you please show me how to do a cartwheel?" I never gave a thought before I planted my hands on the ground and propelled myself upward. Now, it is interesting to note (with hindsight) that approximately mid-way through my defiance of aerodynamics or thermodynamics or whatever that I thought, "BIG mistake." Unfortunately for me the law of physics had pretty much sealed my fate. I was able to complete the cartwheel, but my body protested- strongly. My heart was beating at an alarmingly rapid pace- and I have low blood pressure! My legs and thighs, well, honestly? The last time they felt like that was immediately preceded by natural childbirth.

I was stunned. At what point had my body betrayed me? When had it quit going in various directions with nary a twinge? When had I become old? It must have happened when I wasn't looking. But I will say one thing: Sophia was suitably impressed with this "old" momma!

Labels: cartwheels, forever young, growing old

If you don't read anything else on the internet today, go here. Amid the papers to grade, lessons to plan, meals to cook, and floors to sweep, suddenly nothing seems as important as hugging my husband and children. Here's a small sample:

We are heartbroken. This is not the news we wanted to hear. We wanted to raise our son, to grow old together, but God has different plans for our family. And as much as we don't understand them right now, we know that He is sovereign over this as well. Please pray for us, and for my family especially. My part in all of this is rather easy. I get to die and be with my Savior in glory. I get to miss out on all the suffering this world holds. It is my family who bear the grief and the pain day in and day out. It is for them that my heart breaks. Hold your loved ones a little closer for me today. Live life a little more -- wear your dressy clothes around the house just because life is really short and stains don't really matter. Don't get impatient about the little things.

Maranatha! Lord, come quickly.

Labels: dying well, heaven

why I love being a part of Sovereign Grace Ministries: the great music they produce!

Labels: great music, Sovereign Grace

Well, that certainly got your attention, huh? This was a good cry, though. He came in this afternoon, after being out of town for three days, and gave out "valentine" hugs and kisses. Then he said, "Sophia, I have a special surprise for you in the kitchen." Naturally, she was thinking, "SCORE!!! More candy." But it was so much better. Rob presented her with her very first bouquet of roses. Sophia's eyes grew wide. "Oh, Daddy. Are these just for me?"

It's the little things like this that make me think, "Oh yeah. He totally gets it." And then, "How on earth did I merit such a man?"

Labels: daddy, love, valentine

When Harrison was a toddler, he enjoyed playing "super hero." Actually, "enjoy" is quite an understatement. In reality, he would (every morning upon awakening) dress for action, so to speak. The usual uniform involved some sort of sleeveless basketball jersey shirt, pajama pants, and underwear. I know what you're thinking: Underwear? Of course, that just goes without saying. Not quite. For you see, the underwear always had to be on the outside of the pajama pants. And not just any underwear. They had to coincide with whichever superhero Providence deemed he be that day. So for instance, if Harrison were to be Batman, then he had to wear Batman underwear on the outside of his pajama pants- along with Batman cape and mask. And this wasn't an activity confined to the indoors. Oh, no. He wore this in the backyard, in the driveway, and to neighbors' homes. I drew the line at taking him to the grocery store in that getup, however. I know: future therapy because I stifled his creativity. And when asked, "Son, why do you have your underwear on the outside of your dress-up?" he just looked at us like we were poor, uninformed, misfortunate grownups. "Momma/Daddy. All superheroes wear their underwear on the outside." Well. You have to admit he had us there.

But years have passed and he doesn't do that anymore (phew!). He does, however, still have heroes. And while Rob and I are all for truth, justice, and the American way (mostly), we encourage our sons to look for heroes with a bit more substance than stretchy pants and cool gadgets. We want them to have heroes who are known for an unashamed stand for the truth and sufficiency of God's Word. Because when it's all said and done, these are the "heroes" with true kingdom cool-ness. One such man would be Al Mohler. He certainly stands for the truth of Scripture regardless of the politically correct (secular and religious) climate. Although cool dead guys make great heroes too, I kind of like the idea of my sons seeing a modern-day reformer and following his actions and responses. This is not to say that we teach our boys to put such people on a pedestal, but to watch, learn, and imitate Godly behavior.