Thinking small

Katie had her follow up appointment with her immunologist/allergist. That is a seven hour drive each way. We have been trying the sublingual immunization therapy for the past three months. When Jon left yesterday, I decided my goal was for her to be able to eat eggs again. (The girl loved eggs, and she could use the protein. It would be great if she could eat wheat (since it is in EVERYTHING!) Milk would just be a luxury!

I don't have all of the details, and more blood work was done today; however, here are the results I do know... NO eating eggs, wheat, or milk. They increased the antigen of each allergen. Other than that... status quo. Grr... Well, really it is not that big of a deal, but I was just hoping.

She will go back again in one year. (Yes, one year.) In the meantime, we will finish this three months of treatment. The next dosage will increase the allergens again with hope of increasing the immunity.

All is well in our world. She is healthy, growing, and loads of fun.

She's Nine!

It is hard to believe that my sweet Allie is now nine years old. Like all nine year old girls, one of her birthday wishes was to open her own savings account. Really? We waited in line for an hour, but she finally has her own account. She put in every last penny she had. She did spend two gift cards but refused to spend any cash. There are a lot of things I love about my Allie. Here is my Top Nine List.

1. She always, always, always thinks of others first. She gave away her first Christmas gift to her brother. She asks for birthday items to give to her sister. She is just a thoughtful girl.

2. She is a thinker.

3. She is unique. Her ideas often surprise me. She has strong opinions and is not afraid to be alone. She accepts everyone and tries to raise the standard for everyone around her.

4. Allie loves animals. She just spent a week working at the Humane Society. She loved cleaning out the cat cages. Who likes that?

5. Although she is often told that she is a lot like me. Secretly she wants to be like her dad, too. He is Mr.Science, and Allie loves science.

6. She loves to cook and create recipes! Fun to be with in the kitchen. (She also wears the old I love Lucy aprons while she cooks.)

7. She is not afraid of hard work. She is often told, "Do you know how much work that is?" Her response is always, "I don't mind hard work."

8. She has been fascinated with all things Chinese since she was very young. I often thought of her as a missionary in China. I was reminded that she may just want to run a Chinese buffet.

9. Even though she is "fun-loving" and has the goofiest sense of humor, she feels things deeply. She really processes and thinks through things.

That is my Top Nine List on Allie for her Ninth Birthday!

A challenge

I just started reading Wild Goose Chase. Although I really like the book so far, it actually freaks me out. I feel like I am the "routine, normal Christian" Batterson pities, challenges, and tries to reform. He suggests that relationship with God is much more like a purposeful adventure rather than a peaceful day at the park. Ugh.

I feel myself cringe a little and try to hide from the Spirit's prodding. Can I be adventurous?? Yes! It is just not my natural leaning. I love being with an adventurer who challenges me to push forward. I love going on adventures, but I have to gear up mentally. Working at The Crossing really nudged me forward. Going to Haiti another nudge.

Where is The Spirit nudging me now? Am I willing to go?

No Excuses!

I have no excuses for a lack of communication. Isn't it odd when someone just checks out for a while? I have several blogs I watch, and I occasionally think, "Why haven't they updated?" Thankfully, with my vast media empire, I don't have a huge following and not many pondering my whereabouts.

So... Where have I been?? Life is good. I continue to be so thankful! As I catch up on this blog, my sweet Kate is playing doll house right next to me. Allie is outside in the Teepee she is building (you should check it out). William and Jon are playing chess. Does life get any simpler? Does life get any better?

Where have my thoughts been? Here is what I have been thinking about lately:

• Should I let my hair grow longer? Should I keep it the same color? Should I get it really, really short?
• Can I be more organized? If yes, am I willing to do the work to be more organized?
• Am I being the best parent I can be? Am I being a good wife? Am I being a good friend?
• Is my time being spent well, or am I just "killing time?"
• Should I take students to Haiti in October? If yes, should I go with NVM or with another organization?
• What else needs to be added to that recipe that is brewing around in my brain?
• Why is it that sometimes non-Christians are far more loving, generous, and welcoming than Christians?
• What am I going to do with that 30 pounds of blueberries?
• Who is going to clean my house?

Not very exciting, but there it is!

Be Careful What you Ask For!

Recently I asked God if I was truly faithful in times of storms, or if I only celebrated Him because I have pretty great life.

Well, my family and I are being stretched, pounded, and challenged. Man, I should have watched my words! hah!

Although I cannot really share all that is going on, just a few highlights... our bank account was hacked; our van broke down and repairs equal about $3500; a project has proven to be far more complex, costly, and time draining than first planned; and this is just a few of the several issues in front of us.

My wonderful husband said it well today when he said this, "My body is tired from working on the project. My mind it exhausted from working on ______. My emotions are spent from this experience. I think the only thing holding me together at this point is my faith and my family."

A couple things that amaze me in this... first of all, we have so much for which to be thankful! We have a house, food, jobs, friends, etc. Our problems are so minor in the scope of others. I know that and freely acknowledge it. We can easily share one car... inconvenient- yes! End of the world- No! We negotiated costs, found another mechanic, chose which repairs are necessary versus can wait, etc. We are working things out with the bank. Other situations will either be repaired, accepted for what they are, or ??? Who knows what!

Second, God is choosing not to rescue us. He is allowing this to occur. I have to be honest, but I don't love my choices. I can either sit on the floor and cry, whine, and complain. Or, I can have joy in the process, respond in a way that is pleasing to God, and rely on Him to let me know the next steps. It is not very pretty, but I am wavering between my two options. In some times, I am keeping my eyes on God and looking forward. In a moment this afternoon, I wanted to defend myself (even when not being heard), cry (which I did do later), and actually not even be gracious. I know that Jon has been feeling some of these same feelings with regard to one of the other situations.

Instead, silence for now is the correct response. Prayer is the appropriate source for counsel. Waiting on the Lord (without being Lazy for the Lord) is the response we choose today.

How long does it take?

I was recently reading about Jim Elliot. He was a missionary to Ecuador. When he first decided to go to Ecuador to serve (from what I read) he was really excited to get in the trenches to share God's love. Instead, he arrived in Ecuador to hostile villagers.

He first spent time learning the language. Months of training.

Knowing that the villagers were hostile, he couldn't just walk up to them. He devised a plan to get to know the villagers first. He had a plane fly over the village, and he dropped down supplies and gifts from the plane. While giving gifts, he used his newly acquired language to yell words of encouragement, greetings, and information about why he was there. Again, months and months.

He was finally able to get into the village and meet the villagers. He was finally able to begin the work he came to do. How long he had waited!

This story made me think of the work at The Crossing. Great news! We do not have to drop boxes from planes. The bad news... We cannot just jump in and do our work. First, prayer, prayer, prayer. How do we know where we are to go? How do we know which students we are supposed to reach? Second, we have to learn the language. Wow. This is a tricky one. I am not just thinking about the language but about really knowing someone. We need to learn about the lives being led, the aspirations, the issues. This takes time and perseverance. Finally, finally... the work can begin. It is just plain messy. It can be painful; it can be rewarding.

I think that reading about Jim Elliot reminded me one more time that working at The Crossing is not a job. It is first and foremost a missionary calling.

The End

Here he is on his first day of kindergarten. Made me cry a little to look at this sweet face so little, so happy, so innocent.

I thought I should talk about the end. Yes, the end of an era. William graduated elementary school this week. He is officially a middle schooler now. How is that possible? People always say, "It goes so fast." Isn't it funny how sometimes it feels like the time is slowly ticking by while managing temper tantrums, doing homework, daily tasks, and just life. Other moments flash before me, and I am looking at my pre-teen and thinking, "How?"

I am so proud of him. I have to admit that I am really nervous about him going to middle school. Organization is not his strength. He is still very small for his age. I just want to protect him. On the other hand, he is really excited about band, sports, and having a locker.

Middle School is the turning point, I think. Having taught middle school, I know this is where kids make big decisions on what they will do, who they will follow, and how far they are willing to go to get friends. What will he choose?

My prayer today is that he will remember what we taught him, that he will be comfortable in his own skin, and that he will find the right path. He is growing up so fast.