POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE

I pinched myself and realized/accepted that the child L and I dropped off at this daycare center approximately 5 years ago, - crying and experiencing extreme separation anxiety (oh, that was Me.) - was now graduating, and we are moving on to a brand new phase of life.

It was a short, sweet, sentimental ceremony (try saying that, really fast three times). Through song they encouraged each other to stay strong and do their very best in everything. Through poetry we were reminded of all they had learned through play over their pre-school years and how they were molded in some way by each and every relationship and each and every interaction. For C I can say that he was not just "molded" or "formed," he was "enriched." Most of our experiences were positive. He was surrounded by people who genuinely loved him and spoke nothing but positive, life giving words to him since he was a baby. Now, he is a happy, smart, self-assured and tremendously loving child who makes the most of each day.

L and I were moved beyond belief and after putting the kids down on Friday night, we talked at length about the past five years. Earlier in the week, as L worked to make sure the video camera was properly powered, accessorized and ready to go we paused to watch some footage of years gone by. This was the basis of our Friday night walk down memory lane. We laughed until we cried at some things, we were misty-eyed about other things and pondered the really tough times of child rearing, so far.

The rough and tough times have been many and though they seemed so very difficult in those moments, they did not define us. In fact, today the details around some of those "low" moments have become somewhat fuzzy and it takes both of us to get ALL the details exactly right. Like: Exactly how long was he hospitalized with RSV? or When he was taken to the pediatrician's office to get that very smelly eraser fished out, was it from his ear or his nose? It turns out that it was TWO separate instances, making the correct answer "BOTH!" My, goodness!

Through it all, it was those "valley" moments that give us the wellspring of what we feel in our hearts today - appreciation, thankfulness and assurance that God is always near. Always. I remember, when C became ill and was hospitalized L's mom just happened to be visiting and she just happened to bring a good friend of their family along. When L and I were distraught that C's condition did not seem to be improving, we learned that the family friend was a mighty prayer warrior. She stood by C's bedside and prayed God's word back to Him and within hours God began to restore C's health. O, He is sovereign! Reflecting this weekend has given us joy and most importantly the right frame of mind in which to move forward: by faith and and not by sight, trusting God in every situation. No matter what hard times we face, we know that in the end they will all work together for our good and "God is so much God," that he can reduce mountains to mere "fuzzy" memories and minor bumps in the road so we can focus on the joy in our journey.


"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

ZOO (IN A GOOD WAY)

Last Friday was THE Zoo - literally ....

This Friday will be A Zoo - figuratively, as we kick off another activity filled weekend and I'm not complaining one bit, in fact I'm looking forward to every thing in the "line-up." I would not wish to trade out one single.solitary. event. So, even though I refer to it as a "zoo," I mean that in the best kind of way. We will see and do lots of different things - all priceless and exciting:

Friday night is C's Pre-K graduation. O, how my heart melts! This is truly a watershed event for our family. Over the past several months, everything (energy, effort, activities, everything) - has flowed into this moment and over the next several months all things will flow out of this milestone. C's age and grade (Kindergarten/5) makes him "eligible" for lots of new things - church choir, city league football and who knows what else. We're excited but it is bittersweet I tell you, just bittersweet. I have stocked up on tissues, for tomorrow and the months to come. Most of the ceremony will be a surprise to the parents but I've had the pleasure of hearing C practice a few of the songs around the house and I tear up EVERY time. He is really growing up and it was a fast five years!

Saturday I will be Mistress of Ceremony of a Women's Tea at a dear friends church. The theme: Women of Many Hats. Everyone is wearing a hat, this could be like the Christian Kentucky Derby(what fun!!!)> The scripture focus is Titus 2. Talk about excited. I can't wait to fellowship with a room full of women on Biblical Womanhood, Balance and Discipleship, Intentional Living, Spiritual Integrity and the overall Pursuit of Holiness in the most practical areas of our lives as outlined in the Word of God. I expect that our hearts will be truly blessed.

Sunday I begin my very first Kay Arthur precepts class with a small study group at our church. We will be embarking on an inductive Bible Study of the book of Leviticus. I cannot wait to behold the wonders of HIS great law.

That's what's going on with us and as I prepare my heart is thankful.

Thank you Lord for the many wonders you have placed in my life. The gift of two beautiful children and a wonderful husband to me and father to them, who actively expresses his love for us each and every day. I thank you for the friends you have placed in my life who love you with all their hearts and like me, are chasing after you. I thank you for my church - this great family of faith - some of whom I will connect with on Sunday to begin a study of your decrees and commandments, so that we might know your more and come closer each day to living lives that uncompromisingly align with your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, KJV)

SOME BUNNY'S BLOGGING AGAIN

Yes, it's me, trying to get back into my old and very favorite routine - blogging. So, without further delay, I'll jump right in...

Today can be best described as just awesome! This RESURRECTION SUNDAY found me with a changed direction in my life - saved, set free and living for the Lord, needless to say, it was pretty special.

Me, L and the kids joined our dear friends (the L family) for an Easter Celebration at their church. It was a casual dress, spirit filled service, followed by an Easter egg hunt, a variety of outdoor activities and dinner, to boot. Might I add - dinner was um-um good. And yes, we got all this in one place. I guess that's why they called it The Easter Eggstravaganza. I toted the camera along, but there was just a ton of activity and as it turned out, I needed both hands to manage two very busy and super-excited little boys. I'm sorry to say I didn't get photos.

In the absence of pictures, imagine if you will, what it might have been like with a large group of Christians celebrating the rising of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, along with lots of plastic eggs stuffed full of the kids' favorite sugary treats. Can't you just see the FUN?

All week my soul has been filled with an indescribable JOY. I have been super-sensitive to what this day means and just in constant prayers of thanksgiving for God's great love. As I wandered in the grocery store after work on Tuesday, I saw a very frustrated mother standing outside her minivan, talking to her obviously out of chances child, "That's it!," she yelled "Easter is cancelled!" Oh, my! You just don't know, how I began thanking God (right there in the parking lot) that he was not like man. I'm sure that mother had every right to be frustrated and oh, I so know how our children can "take us there," but (as Romans 5:8 tells us) even while we were yet sinners - temper tantrums, bad behavior and all - Christ died for us! Thank God He didn't get frustrated with us and really cancel Easter! Even as they nailed Him to the cross, Jesus Christ cried out a prayer of forgiveness "Forgive them father, they know not what they do!" (Luke 23:34) I'm just glad Easter wasn't cancelled (did I say that already?).

As I stirred around this week getting ready for our fun-filled weekend, I kept a song in my heart. By the way, our weekend included:

(1) The Easter parade at the boys' school on Friday:

(2) A fun family outing with the C family on Saturday - L and I have known Mr. and Mrs. C long before either of us were married or had young'uns and here we are, going on family outings with four of them. WOW! God is good.

(3) - Last but not least - the big celebration today.

Anyway, while preparing for all of this, there is one song in particular that I have sung, hummed and meditated on non-stop, we sang it at my church growing up and you may know it too:

"Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know, He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives!"

I really love this first verse:

"God sent his Son, they called him Jesus. He came to love heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives."

There are many different renditions (country, contemporary, etc..) and here is a short sample of R&B artist Fantasia, singing it the way we did.