Year In Review: Family 2007

One year consists of only 365 days. Here it is in the waning days of December 2007, and I am reflecting on the last year. How has the events of this year changed me?



My Parents - This year I saw how fragile life is. My father underwent a serious and unexpected surgery. There were unforeseen complications, but he survived and is a stronger, healthier man. In those moments of uncertainty and waiting, my Mother was right at his side, ever faithful to Daddy. There were sweet, sweet moments between the two of them as Daddy recovered. I have since not only cherished every minute I can spend with them, but also have more keenly focused on my own love, Charlie.

Aunt Barbara - We all love Aunt Barbara. The children called her "The Spoiler" because she treats them to different things all the time. She is a bundle of energy. She has loads of friends all over the eastern USA. She treats her friends well. She is thoughtful and concerned about them, and they, likewise, care about her. Over the last couple of years I have become better selecting my friends. I have friends that want to pursue a friendship with me, and I want to pursue a friendship with them. It isn't one-sided or draining on either part. Sure, when one of them is in crisis, the rest of us lift them up in prayer and serve them in practical ways. When my father was hospitalized, four of my dear friends stepped up to the plate. Two of the friends sat with me in the hospital until Daddy was out of surgery. One of my dear friends took my children to the nearby wildlife sanctuary for a day out to relieve the stress on the day of surgery. Another friend didn't ask if she could bring a meal, she just called and said she was bringing dinner to my family the day of surgery. Amazing friends! Gifts of the Lord!

Charlie's Sister, Susan - Susan's husband is shipping out overseas. He is going to serve his country. He is leaving behind Susan and their four boys. Susan takes things one at a time. I think that's what I get from Susan. She doesn't think about what might happen or what could happen, she just lives through the moment, dealing with the issues of the day. One thing at a time....first steps first....What an amazing philosophy try to follow!

The Children - All of them are changing and growing so fast. Time is slipping by. I learn patience with others from my children. They are wonderfully patient and generous with me. They extend grace when I make mistakes, and they are quick to forgive Charlie and me and one another. I certainly learn from them.

Living and Learning,
Beth

Dry Knees

I've had a bad case of dry skin lately, and a bigger case of reality check. Parenting children has both of those effects on me. As Dr Dobson's book says, "Parenting Isn't for Cowards".



I think parents are the most amazing people in the world. You take this little bundle of joy and nurture it to the best of your ability for 20 years, only to turn it lose on the world. Along the way there certainly are wonderful times....learning to walk, family vacations, singing around the piano, tag in the back yard, science projects and art projects, Christmas morning.



However, being a parent also means doing the tough things....discipline, correcting, guiding. We aren't raising a blob of jello, you know! This child has thoughts, emotions, feelings, ideas and is full of sin, just like the rest of us. Shocking, I know!



The Lord entrusts us to this blessed part of His creations. We are to raise them in the training and admonition of the Lord. If that isn't a humbling thought, I don't know what is. This is why I have dry knees. I know I am in need of His help and care raising these children. It is He who sustains me, guides my steps, and want me to look to Him for care. That is why I have dry skin on my knees. I often find myself on my knees asking for His direction in raising these children.

God is good. I am glad I can bring my parenting issues to Him.

living and learning,
Beth

You May Know I am Early for My Period, But I Know When You Have to Pee

Mary and I are good friends. She is just a fun gal to hang with. We both have children approximately the same age who all play well together. We have similar interests and both love the Lord. Our husbands get along well, and both families pursue similar passions.



Because of this closeness, Mary knows alot about me, and I know alot about her. A couple of weeks ago, I wasn't feeling too well. I couldn't figure out what was going on until my period started the next day. I told Mary, and her response was, "Hey, you are early!" Didn't I say we know each other well?



This week, we had an occasion to celebrate. We met up in the middle of the day with all of our kids and went to the dollar theatre. Pirates of the Caribbean 3 was showing, and our scallywags were anxious to see the movie, popcorn and all.

The movie complex was empty save one, maybe two other patrons. Nonetheless, we stood in front of the popcorn counter to get popcorn and drinks for the shipmates. I made eye-contact with the gentleman and inquired about prices. Our conversation went something like this.

Beth: So it is $10.50 for two drinks and a large bag of popcorn?

Gentleman Behind the Counter (GBC): Yes, but I think we have coupons for free coke from Papa John's pizza to go with that. Let me look in this drawer.... (groans)

Beth: Are you OK?

GBC: Yes, well no. I don't feel so well. (rubbing tummy)

Beth: I'm sorry. What's wrong?

GBC: Well, I had a stomach virus yesterday, but I don't think I'm over it. What can I get you?

Beth: (noticing his greenish skin tone and not much liking the fact he would have his hands near my popcorn and on my soda lid....I turn to Mary and say...) I'm sorry Mary, I think I have to pee. Don't you have to go to?

Mary: (staring, still in shock over man with virus working the food at the movies, nods and says..) Yeah, me, too.

Mary and I rounded up the kids, who were wondering about their popcorn, and had them wait outside the restroom while we ducked inside. We both busted out laughing as the restroom door closed. We laughed and laughed until we nearly cried. Finally, we gathered ourselves together and marched out to our waiting children.

Once seated in the theatre, my youngest asked for a booster seat. She doesn't really need one, but she asked so nicely and does enjoy sitting in one. I went to retrieve the booster seat. I could see the popcorn counter from the place they keep the boosters. I glanced over, chuckling at what had happened minutes earlier at the counter. Just as I looked over, I saw GBC sneeze standing beside the open popcorn popper without covering his mouth. YUCK! I think we made the right call about the popcorn!

So while Mary may know when I am due for my period, I know when she needs to pee!

Living and Learning,

Beth

How to Turn on a TV

We like TV at my house. Charlie likes to catch ball scores on ESPN as he has breakfast before work. Andy and I watch the news as we work in the kitchen fixing breakfast for the rest of the family. Joshua likes to catch Ninja Warrior. John and Grace like to watch their shows in the afternoon. We don't watch loads of TV, but like phones, we like our TVs to be convenient.

There is the "kids" TV in the basement. It is 19 years old and "color - challenged". It isn't a black and white TV, just an old TV that has run out of color. It is only on in the evenings and some weekend afternoons. There just isn't time for much more than that.

The very, very small TV in our bedroom is officially the "sick" TV. Because we have several children, we use this to help quarantine an ill child. I fix up a cot in the master bedroom, and ill child has a private bedroom and bathroom for all the sick things sick children do. The benefit to this arrangement is that Charlie can fall asleep to the Astros losing to someone. (Its a bad, sad year for our team, the Astros)

TV #3 is in the living area upstairs. It is a good size, 35 or 36 inches. We love to watch movies together. Sunday evenings we pop in an episode of The Waltons or Gilligan's Island and enjoy pizza with the kids.

TV #4 is my favorite TV. It is in the kitchen. I listen to FOX news as I cook. Sometimes I flip over to Home and Garden channel, and that's good too. It is just nice to have "someone" in the kitchen with me who isn't saying, "Mom....Mom....."

TV #4, also a very small TV, has had a sad, sad life. The remote control was left on a burner and someone melted it into a weird shape before it was removed from the hot range. More recently, someone broke off or poked in the on/off switch. Now I had issues!!

I don't know about your house, but remote controls are ALWAYS walking out of the room at my house. It drives me crazy! This means that I must use one of my precious fingers to touch the on/off switch. Now that the on/off switch is missing, I have to have the remote to turn on and off the TV.

Last week I decided to put away the kitchen TV until further notice. That lasted 3 days. It was hard to start my mornings with out Steve, Brian, and Allison. I made room for the TV on the kitchen desk, the place of honor, plugged it in and looked for the remote. You guessed it...missing. I looked at that little hole, and remembered John had stuck his skinny little finger in that tiny hole and turned on the TV. (I, of course, corrected him and told him about electricity and the dangers of poking around with bare fingers in plugged in appliances.) Knowing (1) that it would be dangerous to stick my finger in that hole and (2) my finger would not fit in the hole, I reached for a skewer......You know, a metal kabob skewer..What was I thinking?? I carefully poked the skewer in the hole....there was a flash of light, some smoke, and I might have briefly heard angels singing. POW! I fixed that TV for good. I guess I am lucky, I could have fried myself.

Within an hour I had the old TV ready to go out to the curb and was back from Walmart with the new TV...I wonder if Charlie will notice the new TV in the kitchen? Maybe he'll just think I bought a new remote?!?

living and learning
Beth

The Phone Call from Across the World

I was telling my friend about a recent phone call from my parents. She thought it was worthy of a post to the blog, and so here it is.

Recently, my parents took off on a 5 week trip to New Zealand. They were both excited and apprehensive about the trip. They worked long and hard when they were in the work force and were raising 4 children in the 1960s - 1980s. The late 70's were especially hard. (Sounds like another blog there!) Anyhow, my parents took off on this trip.....

I first heard from them the day they landed in New Zealand. Mom was excited about the phone card she was able to buy to call us. She was taken aback by the extreme friendliness of the people in New Zealand. The shop owner offered his phone for Mom to call the USA. Even when Charlie and I were there nearly 15 years ago, they were a friendly lot. Hands down, the Kiwis are still the friendliest people on earth.

The second phone call came almost a week ago and the conversation went something like this:

Mom: We are between Auckland and Hamilton and thought we would call to tell you we are ok.
Beth: That's great, Mom. What are you OK from?
Mom: Well, we thought you might have seen something on the news about a really bad hail storm in Auckland. It really wasn't too bad, and we are OK.
Beth: I'm glad. Are you having a good time?
Mom: .....And then there was the earthquake. I'm sure you heard about that on the news.
Beth: No, I missed that one. Are you OK?
Mom: Yes, we are fine. It wasn't near us.
Beth: That's wonderful. How's Dad?
Mom:....Neither was the volcano.
Beth: What?
Mom: You see, there is a volcano erupting down here.
Beth: Are you OK?
Mom: It isn't a very big volcano, so don't worry.
Beth: I'll try not to worry. Are you both OK?
Mom: We're fine. I just didn't want you to worry. Gotta go. Love you.
Beth: Love you too, Mom. Take care of each other.
Mom: See you soon.

Living and Learning,
Beth

Parents

A week ago today, I drove my parents to the airport. They were off for a long-awaited vacation to a far off land. They will be gone for 5 weeks.



My parents are healthy, independent people. It is difficult to realize that they are approaching 70. They take care of themselves, and still help take care of us. They easily babysit our four children whether for a few hours or for a weekend. They go off on trips with their church to do mercy work in the area. They still do all the same things they did when I was at home.



I am living the happy golden years with my folks. I would not trade a minute of the time I can spend with them for any amount of money. I love that my children are growing up knowing their grandparents, and I am getting to enjoy my parents a second time around!

Living and Learning,
Beth

Church

I go to one of the neatest churches. I have some experience with a variety of churches. We have moved several times, and each time we had to do the "church hunt" thing. In the six months we lived in Texas, we never really found a church home, though we did finally find a church we regularly attended the last two months we were there.

I grew up in the Methodist church. I sat with my Nanny every Sunday. My mom played piano so she sat up front. Daddy was a shift worker, so often he was either at work or sleeping. The Sundays he had off, he sat in the back row. The church was a small, country church. The attendees were either cousins and/or neighbors. I learned the hymns of the faith at that church. The songs are imprinted on my heart and in my head. These are the songs I hum as I go about my chores. In the Sunday School program I memorized many of the common verses to believers: Psalm 23, John 3:16, etc.

When I started dating Charlie, I started going to his church. This was the PCA church in the small town where I grew up. Whether it was maturity on my part or the gifts of the different pastors, it was at this church that I finally began learning from the sermons preached. It opened up a whole new avenue of getting to know the Lord.

Once married, I moved away and we finally settled in the mid-west. We found a PCA church in this town, and started attending. I credit this church for teaching me about the community of believers. We worked together on the church building, we went tubing together, and we ate many meals together.

After many years in the mid-west, we moved back east. For the last 13 years we have attended the PCA church in our town. I credit this church's pastor for much of my Bible learning. When we arrived at this church, we had the honor of sitting for 5 years under the teachings of a man who is a gifted teacher. His sermons on Sundays not only taught us about the Lord, but he had practical application to go along with it. He was also someone who made sure you knew you were part of a church body. Since then, other pastors have come and gone at this church, but none have been quite as excellent of a teacher as he was.

Today, my family and I are still members of that church and they still attend that PCA church. I am attending another church in town. It isn't a great situation to worship seperately, but it is working for now. The church I go to is a Christian church. I LOVE the ladies at this church. They are supportive, loving, and caring. I am constantly extended the right hand of fellowhsip while at this church. The leadership of this church all know who I am and know my name. They even know my circumstances. My Sunday School class is full of compassionate and loving people. When my children have been with me, the church opens its arms to my children and wraps them in love and fellowship. I haven't seen anything like it ANYWHERE I have been in churches.

I have not only had the honor of sitting under the teachings of the pastor on Sundays, but also some lay people. All of it has been good. The Lord has blessed this church with the gift of teaching and of community. As a body, they live out what is presented in scripture. Where scripture speaks, they act. Where scripture is silent, so are they.

All of these churches have contributed to my growth in my relationship with Christ in many ways. All of these churches have been so much more than I described. I have been blessed by the teachers of these churches, and in many of the churches, by the fellowship of the saints.

There are other local churches that have made a difference in our lives. Our neighbor church has freely opened its doors to us. Our children have played Upwards soccer and basketball at this church. This church has also opened its doors to our children with its AWANAs program. The pastor and the pastor's wife were both wonderfully supportive and caring while we went through a suicide at our home church. The adults at this church have embraced and nurtured our children through the AWANA program. They were also the only church leaders to send my children sympathy cards when their Great Grandmother died. The leaders had listened to the children during prayer time and knew how close they were to Nanny. I know these workers may never see the fruit of their labor, but I see them laying a foundation of Christ and the love of the fellow saint in my children's hearts, and that is a wonderful thing.

We are blessed by the many ways the local churches love and support us in our community.

Living and Learning,

Beth

Fall Fun

This week I was looking out the front glass door and saw the first yellow leaf fall from one of our great oak trees in the front yard. With the very beginnings of the leaves changing and the nights getting cooler, I am positive that fall is upon us.



There are several great things about fall:

• Weekend picnics at the park in jeans and sweaters


• FOOTBALL


• Apple and pumpkin picking


• FOOTBALL


• Camping


• FOOTBALL


• Cool fall rains


• FOOTBALL

Did I mention it is football season? I love football. There isn't a better sport on the planet. (OK, hockey comes close!) I have been a Redskins fan for many years. I have also learned to like the Patriots. On the college level, I like to watch Virginia Tech because my husband so enjoys the games (when VA Tech is winning!). I also like to watch many of the teams that used to make up the Big East - Boston College, Pitt, Penn State, WVU, etc.

Football is a social sport, and that is one of the reasons I like it. You can easily watch the game, chat or grab a quick snack, and be ready to see the next play. There is no lack of topics: fumbles, "Hail Mary" passes, trick plays, sleeping defenses, aggressive offenseses, happy fans, etc.

I like watching football at home, but I like it so much more at the field. I am trying to get back to see a St Albans High School football game this fall. The mighty Red Dragons have a sorry team this year, but again, it isn't so much the game as the atmosphere. The ballfield is on the river, and as the sun sets, the dampness of the river invades the field. It gets cool quickly, and you have to bring a blanket to keep the chill off.

Although I haven't been to a Red Dragon football game since the fall of 1986, I figure we will see lots of people we know at the game. It will be fun to catch up with friends I haven't seen in years. I look forward to being back out in the stands at Crawford Field watching the mighty Red Dragons take the field. "Hurrah for Dragons. Hurrah for Dragons. Someone in the crowd's yelling Hurrah for Dragons....."

Living and Learning,

Beth

Now That's Something!

John, my third child, keeps me in stitches. John is a normal, healthy 8 year-old boy. He thinks about things, and he likes to talk about things....BOY, does he like to talk about things. It is how he says things that keeps cracking me up, though.

A few weeks ago, we were sitting around the table and John informed his father that he is reading his Beginner's Bible through for the 3rd time. Charlie congratulated John and suggested that he pull out his "Big Boy" Bible and read from it next. John said he would like to do that, but he wasn't sure where to find his NIV Bible. I piped in that his Bible was in his room on his head board. I further reminded him that we had spent time cleaning his room so that he would know where to find his things. John's reply, "It is hard to find something when you are THAT organized."

John is also the authority on girls at our house. He has always liked girls. John can tell you the night, channel, and time for Deal or No Deal on TV. His favorite part of the show is when Howie asks the girls to walk down the stairs. He remarks on their beautiful clothes, and then he asks everyone in the room to choose a favorite. (His is Tameka.)

One night on Deal or No Deal it was Ladies Night. Instead of the girls, firemen held the numbered cases. John was very disgusted and said, "I'm not going to waste my time watching this."

We marvel at John's wisdome when it comes to girls. His most recent bit of sage advice went something like this, "Girls can't stay mad at boys who are handsome." Smart boy.

John is a very, very skinny boy. He has to wear a belt with his slim sized pants. John enjoys riding his bike on his own on our block. He loves that freedom. Today he came into see me and to tell me he had been riding his bike. He followed up with a speech on how exercise is good for the body, how he can make turns on his bike, etc. Finally, he held up his arm and pointed to it and said, "Look at my little muscle." Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. He has shown my friend Mary his muscle and tonight he showed everyone at AWANA his muscle as well.

John cracks me up!

Living and Learning,
Beth

Whitewater Rafting

The Appalachian Mountains are some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. During the summer the trees dress the mountains in deep, rich shades of green. In the fall, those wonderfully intense shades of green give way to the vivid colors of fall: golden yellows, burnt oranges, and rusty reds. I grew up in those wild, wonderful mountains. I know them well, and they are what I call "back home."

I know the names of the rivers running through those mountains. I have been canoing on the Coal, Kanawha River, and Elk River. I have spent summers tubing or vacationing on or around the Gauley River and the New River. These rivers are a welcome relief to the summer heat and humidity that are trapped in the mountain valleys of the state.

In the wintertime, people come to West Viriginia to snow ski or snowboard, but during the other seasons, it is the rivers that draw the crowds. On the west side of the Appalachian Mountains, the Gauley and New Rivers come together to form the Kanawha River. Both the Gauley and the New Rivers provide ample water sport opportunities, and one of the most popular water activities is white water rafting.

Saturday, I was on the New River enjoying the day. It was a perfect day to go down the river - mostly sunny, warm but not hot, slight breeze, and a nicely flowing river. We were in for a variety of white water challenges. There was one Class V rapid on our course, a few Class IV, and the rest Class III or lower.

While I will enjoy reliving the memories of the day, it is the bits of time I spent in reflection during the trip that I will treasure. I thought about all the wonderful people back home that were such an important part of my life. I thought about my childhood home, our dogs, our gardens, the hills I would run through barefooted, the small game my father would bring home for dinner every fall, the deer that would eat corn out of our gardens, and the small family church we attened. That's my "back home."

It felt good to be back home, to belong. I belonged at that time and that place, and it felt good. Sometimes, I don't feel like I belong. I think that is an important feeling, to feel out of place or that we don't belong. When we feel we don't belong, we are uncomfortable. We can do two things with that feeling. We can walk away, feeling rejected or out of sorts, or we can work through those feelings of not belonging and make an effort to belong.

It isn't always an easy or fast process, but belonging takes effort on my part. The down side is that occasionally, even with immense amounts of effort, you never belong. That sort of rejection is difficult to swallow. I have no words of wisdom or "secret" formula to help with rejection. I only know that I look to my Father in those times. He was the "stone the builders rejected." I belong to the Father. He has summoned me by name, and I am His.

For about four hours yesterday, I belonged in a raft of 10 people, most of whom were strangers. We enjoyed our time together running the rapids, and we were awed and entertained by the knowledge and the wit of our guide. We swam in the cool, deep river pools. The mountains hugged the river on either side, adding to the drama of the experience. It was a day well-spent.

Living and Learning,

Beth

Worry

Why do we worry? As children of the Lord, we should know better than to worry. The Bible clearly teaches us to not "worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of its own." I don't think that the Lord meant for us to take that lightly. He further drives home His point of worry by reminding us that the very hairs on our heads are numbered and that not even a sparrow falls from the sky without His knowing. The Lord also gently scolds us for worring about what we eat or drink.



So I write all this to tell you I am worried about High School for my oldest child, Andy. We homeschool and I am concerned. I woke up yesterday morning (3 AM -ish) in a cold sweat overly concerned for Andy's high school years. I started looking at all the numerous options out there, and that further paniced me. I don't want to mess Andy up for college entrance. Oh the worry....... I sweated things out until I thought it was a decent hour (5:45 AM) to wake my husband, Charlie, to talk things out. We talked and I calmed down....some.



All of this was still on my mind when I went to get the van serviced at 7 AM. My Aunt Barbara picked me up, and we spent the morning in town together. I told Aunt Barbara about all of my worries about Andy, and she listened patiently. The van was finished about noon. I picked up the van on my way out of town and drove it home.



Upon arriving home, I drove the van into the garage. The children came out into the garage with wide open eyes... SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM THE REAR DRIVER TIRE!!!! I backed the van out of the garage, and had an immediate panic attack. I cried. I called the shop. I cried. I called my husband. I worried about the van catching fire and exploding. I called the shop again. By then about 20 minutes had passed, and the smoke had dimished greatly. It was decided that I return the van to the shop for inspection.



Charlie suggested that I take one of the children with me on the drive to the shop to act as a distraction so I would not worry so. Joshua, child #2, volunteered. So packing Joshua (and a fire extinguisher), I was off again to the shop. We were barely 2 miles from the house when I thought some sage advice was in order. It went something like this, "If the van catches fire, I'll pull over. You get away from the van as fast as possible. Do you promise me? I'll take care of myself if I know you will be far enough away that if the van explodes you won't get hurt. Do you promise to get away? Promise me!!"



Later, Joshua told me he didn't freak out about the problem until our little talk. What a great comfort I am to my children. Fearless leader here!



Once at the shop, the mechanic quickly discovered that the smoke wasn't merely solvent burning off, but a spring had sprung in my brakes causing all the smoke (friction), and evidently a big mess in my brakes. The shop fixed my car (free, of course) and sent me on my way.



I decided since I was all ready half way in town, I would continue on to Dillard's to pick up a bag I accidently left there that morning. On the way into Dillards, something went wrong......You know the feeling....You have your period and you are about to let the whole world know you have it whether you want to or not!!! Fortunately, there was a bathroom not 10 yards from the front door. I told Joshua to wait just outside the restroom. My phone rang as I entered the rest room.



That phone call was God's little gift to me. He knew I was on edge and the little "gift" he was about to bestow on me was going to push me right over the edge. Anyhow, I talked to Mary as I went into the restroom to manage my issue. You have probably guessed the rest. YUCK! I had leaked EVERYWHERE! Fortunately I had Mary to talk to, or I just might have passed out from the cumulative stress from the day. I cleaned up as best as I could and headed out.



Fortunately, I had worn textured navy shorts, so my issue wasn't apparent if I carried my purse just so, and the jewelry counter was just a few extra paces away. Joshua and I ran by the jewelry counter, picked up my package, and headed out the door.



Joshua was oblivious to what happened, but not to pass up a teaching opportunity, I filled him in on what had happened with this nugget of truth, "Don't ever balk about a girl needing the restroom. We go in there for way more than just to pee." Joshua looked at me after my giving him that information and said, "Thanks, Mom for telling me, but that was WAY more than I wanted to know."



I can laugh at my day now. I see the folly in my worry. I would love to say that I will never worry again. I want to have learned my lesson. I want to live in peace. The "what-ifs" plague me continually. It has been said that worry is man's act of saying God isn't big enough or perfect enough to lead him through situations. I see that in my own worry. I confess with my mouth that God is ruler of all, but how do I live it out?



Well, today is a new day and His mercies are new every morning. I start today with a trip to the doctor's office at 8 AM for some bloodwork. Here is a perfect opportunity to not worry, to pray through this appointment and to be at peace. Our God Reigns!



Living and Learning,



Beth

Middle Schoolers

Two of my four children are middle school boys. We school at home, so I really have gotten a chance to get to know them well. I know their strengths and weaknesses. I know their struggles and their triumphs.

Recently, they attended a teen social. I received the following report from a friend. Andy is my son, and he has a sweet friendship with G.. They are both about 14 years old.

"Andy is such a hoot. I just love him! Picture this... Joanna and I at the table, Andy at the sink for water. In comes G. As she was walking in to get something she is talking the whole way to us. She talks all the way to the living room and then all the way back out. Joanna, Gary, and I could not understand one thing that she said. Andy had just stood there nodding. We all looked at each other as G walked out and said, "Did you catch anything that G just said?" We all agreed that there was no use in trying. Andy said, "Allow me to translate; I speak fluent girl and grown up!" He then proceeded to tell us what she said. So funny! We all laughed so hard. It WAS like she was speaking another language, we knew she was trying to communicate but had no clue what she said!"

I am enjoying these years with teenagers. We have had a few rough spots along the way, but I try to keep focused on the blessings and the joy that these young people bring to our lives.

Living and Learning,

Beth

Charlie

Recently, I was working on a "program" scrapbook where you are told specifically what to do with each page. I was totally stumped when it came to the page where I was supposed to describe my husband.

Charlie is a wonderfully complex man. The scrapbook instructions were to describe him in 15 single words. I can tell you right now from the day I met him, it would be impossible to describe him in so few words.

My girlfriend in New Zealand describes him as "lovely". That cracks Charlie up, but that little word says loads about Charlie. He is lovely to look at, has a lovely personality, has a lovely disposition, has a lovely outlook on life, is a lovely husband, is a lovely father, is a lovely friend....

As powerful as the word "lovely" is, I need more than that to describe my husband. I pared down my list to these words for my scrapbook: honest, responsible, handsome, intelligent, forgiving, patient, protective, strong, encourager, compassionate, faithful, fun, gentleman, handy, brave, godly, self-sacrificing, gentle, loving, dedicated, integrity.

It was easy to come up with those words. Charlie is a great guy and a wonderful husband.

Living and Learning,

Charlie

Book from Mom

Today, Dad and Mom stopped by to pick me up for a dentist appointment. One of our cars is broken, and I needed a ride. It was nice to spend some time with them this afternoon in the car.

On the way home, Mom reached down by her foot to hand me a book. The last time my mother handed me a book like that was when I was ten. That book was about all the "wonders" and changes my body was going to undergo; it was one of the scariest books I have ever read. I was shocked to learn that the book on becoming a woman wasn't a work of fiction.

Now with that nugget of information, you can just imagine the fear that gripped my heart as mom handed me the book today! My imagination went wild. What secret of middle age was she going to disclose? Am I about to learn something that will flip my world? I started sweating!

The title of the book is Changing Places: A Christian's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents. Mom started speaking, telling me that she had bought the book when Grandma was living on her own after PawPaw died in 1990. Mom always thought she would care for Grandma as Grandma aged. With recent events in the family, Mom and Uncle Dick were both robbed of the opportunity to care for Grandma. With Nanny and Pawpaw, and Grandma and Pawpaw all now deceased, Mom thinks she no longer needs the book but passed it along to me.

I have mixed feelings about all of this. I know Mom's giving me this book is one of her loving ways of saying that she really cares about me and wants things to be easy for me as I look after their estate when they die. I really appreciate her for that. However, this book is also a tangible reminder that we are all but dust.

My parents are a real gift to me. I treasure every minute we spend together, and I am thankful for their love and support. Lord willing, I will have many, many wonderful years with them.

Living and Learning,
Beth

Friends

Friends are a tricky gift; they can encourage and equip you to be a better person than you are or they can shred you to pieces while smiling and saying it is all for your own good or that they need to clear the air.

What I am learning is that solid friends are those who look heavenward with you rather than looking critically at you. If there is a prickly part of you, a friend will love that part of you until the prickly part wears away, and you return the favor when they are prickly.

Friends show one another an unending amount of patience and grace; they truly look for the best outcome for each other. They root one another on when one is succeeding in an area, and they encourage one another when one fails miserably in another. They pray for each other and speak words of encouragement to one another.

It has been said is a friend is a gift you give yourself, but I believe a friend, a really good friend, is nothing short of a gift from the Lord.

Some friendships are for a lifetime, and some friendships are for but a season. Sometimes it is difficult to accept that little nugget of truth. However, people do change over time, and the path the Lord has laid out for each sometimes takes really good friends in opposite directions.

Nonetheless, it is our friends who are the flowers along the paths of life.

Living and learning,
Beth