Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Pops

Today I'm remembering my grandfather, Charles S. Carleton, Jr., whom my sister and I called "Pops" on the day of his birthday.

He lived a long, full life until the age of 94. I have a special connection with him because we shared the gift of art, he being an architect all of his professional life. And then in his last several years (starting in his 90s!!) he went to class and learned watercolor, painting several landscape scenes, but most thankfully a few of his great-grandchildren. One of Gracie hangs in her bathroom.

I also will remember his love for and being a teacher of God's Word in his church. And after he retired from teaching, I thought it was wonderful that he decided to go to a class of mixed ages, many younger, instead of where it would be comfortable with his own. He never gave in to the idea that age stopped growth and learning. I still fondly remember seeing him dance, in his wheelchair, to tunes from the piano at his retirement home the last year of his life.

And then there were the many wonderful and then difficult years with Reece, "Mimi" as we called her, his wife of 61 years, whom he lovingly and patiently gave constant care to starting in 1989 until she passed in 1999. Their's was a love commitment unmatched before and still yet to see. It still inspires me to this day.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Psalm 1:1-2

Monday, August 25, 2008

The First Day

"The days are long, but the years are short."







Saw this quote in a magazine once and thought it captured the exact feeling of what I experience as a mother. This was especially true today as Gracie headed off to her first day of kindergarten.


Awh, man, was is hard to leave her in that room! Not because she was crying (as you can see!) or because I was worried about her in any way, but because my mothering nature to protect and nurture pushed its way through to the top like a seed poking its way out of soil.


Here was the prayer I wrote and prayed to our ever-faithful Lord this morning before I woke her for the day to come:


"I pray for a hedge of protection around her, Lord. I pray that what we have trained her in so far will sprout forth and that she will not depart from it. I pray that she is kind and compassionate to others, forgiving just as God in Christ forgave us. I pray she will be bold in her faith and with grace share the hope we have in Jesus.

I pray that "Your light (in her) would shine before men in such a way that they may see Your good works, and glorify (her) Father who is in heaven."


I realize this seems like a lot for a little kindergartener, but the goal and emotion in all this season of letting go has to do with a new phase in her life; not just kindergarten, but a season of schooling with things to face and overcome that she has not yet had to do up until now (or me!). From here until graduation. It is our job as her parents entrusted by the Lord to continue in her training at home continually so that she will know how to respond to life's ups and downs as Jesus would.

The events and thoughts of the day itself:

What a blessing. The Lord really prepared all of us and gave us a marvelous day. Greg was able to get off from work - praise the Lord! For me personally, that was my biggest secret prayer. I wanted him to experience this day with Gracie and with me. She was somewhat unmoved emotionally all morning - until she walked into her classroom. Then she literally came to life! She was so excited that she could hardly stand it! I think she was glad we were there to share it with her, but at the same time, she was ready for us to leave so she could move on with her day!

The rest I will share in pictures:


Her favorite chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast . . . then on our way to school!


Into the classroom we go . . . Mrs. Spath, her teacher . . . her class!


Greg, Wes and I stopped by the "Boo-Hoo" breakfast. Then on to Starbucks for a little recoup and talk time. Wes waiting for his Sissy!


And they're done! The ever-popular chocolate chip cookie after-school snack!


Here's her post-school interview:

Saturday, August 23, 2008

The First Tooth!

Gracie lost her first tooth! As if starting kindergarten on Monday were not enough for Mama!



Here she is to explain what happened and the pictures to show it:







Friday, August 22, 2008

Scary Part II

Well, it finally hit me.

The emotion that had been bubbling to the brim, but not quite over, all week at seemingly strange times finally found it's way overflowing last night after Meet the Teacher. I'm sure those whom read this and my FB page may be a little tired of my whinning, but I am just shocked that I have reacted so strongly! I was a teacher. I consider myself a fairly strong person (yes, I know, those who know me are saying - but I did defy death without a tear for several hours!!), and Gracie too has always done so well with transition; eager to try new things and meet new people. I expected sentimental sadness, but not gut-wrenching emotional instability!!

Greg and I had prayed fervently about her school. And particularly all summer about "a teacher who will be best for her." I have no doubt that she is; for we laid it in God's hands, so we know He is "caus(ing) all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). And we had a very nice and friendly time with her. Gracie even took it upon herself to return to the room after initially leaving to tell her good-bye and give her a hug. Let me just tell you. My little one is sweet - but only when she wants to be. She cannot be persuaded, nor is she known for it by those who know her best. So that moment should give me comfort in knowing that she feels good about school and her teacher. Thank you Lord for that as a reminder of Your work in her little life.

There are other issues that I cannot write about here. Ones that I wasn't wanting to face just yet with her, and still may not have to in the way I am thinking on it now. But the Lord reminded me not only of the verse above, but also Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans for a hope and a future."

I know I have a battle ahead. I feel it in my spirit and God has been preparing me for it for a while. But I know this is His plan. He told our family that "you are a city set on a hill . . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:14,16) We are up for that challenge, I am up for that challenge, but man, is it hard work. Gracie and Wes will be so prepared to face the world as long as we stay diligent in our teaching at home. You spend all their lives protecting them from all harm. Letting go little by little. And now the baby steps are gone. I feel like I'm throwing her to the wolves!

But . . .

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of discipline." 2Tim. 1:7

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Sweet and Sassy!

I took Gracie last week for a girl's afternoon. We had lunch, shopped a bit, then went to "Sweet & Sassy" for a "Princess Package" - hair shampoo/cut/style, mini-pedicure (or as Gracie called it, a "foot bath"), and mini-manicure including two nail designs and 2 rings! What more could a girl ask for?!




A precious time with my precious girl. I have a feeling we will do this often together. I'm looking forward to it!

Scary

Received this link to a article in the Star-Telegram in an email today.

http://www.star-telegram.com/242/story/837232.html

Considering my last post about sending Gracie to public school, I thought it appropriate and realize the importance of keeping up with worldviews for the sake of my children and what we are teaching them at home. The battle gets bigger and bigger as Christian worldviews and secular worldviews become easily entangled with thought-processes such as these. How important it is as Christians to be constantly in the Word and teaching the Word to our young ones. Because in the end, when they leave the security and direction of our home, it is their choice whether they continue in their faith. We must raise them to think for themselves in order to have their OWN faith eventually, and not just ours.

I read recently (need to find it and link it) where 60%-70% of children who were raised in the faith and in church DO NOT return to their faith when they leave home. Scary.


For me, I feel Christians just don't know scripture well enough. Bottomline. We don't know it, can't quote it, don't live by it, can't teach it properly, can't apply it, and so then it gets misconstrued, misquoted, misunderstood, etc. We MUST educate ourselves in the most important part of our lives as Christians so we can face the giants of this world and teach our children how to do the same. I say this because I myself was convicted of it not too long ago.


Let's not forget what Paul wrote in the first chapter of Galatians: (v. 6-10)


"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different Gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a Gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a Gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ."


Obviously reading the Bible itself with an openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance and with prayer are what we need to be doing on a daily basis, ourselves and with our children. But here are two books I highly recommend as good resources as to how to do this better as parents:

Going Public: Your Child Can Strive in Public School by David and Kelli Pritchard









The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson








We're so concerned with how smart our children are, if they are the best at their sport, if they can play a musical instrument well, if they know at least 2 languages. But what about whether we will be living with them in eternity? Whether they will see all the gifts God has given them to be used for His Kingdom, for His glory instead of only for their own monetary gain? Our focus has shifted too much toward ourselves and our own ambitions instead of what God thinks, why God created and gave us these little beings to care for and train.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Summer Wind Down - School is Coming!

Our August has been slow, so I haven't had much of anything to post, so I figured I'd just type up some thoughts about summer's end, which means a new school year beginning.

For me, this is a whole new territory, a whole new life I'll be living. My baby is going to kindergarten. I told someone not too long ago that my life seems to proceed in phases of 5 years. Greg and I were married for 5 years before Gracie came along, we lived in our first bought home for about 5 years, and I worked part-time at my church in an After-School program for 5 yeaers until I felt the Lord leading me to stay home full-time as Gracie sets off for school.

Lots of emotions and thoughts have been passing through my mind this last week as we count down to only 2 full weeks left of summer break. First, being the anal perfectionist that I am (hehe), I am frightened that I will miss an important tradition, a special opportunity, or a simple tip as we prepare and ready for this all-important, never-will-forget first day of kindergarten of my first child. So, anyone reading this who does this school preparation thing every year and has some tips, tricks, and special traditions, please email me!

Second, as I was reading my devotional today (The Ministry of Motherhood - I highly recommend this one!), another emotion fell on me like a down-pour of heavy rain. My influence on her is changing, it's going to be limited. Now I realize it is my choice how much influence I have on her. I realize her dad and I will still be the most important people in her life, no matter what she says as time passes, but the thought of our time together shifting from all day and night to mostly night can be a scary thought, especially when sending her to public school.

Granted, it is a wonderful school, highly "rated" with rave reviews of the principal, but I will now have to deal with the constant battle of having to say, "yes, but we believe . . . " It's an exciting challenge, and one Greg and I prayed very thoroughly about. But also one which is very daunting in this day and age. But it will certainly prepare her for the world she will face upon graduating, so with that I am thankful. And so . . . , I put on my battle clothes, the "armor of God" because I know He wishes to use our family in great and mighty ways if we only are willing and stay constantly prepared for what He puts in our path.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Summer Synopsis II

JULY:

July was filled with trips and more weekly summer excursions. Gracie and Wes spent a week with cousin Katherine at Manaw and Pop Pop's, but not before a fun day with Mop!



We also stayed in College Station for 3 days at the annual Firefighter Olympics. Daddy played soccer for LFD. And man, was it stinkin' hot!!



What has ended up being the biggest story of the summer was our whitewater rafting trip to Colorado we went on with the Stith's while the kids were in Abilene. Overall it was a fabulous trip. I won't go into too much detail (it deserves it's own blog!), but let's just say we're glad to be alive. Believe us when we say you DO NOT want to swim in a level 5 rapid on the Arkansas River in the Royal Gorge. All 4 of us are truly blessed to still be here!

There are a few favorite videos that I'd like to share as well:

First, a taste of Gracie and Wes' gymnastics class.



The best show of Pop Pop you'll ever see!

(Sorry, I can't figure out how to rotate it!)