The Heart of a Writer: August 2013

Friday, August 23, 2013

What If

The world around us is filled with tension. What would it look like if just for a moment, we as Christians did this?

2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT) Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Walking Down the Road

It just took walking a few miles, but the benefits were far beyond exercise. They were eternal.

My friend Sara is a military wife whose husband was injured both physically and emotionally in Iraq. She shoulders the care of her two kids and her husband. In her first year of marriage she lost her Dad and had a son while her husband was serving in Iraq. She's moved numerous times because of her husband's service but Brant Lake is her home. She is my walking buddy and a reflection of God's handiwork.

The paths we walked haven't been easy for us. The miles and hills at times wore us down. We walked and talked and listened. We shared and laughed and cried. But Sunday our paths lead to celebrating her baptism.

There is something deeply spiritual to me about baptism. It makes me cry every time. To me it is an amazing choice someone makes to tell the world that they love God. This one was even more special because I knew the paths that had brought her here. Because of that, Kevin asked me to be a part of it.

I was asked to say something before we went in the water (yes, we're baptist - we dunk 'em). Sara is my friend. She isn't a "mission", a "convert", or a "ministry". It has been a joy to see her grow. Her hunger for wanting to understand God's Word puts me to shame. How could I say something about it when she has taught me?

It really comes down to God. He nudged me to ask if she wanted a walking buddy. It is God that has healed the hurts she has battled. It is God who has given her a real hunger for His Word. It is only God who can take a messy person like me and use me and some roads to get to this point.

So, I celebrate the amazing and indescribable work of God and the baptism of a special friend!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Summered Out

I had hoped to do a little more writing these last few weeks than has actually happened. I overestimate the reality of how traveling takes it out of me.

Kevin had training for his missions trip a week before he actually left so most of the time I was single parenting it even before he left. Then, having him in Africa for 2 weeks helped me to be so grateful for the fact that I have him around.

I always enjoy being down with my family at Camp Bayouca in the summer. It is coming home for me. I love the extended family God has given me in the people that have been there through the years. I love watching the kids enjoying the same things I used to enjoy.

The best part was going blackberry picking with Dad. That was his relax and spend time with the kids tradition towards the end of camp. I loved introducing my children to it.

But, there were a lot of bittersweet moments too. We took some time to go out with my Mom to her parents house, which the family is trying to sort through and settle. It was hard to see the house packed up and know it would not ever be the same.

At camp, it is the reality that things aren't going to be the same forever. There will come a time where Mom and Dad will no longer be there and that's hard to think about. It is honestly the place that I find myself home more than any other place in the world.

Then, my sweet Kayli girl, who was just up here filling our house with fun, went through something I would never have imagined, suddenly losing her Dad. My heart still breaks for her, her mom, and her daughter. I can't imagine what the days and months ahead will be like for them but I know that I saw Jesus shine through them as they said their goodbyes.

I also know that in a few weeks life is going to kick in to high gear. Just as Jack begins school, I will begin taking classes again in hopes of getting my NYS certification. Emma did not get into head start so far so I will be juggling studying in the midst of her chatter but it will not be boring.

I am not sure what is going to happen after that. Especially since there is a shortage of teaching positions around. But, I am excited to be picking up English classes and hope it will continue to enhance my writing.

I didn't get to go to the Writer's Conference this year and I really want to go through my notes from last year and set some more goals for myself. I am hoping to be able to connect with some people at college who may help me continue to hone my skills.