Unexpected Encouragement

   The other day a rather large package was delivered to our driveway.  We had been expecting this delivery for quite a while and my farmer was prepared (or so he thought) to get it off the semi trailer.  He greeted the delivery guy and went to get the tractor to unload.  In the midst of unloading the awkward box, things went wrong and the box was half off the trailer and parts of it were in pieces.
   I was watching out the window from the warmth of my entry way.  I put the girls down for their naps and then decided to go out and view the problem.
   I was a bit anxious because I know that some semi drivers are tough cookies and can get irritated rather easily.  I was hoping that this gentleman was not too put out with the situation.  He couldn't leave and it didn't look like things were moving very quickly to get the box off the semi.
   I exited the house and walked toward the mess.  As I got closer, the semi driver greeted me and made mention that "the muscles" had arrived.  I laughed and joked with him.  I was relieved that he seemed to be pretty cool about the situation.  In fact, he was really nice.  Very calm and collected.  I was impressed!  It made me wonder... was this man a Christian?  I wanted to ask, but I'm a coward.
   My handsome hubby went into the shop to get something and the semi driver turned to me and asked if we are Mennonites.  I told him that we are.
   He said, "Well, I'm an Evangelical Christian, but I think we believe pretty much the same thing though don't we?"
   "Yep, just a few minor differences, but not much."
   He then did something that made my cowardliness seem even more shameful.  He began to question me.
   "Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?"
   "Yes."
   "Do you believe that He was born of a virgin?"
   "Sure do!"
   "Do you believe that He died and rose again on the third day?"
   "Definitely!"
   "Do you believe that He will return for the saints?"
   "Eagerly awaiting His return!"
   (He asked me a couple more questions, but I can't remember for sure what they were.)
   Then he did something that completely warmed my heart and made me joyful to my tiptoes.  He waved his hand and said, "Awwww, you're a Christian!  I'll see you in Heaven!"
   Just like that he cut through the red tape and conditions that some people put on being a Christian.  He didn't feel a need to nitpick about our differences or try to convince me that I'm wrong.  Nope, he just acknowledged me as a sister in Christ and we had a splendid chat about the Bible!  He was an unexpected encouragement.
   I have decided that I want to be like Ray.  He realized that, while we may not agree on everything, it's okay.  He was content to allow Christ to be my judge.  I am content to let Christ be his judge.  We both understand that the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to keep us on the straight and narrow.  I could tell that there was something obviously different about Ray.  I could tell that Jesus is growing the fruit of the Spirit in him.  I can't deny it.  That's one of the things that Jesus told us to look for.  I could plainly see patience, kindness, and gentleness in Ray.
   Ray may never know it, but he made my day!  As we parted ways, he told us that he's gonna look for us in Heaven someday!  What a guy!  What an encouragement!  What a witness!
   He definitely gave me something to think about... and smile about!

Humdrums

   I've got a bad case of the humdrums.  It seems like at least one family member or another has been sick ever since the middle of November.  That's quite a long time to be constantly doctoring my family or enduring sickness myself.  I guess that I'm just burnt out.
   I had stomach flu a week ago and passed it on to the rest of the family.  The first one started throwing up on Friday and the rest followed early Sunday morning.  I was just getting to sleep at 1 a.m. Sunday morning when my 3 year old came down and informed me that she was missing her supper.  That was one of the longest nights.  I didn't crawl into bed until 6 a.m. only to be awakened at 7 because my girl just wanted some company.
   My hubby in the mean time had also succumbed to the flu and was out of commission.  Since I am the women's Sunday School teacher for the month, and since I had missed last Sunday because I had the flu, I got dressed and went to teach and then came back home.
   Needless to say, I'm tired.  I'm worn out.  I just want a break.  Am I being selfish?  I feel really selfish.  Yet, I hardly ever go anywhere or do anything.  I feel very cooped up.  I just want to leave the girls somewhere and go do something completely lazy or goofy.
   Those desires make me feel very ungrateful.  I just went to Florida and had a wonderful time.  I also had a very nice Valentine's evening with my man.  Yet, I still just want to get out and away!  I've even threatened to lock myself in the bathroom and plug my ears for a bit of respite!  I used to make fun of Mom's who did this, but I think that I'm starting to understand.  Sometimes I have so many requests coming at me from the girls or my hubby, that I can't fulfill them fast enough.  They get frustrated and I get angry.  Not a good combination.
   And, NO, spring will not take care of the cabin fever.  Spring only brings more work and its work that I really don't enjoy, so please don't try console me with the thought of spring.
   You will have to excuse this post.  I really wanted to make this blog a positive place to visit, but today, I just feel tired and a bit bored.
   When I think about the privilege that I have of raising two precious little girls and being the one that they run to for help, I feel honored that God has entrusted them to me.  But on days like today, I have trouble seeing over the top of the pile of soiled laundry and the dirty dishes that I've only washed a million times.
   I am blessed.  I have to keep telling myself that.  Whenever the daily routine gets to the point that I become nauseous just thinking about redoing someones hair one more time, I try to make a point to remember that I am SO very blessed.
   Tiny little hands placed in mine, requests to be held, giggles, and goofy smiles over silly things like hats on cows; all good reminders that what I have is priceless.
   Don't worry, I'll get over my humdrum attitude soon (I hope).  Until then, I'm looking forward to a good long nap this afternoon!

Red Hearts & Sappy Poems

   When I was just a youngster (around 7 or 8), I despised Valentine's Day.  It was SO embarrassing to have to give the boys at school little Valentine's cards with sappy poems asking them to "Hug Me" or "Be Mine".  (My stomach turns a bit even now just thinking about it.)  I made sure that the cards that got handed to the boys were of the utmost platonic nature.  It even made me blush to give those lovey dovey cards to the girls, but I'd have rather died than give them to the boys.  The only redeeming thing about Valentine's day was the candy.  The candy almost made up for all my trouble... almost.  It would have been much easier to stomach if it hadn't declared that someone (possibly a boy) wanted me to "OXOX".  (As you can see, I took Valentine's Day a bit too seriously.)
   Our school had a Valentine's box contest every year.  There were some pretty neat boxes that came out of that contest, but mine wasn't one of them.  I hated making Valentine's boxes.  I just barely tolerated art class at school, but making me do something artsy at home on my own time was definitely crossing a line.  My mother was totally exasperated with me and my lack of excitement for those despicable boxes.  I remember crying great buckets of tears as my Mom tethered me to the kitchen table and pushed me to be creative.  I'm not creative in the least.  At least not in the art department.
   I remember the year that I finally put my foot down and told everyone involved that I was not under any circumstances going to participate in the contest.  You can't imagine the intense relief I felt at finally not having to cut out endless pink and red hearts.  I was free!
   My Mom however, tried everything she could think of to get me to make a box.  "You know you're the only one who isn't going to have a box.  You're gonna feel pretty silly."
   "I don't care.  I'm not making a box."
   "What are you going to tell people when they ask why you didn't make a box this year?"
   A pause to think for a bit.  A shrug, along with, "I don't know, but I'm not going to make a box."
   She said, "Okay." and sighed at my stubbornness.  Thankfully she let the matter drop.
   I showed up at school on Valentine's Day with just a plastic bag for a "box".  It was a bit awkward when people asked where my box was.  I just told them that I didn't decorate a box that year.  I got quite a few puzzled looks.  No one had ever not made a box.  It was beyond their comprehension I guess.
   When it came time to give our cards to each other, people kept asking where my box was.  I told them to just throw 'em on my desk.  They did.  There really wasn't any regret in my system or feelings of being silly that day.  Oh, every once in a while it would hit in a small dose, but over all, I was feeling good!  That was it!  I never again made a box and I can honestly say that it was a good deal.  I was still uncomfortable handing out those goofy cards, but I could live with that as long as I didn't have to wield a scissors and buy construction paper in bulk.

Eight years ago.

   Fast forward about 12 or 13 years.  There was this really nice guy who was rather handsome.  Anyway, this particular dude had asked me out (kind of) a couple of months earlier.  He had asked me out before harvest.  We went on one date and then I didn't hear anything from him until harvest was over 2 and a half months later.  Yeah, I've twisted his ear for doing that to me.  I think he felt bad that he made me cry.
   It was Valentine's Day.  We had plans to spend the day together in the big city.  One little problem.  I was SICK.  Fever, chills, the whole kit and caboodle.  The first time that Valentine's Day meant anything to me and I felt awful!  I never said a word.  I was determined to go on a date with him even if it put me in bed for a month.  So I did.  I have no idea how I made it through the day, but it was special just to spend it with him.  We had fun just being together.  It didn't really matter what we were doing, just as long as it was together.  I fell into bed that night and relived the day with a smile.  It was so great to be chosen and know that someone thought that I was worth getting to know.  Six months later that very same man asked me to be his wife!
   As you can tell, Valentine's Day is sorta special to me.  Well, it is in the years that I'm not too tired to notice that it's February.  I'm in charge of planning something to do this year and I think I've got a humdinger of a plan!  I'm excited!
   Since it's all about love, I've been reading 1 Corinthians 13.  (Well, okay, it helps that I'm the women's Sunday School teacher this month and that's the text I'm supposed to teach on this Sunday.)  When I was a little girl, I wanted to know more about romantic love.  So, I went to the Bible and I looked up the word "love".  I was directed to 1 Corinthians 13.  I was so disappointed.  That wasn't romantic love at all!  It was just run-of-the-mill-everyday love.  How boring!  I wanted passion and adventure!  This whole thing of sacrifice, patience, gentleness, thinking the best about others; that wasn't something that I was all that interested in.  I couldn't see how it applied to romance.  Now I know better.  I know that love is a verb.  It takes work and effort, but the pay off is well worth the hardship.  Marriage has taught me that.  Being a Mom has taught me that.  God has gently reminded me that I can be a pain in the rear sometimes, but He thinks that I am well worth the sacrifice of His only Son.  His love for me is full of passion, sacrifice, and adventure, plus all that other stuff that I once thought was boring.  It's exciting to be loved so much!
   Anyway, I hope that this Valentine's Day is special for you in some way.  Whether it is spent with a spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, parent, or child, it's a great opportunity to show those close to you just how much you want to sacrifice your own personal comfort for their good, always think the best about them, exercise patience on their behalf, or put your life on the line for them!  (Sounds kind of ominous when you put it like that!)  Yup, that's what love can sometimes entail, but let's not give up, it's worth it!

Picture taken a couple of months ago.
Boy, are we old or what! 

   Happy Valentine's Day!

   

Florida

   It seemed like a good idea at the time.  Well, I guess that I knew better, but I was trying to be optimistic.  We decided to take a trip to Florida.  A 1,500 mile trip.  That wasn't the bad idea.  The bad idea was leaving at 7:00 p.m. hoping that our girls would sleep all night as we drove.  I knew better.
   My girls don't sleep well in a vehicle.  I have always known this, but my dear farmer convinced me that when they got tired enough, they'd just drift off into dream land.  HA!  Not so much.
   My hubby was driving and listening to an audiobook on my iPod.  I was left with the job of soothing two very upset little girls.
   A teary little voice pipes up from the back, "Mommy, I want to go home to my own bed."
   "Don't you want to go to the beach and play in the sand?"
   "NO!  I want to go home and sleep in my own bed."
   It is 12:30 a.m. and I am at my wits end as to what I should do.  I tapped my hubby on the shoulder and asked, "Don't you think we should stop?  The girls are miserable and I'm at the end of my rope."
   "Naw, they're ok.  They'll go to sleep soon."
   It was at this point that I wanted very badly to smack him.  (And I don't mean kiss either!)
   We had borrowed a couple of little DVD players from a friend, but I really didn't want to have to pull them out unless I absolutely had to.  I decided that I HAD to.  I found myself watching "Veggie Tales" at 1 a.m.  Not something that I ever really itched to do, but it was better than the tears.  To my dismay my girly watched all 80 min. of the movie and wanted another!  (She doesn't get to watch very many movies, so this was a treat.)  I put my foot down and told her that she needed to sleep.  Just as she fell asleep, my 1 year old woke up and began the second verse of her woes.  It went like that pretty much for the rest of the night until about 4 or 5 in the morning.  My hubby was still listening to an audiobook completely oblivious to what was going on in the back.  I glared at the back of his head, but unfortunately he didn't feel my frustration.

Notice the fat lip. This
happened about 3 min.
after our arrival.

   Finally we arrived in Sarasota, Florida!  It was beautiful!  It made the whole long van ride seem like a distant bad memory.
   The house that we had rented was beautiful!  It was clean and comfortable.  We unloaded the van and thus began our week of relaxation!  Ahhh, what a treat to not have responsibilities pulling at us!  Well, other than the two girls, some cooking, and a bit of laundry.
   We visited a fun little place called "Jungle Gardens".  We meandered through the garden on a twisty little path.  It opened to a large pool with flamingos wandering around.  For 25 cents you could buy a hand full of flamingo food and feed them out of your hand.  Of course my husband thought this would be fun.  I wasn't opposed as long as the scrawny necked birds stayed away from me.  Soon we had a flock of tall and very pink birds surrounding us.  I tried to stay out of their way.  They have creepy looking eyes.

"Hey!  Get back here!"
She couldn't figure out why they didn't want to eat
sea shells.

   All was going well and everyone was enjoying themselves until the farmer told me that I had to feed the birds.  I protested.  I don't touch animals and I don't allow them to touch me.  He insisted.  I sighed and handed over the camera and took a bit of food.  I held out my hand and looked behind me to see if my girls were okay.  Just like that a flamingo snapped the food out of my hand! I screamed in surprise and disgust!  There was flamingo spit on my hand!  I nearly gagged.  My husband was almost doubled over laughing.  He had caught on camera my horrified expression!  I was told that I was NOT to delete the nasty picture.  So I shall share it with you. Maybe you can find the humor.

Flamingo spit.  Gag.

   We did visit an aquarium and got to go on a boat ride.  It was rather cold and windy, so we were kind of glad to be back on the land.  I think the most exciting thing we saw there was a giant dead squid.  Totally rocked my world.  (Not)  The sea lions were pretty fun to watch, but it nothing can quite compare with the beach!
   After a couple of days in Sarasota, it finally got warm enough to go to the beach!  We were SO excited!  This was what we had been waiting for!  We packed up and drove the 5 short miles to the beach!

Hours of fun in the sand.

I unloaded the toys, spread my towels, and arranged our stuff.  That's when I realized... my only responsibility for the day was to relax!  Hubby and I took turns keeping an eye on the girls.  They were thoroughly entertained by the sand, which left us plenty of time to go wading and searching for sea shells.  It was such a fun day!

The view from my beach towel. 

My little sand baby! Can't help but love her!

You can take the farmer to the beach,
but you can't make him leave the Pioneer seed cap at home!

   We ate our picnic lunch and continued relaxing and looking for sea shells.  The sea gulls left us alone (Much to my relief.  I had a dread of getting bombed.)  I vacillated between reading and daydreaming.  

Blissful.

Can you tell that we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves?  When we could tell that the girls were getting a bit tired, we loaded them up in the stroller and took a long walk down the beach.  They slept and my handsome hubby and I had a mini date on the beach.  It brought back memories of when he proposed.  That also took place on a beach.  Maybe sometime I'll tell you about it...maybe!

This is what playing in the sand does to you!

   Our day couldn't be complete without eating sea food!  We went to a swanky restaurant on the water and ordered shrimp and grouper.  It was delicious!  We sat by a window and watched the sun go down over the water.  It was beautiful!

I think she's ready to go to the beach
again!

   My little chickies were raring to go to the beach again the next day, so we piled in the van and did it all over again! 

   We also went to an animal sanctuary.  In my opinion this trip was getting far too "animalistic" for my taste, but because everyone else enjoys the beasts and birds, I smiled and packed the van.  

   They had bears.  I now know why it would be a very frightening thing to meet a bear in the wild.  Those guys are HUGE!  I was very glad to have two fences between me and those beasts!

   They also had emus.  Have you ever seen an emu?  If you have, then you know that God definitely has a sense of humor.  They are UGLY!  Very scuzzy and look a bit diseased.  To my complete horror and disgust, a fellow visitor wrapped her arm around the neck of an emu and pulled that very ugly and very scuzzy head up to her cheek and started talking all lovey to it.  I nearly lost my mind.  

   There were little pygmy goats wandering around at our feet.  I'm not a goat fan.  I think that goats are a pestilence to the world... that is I did until I saw this...

She fell in love.

She was SO cute!  She hugged them tight and wouldn't allow anyone to take them away.  I'm a hard nut to crack when it comes to animals, so this was pretty spectacular.

Of course my big girl loved them too!

Seriously. Would you really want to have this thing looking at you through your bedroom window?

The very next day we packed up and started the 1,500 miles towards home.  We made it safely.  A few brain cells might be missing from drinking gas station coffee.  I don't normally drink coffee, but when I do, it has to be weak coffee and it has to be 75% hazelnut creamer and 25% coffee.  Gas station coffee is like draining the oil from your John Deere and then drinking it.  It is NASTY!  

I drank a large cup of coffee and then a smaller one.  Later in the day I consumed a Mt. Dew.  Needless to say, I was WIRED!  I called my Mom to chat and I think I had her worried.  I could not stop laughing.  It reminded me of highschool  days and OD'ing on Mt. Dew with one of my good friends.  We had such fun!

My cell phone took an extended vacation and stayed a few extra days in Tennessee.  My daughter's favorite doll is still somewhere in St. Louis, but we can honestly say that we arrived safe and sound!  Praise the Lord!

Oh, and I'd do it all over again! 

Sorry if this post bored you.  It was mainly to my family who is anxious to see pictures and hear about our vacation.