Date Night at The Target

Setting:  After the going to see a local production of "Driving Miss Daisy," we stopped in at Target for some coffee (too late, Starbucks at Target isn't open at 9:30pm) and other essentials.  What we ended up with in the checkout line was a pack of Pull-Ups, Toy Story Underwear, French White nail polish and a bottle of Pinot Noir.  Just like when we were dating.  

Now, we are in line...

Mr. Wonderful:  "I'm gonna run to the restroom while you pay."

Me:  "Hang on.  Let me make sure I have my ID."

Mr. Wonderful:  "Do you really think they will card you?"

Me: swift kick to Mr. Wonderful's shin with the toe of my shoe

Thankyouverymuch.

Life after the trash heap...

I love the idea of salvaging, repurposing and refinishing furniture.

My earliest memory of this process was a hall/foyer table of my great grandmothers that my mother inherited. When she acquired it, the table was covered with layers of thick lacquer paint. I believe the top layer was a green typical of the 1960’s decor.

My mother applied, with great patience and care, paint remover, and I saw globs of goop come off to reveal actual wood hidden beneath. After that she sanded the piece smooth and applied a clear finish to it. The beauty of the original wood came through and, although it took much time and effort, it was worth it. This table is by far one of my favorite pieces in Mom’s home.

I have so many pieces of furniture in my own home awaiting their “transformation.” I love them, although to most people they appear “junk.”

I think I love their potential.

With the right accoutrements, each piece can (and in my mind eventually will) be beautiful and functional again.

I love how God does the same thing with my life. He formed me in the beginning with a specific and unique structure. He “(knew) the plans He (had) for me.” Through my inborn sin nature and rebellious choices I have made, I became beaten and worn by things and people that promised tender care. I have attempted to “cover” myself in colors and materials that aren’t really very becoming. But God looks at me and says, “I still see something very beautiful in her.”

So, when I don’t fight it and I yield to His compassionate hands, He can do what He does best, repair and purpose (I didn’t misprint, He always has a purpose). I don’t have to try to be something I’m not or be ashamed that He made me a “chair” and not a “desk.” I am valuable as a “chair” in His Kingdom. He wants to put me back into commission without the tacky lacquer that I’ve smeared all over, but with the original brilliance that He created.  I love that He has salvaged me and is patiently and carefully working through the goop.

What was that old Sunday School song?
“God’s still workin’ on me.
Makin’ me what I ought to be….”

Or in the words of Paul,
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.”
1 Cor. 15:10a

Life after the trash heap...

I love the idea of salvaging, repurposing and refinishing furniture.

My earliest memory of this process was a hall/foyer table of my great grandmothers that my mother inherited. When she acquired it, the table was covered with layers of thick lacquer paint. I believe the top layer was a green typical of the 1960’s decor.

My mother applied, with great patience and care, paint remover, and I saw globs of goop come off to reveal actual wood hidden beneath. After that she sanded the piece smooth and applied a clear finish to it. The beauty of the original wood came through and, although it took much time and effort, it was worth it. This table is by far one of my favorite pieces in Mom’s home.

I have so many pieces of furniture in my own home awaiting their “transformation.” I love them, although to most people they appear “junk.”

I think I love their potential.

With the right accoutrements, each piece can (and in my mind eventually will) be beautiful and functional again.

I love how God does the same thing with my life. He formed me in the beginning with a specific and unique structure. He “(knew) the plans He (had) for me.” Through my inborn sin nature and rebellious choices I have made, I became beaten and worn by things and people that promised tender care. I have attempted to “cover” myself in colors and materials that aren’t really very becoming. But God looks at me and says, “I still see something very beautiful in her.”

So, when I don’t fight it and I yield to His compassionate hands, He can do what He does best, repair and purpose (I didn’t misprint, He always has a purpose). I don’t have to try to be something I’m not or be ashamed that He made me a “chair” and not a “desk.” I am valuable as a “chair” in His Kingdom. He wants to put me back into commission without the tacky lacquer that I’ve smeared all over, but with the original brilliance that He created.  I love that He has salvaged me and is patiently and carefully working through the goop.

What was that old Sunday School song?
“God’s still workin’ on me.
Makin’ me what I ought to be….”

Or in the words of Paul,
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.”
1 Cor. 15:10a

Something in the way she...screams?

Apparently we don't do transitions.

It continues to happen on a daily basis.  But for some reason, things just fall completely apart between 6:30 am until 8:30 am and again from about 3:00 pm until 6:00pm. 

Sunshine is screaming and usually standing right under me while doing it.  Little Prince is into everything or pestering a sister.  Doesn't matter which one, just whichever one is closer.  

And Daddy's Girl turns into something other than her better self.  

This morning was no exception.  

Mr. Wonderful and I had actually agreed last night that we would get up early with each other and spend some time over coffee talking to God and each other.  Well, apparently Mr. Wonderful is not supposed to get face-time with God because every time he tried to pray he ended up just about gagging to death because of allergies.  

So then the morning really began.

Bang!  Bang!  Bang!  (The sound of Little Prince kicking the door to get out.  We have those child door-knob thingys.)

The girls are up and the race is on.  Mr. Wonderful proceeds to get ready while I make breakfast and pack Daddy's Girl's lunch.   

Mr. Wonderful and I intermittently call to Daddy's Girl:

"Are you dressed?"

"Almost."

"Are your shoes on?"

"I'm looking for them."

"Have you brushed your teeth?"

"I'm looking for my shoes."

"Brush your teeth.  Daddy has to be at the radio station and they can't wait for him."

You get the idea.

I begin separating laundry from the Mt. Everest pile that has accumulated in what seems like only 5 days and Sunshine becomes, well, Squall.  She screams, she cries, she stands right under or on me, nose running, while she does it all.

I look for a paci.  There is not one to be found.  Nowhere.  Not the one she had last night in bed.  Not any of the 5 or so we had, like, two weeks ago.  So she screams.  Dad holds her.  I hold her.  We put her down.  Doesn't matter.  She screams.  

Mr. Wonderful and Daddy's Girl leave for their day and Sunshine continues to scream and cry.

I continue to look for a paci.  Anywhere and everywhere.

But now it is about 8:45 am and she and Little Prince have been playing for about 15 minutes happily.  And things will roll along pretty calmly until about 3:00 pm when Daddy's Girl gets home because...

we don't do transitions.

7 minutes

I have seven minutes to write.

I have two incomplete posts about our Holy Week Activities.

I have dishes in the sink and lots of laundry to do.

I have to get the kids outdoors in seven minutes because it is gorgeous outside.

I want to tell you about everything that has been going on in my mind the past few weeks, but like I used to tell my Dad, "It would make you dizzy."

I had the most amazing and exhausting Saturday. I went to the memorial service of the father of a friend and was so deeply moved by so many aspects. The tribute to this man I didn't really know. The strength and determination of my friend in the face of some amazing obstacles. The beauty and peace of ceremony.

I also spent that evening talking with three really beautiful and amazing women about all things "woman." And I came home to a clean house, clean (and sleeping) children and a precious husband who kept it all together.

I have three minutes left.

I am falling in love with God and desiring so much more from my relationship with Him than I have settled for in the past.

I am loving being outdoors and seeing the amazing display of spring.

Two minutes.

I am reveling in new-found friendships and how much I really do enjoy hanging with other women! (Who knew!)

I am wondering what to write next. But I'm in the last 30 seconds so I will have to think about that OUTSIDE! Have an amazing day. My time is up.

Would love to write but...

Hello out there.

I would love to just sit and write to you about how our Holy Week went, and I will.

But not right now.

You see, I've been up to my eyeballs in laundry. The checkbook is a disaster. I'm trying to get a "plan" together to stay more organized so that I have time for the little tribe members. And if I don't get to the grocery store really soon, the answer to "What's for dinner?" may be, "Whatever you can catch in the backyard." (Which will be a sinus infection since the pollen is about 5 feet thick!)

And so, maybe, if I have time tonight I will begin to share how wonderfully, imperfect and meaningful last week was. Or maybe I will spill the beans on what God and my husband are both saying to me. Or perhaps I'll show off sweet Easter pics.

Just wait and see.

The latest on Holy Week with the Tribe

Merciful heavens!  (shout out to Preacherman and Miss Ministry)

Well, I have good intentions of bringing you up to speed about our Holy Week activities, but it may take a little bit.  Lemme give you the short version:

Tuesday:  I gave us a break on the production.  At dinner, Daddy's Girl read (from Little Prince's Bible) the story of the woman washing Jesus' feet.  I loved having her participate.

Wednesday:  This is always an insane day for us and I couldn't seem to get focused and get anything accomplished!  I did gather the brood and read them about the plot against Jesus and from Romans about our sin.  (I can't wait to read "but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!")  Then we went outside with our little plastic bags and began gathering stones to put in the blessing baskets to represent our sin.  We talked about sin, who has "less" and what sins we deal with.  It was an interesting conversation.  We haven't  painted them yet and may not even get to.  No biggie.

Today is Maudy Thursday.  Such an important day with so many significant events. 

How are we celebrating this morning?  

Running errands.  Yup.  We are just that spiritual.  I've got to get shoes for Sunshine, pants for Little Prince and a gift for Daddy's Girl and LP.  Oh, and eggs for tonight. 

I am excited though.  We are going over to some good friends house for dinner, dyeing eggs and a foot washing.  Lord help us to remember to put the eggs in the dye and not our feet!  This family has some characters too, so it should provide plenty of blogging fodder between all of us!  

May you have a grateful day for all that He endured just for you.