Kidnapped!

How wonderful to have friends that know you well enough to sense what you really need. I desperately needed to be kidnapped, and they delivered. Don't get me wrong, I have an idyllic life, but I needed to be special in someone's eyes on this very weekend. What really made it extraordinary was that the kidnappers were exactly the people I would choose to spend a weekend with (besides Husband)! Everything we did from talking to laughing, crying (which is exactly what I did when they showed up at my door) to eating made this an occasion I will always remember. Even Husband knew that a few days away would do me well.

Thank you Sister.
Thank you Friends.
Thank you Husband.

I love you.

Garage Sales

One of my favorite things to do is to shop at garage sales and flea markets. I don't know why. All I know is that when I find something I like and the price is outrageously low I feel as if I have discovered a treasure. I don't even mind if I must clean it up a little. Somehow, the search is as much fun as the discovery. I really enjoy taking something old, refurbishing it, and using it in my home as something new. Giving it new life, if you will.

This past weekend Sister and I had a garage sale. We rooted out from our homes all our unwanted clothes, dishes, lamps, and, in general, junk. We sold it as fast as we could put it out. Most items were 50 cents. Sometimes if it was really valuable we priced it at $1. We didn't worry about how much money we were going to make, we just wanted it gone. And go it did. AND we still made more money than we expected. How does all that stuff add up to that much money? Well, I guess we had a great deal of junk in our homes.

What do garage sales say about me and our society? Well, in general, we simply have too much. If Sister and I had so many50 cent items that added up to several hundred dollars, well, that is just too much stuff. I could still go through my home and have another garage sale with items that are rarely used, but I didn't want to part with "just yet". But, on the other hand, many of my items are those I have purchased at garage sales, flea markets, or are hand me downs. Recycling is good. I guess the only thing that might make having this much stuff wrong would be holding my "things" in higher esteem than the people around me. I would gladly give up anything I have for anyone. Maybe, I'll have another garage sale next week.

Vacation, the Bible, and School

Vacations! Ahh, they are the ultimate in taking a break for me. The very reason I don't like to camp. If I am going on vacation I want a break from normal life. Cooking, cleaning, getting up early, laundry. I love vacations. The most memorable vacations we have had were not necessarily the most exotic, but we were together with people we loved and spent a great deal of time experiencing out of the ordinary things. The first vacations I am reminded of are Maine (every day's plan backfired, even whale watching in prime whale watching season), and a 2 week road trip to the north east with a 2 and 3 year old (yes, we were potty training at the time).

The Bible!! My favorite literature. Profound Truth and the mystery of the universe simply waiting to be unveiled to the hungry reader. I am hungry, I do believe, I am changed every time I read it with a heart ready to listen.

School. Hmm. School is somewhat of an enigma for me now and even as a child. I have always looked forward to it, tire of the rigor of work, yet love the result of studying a subject and learning from a good teacher.

Why put these three things together? Because together, these three things, can change the lives of the children in our neighborhoods, for eternity. Special, intense time doing special things about the Bible with people who teach what they know about God, the Redeemer. Wow! I am glad I am a part of Vacation Bible School this week.

Summer Days

Summer is here. The kids have been to camp for a week, which means that Husband and I were alone at home for a full 6 days. How weird was that!! Husband still went to work that week, but when he came home in the evenings we were free to eat when and what we desired. We watched anything we chose without interruption. We had complete conversations without anyone barging in. We actually did nothing exceptional that week, we simply enjoyed ordinary life without children.

Oh, did I mention that we had 22 and 21 and their spouses over for dinner one evening? Did I tell you that we spoke on the phone to 16 and 14 on a couple of different occasions about their days at camp? Did I remember to say that 21 and I spent an entire day visiting relatives and shopping? Did I state that I spent many hours while husband was at work painting, sewing, and redecorating 16 and 14's rooms? So actually, our whole week was spent without them physically, but, our lives still revolve around the children.

I think that when they are all moved out of this home in which they have been raised, Husband and I will definitely have more time to pursue our own interests. However, our lives will always revolve around our children and our children's children. We will respond at a moments notice when they need us or just simply want us. We want to be intimately involved in our children's lives so as to leave them a part of us. You know, a heritage.

For me that is what makes life worth living: relationships. Relationships with those that know me inside and out.