Mom, they liked my best

My son is absolutely a gift from God. I can not tell you how many times I feel as though I must of done something right in my life (like the song from the Sound of Music where Julie Andrews sings, "Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must of done something good...") because God gave him to me. I tell him often that he is a gift from heaven, that God answered my prayers when He gave me you.

A couple of nights ago my son wrote in his journal. He writes exactly what's on his mind and on his heart. He told me it was okay to read his journal and I cried when I read his words. He wrote, "I say my mom is really, really, really love. I love my mom. I mean she is soooo very nice all the time." I know, I know, before you know it he will be a teenager, etc..., but for now I am soaking up the joy of my sweet boy.


Update on his Dream Speech. They had the second round Wednesday morning. He was the 1st to give his speech. He said he was glad to go 1st because then he didn't have to think any more about it. I was just dieing all day to hear if he had won. As I walked into his school the principle congratulated us on our son winning the second round! He will now go to the District Finals! He'll go up against 14 students total in his grade. We could not be prouder!!! We let him know before his speech that we were proud and just wanted him to try his best. When he told me he had won he said, "Mom, they liked my best!"

Dream Career Speech

My son came home from school and said, "I know what will put a smile on your face, I was chosen in my class for my dream career speech of becoming a chef!"

For the past month we have been reading, writing, rewriting, and practicing his dream career speech. He had to get up in front of his classmates and teachers today to give his speech. This is a district wide competition and there are two more rounds to go. We are so proud that our little man was chosen as one of the finalists in the 1st round!

Jack

Photo by Tamera

I wanted to share a story from a fellow christian's blog. We have so much to learn from Steph's words and her journey. I included the picture above, because we often look through our hand instead of seeing God's work.

Jack By Steph

This summer I had an encounter with a man who changed my life. I was in Downtown Detroit with a group of students from College leading a dislocated Bible study. We went to Campus Martius to read the story of the Good Samaritan and were then going to walk to Hart Plaza to think and meditate on what we had read. On our way to Hart Plaza, I saw a man sitting outside an office building. He had a huge head of curly hair, wore a coat in 80-degree weather, and as people walked by, his smile lit up his face. I told the group that I would catch up with them and crossed the street to sit by the man. I sat down and said hello. He seemed surprised, but said hello back. I introduced myself and he did the same. His name was Jack. We sat and talked for about 15 minutes and then I asked if he was hungry. I hadn't eaten all day, so I asked if he would like to have lunch with me. He said he'd love to. Because it was nearby, I suggested Au Bon Pain--Jack said "how about if we go to Jimmy John's instead--I've never eaten at Au Bon Pain, but that name sounds too snobby for me". So, we walked to Jimmy Johns, got our sandwiches, and went back to the park to eat. While we sat and ate, Jack told me about his life. He told me about his family, his children, and how he ended up living in shelters and on the street. He told me how grateful he was to have people who loved him, but how distraught he was that he couldn't make them proud. After he talked for a while, he said "Ok, I've depressed you enough. Now let's talk about you." I told him about my job, my family, and all of the things we talk about to make small talk. But Jack didn't want to hear those things. As I spoke, he interrupted and said "now tell me about the real you". It was in that moment that I let my guard down. As he sat and held my hand, I told him everything. For the next fifteen or twenty minutes, he listened intently to my hopes for the future, my fears, my dreams. I began to cry as I told Jack that I want to work with the homeless and the working poor full-time, but that I am too afraid to give up a secure job and secure relationships in order to do so. I explained how much it hurts me that I don't have enough faith in my God take such a leap of faith. It was the most free and open I had been with myself and with another person in a long time. He encouraged me to take a small leap of faith and to take classes on non-profits and business so that I can begin my own organization. He told me about his experiences as a homeless man and how he often feels stripped of his dignity by the police, the community, and while living in some of the shelters in Detroit. He talked about how excruciatingly embarrassing and dehumanizing it is to have to go to the bathroom on the streets since there are very few public restrooms in the area. We discussed the zoning and set-up of the city of Detroit--how hundreds of thousands of suburbanites can come into the city for ballgames, plays, concerts, casinos, and so on, yet have absolutely no idea how bad it really is there. Detroit is the poorest city in America, and yet most of us who go Downtown from the suburbs would never know that because we do not have to drive through any of the "bad" neighborhoods in order get to where we are going. Jack told me what he thinks the homeless really need, what changes he thinks need to be made in the governmental system, and what the homeless really need from soup kitchens and shelters. A few minutes later, the group I was with returned. Jack looked at me and said that he wanted to ask me one more question before I left. "Why did you talk to me?" he asked. I said "I don't know. There was just something that drew me to you". He took my hand and said "Thank you. Most people will look the other way or give me money, but you talked to me. You saw me. To most people I am invisible, but to you, I was a real person. Keep doing that. Promise you'll keep doing that". I gave Jack my word and my phone number, hugged and kissed him, and went back to the van to head back home. Not a single day went by that I did not think about, pray for, and thank God for my encounter with Jack. You see, while he was touched that I "saw him", what he didn't realize is that because of him, I saw the real me for the first time in a very long time and my life has not been the same since. Jack wouldn't settle for the trite conversation and pleasantries. He saw right through my stock answers and shallow conversation. He was the kind of man who drew complete honesty out of a person, not to be manipulative, but because he genuinely cared. Jack did more for me that day than I ever could have done for him. I looked for him each time I went back Downtown, but could not find him. I was with a group serving lunch for the homeless in Cass Park in October when I heard his voice. He looked different--his hair was short and he had a different coat, but he still had a smile that lit up his entire face. I sat and talked with him on this day and on other days that we went to Cass Park. The last time I saw him, I asked him what I could bring him the next time we came. He asked for homemade chocolate chip cookies and I promised I would bring him a batch. Today, we received word that Jack passed away on Friday. I have cried off and on since the moment I found out. I only knew him for a short time, but this man impacted my life. He helped me realize what I really want to do with my life. He helped me see that I should not be afraid to do what I am passionate about. I will keep that promise that I made to Jack--I will not allow the homeless of Detroit to be invisible. I will do all that I can to make sure they have people who will listen, people who will love, and people who will serve them. And from now on, each time I go to Cass Park, I will take homemade chocolate chip cookies in remembrance of Jack.

Narnia Trees

Photo by Tamera

When I saw these trees I knew I had to snap a picture of them. It made both my son and I think of The Chronicles of Narnia. It was funny because when my son saw the trees he said, "It looks like Lucy, Edmond, Susan, and Peter should be chasing each other around the trees. He asked me if he thought this was a God moment. I told him, "I think God sends us many moments, so I am sure this must be one of them. I'm just blessed enough that God let me share this moment with you!"

Cold Remedy

Photo by Tamera

I wasn’t feeling well at all yesterday, first day of a cold. I asked my son what he’d like to eat for supper. He so sweetly looked at me, gently placed his hand on my cheek, and said, “Oh mother dear, why should you suffer over a hot stove at a time like this? I mean…we should support our local economy and pick up the healing power of pizza!” There was no arguing that cold remedy! :)

Tent Sweet Tent

Photo by Tamera

The community we live in is a very affluent community. There are huge houses everywhere we look. Many children that attend my son’s school live in these grand houses.

Once after a play date my son asked me why we do not live in the huge houses like his friends do? I replied that we should never compare ourselves to another. The grass will always look greener on the other side if we do. We need to be who God has asked us to be and be thankful for what He has blessed us with. We have to be good stewards of what God has given our family and at this present time our house is perfect for our current needs. God has given us a roof over our heads and taken care of our every need quite well.

During that same time frame we kept hearing sermon after sermon on “This world is not our home.” Our preacher mentioned our houses are only our tents, our home is in heaven. My son heard the same sermons that we did at church and when we came home after church, as he opened the door, he happily said, “Tent Sweet Tent.”

I often wonder if God blesses us more after we have been good stewards of what he has already blessed us with.

Happy Birthday!

Photo by my son!

February 6th, 12:54 a.m.

It's midnight, I can't believe that my birthday is here! About a month ago I had to stop and think how old I was. Since then my husband has reminded me daily how old I am going to be. He teases me that he married me for my social security!

The Lord has blessed me dearly in my life. My mother wrote the most endearing letter from her and dad. She has this amazing gift of writing. I don't think she's ever let one person who's been in need at church, one family member, one friend, and even strangers she accidentally met, go by with out writing them a letter from her heart. I say letter because she hasn't ever just written a short note in her life. She takes time to write from her heart. She has a talent and is using it to the Lord's service. I know she has blessed me countless times and made the world of difference from her words.

In our family, daughter like mother, we do not send a note either. We send mini books. We share from our hearts. My mother handed down that blessing.

I know it's not easy for some people to share from their hearts. I understand that. I am not that way though. I find myself wanting to make sure you know how amazing you are, or what you did made a difference, or that I love and appreciate you. I don't ever want to say, "I wish I would have told them I loved them and they meant so much to me."

I know this sounds silly, but I can't wait to get birthday cards. I am so sentimental, a big ole' sap. This is the one time a year I get a hand written card from friends and family. I love seeing the hand writing and reading over the words that they took time out of their busy schedules to write. It blesses me more than you'll ever know. So next time you sign a card, make sure you remember your words are important and make a difference to the person on the other end.

We are expecting ice and snow all night. My son prayed so hard before bed that we wouldn't have school. He wants to be home with me on my birthday. Before bed he kissed me and said, "Alas mom, this is the very last memory you'll have of me as a (?????) year old mom! Well, that's if, my sweet darling mother, you can still remember at your age!" :)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Photo by Tamera

To children there isn't anything more exciting than to hear, "There is NO SCHOOL today!" We're enjoying the snow day. I think we are expecting a foot of snow before the day is over. We slept in, ate a late breakfast, read books, talked about this and that, and later there is a snowman that needs to be built.

While we were talking my son said, "God answers prayers mom! In my prayers I've been asking Him if I could stay home with you. God gave me a snow day!!!" He turned on the T.V. and said, "BONUS! He gave me The Price Is Right too! God is gooooooooooooood!"