7 Not So Quick Takes

1. Settled?  I'm almost afraid to say this word because our marriage has been just the opposite.  After 6 moves in 6 years we are finally feeling settled.  Its funny how things have turned out.  I NEVER imagined we would be living in Spokane, in fact, we officially decided last Spring when we began looking for a new job, that we would be moving to Seattle.  We even told our families that we felt that is where we were being led.  Then the job Cory has now came up.  He went to the interview, loved the job, but we still felt Seattle was the answer.  He turned down the job, and then his boss offered it to him again.  We prayed for a sign that we should accept this job.  Cory said, as we were driving home on a Sunday night, God please give us a sign of a cross by Wednesday night if you want us to take this job.  Without even realizing that Wednesday was Ash Wednesday and he would receive a cross in ashes on his forehead, he made this request.  No joke.  So on Wednesday he received his sign, and we still doubted, but eventually came to our senses and took the job.  So here we are.

2. Youth Ministry.  About two months after moving to Spokane our priest called us up and asked if he could come over for dinner.  We were excited to meet him as he was a newly ordained Priest (random fact: ordained on our wedding anniversary) and we were looking forward to getting more involved in our church community.  He came over and we  mistakenly asked him how his plans for youth ministry were going.  We had heard that was going to be one of his big tasks, to start a  youth ministry program.  His response, well actually, I was curious if you guys want to help.  We both felt a lot of peace about it and said yes.  Little did we know that this "yes" was just the beginning of many more.  The last few months have been completely life changing for our family.  We have grown so much deeper in our faith and have learned so much about ourselves.  We have both realized our desire to live our lives for God are so strong that we are willing to give up anything to live out His Holy Will.  It is crazy to say this, but the more I hand over my will to God, the more free I feel.  I am more joyful about the most mundane aspects of life and I am constantly amazed by the goodness of Him.  Working with the high school students has brought us so much joy and taught us so much.

3. Motherhood. I had a person recently ask me how I could go to college, get a bachelors degree and then not only decide to be a stay at home mom, but to decide to homeschool (If you didn't know our plan to homeschool, now you do).  I immediately felt hurt by her comment.  I really think it is interesting how some people make you feel like your choice to stay home with your children is not acceptable.  I quickly said a prayer, and felt peace about the situation.  I realized, this idea of staying home and homeschooling after receiving my teaching degree was so foreign to her.  Maybe she never had the opportunity to get a bachelors degree and therefore can't imagine someone getting one, and
"not using her degree."  I could spend hours assuming why she said what she said to me, but either way it doesn't matter.  I know I am doing what God is calling me to do right now.  That is exactly what I told her.  I have been praying and discerning God's will in my life because I believe God created us to love and serve Him, not myself.  If that is true, then I need to be discerning His will in all things.  If that means he wants me to work on forming the souls of my children, than that is what I am going to do. Please note I say "I" not everyone.  I want to clarify that I am in no way saying this is the one way to raise children.  God has a plan for each of us, some are similar, some are different.  I just urge you to ask God to make it clear what His plan is for you. 

I am learning to love each moment I have with my children, to love that I am doing my best to follow His Will.  I may not be using my degree in the way this woman thought I should be, but in the four years of my education I learned so much about myself, about working with children, about life, about God, etc.  I met my husband, I grew in my faith, I met amazing friends who live their lives for God, and I grew in ways I don't believe I would have grown without my college education.  So no, I am not getting paid to be a teacher, but I am teaching everyday.  Teaching my children about a God who desires us to love Him, teaching my children how to be kind to one another, teaching my children to love everyone no matter what, and teaching them to read, write, count, sing, cook, etc.  Thankfully I have learned not to place my worth in the views of other humans, but only in the one who created me.  Thank you Lord for that gift to understand my worth is in you. 

4. Joseph. This boy is full of wonder.  He started reading this year.  I don't think that ever gets old, watching your child's brain just click.  He loves to read too.  It is so precious.  He is learning about so much.  He loves to play with his sisters, to hang out with dad (his hero), and to spend time with his extended family.  He has a beautiful heart. 

5. Genevieve.  She is slowly transforming into a young girl.  She will be 4 in a little over a month.  Sometimes I forget she is still 3.  She loves her brother and sister.  Her imagination blows my mind.  her giggle is so contagious and I could listen to her laugh all day.   She loves to read the Bible and will remind me if I forget.  We started praying the Rosary and she will often say when we get in the car, "mom, we should pray a Rosary."  I just adore her sweet heart.

6. Ava.  She will be 1 in 8 days.  Could a baby be any sweeter?  Not possible.  She is also full of wonder.  She loves to be with people.  Not much of an independent kid.  She prefers to be with the party.  She is starting to stand on her own, for a few seconds.  I think in a month or two she will be walking.  Her favorite words are Dada, hi, and uh oh.  We sure love her. 

7. Cory.  He loves his new job.  We are so grateful for all God has given us.  Cory has been working hard to get pictures on our wall.  We had a house blessing party recently.  We invited a few families over.  We had 20 children running around.  It was a blast.  Cory has been working so hard to provide for our family and for that I am grateful.  He loves to play with the kids.  As soon as he gets home Ava wants nothing to do with me.  She is a daddy's girl.  I love watching their interactions. 

Well there you go, our not so quick takes.  :) Phew.