Today was a good day, despite the obvious Tom-vacuum.

As I write this, I think, “how do I measure a good day?” These things certainly are factors:

-Things on my to-do list get accomplished
-The kids behaved and had fun
-Opportunities to glorify god were not missed
-Got to talk to Tom today! 😉

Today we celebrated Tabitha’s 2nd birthday — even though it was actually yesterday. Great Grandma Trudy, The Judges, Steve and Diana, Ben and Liz and all the uncles except Matt (he did come over to our house to bring a new bunny (she LOVES it!) and to wish Tab a happy birthday!) were over. It was quite a party! She was in heaven! Grandma’s cake was _wonderful_. Mary Judge brought her digital camera.. so I will put up the pictures as soon as I get them. Thomas has been given many toys by his Great Grandpa Tom, and Grandma Nancy.. and all of the toys in the house had been BOYS toys. So, today, Tabitha received a number of “girls” toys.

-New bathing suit with a PINK HULA SKIRT — which she was TWIRLING in… “ready, set, GO!”
-Plastic Tea & Dinner settings for 4 (to go with her kitchen set)
-Plastic food and cooking utensils
-A dad, some sibings, and a living room set for her Loving Family Doll House
-A new Carebears toothbrush (hers ended up in the toilet, due to her recent fascinating with flushing and toilet water.. we have literally gone through 2 rolls of toilet this week because of this fascination..)
-Nemo bath bubbles from the Judges
-Bubbles and a ‘spill-resistant’ container from STeve and Diana
-A Pooh & Friends beach towel from Grandma
-Pink sunglasses (which look adorable when combined in outfit with the hula skirt)
-A barnyard puzzle (tabitha LOVES puzzles!)

So.. now we have GIRLS toys in the house!! When we got home, she played and played. Awesome.
…..

When I was in the Giant tonight buying Milk, there was a little girl who was singing at the top of her lungs in the kids’ firetruck attached to the shopping cart. As I walked by, her parents were smiling. They looked at me and apologized for her loudness. I said, “She’s adorable! She’s singing because she’s happy! I love to hear children sing!” They asked if I had any, and I said “Yes, three.” They asked if I was going to have more, and I said, “I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea.” Then, the dad said, “Well, the Lord said, “Be fruitful and multiply!” I was like, “yes he did!” And then, went on, “I love being a mom because, as adults, we tend to be jaded. To children, though, life has not become routine, and everything is new and fascinating. If parents are in tune with their children, and take time to share in this experience, it’s like rediscovering the world all over again as adults, and suddenly ‘life’ is alive again… it gives us a new appreciation for life.” The mom said, “That is so true! May the Lord bless you!” It was truly a great moment. What a cute little girl!!

When I was in the Dollar store, our oday when I was in the Dollar Tree (next to the Giant in Coatesville), the young gentleman at the cashier seemed very upset.
I said to him, “are you okay?” and he said, “My wife and I are thinking about divorce. I love her so much, but I don’t know how to make this work.” He recently had left her to live with his mom to” try to sort things out”. He apologized for being upset at work in front of customers and said, “I am so sorry, I just can’t seem to think of anything else.” Even though the store was _packed_ there wasn’t anyone else behind me! So, I said, “It’s good that you can’t stop thinking about it. Your marriage is a priority! Would you ever consider going to marriage counseling?” and he
said he wanted to “but there was no way he could afford it”. I said “My husband is traveling, otherwise, I would have him call you — but there are men at my church who would love to talk to you and help you think through this — and they wouldn’t charge you!” His eyes lit up. He immediately wrote
down his name and phone number and asked if I could please pass it on to someone who could talk to him. So.. I passed it on to Wayne and Rob. Something to pray about!!

Through the experience at the Dollar STore, as well as preparing for our Dads and Daughters Dinner (Got the Dairy Queen to hang a poster for the Dinner in their front window today!!)– on the topic of “Strengthening the Father/Daughter Relationship”, I have just really been pressed with the idea that our world is a HURTING world, trying to make decisions and understand life WITHOUT God. They are trying to make sense out of chaos without the tools of scripture, prayer, and the holy spirit. What hopelessness! We as Christians HAVE these tools. We need to be attentive to unbelievers who are blindly fumbling through issues like marriage and parenting, and let them know that there ARE _concrete_ answers to their problems.. not just what FEELS good, but what is RIGHT. Discussing TOPICS with unbelievers is a GOOD way to bring people in. People need to know that God is a part of every day life, pertinent to modern life, and that Jesus Christ really is the same yesterday, today and forever.. and that his word is just as applicable now than it was at the time of Moses. I pray that God will make me sensitive to the people around me, and just to continue to burden my heart with the desire to share God’s answers with people in love.

Along the lines of topical ministry opportunities, I was considering writing a line of tracts on the 10 commandments.
The first thought that came to mind was taking the Lord’s name in vain. Often, though, if you confront people about this, they say, “well I’m not using God’s name as a BAD word…”, totally missing the point. (Click on the “vain” link for definition.) We are not to throw around God’s name in a careless way. Out of our heart, our mouth speaks! Matthew 12:34 . If you have a deep reverence for God, will you be inclined to be careless with his name? Something to think about. Anyways… being as unbelievers carry around the weight of sin, it may be a good place to start for evangelism — dealing with sins. The 10 commandements would be a good place to start (another example — murder, and murdering someone in your heart). Verse, explanation of sin, root of the sin, showing that it is offensive to God, freedom in Gods forgiveness, and your repentance. It would probably be controversial for those preaching a feel-good, “God will accept you the way you are and you don’t have to change” gospel. It addresses specific sins, shares hope, and gives a “put off” / “put on” example for repentance / behavioral change. Cuts to the heart of the matter saying, “All have sinned” and “sin seperates us from God.” Key is offering hope from the bondage of Sin through Christ.

I did put up 5 American flags in our flag holder today, on our porch. I do not agree with the war in Iraq. I do appreciate the freedom that I have, though, and those who fought that I may have it.

Reminders:
-Finish article for GGG to send to CE&P
-Write article on the primitive stiching lady from ebay for women’s mag/craft/trade magazines
-Write article on using volunteering as part of a homeschooling/educational curriculum (
-Write article on “taking God’s name in vain” for christian mag
-WRite article on “traveling with children” – parenting, family, travel mag.
-Write article on “What does your decorating style say about your relationship” (dominant feminine decor in home.. balancing his&hers in decor, considering your spouse and making him feel at home)
-Send in anecdotes about Thomas to reader’s digest
-Article about using “topics” as an outreach
-Sign up for D&D Dinner, order “prayer request cards”, call florist — try to get free wrist corsages in exchange for advertising, meet with Kelly Caterers at the church to take inventory of dinnerware, letter to church members

Note: “Write what you know” .. need to think of things I “know”… homeschooling, child rearing.. look for mags in these fields.

…..

YES.. okay.. I DID have coffee. I’m not tired and it’s 2 am.
Going to work on the letter to the congregation about the Dinner.

Tom, if you’re reading this, I love you. Hope you’re getting some rest!! CAn’t wait to see you!!!

If anyone else is reading this — I would love to hear your thoughts and comments.

sja