showing her spirit

My Laura is a quiet young lady... even in the midst of a group of friends, she is quite content to sit with her book... or just listen. She is definitely not into a lot of the things that most teens her age are into... dancing, boys, the telephone, even texting. She is just Laura... in her own little world, that, for her, is a perfect fit. Quiet contentment. I think there are people all over the world who seek just that, for their own, everyday life. Friday night I saw a side of my daughter that I loved more than I love her quiet nature- I saw her in the midst of great team spirit. She was tentative at first... having sparingly applied her black and green war paint... ready for her first high school football game... ready to march out on the field and show off the hard work the band had put in.
In the stands, she played her clarinet, clapped her hands and bobbed her head as the band cheered on the football team. She seemed to enjoy it. And then... half-time. They marched their hearts out, played for the fans... it was fantastic. Fantastic. Our eyes followed Laura around the field, knowing next week they'd be in their uniforms and hats, and it would be difficult to pick her out. Back in the stands, I continued to glance over at my daughter. Something had changed. The energy level? The enjoyment? Her spirit? She was smiling brightly, raising her clarinet just as high as everyone else was raising their instrument... she no longer bobbed her head to the music, she was actually dancing. She was shouting and cheering... caught up in all that was going on around her... right up to the last seconds of the game. I loved seeing her in those moments. I was cheering just as loudly on the outside, but my heart? My heart... it soared with quiet contentment.

on the road again

After quite a long hiatus, my friend and I have returned to our early morning walks... and I am thrilled. I have missed her- our chatting, our advice for each other, just sharing in general. Of course, none of that could be shared here, because what is said in the wee small hours of the morning, stays there! I do love the fresh start to the morning, especially the stars so bright up in the still dark sky. When I am walking down the street to meet my walking buddy, the same words sing praise in my mind...
I can't even imagine
How He made it happen
To see the silver moon from afar
It's almost unbelievable
It's truly inconceivable
To think of all the billions of stars
Every time. Those beautiful heavenly stars... they humble me. And I realize that it's not just my body that is getting that fresh start to the day... Sometimes that alarm buzzes, and we are off running, forgetting that the best way to start our day is with a heartfelt prayer- even a short one. So I am thankful... for this block of my day that is just for me... to share with a friend. It's not taking time away from any member of my family... and it is providing me with the fuel I need to be me.
lyrics from You're My God... Jaci Velasquez.

christian hit radio

Our family has been listening to the same radio station for ten years. Yes, ten... and all of us love it. Yes, even the kids! It started out as a challenge we put out for our youth group- try to listen to Way FM for 30 minutes a day, and see what happens. I can't even remember if any of them took on the challenge, but Eric & I did. And what happened? I didn't have to change the channel if a morning show got a little raunchy... and there were little voices in the backseat singing along to praise and worship music... and it seemed we were hooked to what our little kiddos called "Christian Hit Radio!" Even now, all these years later, this is what they choose to listen to. Someone once made a comment that it was all we allowed them to listen to, but no... it is what they know and what they choose. I consider it a powerful tool in our kids upbringing- clean lyrics, music that lifts our hearts to God, artists who care more about Jesus than the money they can make being famous, and most of all- some of the best teachable moments we've shared. One of Laura's favorite singers has all but disappeared from the radio- Stacy Orrico. Her message to young girls was "Don't look at me, look at Him." She had a few great hits, and her songs became popular in the mainstream music, too. And that was when she said she'd had enough. I loved that. She was not willing to compromise what she believed in for fame and fortune. One of the radio personalities ws speaking about her the other day... said she walked away from it- and is waitressing somewhere. What amazing faith... Cam & I were listening Saturday morning to Toby Mac... and we were singing along. I took the opportunity to talk about what his words meant. "I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul." Wow. There really are people out there who just want to sing for Jesus. People who are doing what they love, for who they love... and it is enough. It makes an impact on us every day... as we listen, learn... and sing our praises.

a little joy

It's finally here- Friday! It should feel like a short week, with the storm on Tuesday, but somehow it just made the week weird... and long. But now it's the weekend, and I feel free! So, what will I do today? I'm going over to the elementary school to volunteer. It seems almost like a sickness, but I need to do be there. I've thought about it (there I go again!) and wondered why I feel the need to go back and volunteer somewhere that I used to work. Suddenly it came to me-I have been volunteering over there for eight years. For the past two years, I just happen to have been also collecting a paycheck, for something that I love. I do love that school... it is part of my heart. And so I will go and help where I can, visit with my friends... and that little part of my heart that belongs to CES will swell with joy.