How Quickly They Grow Up

I have so enjoyed having Carissa home this summer. I think she's been okay with being home, but it's not the kind of summer she would describe as "summer lovin' had me a blast." She has worked hard with 4 jobs and then volunteering every Wednesday night at the hospital. I have tried to make it fun for her, we have seen a lot of movies, did a mini family vacation at the Omaha zoo, but I have to face it. I'm her mom. I think I'm totally fun, but she would probably prefer hangin' with someone closer to her own age.

So she came to me yesterday and asked if she could drive up to Orange City to see Rachel. Really, I was happy she could have this time to spend with Rachel and be with people her own age. Really, I was. There was just one problem. She would not be able to leave until after 9 p.m.

Now it's close to a 4-hour trip from here to Orange City. She has been to Orange City before but with us and during the day. But this time she was driving. Alone. At night. When it's dark. And late.

When I think of my children this is what I see.

But other people see my children like this.

Lands sakes, they are grown up.

One is married.

How did that happen?

I'm happy to report she made it safely. At 1:11 a.m. I could stand it no longer so I called (so very thankful for cell phones) and she had gotten there a few minutes earlier without incident. I don't know how people who don't rely on God send their kids out on their own. It was a praying night for me.

I am so happy she has this opportunity to be with Rachel and meet some of Rachel's friends up there at Northwestern. This just might be the perfect ending to her summer vacation.

But, I do miss those little ones.

Thankgiving:

1. Carissa's time in Orange City.
2. Rachel and friends.
3. Cell phones.
4. Prayer time with Dena.
5. Wellspring, Paige and Al.
6. Beautiful weather.
7. The adults my kids have become.
   

Petitions:

1. Continued healing for Tate, my dad's back, Rachel's wrist, Carissa's foot, and Katie Bloom.
2. Jobs for Carson, Curtis, Aaron and Mike.
3. Safety as Carissa comes home and we leave for Chicago on Friday.

Stuff versus Treasure

I have to admit I do enjoy shopping and I like stuff. I like makeup with its interesting packaging and playing around with it. I love shoes and purses. I feel the thrill of the hunt for bargain prices as I enter the mall. But I can have a good time just browsing and looking around without the need to necessarily buy something. However, that is second best. I have thought that perhaps I could be a Secret Shopper; that could be fun.

I am trying to do some updating on my house so I've been spending time looking for just the right thing.

Merely walking through Barnes & Noble, I see at least 10-15 books I would like to read. It gets worse at Wellspring.

I just like to be out and about.

Last winter, Mark's grandpa died at 100 years of age and this past weekend there was an auction at Grandpa's house. The house was packed full of stuff that we hauled outside so that people could look it over and buy it. There was all kinds of stuff. Mark's grandma had been quite a crafty person so there were also sorts of things she had made, there were some antique type things, some nice furniture.

As I walked through looking around, I could not help but think about the stuff Grandma and Grandpa had accummulated over the years and now it was just going to be sent off to the highest bidder. What was important to them, may not be important to anyone else.

So I wonder ....

Are the things I value, valued by anyone else? If someone had to look over all my stuff and decide whether to bid on it or not, would they? Finally, what do I want to leave behind that people would consider precious, something that could be passed on, something to be desired.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and seal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destory, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Treasure or just stuff? Time to decide.

My Grateful Heart

1. Family celebrating birthdays in July and August: Mark's mom and dad, Gerri, Larry, Katie, Garrett, my mom, Dale, Mark.
2. Starting to get some answers regarding Tate's medical issues.
3. Carson's willingness to volunteer with the WHS cross country team.
4. Safe travel for Carissa to Orange City last night.
5. Tirimasu Tuesday.
6. Our On-Line Book Club and their insights on "The Shack."
7. An e-mail from Shari on a job possibility for Carson.

With Lifted Hands

1. Continued healing for Tate, my dad, Carissa and Katie Bloom.
2. Blessings on Carissa's time with Rachel in Orange City.
3. Safe and healthy delivery of Eric and Laurie's baby later this week.
4. Jobs for Carson, Aaron, Curtis and Mike.
5. Answers for couples struggling with infertility.

Let's Put a Positive Spin On This

I enjoy reading the editorials on the opinion page of the Des Moines Register. However, one of the Register's editors has opinions I rarely agree with. I would say she is a liberal and I would say I am a conservative. Her pros are usually my cons and vice versa. So reading her editorials results in much rolling of my eyes and muttering "oh brother" under my breath over and over. You can imagine my surprise a few weeks ago when the title of her editorial for the day was "How High Gas Prices Could Improve Our Lives." I agree!!! Here's a few quotes from her editorial.

Tough as it is, they could force us to make adjustments that result in healthier, more communal and environmentally friendly living. And they could push governments and businesses to help provide the infrastructure.

And if people limit their forays to the mall just to hang out or exercise, and start using their neighborhoods for recreation, maybe we'd see more block parties and picnics and a growing sense of community connectedness.

...... when we stop behaving as if the Earth's resources are infinite and each of us has unlimited, autonomous access to them, we might also start living more consciously and purposefully.

She made some other good points about riding bikes, public transportation, shorter work weeks, etc. I did some checking and there has been a 3.7% decrease in automobile use. That doesn't sound huge except it translates to 9.6 billion vehicle miles. 3.7% is the biggest drop ever in the summer. And I noticed gas prices have dropped in the last few weeks. Supply and demand, demand and supply.

I see bike sales are way up.

My Attitude of Gratitude
1. Kenley Marie, born this week, healthy baby, healthy mom.
2. The perfect colors of my freshly painted office.
3. Dena, Paige and Wellspring.
4. Getting to see family this weekend in NW Iowa.
5. My new computer.


With Lifted Heart and Hands
1. Healing: Tate, my dad, Carissa's foot, Katie, Westview families.
2. Job Searches: Carson, Curtis, Aaron, and Mike.
3. Safety as we travel to NW Iowa.
4. Couples strugging with infertility.
5. That I can get my shortcuts into my new computer.