The Author

This summer Ashley and Emily are keeping themselves busy reading (and now writing) mystery books. Ashley's current novel is Mystery of the missing bird eggs which is "based on a true story" that is still unfolding in our very own front yard. ;)

We have a bird nest in our yard that is home to a new set of tiny blue eggs each summer. But the ones that were there this year have gone missing. No baby birds, no egg shells, no sign of mother bird, they're just gone. So Ashley's writing a book about it.

This morning after Ashley read me an excerpt, Emily said, "Don't you think you should like, have an ending first, before you write the book?"

But no, Ashley is content to write although there isn't a clear end in sight.

~~~

Yesterday I got home from my trip to Italy with my family. It was amazing. The beauty, the history, the art, the people and lets face it--the food were all incredible. I won't speak for the others there but it was definitely a much needed trip for me. Of course I missed my husband and kiddos like crazy but to have two full weeks of not being responsible for anyone or anything... it was just what the doctor ordered. A breath of fresh air and perspective. I truly feel rejuvenated and energized. Well, sort of. I can tell that I will when the jet lag is fully gone. *sips coffee*

As a mom of 6, Italy gave just enough distance to make my heart grow fonder, know what I mean? :) Some respite did this momma good.

We walked the busy streets of Rome, beheld Michelangelo's David in Florence, hiked alongside the vineyards of Cinque Terre and rode through the waters of Venice. We ate our weight in pasta and worked it off touring these beautiful cities. 

On this trip, my sister and I got to know one another for the first time (as adults) and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity. We met as practically strangers and left as friends. Sisters. We got a little taste of what we missed out on for the last 22 years. We shared a room, stayed up late talking and laughing, and I teased her about the waiter who asked her out. ;) She is beautiful inside and out, and I'm looking forward to the relationship that we'll have from now on.

But ya know, in the last two weeks... getting to know someone for the first time... and sharing my life story... I realized something.

I always thought I had a boring testimony. I asked Jesus into my heart at the age of five. And I've followed Him ever since. I don't have a lengthy prodigal son type story. I was just a kid who got saved young. And now I'm just a mom who loves Jesus. I'm not perfect and I've had my struggles. But... my testimony is pretty simple one.

But it occurred to me. None of us have a boring testimony because weren't saved by a boring God. 

I've always been loved. I've always been safe. And out of respect for people that I love and who love me, I won't share any details of my story but suffice to say-- the storms of the relationships surrounding me left battle scars on my life. Circumstances out of my control had a profound affect on my life, rather for good or for bad, and in some ways, still do.

But the more I give my life over to the Lord, the more He makes a beautiful thing out of it.

My salvation is a testimony of the love of God. But so is my marriage. So are every one of my children. So was our adoption. So is my husbands job. So is our home. So are our finances. So is my health. So are my relationships with my family now.

These blessings are not of my own doing. I could have given in to bitterness. I could be mad. I could be depressed that my parents were divorced or that one of my babies had special needs. Or upset that my milk spilled or someone stole my toy. Bump in the road or impassable mountain, life happens. But He changed my heart. He changed the eyes I view life through. He changed me. He changed me.

I may not be the prodigal son but woven through the pages of my story are traces of a loving God. Written in bold beautiful colors through the chapters where I'd opened my hands and given Him full authority. And a little more dark where I'd clenched my hands and dug in my heals. But He's there. They're my footsteps but its His choreography. His song.

And that's my testimony.

Just because I've accepted Christ and I live for Him... doesn't mean my testimony is over, either. It isn't complete until He returns. He's continuing a good work in me. (Phil 1:6) And even for those who haven't given their lives over to Him... there are traces in their stories too. Places He's gently calling them. Inviting them to let go. To let Him be the Author.

I have a story to tell. Testimonies of the love and redemption of Christ. And its not done being written. I just hope there are more pages in bold, beautiful colors. I want each chapter to have more and more beauty and excitement as I surrender each and every page to the Author.

Ya know, I don't know where those little blue eggs went. But the story isn't over. There's more than what we know now or even what we see. Its ok to tell the story even if it seems simple or we don't know the end. The Author is a master at creative writing and He isn't finished yet.

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:1,2

Support Your Local Youth Pastor

In 36 hours I'll be at the Nashville Airport.

I'm not sure which is the bigger shocker here: that I'm going to Italy or that I'm going to be away from my family for fourteen days. My dad and stepmom are taking me and my sister on vacation!!!!

Its a long story, but I haven't seen my half sister in about 15 years. We were 6 and 16. And now, we're going on vacation to all catch up. For two weeks. Gallivanting through Italy. I mean is that the coolest family trip/reunion ever or what?? Its enough to make me want to use the word gallivanting again.

But lets get back to the mom-with-six-kids-under-eleven-and-two-have-special-needs-is-leaving-them-all-with-dad-for-two-weeks thing.

I feel like I should preface this by saying: I married super man. Or super dad. While some of our friends boast that they've never changed a poopy diaper- this guy has changed literally hundreds of diapers. And cleaned poop out of the carpet at 3am more than a few times. He's the guy that could write a small essay on the babywise nap/feeding schedule philosophy. He can give the babysitter full instructions while I'm still putting on make-up for a date night, and usually remembers to give more (and better) information than I do. He never calls to bug me when I go for a moms-night-out with my friends. And hey, he can settle tween girl sister drama.... I mean that alone should win some sort of peace prize.

But all that being said. I've never left all 7 of them together alone for two weeks.

So I've been prepping. Except this whole week before I'm gone, Jake's been gone at summer camp. And he's doing a two part sermon series for our church while our Senior pastor is out of town. (You can check out part 1 by clicking here.) Most of my "prepping" for the single-dad weeks had to be done before the single-mom week.

This. Is my master notebook that I've prepared for them.

Don't laugh. I've been working on this notebook for a few weeks and I finished it today.

~A calendar for the kids so they know what to expect on what days (I think my kids all kids do better when they know what to expect

~The weekly dinner plan

~Phone numbers: Emergency #'s, Ash and Em's friends' moms for scheduling play dates, neighbors, and the handful of people that can handle--and are willing to help with--Micah and Abby.

~List of who's babysitting and when (so that Jake can go into work some, though he's mostly working from home)

~Ashley and Emily's daily responsibility charts (because they know they're going to have to step it up a notch to help out while I'm gone)

Also, I stocked up the freezer with dinners for 2 weeks. Yesterday I cooked from 9am to 3pm without stopping. Which was only possible because of my rock star 8 and 10 year olds who entertained the four littles, helped me feed them lunch, and put them down for naps for me. Mini moms in training. 

That last picture is twice baked potatoes. I'm clarifying because it sort of looks like a body in our freezer.

Oh and I also had to pack for myself. Which I finished a couple days ago.

Not that I'm anxious or anything.

So no, I'm not in the hospital, or even off on some missions trip. I'm on vacation with my dad, sister, and stepmom. But if you think of it, pray for my husband and kids back home. 

Or if you're local, maybe call to see if you could pick up a kid. Or. 4. Or maybe you could drop off a pizza on the porch. Because these guys might need a hand without mom around the next two weeks. Anything you can think of to support your local youth pastor. ;)