Advent...His Coming

"God of Advent joy,                              
keep my eyes and heart open
to signs of your coming.
May I be joyously expectant,
seeing your coming
in a million ways.
Amen."
--Beth A. Richardson
"The Uncluttered Heart"

It's not something that just happens.  Without focus and choices and planning, Advent can simply be another word on the Christian calender.  For sure, my list of shopping and cards and decorating and gatherings is rather lengthy, and can at times be overwhelming.  Which is why, before I even start making my way through the maze of this season, I want to be steadfast about the deeper meaning.  I want my soul to be awake and alive to the God "who is coming".  And if I leave this all to happenstance, I know the days will rush by me, and I will arrive on Christmas Day, the day I celebrate His birth, and I will have missed "seeing his coming in a million ways". 

I know He is here, woven throughout my days, sometimes in obvious ways, and at other times, seemingly hidden.  That is, unless I am watching and listening and still and aware.  Today He showed up in a "chance" conversation, in a young woman's laughter, in the heaping pile of blessedness He dumps on me. 

On a whim, I decorated the inside of my home on Friday evening. The nostalgic beauty of decorations brought out of hiding, the familiar sounds of Christmas music, the flicker of candles and the shadows of lights, all serve to remind me that He is coming. 

I am joyously expectant.

"Out of the Mouths of Babes" Part 3

This will be the final part of "Out of the Mouths of Babes"

Ashley said she hopes I don't die until "you have wrinkles all over and you're ugly, and VERY elderly."  (Age 9)

This was a conversation with Brian's parents.  He was making a tongue and cheek comment saying, "We learned something new--Cameron is never wrong."
Without skipping a beat, Cam said, "You finally figured it out--and you've spent so much time reading all those books."  (Age 12)

A quote from Ashley:  "Parents and their sense of humor dies every day--it's tragic."  (Age 10)

"You don't have to hold back your tears for me, Mommy...I cry too...let it go."  (Ashley...Age 10, the night before one of Brian's surgeries)

I had been talking with Ashley about how she had been somewhat mean to a neighbour girl.
She said, "Everybody makes mistakes."
I said, "I know...I'm just asking you to think more carefully."
She responded, "I'm not the only kid who's made someone eat dirt before!"  (Age 10)

Following Cam's third blow-up since coming home from school, he came down from his room...put his arms around me, kissed me, and I said, "What am I going to do with you?"
His response:  "Love me tender."  (Age 14)

Four days prior to Cam and Brian leaving for Haiti.
I told Cam that I had cried during the time of commissioning that morning in church.
He smiled at me...gave me a long, big hug and said, "You did a good job of making me, Mom."  (Age 16)

It seems rather appropriate to leave off here, since that same young man, now two years older, is in the Philippines by now.  He left Thursday morning with a mission's team for a month long stay of ministry.  I trust that he has arrived safely, and know for certain, that a God-sized adventure awaits him.

"Out of the Mouths of Babes" Part 2

Further thoughts from my childrens' younger years.

When Ashley was 6, I went to see a neurologist because of tingling in my arms and legs.  I was trying to explain to her in a way that she could understand so I said, "I'm going to the hospital today for a test on my nerves to see how I can feel."
Her response was, "Oh, so you mean they're testing you about how you still have to apologize sometimes because you're a little mean."

Cameron talking with Brian after one of his meltdowns.
"Well Daddy, if you would just let me do what I want then I wouldn't have temper tantrums." (Age 9)

It was a very muddy day and Cameron asked to wear MY rubber boots to school after lunch at home.  When he got to school, he realized that they weren't very cool, but there wasn't time to come home again and change.  At the end of the day when he came home, I asked him how his afternoon was.  He said, "Not very good...kids were teasing me about my boots because they have a heel on them."
I replied, "I'm sorry honey."
Then he said, "Actually, I told a little lie....I told them that my other pair of boots say, 'I love Barney', so which do you think I would rather wear...daaaaaah."  (Age 10)

Ashley, after she and Cameron made bad choices at lunch--on our walk back to school she said emphatically, "But Mommy, how do we get the sin out of our minds?"  (Age 7)

Ashley
"I can't wait until we die, then I can have my own puppy, and we on't have to pay for it cuz everything will be free."  (Said with enthusiasm jumping around the kitchen) (Age 7)

A conversation with my children after Cameron said that EVERYONE in his class says that he's ugly.  (Turns out only one boy had said this)  Then, Ashley and I both told Cameron we thought he was handsome.
I said to him, "What do you think of yourself when you look in the mirror?"
He replied with a very male answer, "I don't think anything."
Then I asked Ashley the same question and she answered with the expression that belongs only to her, "I think I look great!" (Age 10 and 7)

Ashley's closing sentence to her prayer:  "And God, you sure do make my life much better than I thought it would be."  (Age 7)

Ashley...another bedtime prayer:  "Thank you for my puppies and my Mom and brover and my Dad, and me, DEFINETELY!"  (Age 8)

"Mommy, does everyone sin?"
"Yes Ashley."
"Because it seems like it's just our family that sins."  (Age 8)

"Mommy?"
"Yes, Ashley."
"I would risk my life to save you."  (Almost 8)

Commencement November 5, 2010

"We interrupt the scheduled series "Out of the Mouths of Babes", to celebrate the Grade 12 Graduation of one of those "babes"...Cameron Mark."


This past Friday evening was the Commencement ceremony for our son and his graduating class.

I suppose in some ways this event seemed like an afterthought, as he finished Grade 12 over 4 months ago, but the evening contained a wonderful air of excitement and celebration.

It was Cam's thrill and honor to receive the Primus Alumnus Award for his academic achievement and overall contribution to the school  This was unknown to him and to us, until we arrived.  A most memorable moment.

 "Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time."
--Rabbinic proverb
Cam...you have marched to the beat of your own drum since the day you were born.  It has been one wild and crazy ride for the past 18 years.  We are so very proud of your hard work, and scholastic accomplishments.  But more than this, we are filled with joy as we have watched you embrace God on this pathway of life.  Our thank offering, is ultimately given to Him, who has clearly had His hand on your life each and every day.  We continue to give you to God, so that He may further the work He has begun in you...for His purposes. (Philippians 1:6)
Blessings, and our love and prayers...Mom and Dad

"Out of the Mouths of Babes" Part 1

Eighteen years ago I was given "A Mother's Journal" from a dear friend.  Although initially, I used it as such, recording my thoughts of how mothering was unfolding for me, eventually, it became the place where I penned the words which came out of the mouths of my babes.  Every so often I return to these pages and smile and laugh and enjoy their sweet "innocence".

The other day, the stories from these pages, eased from my mind, the stresses of the day.  And I thought, "Why not share a laugh or two...or more?"  So, I've decided to run a series, I'm not sure for how long, of the priceless happenings in our home, many years ago.

"The stories you are about to hear are all true.  Not even the names or place have been changed."  Ha,ha

--Putting Ashley to bed one evening I said to her, "Ashley, you are so special to me."  She responded, "Mommy you are special to me too.  Can I keep you?"  (Age 4 )

--"Mommy, how come you have scales on your face?"
"What do you mean Cameron?"
"Under your eyes...there's scales."
"Those aren't scales, they're called wrinkles."
"Oh, you sure do have a lot of them."
"Thankyou, Cameron (not), but you shouldn't tell other women that they have a lot of wrinkles."
"Why not?"
"Well, because women would like to have soft, smooth skin like you do."
"Oh." (Age 7 1/2)

--Ashley received 2 sets of Barbie sheets and comforters from one of Brian's assistants.  She was thrilled!  I told her that the woman's daughters were "out of" Barbie stuff.  Ashley said to me, "Mommy, how could anybody not want Barbie anymore!  Tell me you will never, ever, sell these!"  (Age 5)  P.S. We no longer have Barbie bedding :)

--Cameron had a sleepover at the church and I asked him "What was the most fun?"
His reply, "Eating popcorn, caramel corn and not brushing my teeth."  (Age 8)

--"Mommy, I had a great dream last night."
"What was it Ashley?"
"God came down here and we were playing ball together."
"Oh, Ashley, that's great.  What game did you play?"
"Soccer"
"Who won?"
"God."  (Age 5)

--One day I was helping Ashley get her epi-pen on inside her snowpants.  I said that I could do it because "I'm an amazing mother."
To which she replied, "Mom...you're not amazing--you're a good working mother."
"Oh", I said.
"No one is amazing except God...you're good working."  (Age 5 1/2 )

--One day I had Cameron write out a list of what he needed to accomplish between breakfast and a friend coming to walk with him to school.  He would forget certain things and I would remind him.  Finally, with a groan of exasperation he said, "Life is so tough with women around."  (age 8)

--Cameron to his sister  "Ashley, you shouldn't argue with Mommy because she'll win." (Age 9)