Costumes

I had fun making costumes this year. I actually made myself one, which I hadn't done for almost 10 years. I had found the necklace in Egypt and really wanted to make an Egyptian costume inspired by the colors from it. I made Dakota's costume and two others. I am realizing that the boys are getting older because they are now just content to put their camoflauge on and be on their way trick or treating! They no longer have high dreams for a special costume. It is a strange feeling that I do not have that opportunity to what I have always done, sew like crazy getting everyone's costumes done on time.

I have been reflecting on the realization that things change. I get so set in my ways and centered on the small problems that I am dealing with. I fail to stop and realize that I am also losing what is familiar every day as the kids get older and more independent. Watching them grow and struggle, succeed and fail, and just become who they are meant to be has been an amazing and scarry thing all at the same time. I am trying to trust God this week to appreciate and wonder in the moment today knowing that this moment will soon be gone.

James 4:13-15

" Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

Biggest Decision

I was driving in my car yesterday and it occured to me as I passed church after church with the "Vote Here" sign out front, that in America, a majority of our polling places are places of worship! Our country makes its biggest decision at church! We fear the government taking God out of our schools, workplaces, and daily lives yet fail to find it a blessing that the government turns to our churches every four years to host its biggest event........The presidential election. What a wondeful way for us to serve others.

I am also challenged by the fact that I am still a Christian no matter who becomes president. I am also challenged that when your candidate does not win, others are watching! How will you react? Will you be bitter? Will you immediately start to trash the new president? What an opportunity to witness to others by showing kindness and respect. People are watching, it is never rudeness, bitterness, or unkind words that shows God's love to others. If that were the case, the life Jesus led on this earth would have been so different. He would have fought back at the cross and made sure that a protesting riot broke out as they brought him to Calvary. That is not the example he led.

I am excited by the opportunity that we will be challenged these next 4 years. We desire the mindless position of citizen where someone does all the thinking for us and we do not have to worry about what happens next. That is the comfortable zone we all desire. We now have to pray (which we should be doing anyway) for our country and that we find the strength and the discernment to do what is right every single day. I love our country! I love the fact that we have a winner and a loser on election night, we do not have someone merely telling us who the next president is. We have spoken as a country and the results are in. What will you do next? Someone will be watching, not only God but others who need him.

Daniel 2:20-22

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him."

The Voting Line

Brent and I went to vote today. It was about a 1 1/2 hour wait. This line curved around almost twice when we got to the door to vote. It was an interesting experience as people just patiently waited to cast their vote. I did not hear anyone being vocal about their wait or impatient. We met a few people along the way as well. A local realtor happened to be standing in front of us and we got to talking about the market and he was able to give us quite a bit of insight on his end of the business. He had been all over the world and lived in South Korea for over 10 years.

We would have never talked to him that long had we not all been forced to stand in line and wait. I am challenged by the opporutnities that are presented each day. They are there for a reason. It is like an adventure we set out to experience each day with God. He has a plan and an experience for us, we just have to agree to let Him work each day.

Brent and I and the boys watched the latest Indiana Jones movie this past weekend. ( I know we are a little behind the times) It made me think how our Christian walk should be like that type of adventure! The movie always has him teaching in his classroom and then someone always comes to the door and BAM! he ends up is some kind of adventure where his friends become his enemies and his enemies becomes his friends and in the end he always gets the prize.

I know God works like that....You are just going through your normal life, minding your own business and BAM! your life gets turned upside down. Your friends become your enemies and your enemies become the ones who teach you the most. You might find yourself apprehensive of what is coming next. Fearing the unknown, but at the same time realizing that there is great reward on the other side. God doesn't put us down an adventuresome road for His entertainment, but for us to lean on Him for strength. It is very scary and exciting all the same, so grab your hat and your whip and get ready!

I Corinthians 16:13

" Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."