You Can Do It

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 NIV

Eleven months ago, I did something daring, a little crazy even. When I went to register my daughter for dance class, I found out that adult clog was right after so I signed up. I didn't plan on being in the recital. If I messed up in the recital I figured I would never hear the end of it.

The first night wasn't to bad, I remembered quite a few of the steps. I was rusty, but it came back. I actually enjoyed going and trying.

A few months into it my "extra" daughter encouraged me. She told me I needed to be in the recital and not worry about messing up. The deal was if I did it she would be there. So because of her I took the plunge and agreed to be in it.

Friday was our dress rehearsal, and I admit for me it was a mess up rehearsal. I couldn't believed I messed up as much as I did, I mean I've been practicing this dance three times a day since we starting learning it. Trust me when I say, I needed to. Some of those steps were hard, but I was determined and eventually got them (sort of). At one point during the dance I completely went blank.

"It's OK, that's what today is about. Tomorrow you'll do fine," my dance teacher encouraged me.

I realized something though, I completely forgot to do something-PRAY. God is such an important part of my life and for some reason I didn't pray before I started. I might have mentioned it to him earlier in the day, but not the way I normally would have.

How could I forget to include Him in one of the most important events of my weekend?

That night I covered my entire dance in prayer. I didn't ask to be perfect just to not let me forget any steps and to do my best.

I was a bit more nervous, my family was now in the audience and my "extra" daughter. But I also had a peace.

Standing on stage left watching the dance before me, I relaxed a little. "God be with me." The lights went out and we "quietly" walked out and took our places. The lights came up and the music started. I danced my way through, talking to myself the entire time.Apparently my face looked serious as I danced; I had to say the steps and how many or I wouldn't have made it.

Triple, shuffle, shuffle, almost done, shuffle...I made it through! A couple little mess ups, but nothing major. "Thank you God."

Lights went down and we were off, the next dance was right behind us.

I'm so glad my extra daughter encouraged me. It was a lot of fun and great exercise. Who knows I may be back!

Learning, It Takes Time

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. 1 Corinthians 3:2

The tiny little grey creature looked so helpless, so we brought him in and somehow he etched his way into our hearts. Unfortunately, he was very sick and died. His little life made us realize something though, that we could love a cat.

A month later we had the chance to be a cat family again. A orange bundle of fur who also cuddle his way into our hearts, and this time he was healthy.

I've got news for you a cat is not like a dog. They jump every where unlike a dog who will jump up on you, but usually gets down when told. Claws,another big difference, those claws that seemed to pop out of no where. Dogs don't hold on for dear life or scratch up chairs, sofas, tablecloths...

Another big difference-petting, when petting a cat I need to be ready because as soon as he's done he attacks. The dog will sit there for hours letting me pet her never once attacking me. Their tongues are quite different as well. A dog's tongue is smooth and wet, a cat's tongue feels like sand paper was applied.

Lastly, the way I'm greeted upon arriving home. The dog is there waiting and wagging her tail like crazy, ready to lick and jump up on me as if to say, "So glad you're home, I've missed you." The cat may or may not be waiting there. He sits there just looking at me, or not as if to say, "Oh, you're home. Feed me."

Learning to live with a cat has been a slow process. Just when I think I got it, he does something completely different. We are new at learning how to care for him, when to pet, and not to keep anything out. There is no safe place to hide anything.

Learning to live as a Christian is a slow process. Change takes place, but learning to live a life devoted to God is slow process. We are given what we need when were ready for it. We learn and grow closer to God and soon we completely trust Him. One day we look back and realize how much better life is with Him as our guide.

At Times I Wonder

Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Psalm 17:7

Complaining is not my thing, not usually. The past six weeks though have not exactly been fun.

Back in 2010 I fell, I didn't think much of it at the time after all I had fallen before. A month later I began to fell pain in my hip and sometimes I would get a tingly feeling down my leg. Worry filled me as I wondered what was going on, would I lose the ability to walk? Finally, the pain got intense enough for me to visit the doctor.

Turns out it was sciatica and after a month of physical therapy I was as good as new. Well most of the time. When the pain got bad again I began to do some of the moves the therapist had me do and the pain would subside.

2012 comes and I fell again, this time a trip to ER was needed since I saw stars. I thought when they drew stars in cartoons it was just to show they were in pain, I didn't realize that when you hit your head hard enough the stars appeared, so pretty.

This time I slipped three disk in my neck and three in my lower back. I went to physical therapy again, and once again I was as good as new. The pain would appear again from time to time, but usually a day or two of doing what they taught the pain would go away.

Now I have pain without having fallen and I can't seem to get it to go away. Sure it's not constant, but there is a dull ache. Daily I am following the exercise routines, applying heat and ice several times a day. The heat/ice patch has become my friend.

Saturday when seeing some friends whose children just graduated, I found out the mom is a lot worse off than me. She is in a wheelchair because her back pain is so severe she can't stand or walk for long. Also found out she's having surgery on Friday.

So I know there are people worse off than me. Some are constantly fighting illness or chronic pain. One thing I know though is that God is always there loving me. No matter how my body feels or any craziness going on. His love is constant.

His love will help me get through this no matter how long it lasts.

A Change of Pace

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Genesis 2:2 NIV

Another school year is winding down, soon all to soon the kids will be out for the summer. The excitement of another grade level completed or of graduating from elementary, middle, high school, or college is felt. On the last day of school kids will scream, "School's out for the summer!"

My schedule drastically changes for the next ten weeks. Now instead of just two kids all day, my house will be full with at least five kids all day. They will do everything to push my nerves to the limit, but somehow we will muddle through.

Our summer break won't be all bad. We will go on field trips, play, swim, try our hand at crafts or wacky experiments. Most importantly though we get a rest from our ten month routine.

No longer will I have to watch the clock to make sure I leave at just the right time to get my spot at the school. No longer will I need to grade any school work or help with homework.

Sometimes with our hectic lives we can find it difficult to take a rest once a week. It's hard for us to rest on Sundays because by the time we get home the afternoon is half over. Sometimes we are able to sneak in a nap, but most of the time we have to play catch up from what we didn't accomplish during the week.

Maybe this is why I, in a way, look forward to summer. Everyday I get a longer rest period-the joy of day care-nap time. Instead of barely two hours of rest we usually get two and a half hours of rest. The extra half hour can make a difference. I've been known to snore a little during this rest time--Shh! That's a secret. Sometimes though I just get more time to write or read.

Vacations are another thing I look forward to during the summer. The chance to relax away from home is very refreshing. Even with rain everyday. At least it's a chance to rest from my work.

Whatever your plans are this summer (maybe your schedule doesn't change at all) take the time to relax and rest from your work. You will find your life a little less stressful and easier to manage.