FOLLOW UP TO OUR TOOTH DILEMMA

Yesterday began with a phone call from my neighbor that went something like this:

Hello Joy...this is your neighbor...I bet you never want to see me again.

My mom defenses immediately dropped. I was so impressed with her deep concern for what happened to Austin. She wasn't home when it happened and wanted to immediately come next door and see his tooth.

She came over and felt terrible. I told her I wasn't upset with her at all...just the situation.

She was so afraid that I wouldn't want to speak to her again. We talked and laughed about how our friendship and the fact that we were neighbors was much more important than a chipped tooth. She offered to do anything to help with the situation.

As she left she thanked me for my attitude and told me she loved me. I told her I loved her too. What a beautiful moment...I am sure violins were playing somewhere.

I am so grateful how the Lord worked this situation out and how she actually ministered to me.

It was a beautiful example of our wonderful God working things out. I love it when ministry happens beyond the walls of a church.

Side note - we went to the dentist and he can fix the tooth in 3 weeks when Austin's mouth had healed. It will be a minimal cost thanks to great Dental care from Wally's job.

We're off to a weekend of camping with our care group. Pray that we have no incidents and everyone comes home with all their teeth.

LIFE LESSONS FROM OUR CHILDREN

I am amazed of how quickly God sometimes gives us situations where we have to really think of how we are going to respond. In my blog yesterday, I mentioned how God showed me that true ministry is really about loving people.

Last night, my son Austin, came home from the neighbors in tears. He had went over to invite his friend to sleep over. I am not sure what led up to this, but the little boy slammed the door in his face and chipped his front tooth! Not a little chip, but half the tooth is gone. I did what any good Christian mother would do...I sent my husband over, with the tooth, to talk to the parents.

After a few minutes, I went outside. The 2 boys and their dads were calmly talking about the situation. I just stood there with my arms folded across my chest. I am sure my body language spoke for itself. As we were leaving...Austin asked if the little boy could still sleep over. I said emphatically...NO!

I was amazed at how quick Austin forgave this little boy. I was also amazed at how he wasn't bothered about the fact that he only had half a tooth. Maybe for boys this is some sort of badge of honor.

I called the dentist and he explained to me that this could be a simple fix or sometimes a long more expensive fix. What do I do? I need to remember what I learned at Wet and Wacky. Ministry is about loving people. How do I love in the midst of my anger and frustration. How do I love knowing that this could cost us alot of money and Austin pain. I need to really pray about my attitude and let God be God in the midst of this. I mean it is only a tooth. I need to keep in perspective that this is a family that doesn't know the Lord. I know this because of some conversations that we have had. She has attended a women's event with me and this lead us to some conversations on spiritual matters.

So this is my dilemma.

One more question to ponder. Does the tooth fairy visit for half a tooth.

WET AND WACKY

Today was our annual trip to Beaulah Beach for Wet and Wacky. 850 children attended this event which consists of a yuck slide, swimming, climbing wall, etc. The highlight of the day was the closing ceremony. I have never heard the Gospel presented so clearly in my life. The speaker was able to share the Gospel, to children, in a way that they could completely understand. It wasn't one of these...Jesus died, rose again...now say a prayer. When he gave the altar call, at least 50 children came forward. So many children came, that I had to interrupt the speaker and have him announce we needed more counselors. The neat thing is when I spoke to each child, they could completely explain to me the decision they were making and why. It was an incredible experience.

It was also good for me to see what true ministry is. It's not always about being on a staff...it's just loving people...where ever you are. It's about making yourself available for God to use.

BACK FROM VACATION

We have returned from our beach vacation!!!For the first time in many years, I wasn't ready to return. I enjoyed the slower pace, the time with family and the beauty of the beach. I wasn't annoyed by the sand or the messiness of the ocean. It was a breathtaking view from our deck each morning!!!

I will post some pictures later.

I am happy to say that I was able to continue my 5K training at the beach. My personal trainer (Ashley) ran with me each night. I liked running with a running watch so I knew just exactly how much more was left on my run. Last night, Ashley was wearing her watch...so I ran with my cooking timer in my pocket. It worked. I don't know if that sounds really sad or resourceful. When the beeper went off...the only thing overheating was me.

IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK!

I don't mean a job. I'm not ready to go back to a structured work environment. I'm ready to get back to business...the Father's business.

I realized that since May, my spiritual walk has been lousy. I have stopped having regular quiet times, I started to feel bitter about how I was treated at my job and I was starting to really miss my grandmother. I was reading something...I can't even remembe what...but somehow it reminded me that there is alot of work to be done.

I need to put everything behind me, forgive, and move on. I know that it will be awhile before I am over the lost of my grandmother...but I need to remind myself of where she is and how happy she is.

We are leaving in one hour to go to the beach. I packed my Bible, my journal and I can' wait to hear what the Lord says to me when I escape the everyday distractions and spend time alone with him.

I want to sit on the sand and marvel over his creation. I want to "be still" and be reminded that He is God. I have some ideas that I want to implement into my speaking and I want God to affirm this or redirect if needed this week.

I am ready to roll up my sleaves and put the worldly things behind me and move on.

I overheard someone say the other day that the Lord gives each one of us gifts and when we are not using them...something is going undone.

I will try to blog while I am away.

I MISS MY FAMILY

Our family had planned a long weekend to visit family in Chicago this weekend, but things changed. Ashley had to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled and I got sick, so we stayed home.

I always wondered what it would be like to be alone in this house for more than a few hours. I realized...it is lonely.

Fortunately, I have had a chance to bond with our new dog Cody. I have let him sleep out of his cage and in our bedroom floor. He is a wonderful watch dog. I just wished he would sleep through the night. He likes to explore around 3:30 am.

I can't belive I actually took him through the Wendy's drive thru and ordered him a bacon cheeseburger. My family had better return soon before I start dressing him like Paris Hilton's dog.