Gratitude....compassion

How do you teach your children gratitude? How do you teach compassion?

Still pondering these thoughts.....

Deveraux and I were talking today after we had been to Target to fill her shoebox for Operation Christmas Child (for those children on the other side of the world in need). We had a good time and Deveraux had fun and was excited picking out treats and felt she was giving. Then when we got home and we realized we needed to return a couple of items that didn't work out, well, Deveraux no longer wanted to give. She wanted to keep those things and she realized how difficult it was that she had picked so many things she would want. Her words, "My life is ruined if I can't get what I want." I laugh as I write this but it pained me greatly to hear her say those words.

But don't we all live in that place from time to time...

We talked about how things will never satisfy, but oh how they seem like they will, time and time again. If I can just get that.....I will be good/happy/satisfied..but as we know that only lasts until the next "thing." If only this lesson could be learned young.

We decided we maybe need to take a break from Target. Deveraux expressed that it is just hard to go into a store and want so many things, I completely understand and I don't want her to feel that. I know it is okay to enjoy fun, beautiful, enjoyable things, but I also know what it feels to live in discontent and want. We need some time to maybe figure some things out and seek God.

Deveraux did say that when she was giving she knew she was giving to Jesus...she just wasn't sure what that meant, so we were able to talk about that and how giving really good stuff is better than giving what you don't care about.

Oh I had the feeling/thought of "here we go" as a parent of a growing girl I do and will receive such good opportunities to teach and share. But it also feels weighty and I have to examine and attempt to clearly communicate truth and I want that to be Godly/Biblical truth.

I really want to raise cheerful "better to give than to receive" children and a children who see others and whi have compassion.

LOVE

Thank you for these two! This has been a fun activity...using the boogie board and "surf" on it from the tree!

Wet suits...Really?

The kids have had such a hard time dealing with not being able to get in the water....so we got them wet suits hoping they can jump in that water....it is cold!

Trying out the suits!

Deveraux felt hesitant to just jump in... It will be a process!

Just like Maui

Oh I just love the beach!

It is really beautiful on Carmel's ocean

A family that wears wet suits...stays together! Andrew and I were laughing in the dressing room, oh my goodness, it is an experience trying to get into a wet suit. We were both sweating so much and it is definitely the kind of shopping that makes you consider your diet! Just the kids walked away with suits that day! It was really funny!

There they go~

They really like their suits!

extending our hands and hearts...

Lately, some thoughts that have been once again stirring for me are wanting to be in service to others. What does it mean to be "poured out". What does it mean to be a drink offering? What does it mean to spend ourselves on behalf of others? I feel so far away from the life of service I used to be involved in and have felt this for a long time. I am in full time service to two little ones, but I feel I also need to be in service to others. It does give me pause when I contemplate my service to my kiddos and provides meaning for such a calling.

I want Deveraux and Anderson to have compassionate hearts and to know the reality of others in our world, those who have so little and who are poor. And I also just want them to have a spirit of giving to others in our day to day.

It was so great because the verse that was in my study today was, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35. So my prayer is that I want myself and my family to be engaged in giving and to be open and begin to seek those places for us.

In a study on Paul by Beth Moore: (Paul)He believed and taught that God has specific plans for each believer. "We are His creation-created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them." God has a task for you-one He planned very long ago and suited for our present generation. Remember you are not responsible for completing anyone else's task, just yours. I like this and want to trust God will lead us in this place of extending our hands and our hearts!

Days with Bobo

Shopping in a favorite store with Anderson (Bobo)

At our Post office, checking mail.

I have always loved the idea of being able to walk to a town and check mail, shop, and have access to all those things. It is fun to get a taste of this in Carmel by the Sea. And even though it is different not having our Deveraux, Anderson and I have shared some good moments together.

An oven story

last meal on this stove

This was our oven when we moved in our new house in Carmel. The writing on the knobs was worn off so it was a guessing game as to the temperature and if it was on broil or bake. It was pretty frustrating at times but I "got smart" and used a marker so I would at least know when the oven was on. We found out that part could not be ordered because they stopped making the oven in the late 60's early 70's. My sentimental part (this is where my sisters laugh) felt kinda sad and I felt this sense that I had been a part of a cooking legacy with this stove. How many meals had been prepared, how many women (and yes men) had stirred over this stove with dreams, hopes, tears... These fixtures in our lives are important even though they are objects, they provide for us and memories are created with their use. I have appreciate our old washer and hearty dryer, sometimes older is better! Yet, when the new stove arrived, I was so grateful and it was exciting and it is still gas which is great and we will now make new memories!

Coloring

Deveraux told me she when she was coloring she made a mistake and said, "I was so upset with myself but then I said, "I am coloring for the Lord and I don't have to be perfect becuase God is perfect and when I go to heaven I will be perfect."

Out of the mouth of babes!