Monday, August 29, 2011

"I want to pray for Mommy & Daddy tonight"

Grasping my hand in the parking lot of the gym yesterday, Andrew (nearly 3.5) stopped dead in his tracks, peered up at me and said gently, "I want to pray for Mommy & Daddy tonight."

After collecting myself, I said: "You don't have to wait until tonight to pray."
Andrew replied, "Okay. Thank you, God, for Mommy and Daddy, and oh, oh, oh....thank you for Maahgrit, too!"

I simply melted. For what more could a parent ask??? I am so grateful.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Earthquake

We all just experienced our first earthquake! Shortly after 1:00pm (after putting Andrew and Margaret down), I heard rumbling and things started shaking. At first, I thought it was a train going by. Since we live about 100 yards from the tracks, we hear and see it often. Correction. We used to hear it often. Now we don’t, unless we’re outside. In seconds it became clear that it was NOT just a train. My immediate thought was that a train had jumped the tracks and was barreling through the neighborhood…not a rational thought (in large part b/c of the huge ravene b/w our neighborhood and the tracks), but these are not rational moments. Simultaneously, I thought Andrew was having a party in his room. When he jumps on the floor, the chandelier in the dining room beneath him rattles. It started rattling like crazy and I heard so much other noise that I knew his two little legs jumping up and down couldn’t possibly make that much noise.
Suddenly, I just knew exactly what was going on. Even without having ever experienced anything like it, I somehow knew exactly what it was. I flew upstairs to check on the kids, to make sure no hangings were falling off the walls onto them. I didn’t say a word as I opened each of their doors. Margaret popped up, but went right back down. Andrew was actually close to falling asleep (he often doesn’t sleep anymore). He just peered at me, but didn’t say a word. No sooner than I decided NOT to scoop them up, the rumbling and shaking stopped. I stepped outside and talked to my neighbor, Heather. She confirmed my suspicions. I turned on the news to hear validation that there had been a 5.9 earthquake about halfway b/w Cville and
Richmond. REALLY?!?! By the time I turned to CNN, it was "the quake that rocked DC", as if the epicenter hadn't even been in VA.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

"Jesus helps my broken heart!"

August 17th (Meg’s 11-month-birthday)
VBS was a HUGE hit for Andrew this summer. He participated at First Baptist (where we do Bible Study and MOPS during the year) and at our own Meadows Presbyterian while I taught 5-yr-olds at each. Margaret fended for herself in the nursery at both. The songs were all right up Andrew's alley (and continue to be in the car everyday!) and he loved the crafts and games. He doesn't understand why we can't go to VBS all week every week! As a parent volunteer someday, he will understand!
While singing a related VBS song today in the car, Andrew specifically asked me to turn down the music so we could talk.

Andrew: "Jesus helps my broken heart!"
Me (breaking through tears): "Yes. Yes he does, Andrew."
Andrew: "Mommy, why does my heart get broken sometimes?"
While trying to compose myself I'm thinking, "what do I say to that??". I have never changed the
subject so quickly, but I am so touched that he is connecting the dots!

Monday, August 8, 2011

J-E-S-U-S

The summer of VBS songs…
Meet up, meet up with Jesus. Meet up with him. J-E-S-U-S.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. When I am afraid, I will trust in you...ohhhh ohhhh. When I am afrain, I will trust in you, my LOOOOOOORRRRRRRDDDDDDD.
So I look up to Jesus, my help. I know I can't do this myself. So I look up to Jesus, my help. And I'll trust in you. (rainbow!....get video) Jesus is the light when it's dark. He can heal the broken heart. He can make the blind eye see. Yes, you know he's trustworthy!

The whole crew at VBS



Margaret's favorite part of VBS week...her first cake, with Miss Tracey, no less:)