Friday, May 23, 2014

Summer Prayer


Summer is coming. Two school days left and then everyone is home. All the time. And, I love my kids. But, honestly, I've really enjoyed the freedom having only one at home this school year has brought into my life. I can run errands and actually accomplish them. I can sit and play a game with just one. I am sometimes all alone, in the quiet, to finish a chore. And when I think of the change, I feel a bit overwhelmed. Because most days, I'm pretty sure God chose the wrong woman to do this life of mothering these five. Because too often I major on the minors and fail to accomplish what matters most. So as I look to the start of summer, I am mostly excited for the change of pace, for the extra time with these precious gifts, but I am also apprehensive that I will fail to be what matters most to them. I trust God to fill in the cracks when I fail, as I know I will, but my prayer for the summer comes from the following song that is currently on the radio. 

Let Them See You in Me  JJ Weeks Band

Take away the melody.  Take away the songs I sing
Take away all the lights and all the songs You let me write
Does the man I am today, say the words you need to say

Chorus
Let them see You in me. Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing
Let them see You, let them see You in me

Who am I with out Your grace, another smile another face
Another breath a grain of sand, passing quickly through Your hand
I give my life an offering. Take it all. Take everything.

With every breath I breathe, I sing a simple melody 
But I pray they'll hear more than a song
In me, in me


And my own version:

Take away the laundery, take away the meals I make
Take away all the chores and all the toys I must pick up
Does the mom I am today say the words You need to say

Chorus
Let them see You in me let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I work
Let them see You, let them see You in me

Who am I without Your grace, a normal mom, a harried face
Another sigh, a wisp of smile, passing quickly through each day
I give my life as mom to them, take it all, take everything

With every breath I breathe, let me sing a song of joy to You
And I pray they'll hear more than a song
In me, in me

Let them see You in me. Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I work.
Let them see You. . .let them see You in me. 


Lord, hear my prayer and may it be. Because them knowing You, Lord. ..Loving You is all that matters.

Happy Birthday Lucas



Happy 4th Birthday Lucas!
 You have changed so much this year! I love to see you start to engage other people and watch your confidence grow in participating in new situations.

Some of the things I want to remember about you during this past year:

  • You are constantly playing with my hair and giving me hugs
  • You seem to need a quick snuggle with me right when you see the kids coming home from school
  • You say, "Weellll. . ."  and "Probably. . ." to introduce your thoughts and responses to questions
  • You love to jump on the trampoline
  • You like to pray "list" prayers, such as "thank you God for doors, windows, food, superheros, the whole wide world. . .
  • You love to sing with me when we read Bible stories
  • You can play Candyland a million times in a row! And we do!
  • Your favorite food is chips and you mostly want pb sandwiches for lunch
  • You love anything to do with superheros, hotwheel cars and motorcycles.
  • You love going to Grandma Clark's house to play while I have Bible study (and she loves having you!)
  • You can often be found playing with a ball with Simeon, who thinks you are pretty good!
  • You let Evelyn chatter your ear off and seem to enjoy it.
  • You love to collect the eggs.
  • You give the best hugs and always want one right away in the morning and right before bed!


  • Your personality has really come alive this year and you are constantly making me laugh by what you say or the expression on your face. A few of my favorite stories from this year:
    1. We were about to go into a store and I was reminding you that you needed to stay by me and not run around in the store. You stared back at me and nonchalantly said, "That doesn't make any sense to me."
    2. One morning you needed a bath but didn't want to take one. So, I gave you two options - hop in and I'd wash you right up, or stay in the bath and play a while. You responded, "Those are two bad choices."
    3. I needed to finish up a little bit of work, but told you I would play Candyland when I was done. I finished and told you I was ready and thanked you for waiting patiently for me. Very seriously, you said, "It was nothing."
    I am so very thankful that God gave you to our family and feel very priviledged to be your mom. Happy Birthday Lucas! I love you so much!