Such Things

Not to Worry

I admit.  I worry about my children.  My oldest in particular.  I know she's completely wonderful, talented, very smart, and yet I worry.  Perhaps it's because she's the first.  I worry about her when she's at school, I worry about her friends...  I know this is not at all helpful to her or to me.  When I start to worry, I head to my favourite parenting books.  In his writings, William Glasser talks about success identity and failure identity.  I definitely want to foster a success identity in my children, and in myself as well.  Some other words I love are from Barbara Coloroso.  She talks about six critical life messages to be given every day:

She says that "through love, acceptance, and encouragement, children's sense of self is recognized, valued and esteemed." 

The opposite of worry is trust.  I have to trust my children to succeed, to solve problems, and trust that God will give me the wisdom to know when they need my direct support and when they can work things out on their own.  I do trust that God is working out all things for good.  In fact for great.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear" 1 John 4:18

I just found a wonderful little video of Barbara Coloroso sharing her six critical life messages.  Have a look!

Frosty Glory

I must say, I just love a bright winter day, and you know,

thick frost can be just as beautiful as snow.

One morning I went out for a run, and then I headed back with my camera. 

On days like these I can't help but think of God and his glory.  I thought I heard a quote that said, the most important thing about a person is how they think of God. 
 

A lot of people relate to God as Father, and I can see and understand that a bit, but what I really understand is God the Creator.  When I get out into nature, I get a real sense of who God is.

I understand what it is to create something beautiful and to want to treasure and protect it, and that's how God feels about us,

our children and every person on earth.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
       the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

  Day after day they pour forth speech;
       night after night they display knowledge."

Psalm 19:1-2

Great is my Confidence in You

I hadn't been reading the Bible for awhile.  Not for any particular reason, I'd just gotten busy and out of the habit. 

Sometimes, we are thinking thoughts that are not even true.  Our perspective can get off. 

The truth is, God loves us.  He has set us free.  He wants to bless us with goodness. He wants to show us what is noble, what is right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

Sometimes worries creep up into my mind.  Worries about finances, health and staying on top of everything.  These can leave me stressed and depressed. 

But, in fact, I don't want to waste a minute of my day feeling like that.  One thing I've learned is that there are always far more positive things to notice and think about than negative ones.  That's why God asks us to daily renew our minds with his Word.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

So I decided to open the Bible again, half expecting a word of reprimand or warning, and this is what it said,

"Great is my confidence in you.  Great is my boasting on your behalf." 

2 Corinthians 7:4

It was God's way of telling me that He has confidence in the things He's asked me to do. 

And He has confidence in you too.

"I rejoice that in everything, I have confidence in you." 2 Corinthians 7:16

Our Family Beliefs

In September the class and I brainstorm "class beliefs" which replace the old concept of class rules.

Our values and beliefs have so much influence on our outlook and actions.

We came up with a list of beliefs for our own family too.

These are our family beliefs,

featured on our new gallery wall as an aesthetic reminder of what we want to value the most.

What are your family beliefs?

Sense of Wonder

I have been enamored by a book, Sense of Wonder, that I ordered through the mail.  It was published in the 1970's by Rachel Carson The pictures show their age, most are black and white, but the words have brought me unending inspiration.

I thought I would share my favourite quotes with you along with photos from a weekend away at our beach house in Pt. Roberts, W.A.

"A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.  It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision,

that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood."

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it,

rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in."

"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder,

so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantment of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength."

You may have noticed an adult "figure" pictured throughout this post and the last post.  He is a dad who cares deeply about our kids.  He listens, helps, uplifts, understands, shares, encourages and loves.  Happy Father's Day, Mark!!!

And Happy Fathers Day to all the dads!!!

And Happy Summer too!

The Rainbow Years

I haven't had much time at the computer lately.  The weather has been fantastic and we are wrapping up the end of the school year, which means lots of celebrations both at my school and for my children at their schools: picnics, get-togethers, parties, tearful farewells, pot lucks, report cards, homemade gifts and cards, school plays, Miranda's dance recital, Sports Day, etc.

At the end of each year, I wonder to myself, where has the year has gone? 

Has it only been taken up with cleaning, errands, activities, laundry, paperwork, and driving from place to place?  One day I was sitting around the staffroom table lamenting about how much work it is to take care of a household with three young children. (and this is why I love to work on a staff with women who are more experienced than myself).  

The secretary, (often the wisest, aren't they?) whose children are just finishing university, reminded me that the years pass so quickly,

and these are considered "the rainbow years".

when our children are growing, discovering, flourishing, questioning, exploring,

When I look back over the school year, I remember, the friendships, the faces of the students, walking in the woods, feeding the ducks, moments of laughter, playdates, rainy days, playgrounds, curious conversations and all those small, but meaningful daily moments.

These definitely aren't years to be wished away, but ones to truly enjoy and cherish.

Happy end of the school year and looking forward to a fun-filled summer!!

Sunrise Run

I've been inspired by some to rise earlier in the morning and start my day with a run.  It can be a bit painful to get out of bed, but once I am out and running, I can't describe to you what a pleasure it is.

I ran this time, a couple of weeks ago with the camera in a mini backpack.

Even now I notice the subtle changes.  The blossoms are almost gone and the tulips have lost almost all of their petals.

The sun rising over the lake is nothing short of brilliant.

I think these Canada Geese agree.

Or perhaps this is an everyday sight for them.

The sun gets brighter with each lap.

Then home to say good morning to Mark and the kids, along with a fresh cup of coffee and a shower.

Happy weekend, and for those of you from B.C. enjoy the long weekend!!!

A Great Pair of Jeans

Around this time of year, I get "spring fever" and do a bit of an outrageous post.

Here I am several years ago wearing my jeans at the beach.  I was watching the season finale of The Biggest Loser, and I also have some exciting news to share...

Those New Years resolutions are finally paying off!  Now after having three babies, I'm fitting back into my old pair of jeans again!

Okay, so if you look closely, they don't fit exactly the same as they did before...

There's something about a great pair of jeans, isn't there?

The way they fit, the style, looking and looking to find the right ones, the right price, and breaking them in. 

It's like finding a good friend.  They go with any shirt or sweater and still make you look and feel great.  You can do things in your jeans.  People notice you in your jeans.  

There's a skip in your step when you are wearing your jeans. 

A life with Jesus is like a great pair of jeans.  It might take some time to get to know Him, but once you do, it feels right. 

So for now, I'm happy in my new pair. (But watch out old ones!!!!)

Tulip Love (and some daffodils...)

This weekend we headed down to the annual tulip festival in Skagit Valley.  We met up with some of our very good friends and that live down that way.  Our children and their children had a delightful time together exploring the tulips.  You know, when I think of worth and wholeness, it often brings to mind an image of running through an open field of flowers.  I wasn't quite sure what words to add to these photos, and then this morning I found this poem in the office of the school that I teach, hanging right over the photocopier.  It's Children Are, written by Meiji Stewart. 

Children are:  Amazing, ACKNOWLEDGE THEM.  Believable, TRUST THEM.  Childlike, ALLOW THEM.

 

Children are:  Divine, HONOR THEM.  Energetic, NOURISH THEM.  Fallible, EMBRACE THEM.

Children are:  Gifts, TREASURE THEM.  Here Now, BE WITH THEM.  Innocent, DELIGHT WITH THEM.

Children are:  Joyful, APPRECIATE THEM.  Kindhearted, LEARN FROM THEM.  Lovable, CHERISH THEM.

Children are:  Magical, FLY WITH THEM.  Noble, ESTEEM THEM.  Open minded, RESPECT THEM.

 

Children are:  Precious, VALUE THEM.  Questioners, ENCOURAGE THEM.  Resourceful, SUPPORT THEM.

Children are:  Spontaneous, ENJOY THEM.  Talented, BELIEVE IN THEM.  Unique, AFFIRM THEM.

_{Children are:  Vulnerable, PROTECT THEM.  Whole, RECOGNIZE THEM.  Xtraspecial, CELEBRATE THEM.}

Children are:  Yearning, NOTICE THEM.  Zany, LAUGH WITH THEM.

And that's what they did.  Ran and ran and ran through the rows and rows of flowers. 

Whole, esteemed, full and free.

 "My heart is steadfast, O God;
       I will sing and make music with all my soul.

 Awake, harp and lyre!
       I will awaken the dawn.

 I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations;
       I will sing of you among the peoples.

 For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
       your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
       and let your glory be over all the earth."

Psalm 108:1-5

The Art of Enjoyment

Ah, Spring.  There are just so many things to enjoy being out and about.

Like these tulips at our favourite produce store.

Sometimes the stresses of the week bog me down and I dwell on all the things that seem wrong. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed before I even get out of bed.

But God, in his goodness brings blessings my way, if I just slow down to look and to hear.

Gratitude is a great way to learn to appreciate the things we have, but this is a little bit different.

I call it "enjoyment".  Looking at the things that are interesting and beautiful.

Enjoying a sunny spring day at the park with my kids.  Redirecting my mind.

Watching the fish, jellyfish, the beautiful view,

and even the sawdust mill.

Then the looking turns to running and playing, and the playing to laughing.

Then later, taking a minute to sit in my lounger and soak up the rays.  Oh, yes.  True enjoyment.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:2

I hope you enjoy your weekend!!!