Phone Call

I was racing around yesterday morning getting ready for work. It was about 8:00 and had just finished getting my make-up on, and had cut up a slew of things for the salad we were going to serve at Wednesday Night Dinner at church.

Feeling rather good that all this was done, I headed to the back of the house to finish up and head out the door when my cell phone rang. It was my Avery.

"Hey Mom...I'm in Bible with Mike and we're doing that thing."

"That thing" Avery was referring to is a tradition for Mike Cope and his Freshman Bible students. He has them all (300 of them!) call a parent or grandparent and then hold the phone in the air as he speaks to all of us. Last year, I was having lunch with an Elder and our other minister when Ashley called. I had to excuse myself and head outside the Applebees to listen and cry.

But this year, I won't be as mushy, right? I know what's coming, right?

Nope!

Mike Cope starts talking..."Good Morning parents. My name is Mike Cope and I'm here with your son or daughter in Freshman Bible. I just wanted to tell you we are going to walk through the life of Jesus together and learn more about him as we grow closer to him. I want you to know we love your children and pray for them. And we thank you for the sacrifice you've made to allow them to be here, both financially and personally as you've let them go away from home."

And then the whole class sings "I Love You With the Love of the Lord", and "Lord I Lift Your Name On High".

It may sound sappy. You may think this is just too much mush. But when it's your child there, those words mean the world to you.

Yes, I was a mess...and Yes, I had to touch up the make-up.

Blessings!

First Day of School!

Most of you know I'm a big mush when it comes to my kids. Some of you are, also, whether you admit it or not!

Today was the first day of school at ACU. I couldn't be there to pack their lunch, iron their clothes, make sure they had what they needed, pray over them the night before, or kiss them good bye as they walked out the door with the constant reminder..."I love you. I'm proud of you!"

Sad as that is for me, I look at this pic that they so sweetly had someone take for their mushy mom, and think, "hmmm. looks like they managed without me!"

They look clean and pressed and happy. Maybe they will survive without my constant help. (nagging/help, whatever you want to call it!)

So, thanks God. You've shown me again that although I have a role in their lives, it's constantly changing and ultimately, you are the master planner. You are the one who has created them in your image with a purpose. And, only you truly know what that is.

So, happy first day of school to you, sweet children. I love you and I'm proud of you!

Weather?

I was helping Ashley move into her nice-new-just-remodeled dorm today when, and I'm not kidding you, the SKIES OPENED UP AND DUMPED, I mean DUMPED, water down. They called it rain, but I've never ever seen it "rain" like that before. This was the kind of rain that if you were a small child or old person, you're liable to be lost. Lost in the rivers that used to be parking lots. Lost in the rapidly moving complete with waves and all waters moving through streets.

Nobody who has lived there, including my daughter, seemed too worried. One of the girls came in and said, "um, Mrs. Henderson, if you want to get to your car later, you may want to move it now." What!? She said it with such ease and not a worried tone in her voice. But to me, that seemed extreme. Ashley just giggled, knowing I was secretly freaking out on the inside but still looked pretty cool on the outside.

I did move my car, after taking off my sandals and hoisting up my skirt in order to walk barefoot through the ocean that had taken up residence in the parking lot, to my car. Took Ashley to her next meeting and drove back to the hotel.

My key wouldn't work so I went to the front desk and asked if they could check it or reprogram it or something like that...(where is Lex?! I'm tired of doing all this without Lex!)

She smiled her sweet smile and said "oh, we're sorry ma'am. What room are you in?" I told her and she replied, "sometimes these get de-magnetized when we have "a little weather" like this."

A little weather?! Is that what we're calling this?

I'm sticking my head out right now looking for two things. My boys (they should be arriving any time now), and a rainbow. I need to see that rainbow!

Blessings!

Extra Carrots?

So, I'm at Subway eating my sandwich by myself reading a new book. Ashley is running all over town trying to round up donations for "welcome week" and this is the first meal I'm alone in Abilene. (that could be a great country song!)


I was enjoying my new book...almost as much as my Subway Melt (turkey, ham, and bacon).


My Melt had extra cheese, as well as tomatoes, pickles, wax peppers, and mayo. Salt and pepper was added at the end and I forgot to mention it was on some new kind of cheese bread. I was reading and eating...really enjoying the solitude when a voice started ordering her sandwich in kind of a pushy way so my ears perked up but my eyes stayed on the book.


Turkey on whole wheat, no cheese, (what!?), bell pepper, carrots, and cucumber..."lots of carrots, please", and when asked about "toppings" (mayo, mustard, oil, vinegar, etc etc) she replied, "oh no, none!" (with a southern drawl) and then when asked about salt and pepper she replied that she would take a pinch of pepper but that "salt will kill you!"


Yikes! I really wanted to keep reading, but couldn't help it. I had to look at this very obviously health conscience person. YUP...I knew it. Wearing some kind of athletic jogging outfit tight on every piece of her body stood this beautiful, kind of pushy, very toned body of a woman that I will NEVER look like. I guess you are what you eat.


Please pass the carrots...(and can I get extra dip with that?)


Blessings.

Cajun Cones

I love ice. When I get a drink at a fast food place, I fill the cup overflowing with ice and add the drink, whatever will fit, on that.

I have a shaved ice machine from Target in my kitchen.

So, when Ashley asked me if I wanted a Cajun Cone yesterday, I was quick to respond an emphatic YES!

MMMmmmmmmmmm......yummy.

If you've been to Abilene, you have probably had, or at least heard about Cajun Cones. They are a seasonal kiosk open from 2:00 - 10:00 pm. serving the most yummy snow cone like substance you've ever had!

mmmmm......wild cherry.......yum

Abilene

Yesterday was one of those days that felt like two or three rolled together.

Our time of worship together was wonderful. The message, the singing together, fellowship through communion, and other "God moments" that can only happen because He is present and working through us in spite of our short comings...

We ran a half hour long, which is inconvenient for the teachers trying to present a class in the next hour, but particularly worrisome for those of us trying to catch a plane headed to Texas right after services!

The boys raced Ashley and I to the airport where we actually had time after check in to grab a bite before the plane boarded.

3 hour flight to Dallas...then grab a rental car and another 3 hour journey to Abilene.

We arrived at the hotel in Abilene at 11:00 pm, which, according to Mike Cope is the best time to see Abilene. (in the dark)

As I stretched my tired bones out on the box they had made up to be a bed, I thought about what a beautiful morning it had been...and wondered how we fit it all into one day!

Then I remembered last year this time, how sad I was, how desperate I felt to hang on to my children (knowing it wasn't possible), and how much I prayed for God to protect and take care of my first baby leaving the nest.

Last night, I prayed the same prayer, but with a different feeling. Praise God for His goodness, his mercy, his patience. I'm so grateful He has brought me to this point of confidence in His care and guidance.

Ashley is here to begin work on the "Welcome Week Committee", welcoming new freshmen to the school next week. (particularly her little brother) Lex and Avery will be driving on Thursday and Friday to arrive in time to move Avery into his dorm.

Oh, there will be tears, there is no doubt. But, with life comes wisdom and understanding. Knowing that God is there and will continue to protect those you love even when they are not close at hand.

Blessings...