Joy Dare::July

 12,439. Making a path for success
12,440. Unexpected phone call from Aliza
12,441. Summer rain
12,442. Seeing Linda for a little bit
12,443. Conversations over chai
12,444. Summer evenings at home
12,445. Finishing an interesting book
12,446. Lunch with Isaiah
12,447. Baseball and fireworks
12,448. A lot less humidity
12,449. 4th of July supper with friends 

12,450. More fireworks
12,451. Crossing some things off the to-do list
12,452. Reading on the porch this evening was lovely
12,453. Mediterranean for supper
12,454. John, Laura and Sean home together
12,455. A relaxing Sunday birthday
12,456. Chatting with Josiah
12,457. Traveling day for Aliza means texts throughout the day
12,458. Daily reminders of my need for Christ

12,459. Just enough self-control when my irritability level is high
12,460. Volunteer impatient flowers popping up everywhere
12,461. Success in helping John
12,462. New supper recipe was a success
12.463. Gift in the mail
12,464. A babysitting day--Anna and Josiah are great babysitters
12,465. Sneaking in time to talk
12,466. Josiah being a safe driver
12,467. Yielding to Jeremy's leadership
12,468. Working with Isaiah on piano
12,469. Being in N. Salisbury at the right time to help quickly
12,470. Flowers on the counter

12,471. Beach supper at the cove
12,472. A really good conversation with Aliza
12,473. Church and lunch with Mom
12,474. Isaiah's first Nerf event
12,475. Isaiah and Sean were SO patient
12,476. Psalm 61:1-3
12.477. 24 years married
12,478. Anna riding with me to do errands
12,479. Dressers for Anna and Isaiah
12,480. Coffee with Maria
12,481. Anna and Isaiah spending the evening working on their rooms
12,482. Supper with Janell, Renee and Lydia
12,483. My brother
12,484. Paperwork going more smoothly than I expected
12,485. Reminders...

12,486. Isaiah really enjoyed Jr. Park Ranger camp
12,487. Evenings curled up on the couch with Anna
12,488. Isaiah excited about suppers this week
12,489. Isaiah and I talked to tAliza on the phone
12,490. Pizza for lunch
12,491. Visiting Brian and Meghan in their new house
12,492. Road time and Starbucks with Anna
12,493. The excitement of a hope becoming a plan
12,494. Me and Isaiah day
12,495. Josiah come home happy after a day of work with his Dad
12,496. Talking to a new BJU customer
12,497. Playing Grow a Garden with Isaiah
12,498. Supper with friends
12,499. Wedding talk
12,500. My playtime with Maggie
12,501. Hugging Anna and hearing about her adventures
12,502. Aliza's safety
12,503. Meeting up with out of town friends

12,504. Isaiah and Lydia's laughter
12,505. Elizabeth
12,506. Coffee delivery
12,507. A delightful lunch
12,508. Playing piano
12,509. Cleaning Aliza's room
12,510. A flight for Aliza to arrive home tonight
12,511. Safety driving at night
12,512. The whole family together in church
12,513. Serving with the children 
12,514. Nap
12,515. Cookout shakes, watching the camp staff video and looking at pictures
12,516. A morning that felt productive
12,517. Learning to be slow to speak
12,518. Surprising Aliza and Anna
12,519. Isaiah having the best days with his siblings
12,520. Using Dad's lawnmower
12,521. Jeremy taking care of all our things
12,522. Lunch with Aliza and Alena
12,523. Connecting with a Mom in my season of life
12,524. Hearing about Alena's time in India
12,525. Jeremy working from home
12.526. Playing Mom's piano
12,527. Filling Mom's house with noise and chaos for her birthday 

Home Again

 June 7-July 26. Those dates were seared into my mind from the moment Aliza said them to me. The dates that she would be working on a mission team at camps this summer. I was genuinely so excited for her. This was clearly the next natural step for her. She is clearly gifted and called to this ministry to middle and high schoolers. And for the month before she left, I laid awake several hours most nights just wondering and dreading how it was going to feel to have one of my children away from home for 8 weeks. 

June 7 came. Aliza left and I found out that I was really ok. I slept through the night. I didn't worry about her or feel anxious. Sure, she was always in the back of my thoughts and I know I talked about her more than some family and friends thought was necessary. Most days Aliza sent a text before she went to bed between 12:30 and 1:30am and I would read it after she had already gotten up in the morning at 6:30 and we talked on the phone around midnight almost every week. 

Finally, for me, July 26 arrived. Aliza's flight was supposed to land in Salisbury at 10:15pm. I had some things planned to do to pass the time. Aliza got to the airport in Louisville plenty early for her 6:00 flight. She called and we talked until it was just about time for her to board. I started making supper and getting ready to track her flight. Just when I had the bacon and onions cooking for hamburger toppings, she called her Dad. The flight was delayed and delayed again and now it was scheduled to depart at 11:45pm.  For the next hour or so, Jeremy searched flights and coached Aliza through talking to the agent, customer service, and rebooking a flight. For a little while, it looked like Aliza would need to spend the night in Louisville. We knew that there would be no flights coming into Salisbury. At the very last minute Jeremy found a flight leaving Louisville at 8pm with a layover in Charlotte and landing in Baltimore at 12:35am. 

I really didn't care what time or where she landed. My heart was set on her sleeping in her bed that night. I shed a few tears. For how well I had done for 8 weeks being calm and cool, I did not want to lose it in the last 24 hours! 

With a bit of divine intervention, Aliza got on that 8:00 flight right before boarding started. The gate for that flight was adjacent to the gate for her original flight. 

About the time Aliza landed in Charlotte, Jeremy, Anna and I headed to Baltimore to meet her. We arrived at the airport a little after midnight. Aliza got to us at 12:45am and we were back in the car at 1:00am. By the time Aliza met us at baggage claim, she had received a notice that her baggage was not on her flight. We were pretty sure that would be the case.

Now, I'll be honest. I would have driven anywhere that night to pick up Aliza. But part of me knew how convenient it would have been to pick her up in Salisbury and fun it would have been for all of us to pick her up and have Cookout shakes together. 

God had other ideas and He is always faithful to let me know that life is not about me when I start thinking that maybe it should be. Aliza starts telling us about her experiences of the last 6 hours as we are driving. After doing a whole process of list of things she had never done before including, her first domestic flight, flying alone, calling customer service and booking a flight for herself, she was looking forward to a good nap on her first flight. She sat down and pretty quickly realized that the girl next to her (similar to Aliza's age) was clearly distressed. Aliza asked her if she was ok and the young lady said she was terrified of flying. Aliza reassured her and then asked if it would help if Aliza talked to her for the duration of the flight. The young lady said that would help a lot and so Aliza kept up a conversation, which included faith, for the hour long flight. Aliza prayed with the girl who was very thankful for the divine appointment of Aliza sitting next to her. 

I was the mom feeling humbled just watching my daughter live in her calling, doing the things that she is best at.  

On the next flight, Aliza fell asleep before the plane took off and woke up after it had landed in Baltimore. 
 

momoftheyear

 There is a game on Roblox that literally just about everyone is playing. My children are no exception. It's called "Grow A Garden" and that's what you do--plant seeds, harvest, sell the harvest and buy more seeds to plant. There are all kinds of fancy things that you can do and add to increase production of your garden and Isaiah knows a lot of those things. 

The last time Isaiah and I had lunch together, we watched a video of Grow A Garden and I told him that I thought I could actually play that game. I didn't follow through right then, but Isaiah didn't forget about my confidence in my abilities. 

Last Monday when it was just Isaiah and I at home for the whole day, he thought that would be the perfect time to get me set up on Roblox. That's what we (he) did. 

First, I needed an account which means I needed a username. We debated using my Pokemon name, but Isaiah declared he had the perfect name. He typed in...momoftheyear76. 76 because that is my birthday. Isaiah was so proud. I mean at that point I was proud! It's pretty great to get Mom of the year just by sitting in front of a computer. 

Isaiah got me set up and in his game and then he continued to coach me along. Here's the thing. The hardest part is walking. I can turn in circles really really well, but getting some forward movement in the right direction took a lot of energy. lol While I'm using all this energy, Isaiah would reach over and fix whatever situation I got myself in. He told me what seeds to buy and decided not to gift me anything because "that would take the fun out of it." And just when I would think that maybe I had had enough for a first try, Isaiah said, "Mom you are doing so good. I'm having SO much fun!" Of course, I kept right on playing.  

As soon as I got up on Saturday, Isaiah was waiting for me. An update was happening on Grow A Garden in 10 minutes and he wanted me to join him. It turned out to be a football themed event and Isaiah was so excited. I now have a "fruitball" plant and a football shaped pet roaming around my garden. (Pets collect seeds for you, I think.) My game ended up crashing because so many people were playing. The event was being hosted by Travis Kelce no less. 

And then this morning I decided I would surprise Isaiah. I sat down beside him and tended my garden. Maybe I'm getting a little better at navigating. Isaiah showed me that I had to climb some trees to harvest fruit at the top, but then I couldn't figure out how to get down. Today Isaiah's comment was "Mom, I can tell that you really don't understand how this game works." Well, it may be true, but I'm showing up. 

The moral of this story is 1. it's priceless to enter your kid's world and 2. I can only try to play games that can be dumbed down to their most basic form. (This one--plant seeds, harvent, sell, buy more seeds. And Pokemon--throw a ball to catch a Pokemon and build your collection.) And 3. if you don't have the ability to actually play games, choose the best username. 
 

A Week in July

 I promise I checked the weather several times the day that we were planning to go to the cove in the evening. And I *still* managed to pick a time when the sky was gray and we felt some raindrops. 

Anna had fun taking pictures. 

The church kids had a Nerf event. Isaiah was so excited. The youth group has had epic Nerf nights the last couple years and Isaiah has always wanted his chance. 

It was well organized with lots of different games for all age and skill levels. Below, teams were trying to shoot the other team's pyramids of plastic cups off of igloo water coolers. Isaiah got the last plastic cups at the very last second. He had a lot of fun!

This is why I pickup groceries instead of going into the store. Things like a Pokemon hershey kisses catch my eye and I think "the kids would think this is so much fun" and then I pick them up and buy them. 

Isaiah and his friend, Ian, did the Jr. Park Ranger camp at Janes Island State Park. This was Isaiah's second year and he still really enjoyed it. They did crabbing, archery, took a pontoon boat to the island, and did some fishing. 

 

4th of July

 

Watching a baseball game before fireworks seemed like a good way to spend the evening on of July 3rd. It was warm but not too humid. The game was good until the last inning and I finished a book between innings. Sitting in a line did not make for easy conversation among ourselves! 

The truth is I really like a good fireworks show on the 4th. Being in the baseball stadium you have a seat and the fireworks are close. Anna was the fireworks photographer. 

Our friends, Rebecca and Tim, invited us to have 4th of July supper with them. The kids had fun together. Rebecca's parents and uncle were also there and we enjoyed thinking of major and minor historic events to see if they "remembered where they were." We had all the good 4th of July food and Tillamook ice cream for dessert. 

 

Anna caught the sunset! 

  And we all went to watch the Salisbury fireworks...from a distance....that had a parking lot much quicker to exit that the baseball stadium. It was just a comfortable evening with people who are easy to be around. 

Joy Dare::June

 12,351. Keeping my perspective in the present
12,352. Good Sunday School discussion
12,353. Hearing that our friend is expecting a baby
12,354. Stuck on the couch

12,355. Big kids to mow and string trim the yard
12,356. "I love you" supper tonight
12,357. Catching up with both of my moms
12,358. Observing
12,359. Watching Aliza and theater friends watch The Little Mermaid recording
12,360. Absorbing all the feelings
12,361. Stamina for a longer-than-expected drive
12,362. Hearing about Anna's evening
12,363. Josiah did his part
12,364. Working with a team
12,365. Technology to stay connected to home when I'm away
12,366. A strong body
12,367. Introducing a family to BJU curriculum
12,368. One more "before camp" talk with Aliza
12,369. Being part of a family
12,370. Josiah and Isaiah had the day together
12,371. Enough energy to drive home tonight
12,372. Hugging my sister
12,373. Grocery shopping
12,374. Home
12,375. Bonfire and fireflies
12,376. Anna's opportunity to share her faith
12,377. Making time to play piano
12,378. Finding a new rhythm
12,379. New growth on dahlias every morning
12,380. Talking to Aliza
12,381. End of school lunch with Maria
12,382. Staying long to talk
12,383. John, Laura and Sean having a wonderful evening together
12,384. Coconut opening and tasting

12,385. Isaiah proud of completing PE
12,386. Karen's surgery was very successful
12,387. Sean had a fun day

12,388. Hard news that drive me to pray evening more
12,389. Jeremy could be the driver to WV tonight
12,390. Breakfast with Christie
12,391. Steak supper for the Dads
12,392. Josiah making us laugh at midnight
12,393. A picture of Aliza in her yellow camp staff shirt
12,394. Talking to my Dad on Father's day
12,395. Zephaniah 3:17
12,396. Finding my role
12,397. Talking to my brother
12,398. A day with no hard news
12,399. Hugging Laura
12,400. Teaching Isaiah to mow grass

12,401. Prayer
12,402. Holding Maggie
12,403. Josiah, Anna and Isaiah having fun together
12,404. Watching Josiah play with little kids
12,405. Quieting myself
12,406. Community
12,407. Talking to Aliza
12,408. Island Creamery ice cream
12,409. Packing for camp
12,410. Talking with Josiah
12,411. Safe travel in heavy traffic
12,412. Hugging Aliza
12,413. Sister on the same campus for a week

12,414. Easy drive home
12,415. Talking to a Mom new to homeschooling
12,416. My day with Maria
12,417. Visiting John
12,418. Isaiah and Mom time
12,419. Air conditioning in the car
12,420. Ice cream cone on a very hot day
12,421. Fresh fruit
12,422. An afternoon with a dear friend
12,423. Celebrating Joel
12,424. Reconnecting with a friend
12,425. Isaiah on the slip n slide
12,426. Jeremy had a safe trip
12,427. Seeing Aliza hug her Dad
12,428. Hearing all about camp
12,429. A good talk with Anna
12,430. Campers catching up on sleep
12,431. A little scrapbooking
12,432. Making prayer a priority
12,433. Conversations after church
12,434. Considering suffering and the character of God
12,435. Girls trip to Pocomoke
12,436. Josiah working with Jeremy
12,437. Having Sean for the afternoon
12,438. Anna's smile  

Camp Week

 Camp week was memorable as always! This year held some new adventures. I drove a van full of teenagers to camp for the first time. I may have had ulterior motives in driving--I got to give Aliza a hug. I also got to see the sweet moment when Aliza and Anna saw each other. 

Our youth group was on the Orange Team and wore their orange Crush shirts to arrive. 

I drove home and then Isaiah and I drove to WV and spent a couple days with Grandma and Grandpa. Isaiah is holding it, but I was pretty excited about a fresh fruit salad. 

Anna texted this picture and was so excited to tell me that she had gone on the giant swing in the high ropes course. That was the only time I heard from Anna!

Isaiah and I got to be part of Joel's birthday celebration. 

Ronan kept Isaiah busy. When it was time to leave, Ronan tried very very hard to kiss Isaiah--on the mouth. Isaiah was having no parts of that. 

Josiah talked a solid 20 minutes on the drive home with me when they got back from camp! He had a great time and only had great stories to tell. I asked him if he had a favorite memory and his response was that it took all of the activities together to be his favorite--without any one thing it wouldn't be the same. 

The heat index was over 100 degrees every day of camp. After color wars every afternoon, the boys jumped in the pool to try to give their sweaty shirts a quick clean. 

Isaiah and I spent an afternoon with friends. He didn't think he was going to enjoy the afternoon, but ended up having a great time playing Mario Kart and Minecraft with Liam. We had some time to kill and found. a sale on outdoor summer toys at Target. We bought a slip n slide which Isaiah enjoyed. 

Rain was a welcome reprieve from the heat!

And then on the last morning of camp, Jeremy, Isaiah and I got to sit in on the last large group celebration. It's fun to just get to sit back and watch. The music started and Josiah was up and headed to the front with everyone else. Isaiah now CANNOT wait until he is old enough to go! 

 It was special to get a tiny glimpse into the energy Aliza gives to the campers from breakfast to midnight every day. She also got to give her Daddy a BIG hug. 

A bunch of our group were sick during the week. Anna was pretty miserable on Friday. Josiah was just getting it on Friday. The worst for Aliza was Wednesday/Thursday. 

One more group picture and then I drove a van of teenagers home again. Traffic was terrible again. But we made it. I'll even drive again next year if I'm needed. 
 

I'm so grateful that this is such a positive life-impacting experience for our kids. So life-impacting that Aliza wants to create the experience for all the campers. She is right where she is supposed to be. In spite of the physical and mental exhaustion, she absolutely loves talking to the campers, interacting with the youth group she is assigned to and tells me in almost every polo that she knows that she is living in her purpose.