Sometimes I Write

“My inadequacies aren’t all there is to me. Within me there resides God’s very nature of love, compassion, boldness, and wisdom and this actually more central to who I am than any of my shortcomings.” (Thanks Dwight Edwards.)

I ganked (a Benny word) that off my friend Paula’s blog. It’s a great thought and one I’ve needed to hear. Paula is my writer friend and working hard to meet a deadline on her latest book. WHEN (not if) it is published I’ll be shouting hoorays from the rooftops. Which isn’t that high in my neighborhood of mobile homes, but you know what I mean. She’s an amazing woman!

The kids were playing a spitting game today -unbeknownst to me- with their milk. Pete is now soaking in a warm bath with hives all over his body, swollen red eyes, and yucky white stringy stuff coming out of the corners of his eyes. Thank God for the person who invented Benadryl – of which I have an ample supply on hand at all times and probably should get a gig as their spokesperson. Here’s the thing – he didn’t even drink any of the milk. He was drinking Rice milk and his sister (the culprit) was drinking regular cows milk. He had that reaction just from getting cows milk all over his skin! AAAAAGH! He’s been doing so well for a long time. We have desensitzed him to almost all of his offending allergens, but for some reason he still can’t have milk or nuts. In comparison to the long list of foods he couldn’t have just a year ago, that’s not bad I guess.

I just got a call from my BSF leader from last year and found out she’s my leader again this year, AND about half the ladies from my group are going to be in it again. I’m so glad! It took me all year, but by the end, I finally felt like God had wisely placed me in the group. For those of you who don’t remember or weren’t visiting MY Journey back then, I struggled through the whole year of BSF last year. My answers were often completely different than those of the rest of the ladies and I felt like an oddball most of the time. When I finally admitted that to some of the ladies, I was met with surprise and reassurance that I was indeed an asset to the group and that I was the one who challenged the others to think outside of their own religious boxes. One lady even told me that there was something missing on the days that I wasn’t there. I cried. O.k., so that doesn’t take much. Looking back now I see satan’s hand in the whole process and Jesus – though he didn’t remove the hard times and doubts I had – he walked along beside me holding my hand the whole way. I’m looking forward to studying ROMANS this year!!! I’m sure I’ll have a lot to share from that study.

If you aren’t familiar with BSF, check out their website at www.bsfinternational.org Bible Study Fellowship is an international Bible study. People all over the world are doing the same lesson every week. Isn’t that a cool thought? There are women’s day classes, men’s evening classes, young adults classes, and a great children’s program for ages 2-12th grade. This may be the first year that my entire family will be doing BSF together. Zoe, Pete and I will be in a day class, and Benny is thinking about going to the men’s evening class where Max can be part of the school age children’s program. It’s one day a week and runs during the school year. I have friends in 3 different states that are all in this study and it’s fun to discuss and compare notes.

Our good friend Chris Robey is here from Texas staying with us a few days. Benny took him downtown for a turf tour and then they’re going to hang out with the street kids at the feeding at the park. Our poolhall is still closed for remodeling. I hope it reopens soon! 😦 Chris is one of our youth ministry friends and a really great guy. He is also a blogging friend so go check out his blog!

I was sitting with my friends yesterday at my Captivating study and I felt overwhelmingly loved and cherished, blessed and special. This group of women is just incredible! We are so very different in looks, personalities, careers, and even some philosophies. But we share the same heart. Paula is a mom of 4 (ages 9 – 15) and a writer/teacher/homeschooler. She is the one mentioned above. Abi is a mom of 2 (ages 1 & 2) and a marathon runner/soon to be Bradley Method Trainer, Kristi is a mom of 2 (ages 4 & 6) and a teacher/writer – she and her husband traveled through Europe with a theater company, Wendy is a mom of 5 (ages 2-13) and a teacher/homeschooler – she just returned from a 2 week mission trip to India, and then there is me – a mom of 3 and a homeschooler/soon to be speaker. We are all so much more than I can squeeze into this post! I mention them because I am thankful that everytime we’ve moved to a new place, God has answered my prayers for women I can be REAL with. Thank You God for such a wonderful gift!

Who are the people in your life that you can truly be yourself with?