Our Cub Scout

Thought those of you who don't have access to my facebook would enjoy seeing pictures of Carson in his Cub Scout uniform. We went to or first meeting last week and this week he went on his own. He wasn't too keen on staying on his own, but he did. When we picked him up he was having a great time. He can't wait to go back. Though he will have to wait because next week there will not be a meeting because of Labor Day.

A Couple of Questions and a Proclamation

Ephraim asks: What is organic? Is it a bad word?

My answer: No, organic is not a bad word. It is food, fruit, vegetables, and animals raised without chemicals.

Ephraim asks: Mama, Do angels have feet?

My answer: Let me think about it. I think we need to go to the Bible to find this answer. -- Later I clarified my answer from the Bible -- angels do have feet according to Isaiah 6:2.

Ephraim's proclamation: The devil is not the winner. God got the high score.

A Week of Firsts

Friday of last week was Carson's first day of second grade. He was very excited. You can tell from this beaming smile and cheery pose. So far so good. He even commented that school didn't last long enough. "Mama, it was like you got there, you did a few things, you went to lunch, you had recess for like an hour and then a couple more things and Bam, school was over". School was the customary length, but it didn't feel like it to Carson. Recess wasn't an hour and it didn't even register with him that he only had ONE recess instead of the two he'd been used to. Now, I know the first day isn't like the rest of the year, but I sure hope Carson's attitude about it stays the same.



Another first came on Saturday of last week. The boys finally had their day in the sun (pun intended) when Troy took them fishing at his cousin Sandy's pond. I went along to take the pictures, but Troy was the one who handled all the technical aspects of fishing line, bait and the like. We didn't choose the best of times to go fishing as it was quite hot out that day, but we'd been promising for over a year to take them.

With sweat pouring off them, Troy dutifully taught Carson about baiting a hook and casting his line. The lessons in patience and being quiet did not come as easily for them. Ephraim was more interested in playing in the pea gravel and enjoying the shade of the umbrella I brought. Fine by me. A good time was had by all even though only one fish was caught. A small bass caught by Troy after Carson had given up. Unfortunately,it got away before we could get the bucket ready. See Pictures from our trip below.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name...

I love living in my hometown. There is something to be said for being able to go to the local farmer's market with good friends and running into three former elementary teachers, two relatives, high school classmates, people from church both past and present, previous co-workers, and youth turned adults from my days as Director of Youth Ministries. Oh yeah, and one who attended my college alma-matar.

Some people don't have the kind of love I have for my hometown of Columbus, Indiana and that is okay by me. It really gives me great comfort living in the city of my childhood and raising my family here. I love being a part of the church of my youth and maintaining ties with the church of Troy's youth that we were married in and where our boys were baptized.

Having just returned to St. Peter's my church home and school as a youth, I am thrilled to receive such a loving and warm reception. Yes, St. Peter's is huge, but I have found that coming back to my roots was not so hard. I still know many of the families that were around from the beginning, but I also have made new friends through , attending Sunday School, being part of a parent prayer circle, substituting at the school, and volunteering for Vacation Bible School.

I thought that I might feel lost in the shuffle coming back to St. Peter's, that I might not fit in or that I would feel out of place. But quite the contrary. I prayed that God would help me feel at home and He has been faithful to do so. He is using the simplest smile or "good morning, Sara" in the hallway to help me feel connected. He has also used the meaningful pause at Communion where I smile up at Pastor Teike and he calls me by name causing me to remember his comment at my mother's funeral about her smile that she offered each time she communed with him.

I would still like to be in a small group, but that will come in God's timing. As for now, I am privileged to be asked to teach Sunday School. I'll be honest, I didn't feel so inclined to accept at first, but God used the sermon that Sunday to convict me. What an awesome opportunity to shepherd God's children and to further cement my connection at the church.

I can tell you if it is anything like teaching VBS, that there is nothing like having the smiling face of a pre-schooler looking at you and whispering to their mother: "Mommy... that's my teacher, Mrs. Bishop". I just love being where everybody knows your name.



***Side note: See the bounty of my trip to the farmer's market pictured here. Okay, so Amish fudge,sour dough bread, farm fresh ground beef and cilantro aren't the typical haul for most people. My family loved it so much we couldn't get the picture taken before we had to to dig into the bread and fudge.***

I Think It's Going To Be A Good One...

This afternoon Carson, Ephraim and I were discussing upcoming birthdays. Ephraim said "Next, I am going to be 5, then I am going to be a teenager and then a Daddy". Then he discussed his need for a wife. He said "Mama, you can be my wife". After a short explanation why that would not work,he retorted "Well, I don't know anyone else. Who is it going to be?".

I told him that I frequently pray for his future spouse, whomever she may be. To which Ephraim responded "Well, who is she???". My reply "Only, God knows right now". Ephraim said... "Will God tell me who she is?". "But I won't know what one to go to". Then after some reassuring, Ephraim proclaimed, "Hmmmm, I think, I think.... I think it's going to be a good one!".

I am praying that indeed she is a good one. And I pray that Carson's wife is the same. And that they will be good and godly husbands. But before that can happen, Ephraim has turn 5 and that isn't until October. And Carson's birthday is before that in just over a week from today. The boys sure are growing up fast, way to fast if they follow Ephraim's timeline.

Something To Blog About...

A couple of weeks ago, my wonderful sister Maria and her awesome husband Rick held "Cousin Camp" at their home in Munster, Indiana. What is Cousin Camp, you ask? My brave sister and her husband took in our two sons: Carson and Ephraim as well as my twin brother's children for the week. Their own three girls plus one niece and three nephews for a week long adventure of nature hikes, park visits, swimming, crafts, canteen and much more.

I had the week off!!!! For the first time since Carson was born, I was free of any responsibility for my children. Oh my what fun! I went for lunch with friends, had my toes done, and had dinner with just Troy every night! My sister said to me, you had all this free time, why didn't you post on your blog???

I didn't post mostly because my children are generally my inspiration for my blog. Something adorable they have said or done or something not so adorable, but that God uses to teach me. I've been thinking about why I haven't posted in a while I usually attribute my lack of blogging to feeling distant to God. But this time, I didn't feel that way. Actually, I have felt very close to God and have been able to dig deep in His Word each day.

This time, I think I haven't been looking for the small things or appreciating the simple joys of parenting. The last few days it has felt like a fog has lifted for me. I have been intentionally prayerful about my parenting and God has really gifted me with a new set of eyes with which to see my children.

So here it is... finally something to blog about....

Ephraim on why he wants his pizza the way he likes it... "I like cheese pizza, but I want Mama to give me her black olives and sausage because I like "each sold separately".

Carson and I visited the Animal Control Shelter this morning. From the lobby, there was a audible whooshing sound of water. Carson asked the Shelter Manager, what the noise was. She explained that it was a fish tank. This was the first time that we had known them to have fish there. I even thought to myself, maybe we could finally take an animal home from the shelter. Well, thank goodness I hadn't voiced that idea out loud. The fish tank was filled with huge Oscar fish a cousin to the piranha we were told. These fish had teeth and were as big as Carson's head. Oh my goodness. Needless to say, these fish did not come home with us. We also found out that the shelter has a chicken that lays brown eggs. How crazy is that? Now that is something to blog about.

His Arm and Now His Ear!

I love the picture that God gives me when I think of His arm not being too short. It has been in my mind for over a year now. God started this in my heart around the time of Ephraim's surgery last year with Jeremiah 32:17 -- "Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You."

Then while studying the Life of Moses in BSF this past year, God gave me Numbers 11:23 -- "The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you." Of course God did exactly what He said He would do for Moses and He has been faithful to our family too.

God didn't stop with these two verses, this week He showed me Isaiah 59:1 -- "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear". I love the way God reveals more and more of His character to me. What a comfort to know not only is Nothing too hard for Him, nor is His arm too short, but His ear is inclined to me, He hears my prayers. I can't utter a prayer to mundane or for that matter too spectacular for Him. I can't underestimate Him!