What She Gave

We are laying in bed and I am tearful. She asks about our "friend." We have learned about her by way of the internet. I have to tell Emma that our friend has gone to be with Jesus in heaven. Emma is awestruck. I tell her that earlier today, she looked like Jesus in her heart. Again, Emma is speechless- she thinks by my words mean that she has received her salvation. Now she is scared. Still too young, she thinks that as soon as she receives her Jesus' salvation, she will go to be with Him. I kiss her forehead and reassure her.

Early in the day, Emma is ready. She is anticipating what she has waited nearly a year for. She is eagerly waiting for her brothers to wake from their naps. She is ready to give her hair away. Almost a year ago, we sat together at the computer and researched. We looked at pictures of young girls without hair, we looked at young girls affected by this terrible cancer. And she wants to help.

On the way home, she is insistent to call one of her dear friends:

Sydney, I cut off my hair.
I cut my hair for a little girl who doesn't have any...
Yes, I did!
When you see me, you won't know me...
Want to tell your mom?

Emma is so proud. And rightly so, she has earned her joy. She has given up what many are hesitant too. And she didn't hesitate. She insists she will start the process again.

Celebrating Earth Day the Jerrolds Way

Woke up and ate breakfast together.
Got ready.
Donned lots of sunscreen.
Prepared to leave for our Earth Day field trip.
Unplugged the hot iron, for once.
Prayed holding hands,
with truck running.
Left the coffee pot on.
Drove 40 miles, in our truck,
over hills,
at 13 mpg,
to a local working farm.
Chatted with chickens and children.
Pulled rocks from the garden.
Use wood chips to build a pathway.
Climbed in and on the wood chips.
Cried because the wood chips invaded our shoes and poked our feet.
Drank water from plastic sippy cups.
Admired a baby drinking from a stainless steel sippy.
Headed toward home, with the air conditioning on.
Ate granola.
Drove through drive-thru.
Received five meals, in five consumable bags and five paper cups, with straws.
Gave the blessings apples.
Cleaned up spit out apple parts.
Traded apples for suckers.
Bathed dirty bodies in the middle of the day.
Wiped snotty noses with clean towels.
Dressed in new clothes.
Washed towels and dirty clothes.
Turned on the fan.
Napped.
With the fan on.
Made cottage cheese & spinach lasagna.
Blessings picked the basil for the bread.
Threw out the plastic toys for the day.
Drew silly faces on our chins, instead.

Blessings

I had my feelings hurt tonight by a stranger. Not uncommon for me, as I can get offended by a bad driver. But this time, it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up in anger.
We are dining at a local Thai restaurant. I love taking my blessings out to try different ethnic foods and it has always been rewarding. Tonight the blessings are their usual selves- impulsive, giggly, playful... children. We get our usual stares from a group of two middle-aged women. But this time, they are more vocal about the presence of our children. They ask for their food to go, drawing attention to themselves, all while indicating that it is way too loud in restaurant.
Although my children are normal children, they are not unruly and disrespectful. How can they ever know that my Emma is so clever and brave, she will fight criminals by putting her fingers up her nose and blowing? And although, Jack's favorite word may be currently booty butt, he loves His God. He will sit later in the evening, begging to hear Mighty to Save, boldly singing the words: Savior, He can move the mountains, My GOD is mighty to Save... Will, despite that he is vocal about his wants, he can nurse a smile from anyone with his new-found sly looks.
Every morning of the week, we gather as a family of five to spend time at the throne of our Lord. We pray together, the blessings as much as Roy & I. We sing together praises to our King. We learn and recite His Word together.
These are my children. They may cause heads to turn, may turn a quiet evening into an unruly night, may be loud and playful, and may use inappropriate language at times. But, they are children. Children who love and seek after our God already. I am overwhelmingly impressed with the servants they are becoming.

Jesus called them back.
"Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Luke 18:16