Days Like This

This is our week off of school. We are working on a different school schedule this year....we love it! We have three weeks of school and take a week off. I can't believe that I haven't thought of doing this before now. But I am awfully glad that God placed the idea in my thick brain this year!

We have already begun packing our Operation Christmas Child boxes, done several loads of laundry, gotten lunch, and put MANY, MANY clean clothes away! The kitchen is clean and the boys' room is clean.

I love days like this!!!!!

Waiting...

Our new pastor gave his first sermon today. He was wonderful....the message was thought-provoking...God was there!

The sermon was on waiting. It seems as though we are going through that waiting thing right now. Waiting for Ben to finish seminary. Waiting for life to settle down. Waiting for God to let one of our kids know the next part of the plan. Waiting for next Monday to come so that I can go see some dear friends. Waiting....waiting...waiting.

This is what we heard this morning: Waiting is a critical part of how God works. If we undermine the process, it undermines the very thing we need from God. God does something in us so He can do something through us. So wait....on God!

What are you waiting on?

Lisa's Choice

At points in each of my children's lives, I've said the following: "This is the point in your friendship when you need to decide if this relationship is worth pushing through and working it out to get a stronger relationship, or if it's not worth it and you cut off the friendship."

Almost every time, my kids have decided that it's worth fighting for the friendship...working out the problems...and having a stronger bond on the other side! I have been very proud of my kids for this. I think I've helped them develop a way to have healthy relationships as they launch out on their own.

I, too, have faced those same situations and have chosen one or the other. I have a couple of folks that I have chosen to not remain friends with....either too much drama or sucked the life out of me. But most of the time, I have fought through and have several great friends because of it.

I am in that situation again. There is a group and they are so worth working it out! I love these gals and want to deepen my friendships with them. I will be working it out...pushing through...and fighting for these friendships!

Seems like at my age, I should be really settled in this area..but alas, I am still working on relationships. I am grateful that God has provided so many people in my life whom I love dearly!

I've Got The Joy, Joy, Joy Joy....

I have been enjoying life recently...I know that sounds odd, but there are times that life seems hard, overly complicated, and just all around not enjoyable.

My life has not changed. I still have five kids. I still homeschool four of them. I still fix each and every meal for all seven of us, wash most of the laundry, change sheets, shop for groceries, buy all clothes, get things ready for all birthday parties (ours and others), etc...

I still have a daddy who has Alzheimer's, a mom who is lovingly caring for him at home, family members with others diseases and disorders.

I still have friends who need encouraging, surprise birthday parties to attend, flights to catch to visit dear ones.

I still have errands to run, co-op to run, and a track down the street to walk (you thought I was going to say run, didn't you?).

But I love my life. I love it right now particularly. I love that I meet Jesus most every morning and learn more about HIS love letter to me. I love that three of my kids go with me down to the track three days a week to play while I walk.

God has given me a joy!

Next Summer Already?

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but I must confess that I am already thinking about summer opportunities for my girls. It is time for Darby to go on a mission trip! Bailey went on her first trip when she was 13 and it was time for her world to be expanded. It was a terrific experience and made Bailey appreciate the 13 varieties of cereal we have in our pantry along with the days and days of food...on top of many other things.

Darby will be 13 soon. It's time for her world to be expanded. It's time for her to have an opportunity to see how many others in the world live...and it's not like we live for the most part! I want her to appreciate what she has here and I want her to develop a love for others that attempts to mimic Christ's love for us.

So....I am beginning to pray and think about where God would have the girls go this summer, if anywhere. We have a saying in our home: At around 13, the books say it's normal for children to rebel and begin to live in their own little world....but in the DeBusk home, it's not required (and we don't do that)!

Sending our children on mission trips has been a great way to help them be outward focused....to live out the other DeBusk saying: Love God, Serve Others!

They Are SO Different!

I've had two interesting days with a couple of my children.

Yesterday I went shopping with my oldest daughter, Bailey. We knew just where we wanted to go and went straight there once we got to the shopping center. I knew what I was looking for, vaguely, and found tons of things! We tried things on....and on....and on. We carried items around and kept looking. Then we bought our items and thought we'd stop in a couple of other places.

Basically a very relaxing time sharing lots of laughter and life with my daughter. And several hours and a diet coke later, we arrived back at home.

Today I went shopping with my oldest son, Rainey. We knew just where we wanted to go and went straight there once we got to the shopping center. He knew what he was looking for, exactly, and found just that. He went straight to the section that carried the game he was wanting, he picked it off the shelf, and brought it to the sales clerk. He never wavered! He never even turned his head to see what else was in the store!

Basically a very hunter/conqueror type of experience. We shared....well....not much really! And 15 minutes later, we arrived back home.