stranded on an island

The kids and I went to Pizza Hut today to celebrate their completion of at least 500 minutes of reading in the kcls summer reading program. They got their own personal pan pizzas and since reading 500 (or 5,000 for that matter) minutes is a no-brainer for my crowd, we thought, "Hey, free lunch!"

While waiting for the pizza, the kids busily colored their place mats. Rosalind noticed there were questions for discussion. She was intrigued by one question and posed it to the rest of us. "What one thing would you bring with you if you were stranded on an island?

I remember hashing out these types of questions myself while in school. Knowing the types of answers people generally give to this question, I was interested as to what their answers would be. Assuming they would begin to list "survival items", I was surprised by the way they read the question literally. Since the question didn't specify being on a desert island, they figured any island would do, so they picked England. At that point, they figured any of the following would be acceptable: a plane ticket home, a big bag of money, or a loaded debit card (both of the latter affording for the opportunity to enjoy their time in England and allow them to purchase a ticket home!).

Impressed with their creative interpretation of the question, I posed the desert island angle. They immediately agreed among themselves that they'd bring--a plane!

The whole conversation reminded me of a anecdote I read once about a famous individual (perhaps Mark Twain) who when presented with nearly the same question as on the place mat promptly replied he'd bring along a well-known book on shipbuilding!

It's moments like these that bring me joy in having a major role in educating my kids. They are the moments that boost my confidence and whisper encouragement to my heart. These are the moments that keep me going.

on the job training

One of the occupational hazzards of being a Christian public speaker is that God often gives me opportunities to "practice what I preach." When I'm scheduled to speak on Menu Planning, we have a crazy week that makes me throw out my planned menu and feel a failure in that area. When I'm planning to talk about chores training, I have a week where my kids would perish in the flames before cleaning their rooms! Last week, was (another) chance to practice choosing joy as a mom. Jennifer was hospitalized for another kidney infection from August 31 to September 3rd. This time, she was on antibiotics that should have stopped this infection, but didn't. We are now facing more testing, uncertainty and a referral to a clinical psychologist who specializes in kids who have trouble with toileting issues.

I'd like to say I'm thrilled I have this opportunity--but I'm still working on that. I speak on this topic on 9/23, so that gives me about two weeks to get my act together!

So, I forge ahead....making myself choose joy. I choose to have a better perspective on my situation. The weather is lovely and cheering....our bills are paid and we have a great home and neighborhood to live in....we have a wonderful church with a supportive network and many people praying for us....Jennifer's health issues truly could be worse--they could be life-threatening...I have the distinct pleasure of staying home with my children and the privilege of schooling them at home...we live within driving distance of one of the world's best hospitals for children--with not only competent staff, but an atmosphere of care for the whole family....I have faithful friends to support and uphold me and a loving husband to walk this path along with me...I have a God who has promised to never leave me or forsake me...(I could keep going...)

This gets easier as I "count my blessings". I guess that is a huge key to choosing joy...keeping the blessings in my life at the forefront when the difficulties loom.

I think I need to look at my "on the job training" from a different perspective, too. Instead of seeing the hardships as if I am forced to grit my teeth and be happy--I need to look at them as an opportunity to practice being grateful for all the ways God has blessed my life. That's a lesson I don't mind learning...and training that will make my job so much easier.