Dancin' Fools!

As I mentioned earlier, Saturday was my 11 year wedding anniversary. Josh and I debated for several days about how to celebrate. We had planned on dinner, but then wondered if that was such a good choice given the many graduation parties we'd be attending in the afternoon and all of the eating we'd be obliged to endure at said parties. I know, it's a tough life we live. We thought we could visit the botanical gardens nearby since we have yet to see them in the four years we've lived here. But, then the rain came.

So, we decided on the next best thing. We went bowling.

Now, you should know that we are NOT bowlers. We have fun, but we really are terrible at it! So, after three rather pitiful games, we decided to call it quits. And after turning in our shoes and washing our hands, I found Josh wandering around the small arcade.

I hate arcades. They just rob you of your money. The problem is that you do terribly on the first game and then have to redeem your score. So you end up paying ridiculous money to play a game that has no impact on your life and just sucks your time and energy. Can you tell we don't have video games in our house?

Anyway ... Saturday night changed my opinion of one particular arcade game. It's called Dance Dance Revolution. It's one of those dance machines where they have four pads that you step on as the screen directs you on what to do. I've seen them in movies and was positive that never in my life would I do something so ridiculous - especially not in public. After all, I'm not a teen, I'm a responsible adult! And I really don't need teens laughing at me either.

But, Josh wanted to try it. And since it was our anniversary, I reluctantly agreed to indulge his whim. Whew! Those machines are a workout! After dancing the first set together, we were both sweating and breathing hard. And then we decided to try again. Remember how I told you about the money sucking machines? We fell for it hook, line and sinker!

We had a blast trying again and again to get our foot patterns just so. Neither one of us is very graceful, so I'm sure we were quite a sight to behold. We kept getting off the pads because of our enthusiasm, and failed several rounds, but at least we gave it a shot and were willing to laugh at ourselves and let others laugh with us ... or at us. Although if this shows up on youtube somewhere I'll deny that it's me till my dying day!

So after an hour of dancing, we finally left, tired and exhausted and headed to a late dinner. The dinner was good, and the bowling was enjoyable, but the dancing MADE the date! And as we drove home, it was wonderful to realize that even after 11 years of marriage, we can still find new things to do together and be spontaneous. Nomatter how ridiculous we may look to the rest of the world! Despite the sore joints and heavy eyelids the next morning, it was totally worth it to let down and just have FUN together.

I Still Do!!

On this day 11 years ago, I was putting on the fanciest dress I'll ever wear, packing last minute items for a much anticipated trip and nervously waiting for my big moment! That's right, I was getting married!! 11 years ago today, I made a choice that has altered my life for the better every day since.

I remember getting to the church just before the wedding started and watching my bridesmaids walk down the aisle. I wasn't nervous until the doors closed and I stood alone with my Dad waiting for my turn. It's not that I was nervous to get married, but rather to walk that long aisle in front of so many people to finally get to Josh! But, I should have known that my love would set my mind at ease. As I took my first few steps and he came into sight, this is what I saw: A groom eagerly standing at the front of the church, grinning from ear to ear! He was actually FLIRTING with me in front of the entire church, winking and making me feel like a treasured princess.

Now, I've been to many weddings (one of the perks of being a pastor's wife) and I sadly admit that most grooms don't behave in this manner. I've seen more somber men than young bucks enthusiastically welcoming their brides. Each time a bride walks the aisle, I watch the groom to see his expression and his joy. But I have got to admit that even after 11 years, I have yet to see a man welcome his bride with as much enthusiasm and excitement as mine did! Way to go, Josh!!

And now, 11 year later, I still see him receive me with the same vigor. Oh, it's not that every time I walk in the door, he rushes to my side and can't wait to greet me. But, I definitely see that same spark from time to time and it brings joy up from my toes to know that I am still desired and deeply loved by this incredible man. I love the possessive arm that he places around me as we talk with others, I love the fact that the pastor holds my hand as we worship in church, I love that he continues to pursue me with his kind acts and loving words, and I love that our chemistry has not waned despite poochy tummies, 4 pregnancies and a busy life. And I love that he so readily translates his love for God into love for me and the kids.

So, here's to us, my love! I look forward to the next many, many years with you! And today I toast to that young buck and shy doe who had no clue what a fabulous adventure was in store!

Love's Letter

Below is a letter that Josh recently brought to my attention. It is a letter from a wife to her husband on the eve of his execution. The incredible focus, faith and love that comes through in the writing astounds me. And it makes me think, if I were in the same situation, would I ever be able to write such words? Is my faith and the foundation of our marriage such that we would speak with such boldness, or would we revert to the sappy, tearful writings that are much more common? Please read:

My Dear Heart,—Before I write a word further, I beseech thee, think not that it is thy wife, but a friend now that writes to thee. I hope thou hast freely given up thy wife and children to that God, who hath said, in Jeremiah 49:11, ‘Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widow trust in me.’ Thy Maker will be my husband, and a father to thy children. O that the Lord would keep thee from having one troubled thought for thy relations! I desire freely to give thee up into thy Father’s hands, and not only look upon it as a crown of glory for thee to die for Christ, but as an honour to me, that I should have an husband to leave for Christ. I dare not speak to thee, nor have a thought within my own heart, of my unspeakable loss, but wholly keep my eye fixed upon thy inexpressible and inconceivable gain. Thou leavest but a sinful, mortal wife, to be everlastingly married to the Lord of glory: thou leavest but children, brothers and sisters, to go to the Lord Jesus, thy eldest brother: thou leavest friends on earth to go to the enjoyment of saints and angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect in glory: thou dost but leave earth for heaven, and changest a prison for a palace. And if natural affections should begin to arise, I hope that spirit of grace that is within thee will quell them; knowing that all things here below are but dung and dross in comparison of those things that are above. I know thou keepest thine eye fixed on the hope of glory, which makes thy feet trample on the loss of earth.

My dear, I know God hath not only prepared glory for thee, and thee for it; but I am persuaded he will sweeten the way for thee to come to the enjoyment of it. When thou art putting on thy clothes that morning, O think, I am now putting on my wedding garments, to go to be everlastingly married to my Redeemer! And when the messenger of death comes to thee, let him not seem dreadful to thee; but look on him as a messenger that brings thee tidings of eternal life. When thou goest up the scaffold, think (as thou saidst to me) it is but thy fiery chariot, to carry thee up to thy Father’s house. And when thou layest down thy precious head to receive thy father’s stroke, remember what thou saidst to me, though thy head were severed from thy body, yet in a moment thy soul should be united to thy head, the Lord Jesus, in heaven. And though it may seem something bitter, that by the hands of men we are parted a little sooner than otherwise we might have been; yet let us consider, it is the decree and will of our Father; and it will not be long ere we shall enjoy one another in heaven again. Let us comfort one another with these sayings. Be comforted, my dear heart, it is but a little stroke, and thou shalt be there where the weary shall be at rest, and where the wicked shall cease from troubling. Remember, though thou mayst eat thy dinner with bitter herbs, yet thou shalt have a sweet supper with Christ that night. My dear, by what I write unto thee, I do not hereby undertake to teach thee; for these comforts I have received from the Lord by thee. I will write no more, nor trouble thee any further, but commit thee into the arms of that God with whom, ere long, thou and I shall be. Farewell, my dear, I shall never see thy face more, till we both behold the face of the Lord Jesus at the great day.

Mary Love, July 14, 1651.

Taken from: http://www.go-newfocus.co.uk/pages.php?section=21&subsection=4&artID=138

98 cent bliss

Remember those booths at carnivals where you could purchase a rip roarin' kiss for just five dollars? I have never purchased a kiss before. But today I did!

I was in Wal Mart and in a spontaneous moment decided to look at the aisle of trading cards. (No, I did not kiss a stranger in the trading card aisle!! Good grief, keep reading!) I have never before collected cards, nor do I desire to spend any time in that "waste of money" aisle! However, today I stopped by in a moment of temporary insanity. My two older boys collect trading cards. They don't take great care of them, but rather spend hours reading the cards, memorizing the names and facts and spouting them off to each other. In fact, they can spend half a day just rearranging the cards in their folders! The fun in this escapes me, but apparently they find these cards quite fascinating.

Despite the fact that they have many football, hockey and basketball cards (we don't really follow baseball in our house)there is one sport that we've been missing. We can't find soccer cards anywhere! And trust me, we've looked everywhere! The cards online are ridiculously expensive and I'm not willing to shell out my or my children's money for a few cards that will soon be bent and without value.

Since the world cup is this summer, we've been keeping our eye out for all things soccer - especially trading cards. And today, when I stopped in that aisle, I found them! The very first soccer cards offered at WalMart! Score one for Mom!! I bought a pack for each of my two older boys and came home to surprise them.

What I hadn't counted on was how very, very ecstatic they would be! My oldest especially has been desiring these cards for many months and I became the sudden hero of the day! So, in a moment of pure genius I said, "You know what I think this deserves?" To which my son replied, "Yeah. I guess so." And then I received the most feathery light kiss on the cheek from my affection-shy child. Ahhhh. A moment of pure bliss for a mother starved for the touch of this particular child.

Don't get me wrong, he shows his love in other ways. But my other three kiddos are all cuddly. He's not. Occasionally I can wrestle a hug out of him (literally), but giving and getting kisses are completely taboo. So today, I proudly purchased a kiss on the cheek from my firstborn for the low price of 98 cents. If I could do it every day, I'd gladly pay each time. But I think I'd better relish this particular moment and commit it to memory. It's a rare thing - which makes me treasure it all the more!

Complaint Cure

I'm rather complainy in my heart today, so here's a complaint cure simply because I need it!

Thanking God for ...
~ Rhubarb (read strawberry rhubarb pie, blueberry rhubarb crisp, strawberry rhubarb jam ...)
~ Sunshine! I keep reminding myself of the weeks in winter when we see no sun. Many days in a row of sun is spectacular!
~ Children who can play independently
~ My wonderful husband who did many, many dishes last night.
~ Sabbath
~ That our sabbatical grant application is mailed. Whew!
~ special days: graduation, anniversaries, birthdays
~ a love of reading
~ a flourishing garden
~ friends who are good at fixing things.
~ the fact that God KNOWS me through and through
~ gentle breezes