The Game of Life and Silly Sayings

Since today was Thanksgiving Eve I decided we should get the celebration under way. I told Xavier we could do whatever he wanted. He chose to play a game and asked every 30 seconds from the time I pulled in the driveway, "Can we play now?" Finally we sat down with cold ham sandwiches at the coffee table for The Game of Life. This was the first time he's really been able to do the math himself (for the most part) and work out what bills to give me. I had a sad sobering moment when he drew his Salary Card and I realized the great potential for it to be higher than mine and had to pray for God to guard my heart against covetting. It's a board game!!! He did end up with a higher salary than mine, but come on, $50,000 on each Pay Day should not cause grumbling in my heart. At one point he declared, "Look how many rich dollars I have!" I was encouraging him not to boast in that because it's all a gift and reminding him of Job - that we can lose everything we're given in this world. Just then he landed on a square saying his house was hit by a tornadoe and he had to pay some large sum to fix it. I said to myself, "There, that's what you get." I spun and landed on the same spot a moment later. God mocks proud mockers. He did win the game by a landslide and I was delighted for him.

Because I love reading kids quotes I'm compelled to share some of the ones that have made me smile this week:

During the game tonight Xavier landed on a square that said he had won a talent contest. I asked him what his talent was. He said "Like a squid's talents?" And started walking around like a penguin. It took a few seconds to realize he was thinking of 'tentacles'. I explained the difference and he said his talent would be, "Racing... with my legs."

When he landed on the space to Get Married -

Me: Yea! You're getting married! What's your bride's name?

Xavier: Umm... I'll call her "Cuteness!"

The other day driving on the bypass -

Xavier: Momma, Can I tell you a 'get it joke'?

Me: A 'get it joke'? What's that?

Xavier: A highway, get it? It's high and it's a way.

(I've been waiting for this corny joke age and it's finally hit)

A few weeks ago just laying on the living room floor together trying to make up jokes -

Xavier: Knock Knock

Me: Who's there?

Xavier: Serious

Me: (snickering) Serious Who?

Xavier: Serious Seal

I tried to explain that it doesn't make sense, that's not the way a knock knock joke works, that is wasn't really funny

Xavier: (about 30 seconds later) Then why are you still laughing?

I was still laughing over the fact that he used the word "Serious" as a punch line, I love being silly with him

Last night as we were reading about God saving for himself people from every tribe, tongue and nation I was asking Xavier to think of friends he has that don't quite look like him, that maybe have different colored skin. He didn't seem to get it.

Me: Maybe their skin isn't white like yours.

Xavier: My skin's not white! It's more Taco color.

That is in fact the name written on the crayon he uses to color people's flesh in coloring books.

And I have to throw this one in for Stacey so everyone can see it! Xavier saw a picture of Bo Derek recently (an appropriate one) and said, "That looks just like Mrs. Hoffman." You'll have to tell Al about that one.

Finally, an oldie but a goodie. I think of this every time I see Steve and Marie serving in Children's Ministry like they did last week and I expect will again this Sunday. This is a conversation Xavier and I had some Saturday several months back.

Me: Mr and Mrs Ruoss will be teaching you tomorrow.

Xavier: Ohhh (whiney)

Me: But you love them!

Xavier: I know, but they see everything I do!

Don't they serve us well? ;-)

Sweet Meditations

This has been such a sweet week in the word! Xavier and I just finished Proverbs in our morning reading and we're going through Psalms together again. Today was Psalm 19. I love this Psalm! Sometimes when he's been angry about discipline or he seems to be discouraged I just read through verses 7-11 and have him repeat each line to me. Because God's word is living and active we are both transformed by this practice. We need to be reminded of how good God is and that the boundaries he has set are the outworkings of that. If you're not familiar with this passage I would strongly recommend you review it ASAP. Your heart will be strengthened!

In my personal quiet times I've been reading through Hosea. Wow! God has shown me more mercy than even I know! As I was reading chapter 2 I had to tremble at the wrath I've earned (yet not even close to an appropriate sense of fear). I saw at one point that I was scared to keep reading. I'd had enough. I didn't want to see anymore. But at the height of my sin being laid bare come these words in verse 14, "Therefore (now I'm really scared, what is the result of all I've just read), behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness (I'm cringing at what comes next, but then...) and speak tenderly to her." He offers me a "door of hope" verse 15 says - Christ! "And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me 'My Husband'" v. 16 "And I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD." v. 19-20 Why does he meet my sin with such mercy? How is it that I'm loved by so ferocious a Lover? Even with eternity to worship this God I will never give him his due.

As Xavier often takes longer to eat supper than I do, I try to seize that time for something beneficial. We have what I refer to as a "Dessert Book", which I'll read to him while he's finishing his meal. We've been going through John Piper's "The Passion of Jesus Christ." One night this week we were discussing how Christ has crushed the power of sin and that Satan and the rest of the fallen angels battle against us but Christ has already secured our victory. So most of this goes over a six year old's head. I can't even grasp but tiny bits of it, but if it's in God's word it's worth discussing at the dinner table. I was telling him about that Carman song that depicts the battle that goes on at the cross and how the dark side may have thought God was being defeated as Christ breathed his last. The demons expect a "ten count" but the song portrays the Judge counting backwards, and when he reaches 1 Christ rises in victory. Xavier thought that was pretty funny. I kind of like it myself. As I finish eating I opened the dessert book and read, "He set aside [the legal brief against us], nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." Colossians 2:14-15 These are the same "rulers" and principalities that Eph. 6:12 tells us we battle against. He has disarmed them, triumphed over them, and put them to open shame! Doesn't this book bring the best news to weary sinners? I love it!

In the evenings we've been going through Numbers. I have been sobered by God's patience and just wrath that are shown toward Israel. There is a theme of complaining that runs through the text and how God's anger is kindled over this. I see so much of this in my own heart and I need to revisit these chapters where God's punishment is displayed. One of the passages that sticks out each time I read it though is Numbers 9:15-23 which describes the people following the cloud over the tabernacle. If you've ever questioned me about contentment you may have heard me mention my fear of things staying the same. Not that there's anything wrong with the place I'm in. I just crave change. I like variety. I have to guard against complaining when there seems to be nothing big going on at all. So I love how verse 23 simply says, "At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out." It even specifically says that sometimes it moved the next day and other times it stayed still for days. They just watched and waited and knew that there was no where else for them to be, but where the Lord brought them that day. I want that heart!

Thank you ladies to each of you who have been praying for me. I know I've confessed to several of you over the last year how I can be reluctant to share the gospel with Xavier when I'm faced with his sin. I'm tempted to try bringing conviction myself and not offer him hope until I see that he's sorry. The Lord was showing me this week how he's been at work in my heart here. He has been dazzling me with the gospel and allowing me the joy of holding it out to my son as well! It's been so releasing and has made for sweeter discipline and repentance times together! I'm so glad he loves me enough to discipline me as his daughter and holds me as I seek to follow his gentle example.

Now can I ask for your prayers in another area? A couple of months ago I was having lunch with a dear friend who always tells me the truth in love. As we were discussing something that had been troubling me and revealing my sin that week she concluded that God is walking me through this process of refining and solidfying what I really believe about purity. I didn't give it much thought at the time, assuming that this circumstance would be an isolated one and not really the beginning of a "process". Looks like she was right again ;-) It's had many faces over the last few weeks, but there's definitely a battle going on. Please pray that I would be grounded in truth and able to respond humbly to each new situation that arises while God is teaching me about how to honor him as a single woman. This post is super long already so I won't go in to more detail, but please don't hesitate to ask me about it. I need accountability and confession here. Thanks for being great sisters! I thank God for each of you!

Leaves!!! and some other stuff

I have really been enjoying the leaves changing colors this autumn. Xavier and I act like we're on a thrill ride as I drive him to school in the morning. There's one particular stretch where I say, "Now watch when we go around this corner!" and it seems like each day the leaves are brighter and more diverse in their colors than the day before. It started with a patch of bright red ivy that turned while everything else around it was still green, and it just seems to have spread from there. One more thing I love about living in the country - leaves! We didn't have many of those in Reading.


Here are some pictures of us enjoying our abundant gift of colorful leaves, and a shot of the trees in our yard just because it proves that God gives me the desire of my heart. He knows how I love peach and crimson leaves and that's just what he's given me. Then there's a shot of Xavier hanging one of our "Thankful Leaves". In past November's I've constructed some type of tree and cut out paper leaves for us to write things we are thankful for on. Since we have such lovely little beauties right outside of our door I figured this year I'd skip the time and work of fabricating leaves and just use the real thing. This has allowed us to be more generous with our list as well. Instead of just doing one a day we can grab a handful on the way in after work! God is so good. Here's my favorite part :on my first leaf I wrote "peach colored leaves"; Xavier takes his first leaf and writes, "the cross". We have much to be thankful for!!!

You know I'm excited when I take this many pictures!

our special guests on Saturday enjoying the leaves

Ok, this has nothing to do with leaves, but it's a great picture. He's wearing a mustache as a beard.

Then there was Xavier's first appointment with his new dentist, Dr. Ruoss! He has gone with me to Dr. Ruoss' office a couple of time now and my hygenist showed him how all the equipment works and even let him look at some X-rays. Then he saw Josiah's pictures from the dentist so he wanted me to take a picture of him as well. I'm glad I brought the camera because he did a great job and his hygenist had a pretty smart way of helping kids relax. She gave him some shades to block the bright light they have to shine on you!

Hope you're having a great fall!

Fire Feet

My little man brings me so much joy. I love how God has given him a happy and silly spirit that is eager to make others laugh! We both enjoy a good beat and often have fun (and get exercise) by dancing. This is a clip of him boogying tonight to a Toby Mac song. He talks about "his moves" but I found out tonight he has names for some of them! Look for the part where he pauses for a moment and then you'll see him bust out with his signature move "Fire Feet". Named for the feeling of friction while he's moving like a maniac! If you ever get the chance, you should see how his eyes light up if he hears the song "Footloose". Maybe all of those musicals I've watched with him are paying off. He could be the next Gene Kelly!