Geocaching and War Wounds

We just got back from a long, much needed weekend at the lake. It is a wonderful blessing to have friends who love us enough to share one of their most precious possessions- their lake home. We don’t take this blessing for granted and are thankful to have an escape from the everyday burdens of this world, even if is it for a few days. I refer to the Davis Family Cabin as, “My Happy Place.”  When one sits on the front porch you can’t help but think you have a front row seat to heaven. The view will take your breath away.

We decided to share the love this weekend by inviting some friends to spend a day with us. We cooked the most amazing steaks, enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship, did a little fishing off the boat dock, (no luck there) and then the Indians got restless. I think it’s pitiful that children aren’t content with just sitting on a front porch gazing at the beauty of nature. What has happened to society as a whole?

Everything changed in a moment when Clint suggested we go geocaching. Geocaching is a global treasure hunting game where participants locate hidden physical containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share their experience online. There are more than 1.2 geocaches hidden worldwide. Go to www.geocaching.com for more info.

Is there and app for that? Absolutely. We quickly located one a few miles away on a hiking trail so off we went. This is our team minus me and Chandler. I was taking the picture and Chandler was retrieving my water bottle.

When we were within 70 feet of discovering our very first geocache, My husband decided to take us to the cliff area. He was convinced it was somewhere up there. After a lot of blood (I’m not kidding about that) sweat and some fake tears, we came up empty handed and further away from the treasure. So we headed back to the point of deviation. Note to self: Don’t ever deviate. Stay the course.

Oh my word. The excitement gets a little intense as you near the vicinity of the geocache. After an hour long search we finally found it.

It was so much fun. The deal is, you sign a book to say you have been there and then you leave something in the box. You may take a treasure, only if you leave a treasure. The kids had so much fun. As for the adults, I think we had more fun.

Back at the cabin we were reviewing our day’s adventure. We gave Ed a hard time for taking us off the path, for causing us all to bleed. Deep down we were all thankful that it was part of the journey. It made it more exciting. I told everyone, in reference to our cuts and scrapes, “these are our war wounds.”  Everyone looked at me like that doesn’t sound right. Meredith said, “you mean battle scars.”  I always mess up little clichés.

Yes, battle scars. That’s it. Grateful to bear them on my body. Also grateful to bear the battle scars of this life. The times I have deviated from the path God has chosen for me have caused me great pain. I am thankful for a God who loves me enough to let me find my way. He never forces us but is always there to guide us. AND because of His great faithfulness towards me He will ultimately use everything…every pain, every struggle, every disappointment for His Glory. Praise Jesus.

Comfortable with Uncomfortable

Well the title says it all. Lesson #1 learned in 2010. Becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Let's face it. No one likes to be uncomfortable. I am the absolute worst about this. I must have the thermostat set at 67 degrees each night. I like the room super cold and I can get really cranky if my sweetheart forgets to turn it down before he comes to bed. I can actually tell if it is set one degree higher. I'm seriously twisted. I have learned that the pursuit of comfort can easily become an idol in one's life. Africa was good for me for this one reason alone. The entire trip was one giant leap out of my comforts. (not to be confused with comfort zone. Comforts. Those wonderful things in life I have come to worship and adore)

God has been taking me to school on this. My husband is a Realtor and we have (so far) survived this real estate crash. The times of discomfort, fear and frustration we have felt are beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I won't go into detail, but I will tell you that after this 4 year battle with the business I have finally learned to be comfortable with uncomfortable. Is it a settling for less and a resolve that this is the way it is going to be from here on out? Absolutely not. We are believing God for some awesome things in our lives. We are on our faces daily pleading with Him for opportunity, open doors and buyers.

Life just seems to roll so much smoother when I learn to find comfort in the uncomfortable. It is a place that is fostered in complete trust and a deep abiding faith. It is a place where great transformation occurs. I can honestly say I am changed. And I hope this transformation looks more like Jesus. I think it does. I am more calm. I don't get depressed as often. I have fewer "freak out" moments with my kids. It is the most amazing thing. I have come to truly understand that He is faithful. He will never leave us of forsake us. He is always good. And He uses painful, ugly, uncomfortable times in our lives to make us more like Him.

My prayer is that my children will remember a mom and dad who never wavered in unbelief. A mom and dad who truly lived out their faith. A mom and dad who knew what it meant to be comfortable with uncomfortable.

Are you going through some uncomfortable times in your life? Stressful situation at work or home. Financial. Marital. Wayward children. Learn to embrace them as gifts from God. Openly accept the fact that the very situation He has brought into your life is meant to transform you into His image. Sounds crazy doesn't it? Be encouraged today dear friend. God loves you and has plans to prosper you not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope. And hope never disappoints.

4th Quarter Parenting

Hello Blog. It's been a while. I did very little writing in 2010 except for what is in my journal. I would mark it as one of the most amazing years I have had with the Lord. The message from His heart to mine was one of consistency and great relevance. I will be blogging about the top 10things God taught me in 2010 over these next few months. Can't wait to share them with you.

But first things first. One of the things I like about myself is that I am a morning person. I love the early morning. I love the quiet, stillness. I love getting my cup of coffee and turning on the fire. (love my gas logs) I love opening the Word of God and wondering what He is going to speak into my life of this particular day. I love covering my family in prayer and asking God to go before us, to bless us and for His favor to shine upon us. I am so thankful for God's Word and His faithfulness to me and my family.

Ha, my family. They can all sleep til 10:00 or later. And even on school days they kick into high gear around 9:00.p.m. All 3 of them. It drives me nuts. Most days I have been up since 4:45 or so and by 9:00 I am toast. This is one of those things I have to fight in motherhood. I have to tell myself this is THE 4TH QUARTER. The game is not over. I have to pull up myself up by my bootstraps and stay in the game. After all, I want to win the game. I want to leave it all on the field.

Last night I literally drug myself upstairs to their rooms to begin our "good-night' routine.
As I was tucking Katelyn in, I said to her, "Do you know what I love about you?" Her eyes lit up and I could clearly see that she couldn't wait to be bathed in the love, acceptance and encouragement that only a mother can give. I told her that I loved her heart for Jesus and that she was one of the sweetest, most kind people I had ever known. She smiled. And then she returned the blessing. My heart was overwhelmed as she shared what she loved about me. We prayed together and I was reminded how precious these moments can be and I was thankful that I did not send her off with a kiss, crawl into my own bed and miss altogether the blessing God had for me.

Many times in the late evening the window of my teenager's heart will open. In simple terms: she wants to talk in lieu of texting. That is not the time for me to sit on the bench. It is time for me to stay in the game. To finish strong. I was reminded once again how important 4th Quarter Parenting can be. Most of the time, it is the most critical time of the day...the time when the hearts of our children are open and their cups are ready to be filled.

The older my children get, the more difficult this becomes. I know they need it. I know how very important this is in their lives. I am committed to 4th Quarter Parenting this year and believing that the seeds of God's love that will be planted into their hearts will produce young women who diligently seek after the heart of God.