Loaves and Fishes . . . or boxes and totes!

The miracle of the loaves and fishes has always been one of my favorites. It speaks to me in a different way. It's about giving the scraps that you have and watching the Lord make them into a feast! It's about magnifying a little bit into "enough and to spare!" It's about power and faith. It's about doing the impossible.

Haley left for Kenya this morning. She knew that her experience would be miraculous in so many ways. Already, we have seen the hand of the Lord in her decision, the people we have met and the means by which she has reached this point. It has been a testimony to me that when you put your feet on the path and tell the Lord what you are willing to do, HE will do the rest.

When we arrived at the airport this morning with Haley's two bags and one tote full to capacity with supplies, we were greeted by the travel manager. She had two airport carts piled high with boxes of supplies that needed to go with the group - in their bags!

I sincerely doubted that they would be able to transport the gross amount of goods. Haley started shoving items into every nook and corner. I wondered how she would make the weight restrictions because we were right on the limit when we arrived.

As other group members came and bags and totes were opened, readjusted, weighed, weighed again, and finally checked; the piles of full boxes disappeared. Soon, there was nothing left but a stack of empty boxes by the garbage can.

I was talking to the mother of another girl who was going on the expedition. Her daughter was going for a second time to check on a foundation she had started herself. Her mother told me that on the first trip she made, her daughters bag weighed nearly 100 lbs. when they weighed it at home. Yet, when it was placed on the scale to be checked at the airport, it weighed only 50 lbs.

Is there any question how desperately these supplies are needed in Africa? It's like the loaves and fishes in reverse. It is no less of a miracle that an already-too-heavy bag can suddenly hold more and weigh less??

It is remarkable to watch the Lord make the impossible possible. The adventure has only begun. May the miracles continue!!

Oh the Places you'll go!

"You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And you are the guy who'll decide where to go."

You've got to love Dr. Seuss!! "Oh the Places you'll go, Oh, the thinks you can think!" It's been a week of new "thinks," new places, and new experiences!

A million years ago when I was nearing the end of my mission, I had a companion that had great life motto. She made it a goal to learn something new everyday.

While we were companions we made chocolates, crocheted baby shoes, twisted wire and bead mini trees, etc. We played new games, learned to give discussions in new ways and did service in ways we never thought possible. Everyday was an adventure, and I admit, that it was a pretty great way to live.

I thought about my old companion this week, and I vowed to try something new. Monday was Haley's birthday, and she had declined the offer for any sort of get together in celebration. So, I decided that I would try to decorate a birthday cake for her using fondant. I have always wanted to take a class to learn how to make fondant. But, true to my style, I decided I could figure it out by myself. After all, no one would ever see it, and there was NO PRESSURE!!

The process was tons of fun. The result - something less than complete catastrophe! Haley changed her mind and had some friends drop by - none of whom were cake critics and all of whom were very easily impressed! (Truthfully, most of whom could not have cared less about the cake!!)

Learning something new proved to be exciting and rewarding. And, I was sold on the prospect of learning something new everyday. Then Wednesday came around. There was a Real Soccer game at the Rio Tinto Stadium Wednesday night, and the Jordan High soccer team was in charge of manning one of the concession stands for a fund raiser. I was on the schedule to work the event. I know that they sell beer at the events, but I just never figured that I would be the one serving up those frothy cups!!

Needless to say, I am not well-versed in the lingo associated with pouring on tap beverages! All I know is that I probably poured a good portion of the keg down the drain trying to learn how to fill a cup with beer instead of foam!! Who knew there was actually some skill involved?? It is not a skill I am proud of. Nor is it one I ever expect to use again. However, it definitely qualified as "learning something new!!"

There are lots of fascinating things to learn in this life - most of which do not involve beer, drinking, or anything else associated with habits I would prefer to stay far away from. The fact is that learning new things makes life interesting. I hope it will make me braver, less self-conscious and more well-rounded. Who knows, maybe I will even find something I am good at?!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Haley, Dear!!

Haley is officially no longer a teen! I was shocked when she said that she didn't want to have friends or family over on her birthday. After all, it's a tradition!! It is the night we can count on the police coming to our house to inform us that we are too loud!!

Luckily, she changed her mind at the last minute. I think the thought of celebrating June 7th without Ben was a little depressing, and she decided that being surrounded by friends is always a good thing!

"I don't know who would come," was her first response. But Haley has great friends who always come through for her.

She can always count on the "Six Kicks" (minus Brook who is in Ecuador) to show up and make their own fun.

It was also fun to see some old soccer buddies and friends from the past.

The boys are few and far between right now, but the remaining and returning members of the high school group are great to stop by.

It is no surprise that the friends always come to see Haley. She places friendship at the top of her list of priorities. Friendship is a premium to her. She would prefer a real friend over just about anything else in the world - and she has always been blessed with the best!!

The Price of Parenting

It is one of those days when I have "thought" myself into a corner. Too many reflections on parenting and what is best for the kids. I am at the point where I wonder if I really know any more than my 14 year-old?! Here is what I believe...

1. It is important that everyone gives up on their own dreams in their own time and is not compelled to give them up because of imposed limitations.

2. It seems completely ironic to pay for my children to have experiences so they can find out answers that I already know. On a balance sheet, I believe that would be considered an unnecessary expense.

3. It seems even more ironic that I will have to pay for the experience itself, then pay to fix the mistake, and ultimately pay for the solution!! Really, are there any principles of good budgeting in that approach?!!

4. The price of experience is invaluable? I guess it really depends on who is writing the check! I guess we will be getting out the pen once again!

Honestly, there is a great deal to be learned by making your own choices and living with the consequences. Lucky for me, in matters that really count, the choices my children have made have, for the most part, been right. I think that "she who yells loudest" should have the say in things that don't matter! I would definitely win that battle.