blogger mom

Trey started school today. I was very proud of him, he did a really great job. We have a few concerns about his classroom, but I completely trust his teacher and so I'm just going to wait and see how she handles the situation. He is a very sweet boy, with a very tender spirit. This tender spirit is crushed easily, which makes it hard to leave him sometimes. I want to be with him and protect him. At the same time, Trey can be very independent and I know he is more than capable of handling himself with the help of his teacher. He's excited to go back tomorrow, which is a good thing.

I'm tired. We seem to have adopted quite a few children from the neighborhood over the past few weeks. Of course, we love having them here. They've attached themselves to us quickly and they are all very kind and polite while they are in our home. Here's the problem though, boundaries. My heart hurts for these kids, for so many reasons. And, this is what we've always wanted...it's the reason we moved here. But, I have to find some balance. I obviously need time alone with my own kids, especially Riley who is in school all day. The neighborhood kids are usually on the front porch yelling excitedly before I even can get the door unlocked when I get home from picking up Riley. I need to know about Riley's day. I need nights where I just have dinner with my boys. Their parents are just happy to have them away from their house, so they are not going to be helping me out with the boundary issues. Tonight they all want to come to church with me. Wednesday night church takes a ton of energy. It's crowded and chaotic, which I've described before in earlier posts. Getting my boys there for church and the meal that follows is a chore with Eric at work. So, I told the kids that they were welcome to come, but they needed to bring an adult with them to help with their dinner. They went home to ask their parents to come, but none of them would come with them. They walked over to church by themselves and quickly slipped into the pew with me. We all sat down at one table in the church basement after the service, me and 8 kids (this is about half of my regular crew!). One little boy looked at me and said, "This is great, we're like one big family." His sister responded, "Well, that's kinda what we are." Wow. This would be why setting the boundaries is so hard. Please pray for the kids on Dakota Ave. Pray that God would use our home as He sees fit. Pray for me as I parent my kids in the midst of life here in the Bottoms. Your advice is welcome, leave me a comment!

So, I'm not voting. I officially came to this decision a little over a week ago. I had been planning on voting, and was somewhat excited about the candidate. And then I realized that nothing is really different than it's ever been. It's politics, it's about power. It always has been, always will be. I do find the whole thing fascinating. I've always loved studying American history. I think it's incredibly interesting. A young black man and a young white woman...history will be made. However, I've come to the conclusion that this world's kingdom is not my own, I'm a member of a different Kingdom, one that already has a King. How could I place my name alongside either of these men running to be the commander and chief when I teach my children that Jesus did not choose violence. To Sen. McCain I would like to say that I was deeply offended by your promise to chase well known terrorists to the gates of Hell. I've read the Sermon on the Mount, and I whole heartedly believe Paul's words in Romans.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

And to Sen. Obama, please do not continue to promote yourself as a new hope. We have our Hope. It is in Christ alone.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

So there you have it, not that you asked for it. I did ask for comments on my situation in the neighborhood, however, not on my political views! I didn't post them to debate them, only to state them. I could say more, but really, it's just not near as interesting as life with my kids!

On to more important things than this election...the carrots in our garden our huge. So exciting!

P.S. I will be registering and voting for the Columbus School levy. If I didn't add that I would be receiving a phone call from my father-in-law as soon as he read this!