musings of one who is following The Road

I've become one of those that has let Facebook overtake the blogworld. I don't really like it but eh, that's life. I enjoyed blogging daily or several times a week. Now I don't even necessarily have time most weeks. Ah well. But today I do, nearly 2 months has passed since my last post but here I am again. :)

Monday we returned home from a week-long trip to California. We went to Redding to Bethel church - took in every service and class we could. And we took 24 hours to visit the Redwoods and the angry Pacific coast. Wonderful time!

But even as we started the trip, family life was a litttle...tense. I'm not sure if it's entirely spiritual or entirely just a 'life' problem or more than likely, a little of both...but home life seems to have been a little rough lately. We're fine and happy on the road but put our family at home for more than 24 hours and we turn into grumpy, growly creatures. Not pretty. And not Godly.

So, after Day 1 being ugly we prayed and determined to let God do what He needed to to break the ugliness. We came home refreshed and happy, walking in the Kingdom of God. We committed to bringing that Kingdom culture with us and to pull on His mercies to help us walk by the Spirit. So far, so good. :)

It's truly only by His grace that our lives can be different than the vast mass of humanity.

Besides the spiritual atmosphere of our home becoming one of joy and peace, I decided another change needed to be made and what better time? I've been telling myself since we moved here in June that I needed to get off my duff and exercise. So, I started Tuesday at 6:45am after just 4 1/2 hours of sleep. And since I managed to pull it off, I got up again after just 4 1/2 hours of sleep. I'm feeling the effects now and I don't plan on being sleep-deprived for the rest of my life but I am determining to get up and get down into 'my' gymnasium and walk/jog my little heart out most days of the week. With some sprints up and down our 22 stairs as well. Yay.

So I am thankful. Thankful for so much but especially thankful for the mercies of the Lord and grace to make needed changes in life. God has been so faithful in this new journey of our lives and I want to show myself faithful to Him. I don't want to be a hearer (and speaker) only of His Word, I want to live it and live in His Kingdom - which is righteousness, peace and joy!

In 7 days, I will be on my way to France, with my husband! I'm totally excited to have the opportunity to serve Jesus on the other side of the world. Of course, there's the mixed feelings of leaving my kids for 2 weeks and the thought of having to travel home alone, so I don't have to leave my kids for 3 weeks. (Mitch will be staying 1 more week) Those feelings make me a little queasy.

France is actually a very oppressed and dark place, spiritually. And since we booked our flights a few weeks ago, we've experienced some pretty hefty opposition. Car troubles, my phone totally freaked out on me, and we lost not 1 but 2 computer hard drives which included ALL the kids' schoolwork for the last 3 months. So not cool. But we're pressing one and Jesus is gonna win this one!

Right now we're in a week-long intense time of prayer and fasting for our trip and for France in general. I'm so very thankful for all our friends and partners who are supporting us in prayer.

We basically lost a week of school days, trying to get the computers back up. I'm adapting and trying to get the kids to a good 'pausing' place - that isn't the same place I had originally planned. I'm hoping their brains don't turn to mush. :)

Two weeks ago, I reconnected with an old family friend. She's actually my mom's age and I babysat her kids. I always loved hanging out at her house, helping with her kiddos. Now that her kids are all grown up - and all serving Jesus - I am pulling on all her wisdom in child-raising. This spiritual mamma is an answer to prayer - a friend and a mentor, all in one.

So that's the quick catch-up. Hope to post photos when we return! Au Revoir!

The start of a new week begins. A busy one, leading to a busy 45 days. I feel like our life (like probably most peoples) is on 'dull' for a stint then 'insane' for a stint. I've been soooo missing the road and finally get to go out next weekend. Just in Nebraska and back home again. But 2 weeks later, we're out over the weekend, home two days then on to France!

My part of the France trip is for 2 weeks - the longest I've ever been away from the kids. Mitch will be gone another 7 days past me. He'll be home a week, then we're out again for a weekend. Then another few days. Then a week (hopefully). Then....

OK, I'm getting ahead of myself but I'm so ready to go! I do think these last weeks home have really helped us get established in our school schedule and such. I'm sure it's the mercy of God - just hard to see that when I'm anxious!

So yes, as we've been home, I've:

been getting more confident in my barista-ing job

finished reading "The Lord of the Rings"

started a book on the Crusades (almost done with it)

got the kids (and me) in a good schedule with school

started the kids in dance one day a week

been ever contending for the sale of our house - and thanking Jesus for being faithful to provide in the meanwhile

watched the new church facility taking shape, praying for it to be done in 2 weeks before my hubby - the project manager - is gone for a month

prayed for grace to enjoy the moment instead of long for a new one!

Today was a full day! Worked on school with the kids - well 2 of them anyway. Child #2 woke up at 6am, did all her work, then went back to bed. All before any of us were up. Whatever. :)

Mitch took said child out for lunch - a mini daddy/daughter date thing they've started up recently. A very good thing. I hope it continues. They were home before 1pm, when I had to leave for work.

Yes, the 'job' is going well. I'm starting to feel a little more confident and even stayed by myself for an hour or so today. Only messed up one drink! A lady asked for and payed for a single shot latte, I gave her a double. Oops. She probably be up all night. Or not.

After I got home from work, I had about an hour and a half before I volunteered to help with Children's Church tonight. A VERY sparse happening for me, but my sister called me pretty desperate yesterday. How can you say no to your sis? Anyway, it was just a pizza party and treasure hunt for about 55 kids. I had the 3rd & 4th graders. Fun times.

Then I had to make the Wal-Mart run. Yikes. Not my fav. But when you're out of water bottles, mascara, hair spray and toilet paper, what do ya do? Very important items there, folks!

Now I'm listening to the kids sing "Mighty to Save" and Corey Asbury leading worship via IHOP prayer room webstream. I think it's time for the kids to go to bed. ;)

Mitch and I have a movie but I don't think I'm gonna make it. Better save it for tomorrow night, I think.

All in all, I had a very satisfactory 09/09/09. How 'bout you?

I just noticed that my battery on the laptop is about dead and I'm not a fan of standing at my desk (no chair) to plug it in soooo, this will be short. Not much to say anyways, it's just a 'holiday' and we have no school and no plans. So I figured it was a good day to blog!

No plans I guess isn't true, that should read no plans until about 6pm. Last minute last night, I called up my sisters and parents. I have no extra food but it seemed wrong that we all live in the same town and spend the day apart. Everyone will bring their own food basically but we'll eat together! The kids can play in the gym while we chat. Seems good.

I'm excited to begin the week with a day off. The last few Mondays, it seems, Mitch and I have been out of town so the week starts on Tuesday with a whirlwind of activity. I'll finish up my weekend cleaning today and print off school plans and we'll be ready for the day tomorrow!

Can't wait to get back on the road in a couple weeks. It's been WAY TOO LONG for me. Then we're pretty booked through November with only a couple weekends at home. I love being around the body of Christ far and wide and seeing people encountered by the Love and Power of Jesus thrills my heart to no end.

Better get this thing plugged in before I lose it all. Have a Happy Labor Day, all!

Interesting how I've been pondering how my day/week should look when we're home - I write up a schedule, then I get a job! :)

Really, it shouldn't even be called a 'job'. Basically I will work 8-10 hours a week (when I'm home) at a local coffee shop. If you can call that work or a job. I'm not sure I can! It's a shop owned by some good friends of ours, been open about 7 years. She just needs a little help so she doesn't have to work 12+ hour days on her work days. I will take the afternoon shift on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

This should break up the monotony while I'm home, the kids can hang with Mitch and the side bonus is a little extra cash to help the monthly budget! Of course, a coffee shop is my dream so I'm pretty much thinking I'm Jesus' favorite!

Crazy how I got the job. I was there having coffee with a friend. Had a random thought while using the bathroom there - "If she ever needed someone to work a few hours a week, this would be a great place for me." Later that afternoon, I ran into ________ in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Out of the blue, she says, "You wouldn't want to work a couple afternoons a week, would ya?" Helllloooo. I told her I better run it by my husband but yeah, seemed good to me and the Holy Spirit. ;)

And so, I continue my streak of having multiple jobs but never applying for a job! I've never 'looked' for a job and every job I've ever had, I was approached by the employer. How cool is that?!?

I mean that in the most light-hearted way for sure! Here's somewhat of a schedule I've mapped out for our days at home - our school days that is. We take Fridays off, except for catch-up or projects so it won't look the same.

7:30-ish  :)  - Me up, have my 1st cuppa and read my Bible

8:15 I go ahead and shower and get ready for my day - having my next dose of java

9 or 9:30 Two big kids up (and dressed)
  I do Bible with them while they eat breakfast

About 10 they can start on their own assignments and I'm available to help
At this I TRY to rouse the Rob-head. Even though, with her asleep or busy, I can put my focus to the big kids.

At this time, things get liquid. Generally, the kids can be done around 1 and we'll eat lunch then. If it seems to be a grueling day, we'll take a lunch break and get back to things after lunch.

Depending on how much of my help Jaci and Chandler need, I can work with Robin before lunch or after.

When school's done, the kids pretty much do their own thing. I did sign them up for dance so our Tuesday afternoon/evenings will be filled with that.

I got offered a VERY flexible part-time job today. My dream job really - working at a coffee shop just a few blocks away. The couple that owns it goes to our church and knows our life and ministry plans. It would just be a couple afternoons a week when I'm home. Seems like a no-brainer though I'm making sure God isn't giving me a 'don't do it'. Mitch is great with it, as long as it's flexible (like it is). So I may be a part-time barista by next week!

As the year progresses, I want to 'monitor' the kids after-school life. I don't want them overloaded on stuff or be too rigged but I don't want them sitting around bored either so hopefully, life isn't too slow too often.

Looking at what time the kids wake up, it should be noted that they have been going to bed around midnight - Robin more like 1:30. I think that as winter sets in, their body clocks will hopefully realize that children really should be in bed a little earlier than this! But at this point, our life seems to lend itself  to staying up this late for all of us. When we're on the road doing services, this is normal anyway - so I'm going with the flow.

After several weeks of meandering through summer in a new setting, and a few random thoughts of wondering what our schedule 'should' look like - this past weekend's message at church sealed the deal. I NEED a schedule - flexible, yes. Probably will NOT get followed more than it WILL - but yes.

I need a God-inspired flexible schedule for our days. Mainly when we're at home, not on the road. Though the more we ARE on the road, I'm going to have to figure those days out as well.

So, yeah, this past weekend, our pastor preached on living life to the fullest, no regrets, make a difference, yada-yada-yada. Stuff we hear all the time but at a season in life when it's probably time for the 'adjustment period' to be over, I needed a good kick in the pants.

I hate to be a time waster. I mean, I'm all for relaxing and not just spinning my wheels for the sake of spinning but a tad bit of discipline would be a good thing, ya'll. Being deliberate about LIVING life would be good too - I don't really want to flounder around, not impacting the world around me....mainly in the little, everyday life kind of way.

A few years ago, I was inspired with the idea of  'intentional parenting'. Now it's time to LIVE intentionally. Deliberately. It's time. I have a couple things on my 'daily need to do' list that aren't happening, like at all, and I need a plan to change that. Write the vision. Make it plain. That's my mode right now. Seeking God for that flexible, grace-filled outline of what a day in the Stroda home should like like. Then writing it down. And thanking Him for the power to carry it out!

It's 2:38am and all is well. Actually, I'm really ready to quit being single chic and have my husband come home but other than that, all is well.

After several days of partying, today we officially recognized the 11th birthday of my firstborn lovely! Ah, my Jaci Taylor. Beautiful, mature, athletic, witty girl that she is. She is such a joy and a blessing to our family! It's a priviledge watching and guiding this little lady in life. I'm excited about the plans the Lord has for her, over the next months and the next years of her life. I pray I can equip and empower her as I should for the life the Lord has for her. I pray that her heart is soft toward the Lord and she knows His fiery love for her, all the days of her life. And because of His passion for her, I pray that her passion for Him would be aroused and intense, especially in the teen years. Happy, happy birthday my eldest baby!

With that, I should really try and get some sleep. Not for any reason, I guess, except that is what people do. I'm thankful for a slow day tomorrow, for real. Maybe I'll even sleep past 8!

Gosh, I used to blog nearly everyday. What has my life become? Time cannot be an excuse right now. Maybe bloggability? Whatever.

So, my husband is away for another week. He's an a 10 day ministry trip, solo. Well, without us anyways. He is ministering with one of our dear friends and mentors in the ministry way out in Vermont. I guess they're traveling to several areas in the state and keeping very busy.

Us girlies decided we need to keep pretty busy while Daddy's away and I think we're doing a pretty good job at it! Of course, this weekend was church - we had a special speaker and I helped out with worship at the Saturday night service (which we usually don't go to).  Last night, the youth had a lock-in here, so we hung out in the gym for a while. I had the ride of my life when 2 of the guys pulled me around the gym floor on a blanket. Dude! Way fun. I might have discovered a new date night activity for Mitch and I. :)

Tomorrow night, we are celebrating Jaci's birthday with family and she's having a couple girlfriends spend the night. Wednesday, we're traveling a couple hours down the road to visit the waterpark for the day. I think we'll continue east and do a night in a hotel 'just for fun' and then let the girls visit friends from 'our previous life'. I'm hoping to get in a hair appointment as well!

Friday is Jaci's birthday so we'll have to atleast go out to eat to celebrate. ;o) I'm hoping that weekend breezes by and then on the Monday we pick up Mitch. Looks easy on paper, harder when I'm sitting here by myself, ya know?

School has been going relatively well. I think the computer deal (Alpha Omega's Switched-on-Schoolhouse) is great but also a slight adjustment for the kids going from public school with plenty of hands on and social activity to staring at a computer screen for several hours a day. They're doing great, we just have our moments.

The kids spend ample time with their friends from church and I console (or justify) myself by remembering their friends will be in school soon and this is what summertime is for. Right?

We've adjusted quite well back into our old life's routine. Late nights, late mornings. I suppose part of that is summer too. An example: it's 8:35 and we have not had supper, nor have the kids even asked for it. I imagine we'll eat around 9 (if their friends leave soon). Bedtime is generally midnight-ish for them and often 1 or 2 for Mitch and I. Good, bad (usually ugly!) I don't know but tis life for now. Yea, the summertime scoot!