Stretched

It's been four days since the kids moved into their new house. Even though I'm excited that we all have our own homes now, I have to admit I've experienced some withdrawal.

• It's very quiet around here....I miss the noise and laughter.
• I have to cook EVERY night (I miss Jami cooking every other night).
• Cooking for 3 is easier than cooking for 8....and the clean up is easier too. I think I came out better on that part.
• No more homework done around our dining room table.
• No more coats and boots left at the front door.
• No more dinner meals to take up to the property
• Less laundry
• The house is easier to keep clean
• Not as many interruptions (i.e Grandma, will you read me this book?)
• No more good night hugs and "I love you's" from the kids

The 9-months that the kids lived here stretched us. Once they left I thought everything would just go back to normal, but our normal has been all stretched out of shape. I feel a little lost. Now I'm wondering what to do with the space and resources we have. How can we be generous with what we've always considered normal. I don't want the stretch marks to go away.....enlarge my heart, O Lord.

Happy 65th Birthday!

I recently celebrated my 65th birthday. My oh my, where did the years go? Well, let's see.....

• 47 years has passed since I graduated from high school.
• 45 years that I've lived in Alaska.
• I've been married 40 years,
• have been a mother for 35 years,
• and a grandmother for 11 years.
• 55 years since I took my first piano lesson.
• 31 years that Dave & I have pastored in Fairbanks. Okay, he's pastored and I've been along for the ride.

This week a friend posted a few pictures of me on facebook. Pictures that were taken back when I was in high school. I recognize myself through my memories, but I don't look like that picture anymore. The smile is about the same, but that girl was very slim, her glasses were scary and what was up with that hair? Sixty-five years of life can't help but change a person's appearance and it also changes a person's heart. Am I.....

• ...more compassionate and merciful?
• ...fulfilling my God given purpose?
• ...loving the Lord above everything else?
• ...seeking excellence?
• ...listening to God and being obedient?
• ...still growing and "living" life?

With each new picture taken, my glasses may get thicker and my hair will turn gray, but I always want the love of Christ to shine through in my smile.