There's No Place Like Home (3x)

home·bod·y/ˈhōmˌbädē/

Noun: A person who likes to stay at home,

esp. one who is perceived as unadventurous.

Well, no ruby slippers - but I did take a photo over the weekend of these ruby-red Asiatic Lilies.  Aren't they pretty?

I've been thinking a lot about home -- because I haven't been here much lately.  Last week was the second week of my nine-week summer job at our church day camp.  The evenings were filled with volunteering at Vacation Bible School.  The week was -- well, a little random and scattered as far as family and meals and anything resembling our "normal" summer routine.  I love my summer job, but admit that I get a little homesick.

I know that I am privileged (okay, spoiled) as a stay-at-home-mom.  Anytime of the day, I can look out the window at our yard & watch the birds, or check on the latest flowers to bloom, or bake something yummy for my family.  The best part, of course, is being here for our kids!!

I am also privileged to have a job that has accommodated me and my kids for the past six years!  God is good -- all the time.  Can I get an AMEN?

At this time of year, I especially have a new appreciation for working moms.  I don't know how you do this day in and day out.  My kids are a little older, and therefore self-sufficient for the most part.  It gets a little easier each summer.  I cannot imagine working full time with smaller children.  So -- my hat is off to those of you who do this year-round -- no matter what the ages of your children!

Tell me though... Will you share your best kept secret when it comes to keeping your household sane?  Having a menu plan?  Getting dinner on the table?  Getting that never-ending pile of laundry to disappear?

Every year I think I have it figured out, and we do good for about 3 of the 9 weeks, and then we flounder and... fail.  Help.  I want to keep going strong for the nine weeks that I will be working at camp.

Give me your best tips!

I'll share my favorite FIVE, and link to your blog

so that others can find out how fabulous you are!

Thanks for taking the time to share!
(I'll pick 5 commentors by Sunday PM)

Polka Dots and Plaid

A special moment on the last night...

I'm excited.  Our sweet girl returns from her week-long junior-high ministry trip to North Carolina today.  For those of you who have prayed... thank you.

My daughter is one of my life cheerleaders.  She reads me well, and often knows and understands what I am feeling long before anyone else.  She and I have always read one another pretty well.

She is as much a part of me as... my right arm.  And, let me just say that this week while she was gone... Well, my left arm got really tired.

Our week without her has been very full, with lovely weather, and a day-after-day routine.  All good.  But, when she arrives home, our home will go from "living color" to polka-dots-and plaid.  Not in a literal sense of course - but everything that was just "everyday normal" will get spiced up a whole lot -- just because of the enthusiasm that she brings to everything.

I can't wait.  I am SO ready for polka-dots-and-plaid.

Approach with Caution? -- or Enthusiasm?

Lately, I've noticed some interesting patterns in how various generations approach the Lord.

Many people in my parents' generation prayed with "Thee" and "Thou."

I tend to begin with "Heavenly Father."

Our kids say, "Hey God," not with disrespect, but as if they are greeting a friend.

In worship, it used to be typical to bow your head.

I tend to look upward in praise.

Our kids look straight ahead, ready to meet God right there on their turf -- again, as a friend.

It's interesting to see each generation approach the Lord in their own fashion.
I don't believe that one way is correct or incorrect.
Afterall, God DOES know the "attitude" of our hearts!

Ultimately, I think it's most important that we approach God at all -- don't you?

An Update

Thanks for your prayers.  Thanks especially to Carli and Marnie for your sweet comments and prayers for the kids!  We have gotten good reports that the team had a great day of work today -- lots of ditch digging, and setting records with their speed.  I am convinced that people are seeing God (for some, maybe the first time) because of our kids serving in this way.

Please pray that they would continue to serve selfLESSly -- and please continue to pray for their safety.

Thank you.

~Sally

A Prayer Request

Our girl is headed to North Carolina tomorrow with a team of 30 other 8th graders and 7 leaders.  They will be working with ReCreation Experiences.  This is a rural ministry trip geared toward reaching out to people with the gospel through home repair in the mountains of North Carolina.

 Last year, she was blessed to participate in a 4-day ministry trip to Pittsburgh.  At this point, she is starting to realize that this will be the longest that she has been away from her family "alone."  I'm confident that she'll do fine - but this is what is weighing on her right at this moment (and probably keeping her from sleep).

I'm praying that:

1. she and all of her team-mates will get a good night's rest tonight
2. that their travel time will be safe
3. that they will all be too busy during the day, and too tired at night to get homesick
4. that her team (kids and leaders) will be unified, and work well together - living out the love of God
5. that they will sleep well each night
6. that this trip will be injury-free

Will you pray with me?  Thanks so much.  I'm excited to hear the stories they will tell when they return!