It’s happened. I wondered when it would and how it would feel. Now I know. Our children are starting their married lives, arriving at an age I can clearly remember experiencing . They are living what David and I so enjoyed nearly 33 years ago. It’s crazy.
They’re falling in love, getting married, renting 1st apartments, starting 1st real jobs, making job changes, moving, looking for homes of their own, getting 1st pets, experiencing a 1st pregnancy, having babies!
My younger years are harder for me to tap into as far as emotions and feelings. However, if I think through my early 20’s I’m there feeling every thrill, reliving all the excitement as the drama unfolded. Each event led me to the next, which brought such growth and change.
Standing in the calm ocean, neck-deep with our son and his pregnant wife- it hit me hard, “I remember this! David & I stood in this same location at the same beach with my parents -at about the same point in life. My mom told me then, “Don’t wish this time away, that baby will never be less trouble than it is right now.” Haha
Mom’s words of wisdom were right of course. Yet I did wish my pregnancy faster and all the growing pains that eventually followed. Until today, as a grandma myself, I see the beauty of growing through each and every stage.
David and I have come in a lovely full circle, looking into the face of where we started. And it is a wonder. God is ever abundant with His blessings. Our own journey continues, of course, and we can’t see what’s ahead, but I’m determined to savor each new unfolding God offers ❤️ especially the ones of this next generation.
Texting with a friend over current conflicting medical statements today, she said, “Im definitely concerned-but what do we believe?” Such a great question for all followers of Jesus/members of the Body/His Bride!
An Angel told Daniel in 12:4 at “the time of the end – Many will run to and fro, and knowledge will increase.” This word knowledge in Hebrew is “daath” meaning: wittingly cunning, ignorantly unawares. I think we must be near because information is flying about and it’s hard to decipher what is actually truth.
We must seek wisdom, but before making any clear evaluation- I try to remember His promises to me. It’s a daily exercise of reading and rereading scripture. Here are some of my favorite truths:
Whenever I feel forgotten or alone: “Therefore the LORD waits [expectantly] and longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed (happy, fortunate) are ALL those who long for Him [since He will never fail them].” Isaiah 30:18 AMP
Whenever David has been in the hospital near death… Psalms 139:16 has helped me: Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded in Your scroll before one of them came into existence.
When the world’s toubles seem too much: “… how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? …how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” Isaiah 40:27-29 NLT
Oh the riches of God’s Word! The older I grow the more I discover and love to ponder. He promises to make us wise when we study it… to bring us peace when we store it in our minds… and Hope beyond measure when we believe it in our hearts.
Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
Fill my mind and heart, LORD so that I can point to Jesus – make me a shine for You 🌟
=For fun I went back and wrote out the schedule from a day of homeschooling with my kids. The last blog brought back so many memories of special moments – having them at home. Even now we laugh about those sweet and funny times.
Our mornings started about 7am (6:30 for me to exercise) with light room chores and breakfast while we watched a short video. We began at 8:30 with Bible reading and language arts workbooks, writing exercises and spelling. Math followed, before eating a snack and listening to a history related read- a-loud on the couch and floor. My artistic students always colored and traced art while I read. “Keep their hands busy” was my motto.
We took a quick run and jump around outside, before getting lunch together (sometimes cooking), followed by a good clean up. Next we dove into science, while the little ones napped. This led to “Quiet Time” for everyone in every grade. A reading hour or time to write a paper, maybe work on the computer. This also offered one-on-one with the newest reader.
My favorite activities came after nap: art, music, dancing. Fridays were “Park Days” with other homeschool families. Eventually I added gymnastic classes which took up more and more afternoons… then soccer practice with weekend games. In the cooler weather we went camping, in the hot weather we played at the pool. Every venue offered a classroom for learning.
Of course there were difficulties; tears of frustration at not getting something the first time (math!), little ones who messed up an older child’s creation, a few class pets that died or got away (butterfly, hermit crab, fish, turtle, bird), irritation over a book that was too long, slow or uninteresting- ugh. And stress for the teacher. I ran by a detailed schedule, checking off endless lists. Very conscientious to the point of paranoia. I was always concerned I’d mess them up. I used to get a twitch in my eye around October that lasted until spring.
But every August our books and notes would arrive in a box – exciting! I loved the stories and learning and art and teaching! Bright little faces and eager minds. I treasured being the one to watch them grasp a new skill, listen to their discoveries and marvel at their creativity. Such personalities: we had a class clown who was always finished early and caused trouble, a grumpy morning girl who did NOT want to be touched, another who fell asleep any time it got quiet, a student who rushed through his work in order to play legos… and an expert arguer with answers printed in the Teacher’s Guide!
I wish I could go back knowing who they have become today. What a blessing. What a gift. Homeschooling
Before we started our family I taught ballet to hundreds of dancers at several different schools. Their ages ranged from 5 to young adult. My focus was primarily technique and setting pieces for performances, but I dabbled in choreography and costume making. These stars-to-be came from all social backgrounds and skill levels… it was such a thrill to find a natural performer or some other God-given skill set.
5 years of teaching classes in 4 different states, gave me the opportunity to watch behavior in children. Something that stood out repeatedly were homeschoolers. I got pretty good at guessing who they were: they listened better, picked up faster and behaved above the crowd. This really intrigued me.
David and I spent time talking with the families. I had so many questions and they were eager to share their experiences. One mother of 13 really encouraged me, “If you can read, you can homeschool.” And she was right! We prayed and started our oldest with preschool, adding a grade each year and a new student every 2 years. Soon my bookshelf and schedule were full. Such fun, fun days of snuggling, reading, experimenting and learning together.
Today, I can’t believe how the homeschool movement has grown. Most of the country reluctantly and involuntarily gave it a try in 2020. I noticed, however new respect for parents who actually choose this route of education. I thrilled hearing about all the latest innovations and on-line help for moms. I might’ve lasted into the high school years if I’d had such support. As it was… our students became too smart for me and off they flew. I was thankful for the years I had with them.
Formal school definitely offered its unique avenues to each of our kiddos… for that I am grateful as well. Like I always say, God uses everything!
“For this reason the LORD is ready to show you mercy; He sits on His throne, ready to have compassion on you. Indeed, the LORD is a just God; all who wait for Him in faith will be blessed.” Isaiah 30:18
Wedding week for our 1st born held so many last minute tweaks. Breathe, smile, relax. I told myself, “God’s got this like He’s had all the details leading to this day.” Bit by bit I believed He would use it for His Glory, because He’s so good at that.
My job was to rest, wait on Him, and simply enjoy… do the next thing and watch all His mercies unfold. I knew God, who has carried us through all her years and so many trials had treasure waiting if I would only look to see.
Treasure beyond measure- that was what this wedding felt like to me. More than I could’ve imagined or asked for. So much more than any of us deserved. Grace on top of Grace: beautifully blended family, plenty of everything, smooth sailing. There were blessings at every turn.
Only our great God can do such unexplained things. Who can measure Him or define Him? Who can possibly predict how He will work? Who can fathom His generosity and love? What a celebration, Mr & Mrs Edmonds! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
My last nutrition post was July 2019! My daughter and I were starting a “nutritarian” (vegan on steroids) 42 day challenge by Dr Furhman. His Eat To Live book is must if you have any health issues. I made it all the way to lock-down in 2020. I love eating Vegan, but it does take time, shopping and for a while there we were still trying to figure everything out.
Like the rest of the world, the aim was to survive and build up everyone’s immune system. Our son had surgery early on for thyroid cancer and my husband developed shingles in the eye – horrors! Later on in December he defied death again with another rare and unidentified lung infection requiring extensive life threatening surgery. We all just prayed, Please don’t let him get covid too!
All that to say, I was not thinking much about my own diet or nutrition. and by the time 2021 came rolling through I needed a plan. I picked up Keto, my former go-to for a quick fix. So opposite to Veganism, it’s all meat and fat. I faithfully followed this until spring without the usual success- then sought something new. Why not the old fashion “no fat/low fat.”
Bingo! This meshed up well with fruits and veggies coming into season and has worked like a gem. The stored pounds started melting away. I took a trip and got off course a tad but no trouble picking up and charging on. The big wedding for our daughter is in 6 days and I’m down 12lbs. Thankful to find what will work at age 54!
Some time in the fall of 2019, my hip began to cause me greater and greater pain after running. Dancers over 50 are notorious for “labrum fissures” – tiny tears in the lining of the hip socket after many years of joint stress. Therapy via “pilates” has equal or better results to surgery. So I gave myself therapy for a year. Sadly, running isn’t on the schedule anymore unless I’m ready some serious pain afterwards. Slow walking, weight lifting, very straight lunges and lots of sit-ups are my daily routine. I’ll do whatever i need to to be fit for the grand babies.
Hope this update helps someone else 🙂
ForGlorySake!– Anna
Trying a selfie with the newest grand baby… how do moms do this? Haha
When I traveled with ballet Magnificat over 33 years ago 😵 we had this saying, “Just another opportunity for the Lord to be glorified.” Meaning, we need a miracle. I heard this often as our small troop of dancers faced high demands on a minuscule budget. During some 200 performances my first year; vans broke down continually, donations were often not enough to cover necessities- much less emergencies and the schedule was physically demanding weekly. We survived on the grace of God and a lot of faith!
Those were precious days. They taught me to wait and trust God for our next meal …next home-stay …and the strength to keep dancing across the country. God knew we needed fuel for both bodies and vehicles. He knew we needed nightly rest to keep going… and tires to get us to the each location. I remember once pulling off the road in the dark rain to pray for the broken windshield wipers on our bus! Like every other time, God provided. He sent a mechanic to that very spot who had worked on our type of old bus. He fixed the mechanism and replaced the wipers with new ones in his truck!
I kid you not.
We asked and He answered, time after time, miraculously. I don’t think I have ever experienced such daily God-ordained occurrences as during those years. It grew my faith in a deep deep way. I learned: God can and He will, because He already did yesterday. Our director reminded us often that God had called her to begin this ministry, had opened 100s of doors, so… off course He would provide what we needed.
All these things became precious building blocks preparing me for marriage and raising children. I hung onto those memories and the knowledge of all God had done. Through journaling I began to see that when He’s your ONLY hope of rescue, it will be miraculous. Delayed flights, lost keys, flat tires, illnesses mild or deadly, God is there to see us through and answer our needs in miraculous ways.
My life, my family, my day today offer ” Just another opportunity for the Lord to be glorified,” bringing Glory to His Most Glorious Name. Again, and again, and again. That’s something I can commit to do for next generation. Be an example of faith.
With our house full of people, especially last weekend for our daughter’s wedding shower, there’s always bits of food, drinks and snacks left over. Little half bags of chips/pretzels, plastic containers of this and that. Eventually these become a meal of sorts when we put them all out. A kind of funny eclectic buffet. I’m not a waster – someone’s going to eat that last 1/4 of homemade enchilada, even if it’s the dog.
Altering the bridesmaid dresses and wedding dress this last week, I realized I follow the same guide when sewing… saving scraps incase I need them later on, not wasting beads or trim. It was a reminder of how God doesn’t waste anything. Each venture, disaster and success. He guides our path and redirects our way when we get foolish or careless. He teaches us through experiences, using every opportunity – every scrap – every leftover.
All the years of herding toddlers, disciplining, homeschooling, going to church, sports practice, games…. words, prayers, tears… God has used it. He is the ultimate Recycler, Repurpose-er, Reconstruction-er. Our mess-ups and tear-downs don’t seem to deter His goal of sanctification. I’ve seen this at work in me and my husband and all the children. God uses everything for our good and His Glory.
Endless pleading for His will to be done in our lives and for us to be useful- I know He was listening. It’s rarely looked like what I thought it should, but then His vision is so much better than mine. I trust Him that the millions of muddles are only ingredients. I believe in His faithfulness. I believe in His determination to finish what He started. And I daily choose to wait on His final say.
Yes, I know the LORD is great, and our God is superior to all gods. He does whatever He pleases – in heaven, on earth, in the seas and all the ocean depths. Psalms 135:5-6
A trip to the ocean is so soothing, calming, peaceful. Its very sound brings healing to my soul. Palm trees coming into view are exciting. Our family loves to roll the windows down when we’re finally close enough to smell the salt air.
Standing in the sand, listening to the waves crash I sense God’s presence. The sky is gigantic and wide open – it makes me feel small. He speaks to me here- I feel closer.
But there’s another side to the endless watery horizon. Rain, wind, dark clouds and huge surf send most of us running for cover. A lightening storm can be pretty terrifying.
From every angle, I find word pictures of the Almighty’s power and might. He is God and I am not. Yet just like each grain of sand… and star in the sky, He sees me and knows me. He’s promised I am loved. The very idea is unfathomable.
Comforting and rejuvenating right along side an untamable, unstoppable force – the sea itself helps explain this Ruler of heaven, Creator of earth, Inventor of water. He is God snd there is no other!
