The M&M Story

It's been awhile. I'll catch up on our happenings at another time, but a quick note about Briggs. Recently, we went swimming at a friend's house and all of a sudden Briggs comes over to me, in angst, showing me something which looked like a splinter in his hand. He pulled it out and then started wailing. I wasn't sure what was up - splinter in the water? He kept crying, " I have a water poke. I have a water poke." He did calm down, but there was a little spot, small, but a spot resembling a bee sting. And sure enough, a few minutes later, a bee was hovering next to the wall.

A friend recently shared this Puritan prayer with me. I can't get it out of my mind. Christ Is All O lover to the uttermost, May I read the meltings of thy heart to me in the manger of thy birth, in the garden of thy agony, in the cross of thy suffering, in the tomb of thy resurrection, in the heaven of thy intercession. Bold in this thought I defy my adversary, tread down his temptations, resist his schemings, renounce the world, am valiant for truth. Deepen in me a sense of my holy relationship to thee, as spiritual bridegroom, as Jehovah's fellow, as sinners' friend. I think of thy glory and my vileness, thy majesty and my meanness, thy beauty and my deformity, thy purity and my filth, thy righteousness and my iniquity. Thou hast loved me everlastingly, unchangeably, may I love thee as I am loved; Thou hast given thyself for me, may I give myself to thee; Thou hast died for me, may I live to thee, in every moment of my time, in every movement of my mind, in every pulse...

I've been praying/looking for a loft/bunk bed system for my boys for over a year. Of course, retail they are almost cost prohibitive, but I've been fairly consistent in checking craigslist. Well, I finally found one - right price, right wood, right size. The whole deal. But, of course, I needed a truck. A couple phone calls and no truck later, my sister-in-law, Melanie, offered to help me. Mind you, this includes all four children because Uncle Peter works on Saturday. Well, I figured it would be an adventure if anything. We hit a couple of garage sales and actually found a couple of treasures, meaning things we would never buy in a store and really don't need, but want. I had emptied out my van, including all my seats, so all the kids piled in Melanie's car and I drove my empty van out to Fenton. No need for endless details, but the bed pieces did all fit in the van, and we made it all the way back to my house with no issues. We sent the children to play and...

While riding in the car: M: Hey, Briggs, did you know you are my best friend? B: But I'm your brother. M: Brothers can be best friends. B: Okay Before bed: B: Mommy, I'm going to love piggies even when I get big. S: Sure, buddy, of course you can. B: I'm going to love them when I get old and then go to heaven. S: Okay. B: (a lip is quivering) They do have piggies in heaven, don't they?

B: Mommy? Did you know that if you eat an apple seed, you will turn into an apple in 10 weeks? S: Really, buddy? Where did you learn that? B: Lillian told me. S: Well, I'm not sure where Lillian learned that, but I'm fairly sure you will not turn into an apple if you eat an apple seed. B: Yes, you will. Lillian told me. The power of a 5 year old.

Picnic Originally uploaded by smaynor Yes, I kiss these cheeks all the time. This past week M had soccer camp at WCA. LOTS of kids, most of them older. When I said good-bye the first day, I leaned down to him and said, "buddy, I have to go now. Can I give you a kiss or just a high five?" I didn't want to embarrass him in front of the sea of children playing soccer. His response? Better than I expected. "Both."

This weekend I had the opportunity to visit with amazing old friends from my days at Camp Soaring Hawk and to say goodbye to one my heroes, Heno Head. A name that I've known for most of my life. A man who has inspired, encouraged, and taught so many about the love of Christ. And now it is close to the time when he will go Home, safe and sound into the arms of His Father. The truth is I want to be like Heno Head. I want to persevere despite adversity. I want to know and remember the names of those to whom God calls me to love and minister. I want to serve faithfully all of my days. And I want to deny self in order to see great movement in the Kingdom of God. Not that God gives us everything we "want," but He does give us those beautiful people and beautiful experiences to see and know Him better. Heno was twice beautiful to me. And I'm sure to many, many more.