If you have read here for any length of time, you know that July 4th in St. Louis was steeped in traditions and I have actually thought about how to handle that specific holiday since I found out we were moving. Brunch, the Webster Groves parade, and most of all Miss Shelley are synonymous with Independence Day for our kiddos and I have dreaded the emotions that were inevitable. You know the God we serve? Well He proved once again that nothing is too small for His care and He handled July 4th for our family in such a way that our past was acknowledged and valued but our new circumstances were, at days end, declared good by all involved.

It didn’t take long for the kids to announce that they missed Shelley and so we made a video greeting for her right away. There was little time to dwell on the loss though because God’s first provision arrived right as I posted the video on Facebook. My friend Vicky is on staff with Cru and arrived in FoCo that week for classes and then staff training. If you know Vicky (and many of you do) you know that she is a hoot and a joy and even though I haven’t seen her since she sang in our wedding, we picked right up and the kids loved her immediately. She went to the parade with us and having her there really helped the kids, I think. You could tell they missed home, though, and the first comment Bubba made was, “I can’t wait to see the Bubble Bus!” I had to explain that this parade was different and we would have no things to look forward to in this parade (This turned out to be not so true – the parade was cute and quaint but nothing to readily anticipate seeing next year.) Provision #2 from the Lord? Shelley sent a photo from the parade in Webster Groves the the note, “The Bubble Bus just went by and I am missing you!” Can you believe that?

Provision number three? A guy who works with Jeremy had invited us to lunch and it was a Pig Roast. We walked up to this in the front yard (and three dogs in the backyard) and the kids were distracted for the entire afternoon. 

Now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t think I fed my family dinner that night. We got home and laughed and talked while waiting for the fireworks and I think I forgot to feed them. Well, they are fine, so. . . We headed out to City Park at 9:00 PM for the 9:30PM firework show . . . and I have to admit it was nice. The weather was cool, it was nice to be together as a family, and the kids were tired enough that they were calm and quiet!!! A great ending to a great day.

A day meant to exalt our country and once again the Lord turned the focus to Him – He is our provider and cares so deeply for us. This July 4 built my faith and encourages me to persevere when His provision isn’t so blatant. I hope reading about His faithfulness will do the same for you.

*Told the kids that they were going to do swimming lessons this summer and they started to give testimony to what they were good at already when it came to swimming. Bubba went to his old faithful story of jumping off the high dive once at Variety camp. Little told how she can put her head under water. KB chimed in with, “If the teacher asks me to drown, I would be good at that!!”

*After one of the previously mentioned swimming lessons, KB ran over to me and said as seriously and earnestly as possible, “Mom, it IS possible to talk under water even if you aren’t a mermaid. . . you just might get lots of water in your mouth.”

*Little has taken to saying phrases like, “Done and Done!” or “I’ll get right on that!” when we give her something to do.

*We watched a movie tonight called “Grace Stirs Up Success” – it’s the latest American Girl movie. Tonight you would have heard me say, “I liked that movie!! The little girl admitted she was wrong, the adults gave solid advice, and the little girl LEARNED from the adults. That never happens anymore.”  It really was a good little movie. If you have little girls they will love it and you can rest easy about it.

*Teen Beach 2 soundtrack

*Kids saying, “I’M BORED” Me referring them to our new artwork: 

It is no secret that one of the most difficult parts of our moving has been the change in our children’s educational situation. Over and over I have had to face the idols of my heart and consciously take my eyes off the classroom newsletter and place them on my Savior. Time and time again I have cried and screamed and questioned. On more than one occasion (said with sarcasm), I have questioned the level of common sense that the people in leadership of public education do/don’t have and get furious at the illogical decisions, dumbed down curriculum, and personal liberties we have experienced in the classroom this year.

Now, granted, we came from a situation that was a “ten”. (Don’t believe me? Check out KDS or Promise.) I knew we had it good, but I honestly had NO IDEA how ridiculous things could be. It’s true that I can’t expect the lost to behave like they are redeemed . . . I say it, I believe it, but I grow weary of it just the same.

This fall we are moving Bubba and KB to the school Little attends. For the first time EVER, all three will be in the same school and I am looking forward to diving in and getting involved in the community. In the car this morning, KB told me she really wanted to go to TR Paul one more year (in a whiney voice). “Why do we have to leeeeeave? Don’t you like our schoooool?” I sat and pondered her question. I explained that there were several things about her school that I did like, but daddy and I had decided it would be best for the family to have everyone together at Olander. I probably should have stopped there, but I proceeded to say that our experience with Olander had not been such an overtly liberal one and we appreciated their more family friendly environment.

Bubba proceeded to ask me what liberal meant and I looked it up on my phone. The definition online included words like acceptance, equality, and openness; Bubba asked me for an example of experiencing liberalism at his school. (It was not a sweet request for learning- it was a challenge, mind you.) Without missing a beat, I pointed him back to Christmas where he was taught about many, many holidays and spiritual views. I told him that the teaching was not the problem BUT the liberalism kicked when he was told by his teacher that he was not to tell someone who believes differently that they are wrong. (My blood boils thinking about it.) Bubba’s response to me? “But they might not be wrong.”

The next three minutes were quite animated and I was quite expressive. I might have said things like, “Yes they are wrong, insert full name here.” and “You can’t have multiple contradicting beliefs and all of them be right.” and “It’s not just my opinion – it’s Truth.”  This is where I may have said that I know it’s true because I have seen evidence in my own life and “I am different because of Jesus. He has changed me.” KB might have interjected, “He has?” here and I may have teared up as I told her just a few ways I was a different person because of Jesus.

My children may have been sorry they brought it up.

I may have realized that I choose to  mistrust my Savior with our children and that it’s illogical, dumb, and a personal liberty I can’t afford. I’m redeemed and I’m living like the lost. As I say it I can’t believe it . . . it makes me weary.

“O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace.”