A Sweet Reminder

This is a good day to try to explain my excitement over rain. (Only one of the many silly things that I often get teased about.) ;)

As I sit here I am listening to the melodious sound of the rain dancing on my rooftop above. It's a rainy day today. I like rain...I really like rain. It puts joy in my heart and a bounce in my step. While many become sad or frown in the morning when they see that it is raining, I smile and get excited and can't wait to start the day! I know that may sound silly or strange...or insane (as I've been described because of my love for rain) to you, but it is the delightful truth for this girl. Most people don't like the rain. I can understand the reasons for not liking rain: its wet, it makes mud, it messes up your hair (perhaps that's why I'm a pony-tail kinda girl), it makes the sky dark because of the clouds, it may interrupt or hinder plans. I get that. But, in my eyes, and in my heart, those things pale in comparison to what the rain brings to my mind.

Yes, the clouds above are darkening the otherwise pristine blue sky. The water droplets that are relentlessly falling are splashing up mud on my formerly-clean pant legs and soaking my once-dry shoes. But that doesn't bother me. Because those clouds above remind me of something more: beautiful passages of Scripture; the deep well of words that fill my soul with joy and longing for greater things - for things that only One can satisfy! You remember, back in Exodus when the Israelites were being led by God through the wilderness in the form of fire by night, and a cloud by day. Or when Moses went up the mountain to meet with God; what was it that surrounded him...a cloud! What received Jesus as He departed from this earth...a cloud! In what way shall He return...on a cloud! Oh, so I look to the clouds!! Whenever I see clouds, I am reminded of the Presence of God. I am reminded that He is with me; that He is near. That He is coming again! So, on cloudy days, in my heart I am drawn closer to Him because I'm more intimately thinking of His nearness to me. What can the darkened sky do when I've got the Light piercing the eyes of my heart?

Another reason I like rainy days, is the rain itself; the water that flows down from heaven (I can't help but be reminded that every good and perfect gift comes from above here!). Ahhhh....the lavish pouring of cleansing water that covers over the dirt and filth that has accumulated on the earth since the last rain. While it is raining things get soggy and gross...yes, I agree. But oh, the beauty that bursts forth once the rains have receded and the sun shines forth again...glistening droplets of water on the flower petals; the earth is cleansed, and a fresh start has been granted by the Son (I mean, sun). The rain itself reminds me of how often times God uses rough or difficult times to purify me and cleanse the sin and ugliness from my heart. That many times I have to go through "ugly" times in order for beautiful times of growth to occur and be displayed. But then, after the stormy weather, the Light breaks forth through the clouds and Hope is on the horizon...a new day, a new start...and it is better than the previous.

So, bring on the rain...and bring on the waterfall of sweet truths that accompany it!

I Love Walking Into This...

I just finished doing my usual mid-day sweep of the house looking for toys to put away before Ella's nap. As I poked my head into the girl's unusually quiet bedroom, and found this...

LOVE IT! I just had to quickly and quietly sneak off to grab the camera to capture this sweet moment.

Of course, as home-schooling mom, I'm excited to see Catelyn practicing her reading, but not only that, but that she's blessing her sister with her new skill and attention. AND, I like the stack of books that she selected: one about the fruit of the Spirit, another about being fearfully and wonderfully made, and the other about creation. Discipling your sister...way to go, Catelyn! ;) This is one happy mommy right now. ;)

When a Toy is Not Put Away

As a mom, I have many jobs that I perform throughout the course of a day. I’m a nurse, counselor, guide, cook, referee, accountant, fashion coordinator, nutritionist, house-keeper, secretary, and so much more! It’s a tiring, yet fulfilling job – and I’m thankful.

I think an obvious task of a mom is to clean up the continual messes around the house. This is especially true for mothers of young children. Simply walk into a home where preschoolers live and you are sure to find obstacle courses made from couch cushions, dining room chairs, end tables, and any other piece of furniture that can be converted into a Mt. Everest that must be climbed and conquered! There is never a dull moment. There is never a day that goes by where furniture must not be put back in its place, or an all-out investigation need not be conducted to find the random block that has gone missing from its set, or sofas that are not needing to be disassembled to search for the tiniest little LEGO piece that is nowhere to be found, or a whole-team effort is not needed to perform a search-and-rescue mission to find the beloved stuffed animal that our precious, now devastated, child has somehow misplaced. I believe this role is part of the unwritten job description for a mom – the Search-and-Rescuer. Sometimes, this part of the job is easy and I go about it without a thought. But sometimes, over the course of the week (or simply a day) this job can wear on the patience of even the most well-intentioned and patient mom.

Today was like any other day, there were toys to be picked up and placed back where they belong. But, this evening, after putting my two adorable girls to bed, I made my way to my room to settle in for the night. I set my cup of cold water on the bedside table and glanced over at my bed. There was one more toy that had yet to be put away. Instead of a feeling of frustration, a smile arose. My youngest daughter (who had been playing dress-up all day and leaving clothes and accessories all over the house) had left an item in my room. It was strategically placed.

Though her little hands put it there, there is no doubt it was orchestrated by my God; or, in this case, by my Father, the King. Beautifully positioned, as though intentionally laid, was a tiara atop my Bible. My heart sighed. My Father was speaking to my heart, affirming everything that He has been teaching me over the past couple of years, and what He re-iterated at this past weekend’s retreat: Of all the roles that you fill, Megan, there is one that you must remember; there is one that will never change; there is one that is most important and satisfying – being My daughter. You are the daughter of the King. Although those other roles are important and necessary, this one, this uniquely chosen role, is the one I’ve given you for all of eternity. This is how I see you each and every day. Remember this, Megan, and confidently live in light of this unchanging truth.

Thank you, Ella, for leaving your toys out today. I have been blessed by the beautiful mess that you made.

Cookies, Syrup Drinks, and Conversation

Yesterday, our family was invited to share in the celebration of Idul Fitri (the holiday celebrating the completion of the fasting month for our Muslim friends). So, in the morning, we began our day of visiting friends.

With home-made cookies in hand and curiosity in our minds (as this is our first real experience of Idul Fitri), we entered the humble home of our house-helper and her family. Her contagious smile greeted us at her half-collapsed gate. She eagerly lead us to her living room/kitchen/son's bedroom. We removed our shoes before climbing up into the room. Laid out before us was the meal and snacks that she had been preparing for the past week in preparation for her guest's arrival on this special day. She and her family were proudly dressed in their new clothes (as is the custom here). We were invited to sit as a glass 0f super-sweet syrup juice was served to us. The kids were overjoyed at the display of cookies and sugary juices laid before them...I'm not sure they ate anything healthy the entire day - that didn't seem to bother them in the slightest!

Our generous helper was very excited and proud to offer us the traditional Achnese food she had carefully and thoughtfully prepared. She assured us that it was not spicy (aka: not spicy according to Acehnese standards - but enough to start a fire in our untrained western mouths!). We sat and talked and got to know their family better than we had before. They laughed at Ella's relentless curiosity as she wandered into their only other room - their bedroom, to climb up on their bed and play. Our helper's extended family coming in and out greeting us and sitting next to us trying to make us feel welcomed and accepted. Corey and I still trying to maneuver around the conversations in a language that we are still students of. Understanding much of it, yet still some parts we just have to awkwardly move on from. But, a loving and gracious smile and heart transcends language. It was a good experience and wonderful opportunity to deepen our relationship with her and her family.

After an hour, it was on to our other helper's house (the brother of the family's house that we just left). His wife has been asking and asking for me, Megan, to come visit her house, yet the timing had yet to make that possible. So, when we arrived yesterday for Idul Fitri, she was estatic! Although there were a couple of other families there visiting as well, we were treated as the honored guests. The focus was on us and we had many engaging conversations with new people, as well as, with our precious hosts. Our kids laughed and played together (as they often do at our home) and got enough sugar inside of them to last the rest of the year! Our helper and his wife showed us their very small and even more humble home than the previous one we just saw. We were humbled by their living situation; there seemed to be more flies than people in their home, but they didn't seem to mind, and by the end of our stay, we didn't either. They are poor, but rich in hospitality. We were invited to their wedding by way of their photo album (a simple 3x5 leaflet photo insert booklet). We laughed like old friends as we poured over their childhood pictures. Their youngest daughter finally allowed me, the foreigner, to hold her, and not only allowed me to, but actually reached out for me. As we were leaving, my new friend hugged me and insisted that I come over many, many more times - what a welcome!

However, before we left, a member of the family informed us that the mother of both of our helpers was disappointed that we did not come to see her. What day goes by that we don't make some cultural mistake or insensitivity (after all, we are still students of the culture)? So, we sent our apologies along with this person and assured her that we'd come by after Ella's nap. So, once Ella awoke from her nap, we were off to another home. This time we entered a home of people we did not know (the mother herself we had only met in passing a few weeks back). So, as we sat down for some more food, cookies and syrup drinks, our comfort-level and language were tested and stretched once again. We were being given lessons in the Acehnese language (we barely speak Indonesian, let alone try to remember another one!). But as the mother walked into the room, you can sense her authority, she was respected. We were honored to have her personal invitation. Her face lit up at our greeting of her. We stayed a short time, but learned so much of the culture from that brief interaction and experience with this woman and her family.

At the end of the day, we were exhausted - both emotionally and physically. We were FLAT OUT tired. However, this morning, as I recall the events of yesterday, my heart is full. We loved with a Love that went beyond ourselves; one that stretched us beyond our own limits. For that we are grateful. Although we don't relate, nor fully understand the celebration that took place yesterday for these people, we were able to live among them; we were received by them. For this we give God thanks and glory - for we know His ways and His purposes are much greater and reach further than what we can possibly think or imagine. So, this experience, this precious time we had with these people, we will consider it a small stepping stone into our time here, and look forward to the next...