"I'm McKenna's Mom And I Approve This Message."

I love being a mom...it is such an adventure....maybe not always a PLANNED adventure, but it is always SUPER interesting.  About a week ago I got to make a short video for McKenna where I said, "I'm McKenna's mom and I approve this message!"  She is running for a class representative position for 7th grade.  Then, I came home one day and saw a paper on the counter to sign for permission for someone to apply for the PARMA NEWS TEAM at school.  It didn't list a teacher's name or grade level, so that was kind-of fun to guess which of my girls was interested in that....it actually surprised me because it is DANIELLE! :)  Over the summer she did an awesome job on her video report on Williamsburg, so she wanted to apply for the news team....I really hope she gets it!  Kassi got the job of Teller with a bank that comes to her school and encourages kids to start and manage bank accounts...she is thrilled about that!  AND, she made the 5th grade play for Western Schools....this year it is "Twas The Night Before Christmas".   Karly, Danielle, and Kassi all participate in AWANAs and got speaking parts in our church's Christmas program, so it looks like we are going to have a lot of practicing/memorizing to do around here :P  Savannah is staying busy with band, Color Guard, cross-country practices/meets, and her class committee.....and Kenna is currently pondering whether or not she wants to try out for competitive cheerleading.  Every day I am reminded of how grateful I am that I am able to have a job with work hours from 8am-2pm so I can get them all to and from all their activities and still get dinner on the table for all of us to eat together and talk about the day.

These things make life pretty full, but I am also realizing that much of what I really want to instill in them has got to be VERY INTENTIONAL or it will not happen because "the BUSY-ies" can steal those moments away.  Brad and I are participating in a Bible Study right now called, It Starts At Home.  It is about the importance of prioritizing our faith in our family life.  I heard a man's testimony one time and he said, "We brought our kids up in church, but not in Christ"....that was such a powerful and sad statement.  Our families need CHRIST in the center....just like our marriages need CHRIST IN THE CENTER....not just for survival, but for a healthy, thriving, LIFE-GIVING existence...and, though I would love more of the "feel good" moments where there is time to focus inward, I am realizing those aren't as satisfying as they are built up to be and what I really want or NEED is to be on FIRE for Christ and have a mission that fuels that FIRE.  I have really been challenged in regards to my expectations of marriage and family life.  When I wrote the blog the other day about the devotional I read on living a Godward Life I started thinking about what that might mean for my family...not just me, individually.  I love the thought of leaning on God because that means I am not held up on my own ability, but I am reliant on Him.  Francis Chan always challenges people to take steps of faith that can only be successful if God carries it out.  I want something like that for my family....a mission or miracle....a family calling.  I want a tangible, "on Christ the solid rock we stand" kind of family life and I am praying that God will lead us into ministries and opportunities that go way beyond a mere "after school activities" kind of family existence.

Maybe God has an AWESOME plot twist ready for your family like these families experienced. https://vimeo.com/104466254