Nostalgia

Sometimes I think back to life as a kid and almost long for that carefree world again.  I look at my own children and envy the freedom they have; the freedom they don't even appreciate; the freedom from bills, paperwork, laundry, meal planning, driving to and fro, and on and on.  They look to me and Luke--we take care of all that stuff.  It's not even on their radar.  That's life for a child.

And even more than that, they have direct access to their parents (hopefully).  When I was young, anytime I needed my mom, she was there.  I'd either crawl into her bed at night for a long chat, or hang out with her in the kitchen and talk. She always had a listening ear, good questions and plenty of wise counsel.  But it was easy, and I know I took it for granted.

Then you grow up, life gets busy, the responsibilities pile up, and all of a sudden that access is gone.  Not truly gone--my mom and I text and call each other all the time.  But now we have to make the extra effort to have time for those good chats; those times when we can share our hearts and encourage each other; those times that used to happen whenever we wanted, but now have to be planned. Babysitters have to be secured, calendars have to be cleared.  That's life for a grown-up.

But when we do make the effort, it's well worth it.  Last weekend we set aside a Saturday and spent close to 5 hours together!  We shopped leisurely, finished conversations (you know, when you have kids, often conversations get started and never finished!), took our time over lunch at our favorite spot, and savored every moment.  Good shopping, good food, and good fellowship.  And the first two just wouldn't be good without the latter, you know what I mean?

It was refreshing, rejuvenating.  I love my mom!  I shared some struggles, and she responded with encouragement.  Always ready to support, even if I want to change some detail in my life drastically.  "Mom, will you be disappointed?"  "Gabby, never.  I will always support your decisions!  I'm so proud of you!"  She's so good at encouraging me and pointing me to God, and I realize what a blessing that is.

Thinking of life as a child is nostalgic.  But I'm thankful that my mom is here, and that she's still just as much involved in my life as she ever was.

Thankful for Visitors

With racks of muffins and freezer bags lining my counter tops and stuffing my freezer, I've been reminded of the joy that comes along with planning for hospitality...memories of sweet time spent with good friends, and the anticipation of good times spent with family. Yesterday my brother, his wife, their precious little baby girl (hence, my niece), and also my Aunt Judy arrived in town for a visit, and I'm excited. But last week we enjoyed time with Aunt Mercy, and also a visit from a dear friend Julie, whom I've known for a very long time, along with her 4 sweet children.

With racket from all sorts of childhood games being played all throughout the house, it's a wonder that Julie and I even got one sentence finished. But we were ruthless in our desire for deep conversation, and we made it happen, by golly! And it was soooo good. The thing I love about my friend Julie is that I can always count on her for sound, Biblical advice; good questions to probe deeper into my heart to check my motives, and kind encouragement to do the right, sometimes even hard things. And I also love that she loves chocolate cake and coffee...

The time was good, and I'm missing her and other dear friends that are far away. We wondered together why it seems like some of our dearest friends live in other places around the country or even the world. "Maybe it's so we won't get tired of each other," I proposed. Or maybe, just maybe it's so that we draw closer to the Lord than to our human relationships.

the bigger kids having craft time

Boy Cousins

Josu and Malachai

So I have these two cute little nephews who live in Spain who I miss greatly. Of course, they have a little sister who I miss too, but with our new baby boy coming, I'm sad he won't be able to grow up side by side with his awesome boy cousins, not to mention with his awesome Aunt Naomi and Uncle Joshua. And thinking about how fun it is to grow up with cousins, it makes me sad that my children only get to see their cousins maybe once a year, maybe.

And then, to top it off, I long to share these moments with Naomi, one of my dearest friends ever, who happens to be my sister in law. We've been pregnant twice at the same time, and now she is one ahead of me, and we have yet to share these times in person. This is when the rubber meets the road; when you seek to joyfully trust God's will for your life, and yet sometimes it hurts, and we're still called to be joyful about it!

So, in a recent blog post of Naomi's, she shared that she is tender these days as she wishes she could be around for this third baby of mine, and I am echoing her sentiment, and wishing for the same thing. Not wishing God's will was different or that He'd follow my desires, but just dreaming about what it might be like if it were a little different. And thankful for friends God has put in our lives who truly stand the test of time, if you know what I mean.

Naomi and Joshua

P. S. I have 3 more days til my due date, am having lots of contractions, but so far, nothing...

Good Tears

The flood of tears came when my daughter asked about the floaties. I imagined the four sets of floaties spilling out of the locker the next time we go to the pool; the realization that our cousins will be gone and life will be quiet. My sister in law, my dear, dear friend, was here from Spain, along with her 3 kids and husband. Our life was busy, hectic, chaotic, and noisy. I never minded it once. Our time was good, precious, sweet, and I will miss it. Two more years is a long time to wait for such dear visiting, and that reality is harsh.

The whole time she was here I had nothing to blog about. I couldn't even think of one thing. And then as soon as she left, it came to me like a wave. I couldn't blog because my life was overflowingly rich. Rich with fellowship and comradery. A glimpse into her world. A series of shared moments raising kids, loving husbands. All my "blogging" was done in real life, with her.

Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly. Life not only loving Him, but loving others. He connects us, and our life is rich. Without each other, it would be empty. Abundant life isn't tasty and delicate food, colors of fabrics that feed the senses, lovely flowers that dress our tables. Those are good gifts from God. But it's the people that enrich us. And I'm thankful. Those good things are made fuller when shared with people, and I have experienced that first hand these last few weeks, and I hate to let it go.

This blog is dedicated to Naomi, a truer and dearer friend you'll never find.