Last week our middle son Hunter went away to boy scout camp. He was gone for six days. Six days of independence for an almost eleven-year old--yikes! Needless to say, he was excited about being away with the older boys and the scout leaders.
We went up to visit him the evening before the last day of camp for "Family Night". It was a rainy day and all of the scouts were gathered under a pavilion outside of the dining hall. I anxiously scanned through all of the faces in uniform trying to make out my son so that I could hug him. I hadn't realized until that moment how much I missed having him home. My eyes finally landed on his face, he was chatting it up with the other boys, ball cap turned backwards. He hadn't seen us yet.
After a couple of minutes, he looks over at me, then looks at Ross. Immediately he turns his baseball cap forward, and comes over to greet us. Once we reunited I realized the impact that his dad, my husband, has on him. He knows that Dad does not allow him and his brother to wear their caps backwards. It's just how he rolls. As a teacher and coach he knows that impressions are important. So to see Hunter do an about face when Dad rolled on the scene was pretty cool. It demonstrated his submission to Ross's authority over the independence that he was enjoying away from home. In other words, 'Scout camp is over and boot camp is about to begin!'
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Put Your Money Where Your Faith Is
Recently a friend of mine was sharing with me about some of the changes she has been making to get her finances in order. I talked with her about tithing and how it demonstrates to God that we have faith in Him to provide for us. This was the challenge I put before her--begin tithing off of any extra money that you take in (overtime, gifts, etc.) I wanted her to begin the practice of tithing and put her faith to the test.
She began doing this and felt good about doing it. But she didn't stop there. Just this week we talked and she let me know that for the first time ever she tithed off of her income as well. She said that it felt scary giving such a big amount, but it also felt wonderful because she was doing what God wanted her to do.
That about sums up having faith in God. It does feel scary to do something that our nature doesn't feel right about. But the spirit of God inside of us is yearning to do His will. So when we do it, it's like there's this big sigh of relief that everything is going to be okay. I am so proud of my friend. For the longest time her heart's desire has been to move out of her mom's house and have a place of her own for her and her little boy. The Bible tells of so many stories where God provided for people because of their faith in Him. I believe that my friend will be able to join the saints with her own testimony of God's provision in no time.
She began doing this and felt good about doing it. But she didn't stop there. Just this week we talked and she let me know that for the first time ever she tithed off of her income as well. She said that it felt scary giving such a big amount, but it also felt wonderful because she was doing what God wanted her to do.
That about sums up having faith in God. It does feel scary to do something that our nature doesn't feel right about. But the spirit of God inside of us is yearning to do His will. So when we do it, it's like there's this big sigh of relief that everything is going to be okay. I am so proud of my friend. For the longest time her heart's desire has been to move out of her mom's house and have a place of her own for her and her little boy. The Bible tells of so many stories where God provided for people because of their faith in Him. I believe that my friend will be able to join the saints with her own testimony of God's provision in no time.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Out of Sorts
Summer time has been a great time for us to reconnect as a family. However, it has been a struggle for me in regards to my individual routine. Because everyone is home at the same time, I have neglected my morning disciplines of exercise and time alone with God.
Just this week I have been recharged by getting back into the routine of how I do things during the school year. Doing this has left me feeling refreshed and has decreased the anxieties that were beginning to build up.
Have you ever thought you were hungry, but really you were thirsty? You try and try to find just the right food to satisfy your need, but nothing seems to fit the bill because water is what you need. In the same way, when I am away from my routine, I try and find satisfaction in other areas. I do things around my home, spend time with the kids, watch a movie with Ross, or listen to music. But I still feel out of sorts because I am thirsty--thirsty for God's presence. Everything else is filler, it doesn't last long nor does it quench my true need.
I have been reading the book of Isaiah. It recounts how God's people have repeatedly hungered after other gods instead of quenching their thirst with the Living God. The book reveals that although punishment will be a consequence, so will grace. God will love His people still and protect them from harm. I am in awe that I can shirk my responsibilities to the Creator of this world, and yet He obligates Himself to fulfill His promises to me. This truly is amazing grace.
Just this week I have been recharged by getting back into the routine of how I do things during the school year. Doing this has left me feeling refreshed and has decreased the anxieties that were beginning to build up.
Have you ever thought you were hungry, but really you were thirsty? You try and try to find just the right food to satisfy your need, but nothing seems to fit the bill because water is what you need. In the same way, when I am away from my routine, I try and find satisfaction in other areas. I do things around my home, spend time with the kids, watch a movie with Ross, or listen to music. But I still feel out of sorts because I am thirsty--thirsty for God's presence. Everything else is filler, it doesn't last long nor does it quench my true need.
I have been reading the book of Isaiah. It recounts how God's people have repeatedly hungered after other gods instead of quenching their thirst with the Living God. The book reveals that although punishment will be a consequence, so will grace. God will love His people still and protect them from harm. I am in awe that I can shirk my responsibilities to the Creator of this world, and yet He obligates Himself to fulfill His promises to me. This truly is amazing grace.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Random Acts of Kindness
Yesterday we cut back our daisies that are growing in the front yard. They were my mother's day gift from last year and as beautiful as they are, they were in desperate need of a trimming. So my husband cut them back, and had the idea of tying them into dozens and giving them to people in our neighborhood.
Two of our kids, along with a neighbor kid, took the flowers around to different people they saw out walking, as well as people who we know in the neighborhood. It was cool to hear the comments that people made over such a simple thing as receiving some cut flowers.
One woman who my son gave flowers to said that daisies were her favorite flower (perfect!) Another woman who my daughter talked to said that this was the best thing that's happened to her in a long time (can you imagine?) There was a man who playfully asked, "What am I supposed to do with these?" to which the kids answered, "Stick 'em in water and put them on your table!" My daughter and her friend were approaching one house with flowers when they looked in the front window and saw a woman holding up daisies, pointing to them with a smile as if to say, 'Your brother beat you here!'
Certainly a reminder of how a simple, free gift can create happy hearts.
Two of our kids, along with a neighbor kid, took the flowers around to different people they saw out walking, as well as people who we know in the neighborhood. It was cool to hear the comments that people made over such a simple thing as receiving some cut flowers.
One woman who my son gave flowers to said that daisies were her favorite flower (perfect!) Another woman who my daughter talked to said that this was the best thing that's happened to her in a long time (can you imagine?) There was a man who playfully asked, "What am I supposed to do with these?" to which the kids answered, "Stick 'em in water and put them on your table!" My daughter and her friend were approaching one house with flowers when they looked in the front window and saw a woman holding up daisies, pointing to them with a smile as if to say, 'Your brother beat you here!'
Certainly a reminder of how a simple, free gift can create happy hearts.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The Rest of the Story
Personal Finances Personal Freedom is a book that chronicles the story of a family getting out of over $40,000 worth of debt in just under two years. It speaks candidly of the misconceptions that led this married couple into paying for a lifestyle way beyond their means. In the end, they realized their love of money was beginning to affect the well-being of their children. This revelation led to them making the major decision to bust out of consumer debt. To make a long story short, God blessed them to pay off their debt years before what they had originally projected.
This is our story. Personal Finances Personal Freedom is my book. However you will not find it on-line or at a bookstore--yet. God has not yet spoken to me as to how to go about getting it out into the hands of others, and I am adamant that I am going to wait to hear from Him. I have begun to wonder recently if the reason He hasn't released me to print the book is because the story is not finished. I finished writing the book, but maybe God hasn't writing finished the story. And maybe us getting our mortgage paid off is going to complete the story, showing everyone who reads the book what a mighty God we serve.
This is our story. Personal Finances Personal Freedom is my book. However you will not find it on-line or at a bookstore--yet. God has not yet spoken to me as to how to go about getting it out into the hands of others, and I am adamant that I am going to wait to hear from Him. I have begun to wonder recently if the reason He hasn't released me to print the book is because the story is not finished. I finished writing the book, but maybe God hasn't writing finished the story. And maybe us getting our mortgage paid off is going to complete the story, showing everyone who reads the book what a mighty God we serve.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The Latest Craze--Addendum
Please check out the link below which features a Focus on the Family article about video games. Many comments follow after the article. What are your thoughts?
http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/blogs/Finding_Home/2012/05/16/do-you-let-your-children-play-video-games
http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/blogs/Finding_Home/2012/05/16/do-you-let-your-children-play-video-games
Monday, May 28, 2012
The Latest Craze
On Saturday Ross and I had a "date day". He asked if I wanted to go to yard sales together during our time. His suggestion was meant to bless me because, of the two of us, yard sales are more of my thing. So after going out to breakfast, we spent our entire date going to people's homes and looking at the unwanted things in their front yards. Pretty romantic if you ask me :-)
A few days before we went, I checked out the newspaper and Craig's List to map out our time. A couple of the destinations I looked at listed video game players like Kinect that were being sold. Our children don't have any video game consoles or Nintendo DS or Ipods or cell phones. They are 6, 10, and 12 years old. Believe me, we do hear about it. Our middle son has come home in a huff saying that he's bored because he doesn't have any handheld games like the other kids. Our oldest daughter was relentlessly praying for a Iphone (preferably green) for her 12th birthday, and our youngest asks about going over to the neighbor's to "play with him" (which translates into playing video games with him). Needless to say, my mind has volleyed back and forth between the pros and cons of getting them some of these electronic devices. So when I saw these items advertised, I have to admit that there was a "maybe" in my head.
Well, instead of electronic items, we ended up buying a brain teaser book, books for the 6 year old, and a few board games. To say that they have been enjoying our purchases is an understatement. One game in particular, Stratego, is a favorite. All of the kids, even the youngest, have been obsessed with the game. The best part is that it takes 2 people to play the game. So they have to communicate, interact, and participate with another person in order to experience the enjoyment of the game. Unfortunately, too many devices in our world today promote isolation instead of fellowship. I'm thankful that board games and books are still the latest craze in the Webb household.
A few days before we went, I checked out the newspaper and Craig's List to map out our time. A couple of the destinations I looked at listed video game players like Kinect that were being sold. Our children don't have any video game consoles or Nintendo DS or Ipods or cell phones. They are 6, 10, and 12 years old. Believe me, we do hear about it. Our middle son has come home in a huff saying that he's bored because he doesn't have any handheld games like the other kids. Our oldest daughter was relentlessly praying for a Iphone (preferably green) for her 12th birthday, and our youngest asks about going over to the neighbor's to "play with him" (which translates into playing video games with him). Needless to say, my mind has volleyed back and forth between the pros and cons of getting them some of these electronic devices. So when I saw these items advertised, I have to admit that there was a "maybe" in my head.
Well, instead of electronic items, we ended up buying a brain teaser book, books for the 6 year old, and a few board games. To say that they have been enjoying our purchases is an understatement. One game in particular, Stratego, is a favorite. All of the kids, even the youngest, have been obsessed with the game. The best part is that it takes 2 people to play the game. So they have to communicate, interact, and participate with another person in order to experience the enjoyment of the game. Unfortunately, too many devices in our world today promote isolation instead of fellowship. I'm thankful that board games and books are still the latest craze in the Webb household.
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