This Reminds Me

Archive for February, 2010

Baptists aren’t really “Lenten people” but our church family is preparing our hearts for Easter with this series.  Finding the 28 minutes a day for listening was challenging me.  So…..I’ve given up K-Love during drive time until I’ve finished hearing the New Testament.

Julia is sitting next to me right this minute, practicing the songs her choir plans to sing Palm Sunday.  This is her “I’m paying attention” face – because she is.  She takes her responsibilities seriously.

We met Julia four years ago today. She spoke - and sang - in Russian.   She didn’t know “family” and certainly not us personally.  She had no idea how long we had prepared, prayed, wept, saved, reorganized and planned to get her here, knowing God’s hand was it (but wanting human hands to move a whole lot faster.)  She had to leave everyone and everything she knew to leap into the unknown.   I believe her walking out of Children’s Home #47 with us was the single bravest act I’ve ever seen committed – anywhere at any time by anyone.

On Palm Sunday, she’ll led us in worship – in English.  And instead of her following us – we’ll follow her.

Just a moment ago, she began singing Chris Tomlin’s, “How Great Is Our God.”

How great is our God

Sing with me

How great is our God

And all will see

How great

How great

Is our God.

That’s right, Julia.

Get us ready for Easter.

We celebrated Julia’s 10th birthday yesterday at Laser Quest.   “Laser Quest” is from the Greek, meaning, “50 Decibels in Each Ear.”

But they loved it.

Rachel, Lois and Hannah offered to “chaperon,”  and actually the extra hands were quite helpful.  Lois also brought a (girl) friend and then amazingly – a male “friend” appeared.  “I just decided I wanted to play Laser Tag today, Mrs. Woodworth.”  Uh-huh.  Righhhhhttt.

What every 10-year-old girl dreams of – a gynormous Nerf gun.

The kids in the ‘hood, after the party.   Watch yourself.

I never feel particularly “old” until I am with a group of mothers from Julia’s class, each of whom look like she’s maybe 18 with perfect hair, hips and teeth – all straight.

Or until I read an article like this, that tells me I’m old because I blog.

So I’m old.  Even if I didn’t blog, my kids tell me I’m old because:

I wear a watch.

I not only use a landline, but also insist they call it before giving up on reaching a family member.

I read books.  I’ve played with a Kindle but don’t yearn to have one.

I sometimes buy CD’s.

I use my p.c. more often than a wireless phone to access the internet.

I seldom Twitter.  What would I Twitter about?  “Great sale on apples at HEB.”  or “New episode of ‘Big Love’ tonight.”

So I’m old.  And yet….I do love Facebook.  And techy blogs.  And user groups.  And texts.  I buy most non-grocery household items online.  Fun apps excite me.  I carry my Flip in my purse.

Maybe I have one foot on Earth, and one foot in cyberspace.

And I guess as long as those feet carry me home to Keith and these four way-smarter-than-their mom girls – I’m okay with with that.

Someone turned 10 today.  Guess who that was, and what her chosen gift was?  Hmmm?

This kid is f-a-s-t!

Someone else had a birthday yesterday.  No need to guess who, or guess the age.

And don’t look for me on a bicycle, either.

I’ve seen lots of those “you know you’re getting older when…” cards, and I think if I were creating my own today, it would say, “You know you’re getting older when your 10-year-old can ride her bike to the mailbox to get your birthday cards and return before you can even find your reading glasses.”

Now where did I leave them?!  Let me guess…..