When in Montana, Do As the Montanans Do...

Hearing Yourself Back...

Yesterday I announced to my Mom and kids that I was going to save the lunch dishes until I got back from a nap! I said, "I can do that, I'm on vacation."

Last night, I asked Samuel to pick up the toys he had strewn about and he announced, "I think I'll just wait. I'm on bacashion".

Well played Samuel, well played.

Even though I pray in faith, I'm still always surprised when God just lays an answered prayer in my lap. The morning the kids and I flew out of Portland Jeff and I prayed, as we always do before I fly by myself with the midgets, that God would grant us safety and that He would put someone on our flight that would show us kindness and help me with the ridiculous amount of crap that a mother flying with two kids has (stroller, carry on, car seat, 2 kids).

As we walked to our gate Samuel was carrying his own carry on, a Lightning McQueen bag on wheels, and a guy walked by and commented, "Sweet bag. I'm a Mater fan". Samuel smiled shyly and I said thanks. We followed close behind him all the way to our gate where he stopped also. While there he commented on how cute the kids were, asked where we were headed and made small talk. As we began to board he grabbed the car seat and said kindly, "I'll stick with you and help. We parents have to stick together". He was my guardian angel; I knew He had been sent by my loving Father. My husband, who had gotten a guest pass to help us to the gate, left relieved knowing we were in good hands.

Steve, as I found out was his name, moved seats so he could be in the empty one across the aisle from us. He helped me the whole flight to Seattle and we spoke easily and freely; he was going through a painful divorce and had a 5 year old son caught in the middle, his heart was still mending. As our plane touched down in Seattle he promised to stay with us until we got on our final flight to Billings and he did. He watched our stuff while we made a bathroom stop and went to the desk at our gate and requested assistance for me as I boarded in Seattle and arrived in Billings. As the overhead voice announced it was time for us to board I hugged Steve and told him my husband and I had prayed for the kindness of a stranger and that he was the answer to our prayer. He smiled humbly and said he was so glad he could be that person.

I'm humbled by Steve's kindness and selflessness and thankful for God's protection, help and earthly angels.

The Sound of Silence

Isn't that so romantic sounding? So romantic and melancholy. I'm not heading to Montana until Saturday but have 2 very busy days ahead of me so I may not get another chance to post until after I get to Montana and then my posts will probably be few and far between.

If you think of us on Saturday morning we sure would appreciate your prayers; its always an adventure flying with 2 little ones and there's a whole new element of insanity when you're the only adult. Its an early flight and so me getting drunk on the plane won't be an option (I don't think they offer alcoholic beverages that early) and probably frowned upon.

Peace out.

Housekeeping

Tuesdays with Traci is no longer going to be a part of this blog. Bug and I have had a massive, blow out fight and probably will never speak again. No, I'm just kidding. Traci is taking a blogging break, read about it here. Traci is such a fun writer and I'm sure you'll all miss her; drop her a note on the comment section of her blog to let her know what her posts meant to you.

So now you're stuck with me...
unless I can find some other poor sucker to guest blog on here. Any takers?

I am continuously moved by the lessons God teaches me through my children. If I will have a tender heart and allow my mind to quiet, He teaches me great things about Himself in the quiet moments with my little ones. I've journaled about some of those encounters and would love to share some of them with you sometime. The most fresh on my mind is the one that happened tonight.

First, let me take you back almost 2 years ago when Jen Roth, (my sensei) was speaking at one of the first general sessions of Hearts in the 2008 year. She was telling the story of her daughter Abby crying at her feet, longing to be held while Jen was trying to get dinner made for the rest of the family. While continuing with dinner she prayed over Abby that the Holy Spirit would comfort Abby and that Abby would learn to depend on the comfort of the Spirit in her times of need.

Fast forward to this weekend's sermon...youth pastor Brian Condello preached and spoke about using our words to bless others. He mentioned how important it is that we speak blessing over our children (it was a great sermon and I am NOT doing it justice here. Sorry.)

Sooooo....tonight Samuel was having a hard time going to sleep. He really wanted me to lay with him (not gonna happen) and then he wanted me to go to bed so I would be upstairs with him (also not gonna happen). I felt myself being really annoyed with him; I wanted to yell and threaten but I remembered Jen and Brian's words and felt God telling me to speak blessing over Samuel and to pray for him. I sat on his bed and hugged him tightly, I whispered in his ear, "Lord, please pour Your Spirit out on Samuel right now. You are Jehovah Shalom and so I pray Your blessing of peace on Samuel right now. May he feel Your presence in his room and in his heart as he rests tonight. Thank You for loving Samuel. Amen."

He whispered "amen", stuck his thumb in and nestled down in the covers. Jeff and I are now downstairs hanging out and I haven't heard a peep out of him. Thank You Jehovah Shalom, You are faithful.

oh I do love the tulip festival! We've been so lucky to get to go every year since we had Samuel and it is so fun to see the past pictures and how he is growing. This is Emily's second year but she was in the front pack last year. What a great day!

We met another mommy that had a daddy working so we took pictures of each other with our kiddos. I love meeting new people!

"Emily, gentle touches..."

Mmm she's cute!

I LOVE this picture! My sweet, handsome little man!

Only Emily would try and EAT the tulips.