Obsessions

 Most of you who know our son, Mitchell, know about his many obsessions.  It started with garage doors, then street signs, and now is the Statue of Liberty.  All odd, of course!  I have told Gary many times I think Mitchell has some form of Obsessive-Compulsive behavior, and this year, his kindergarten teacher agreed with me!   I won't go into great detail about his obsessions because it would take forever to write.  But in general, when he becomes fascinated with an object, it's ALL he can think about and talk about.  In fact, as I am typing, he is standing beside me drawing a Statue of Liberty masterpiece.  He brought home his Kindergarten journal at the end of school, and every page had a writing, some about the Statue, others about varied topics.  But on almost every page, there was a drawing of Lady Liberty.  He even told me recently he wanted "long, lady hair" so he could put it in a ponytail bun like Lady Liberty.  I bet you didn't even know what her hair looked like in the back?  I didn't until Mitchell pointed it out.  Needless to say, this obsession "thing" drives our family crazy at times.

So, this morning I was thinking about Mitchell's behavior, and the thought came to me, "What if I was obsessed with God like Mitchell is obsessed with the Statue of Liberty?"  What if all I thought about was how I wanted to be like Him, look like Him, act like Him?  It was a challenge to me to be more obsessed with my Heavenly Father.  After all, aren't a few obsessions good? 

God, help me to be more like you. Help me to love you more every day, help me to crave Your Word, help me to focus on you continually.  Let me be a beacon of light to my world for YOUR glory!

The Glass House

I'm sure many of you have heard that Pastor's Homes are sometimes referred to as "Glass Houses" or "Fish Bowls" meaning everyone seems to know what goes on at your house or knows all your business.  Thankfully, that really isn't completely the truth for us.  Our congregation and community allows our family to just be humans most of the time.  We get the occasional...."and those are preacher's kids..." but that's not the norm.

Funny thing...just last night we were laughing about how our ordinary life experiences seem to always turn into a great sermon illustration for the preacher.  The kids and I have to watch our moves more for the sake that Gary can turn any story into a great illustration that is shared from the pulpit.

Here's our latest fiasco - we decided that our kids would enjoy an above ground pool for the summer (and we would too).  So impulsively, we went shopping for a pool (thanks to my sweet co-worker Angie who gave me the idea).  This is a really long story, so I am going to try to abbreviate it.

We decided to purchase at Wal-Mart since the price was cheaper.  We got it home, set it up (which took a very long time) and began filling it with water.

Yesterday, we left the water running while we went to our Sunday night Fellowship Group.  Mitchell began complaining that he didn't feel good, so he climbed in my lap.  He was burning up with fever!!!  So we left early and headed home.  Mitchell had a 103.4 temp which concerned me, but what we found at home was traumatic! Ashlyn was going to check on the pool progress.  She announced, "I think there is a bird in the pool".  Upon my quick observation I yelled, "It's not a bird, it's one of our dogs!"  We have two spoiled yorkies that we love dearly.  Somehow our older one, Molly, had leaned up against the pool and fallen in while it was filling.  We have no idea how long she had been there but was completely soaked and shaking!  If we had stayed another one and a half hours at the fellowship group, she would not have survived!  Needless to say, I hated that Mitchell felt bad, but for Molly's sake and the sake of trauma for our kids, I was glad we came home and rescued her.  Okay, so that event ended.

Then a little later, Ashlyn comes in and says, "Why is there so much water around the outside of the pool?"  Upon inspection, Gary found a seam that was burst and spewing water!!!!  This is just our luck.  So after all the hours putting it together, getting it 3/4 way full of water, we had to let all the water out, try to pack it back up, and return the silly thing to Wal-Mart.  Needless to say....several more hours have passed with the pool saga.

I began researching online the pool we purchased and it had very negative reviews (imagine that)!  So it went back today, and we now have a pool waiting to be put together in the backyard.  We checked the reviews on this one!

What's comical is how one thing leads to another....we are hauling in two tons of sand tomorrow, removing a stump, talking about new landscaping and so on just so the kiddos can splash around in the water on these hot summer days.

I really don't think there is a reason for this story other than to share what a crazy event this pool has been.  I guess that's what happens when mama decides to impulse shop!

Have a blessed week and as soon as we get the sand and the pool set up, feel free to come over and hang out with us!