Just when you think your safe…when you’ve breathed in the fall air with rapture and declared, “This is my time…my time to spend a carefree evening outside with my children without a thought of being bitten by a ravenous mosquito!”
Little Noah was a victim of a contumacious mosquito! And look where it bit my poor baby! Wretched things!
The theme at Zeke’s preschool for the past month has been how each child there is very special to the Lord - “the apple of His eye.” His teachers are so amazing at communicating and demonstrating this truth to the children…I’m so thankful for them!
Well, today, to culminate apple month, every child brought in an apple to make applesauce. Zeke was very excited about the project, although he wasn’t so sure about eating it. “Why would you want to make apples mushy?” he asked. Zeke, the apple cruncher, seemed to think the idea was sacrilegious, and I guess I kind of agree. Why would anyone (assuming they have teeth) choose to eat applesuace when they could crunch on a nice juicy apple? Now there’s a deep thought.
Well, nothin’ will end a blog-posting drought like some of your child’s superb work from school. Here is one of Elijah’s first spelling tests - a prespelling test, mind you. Prespelling tests are given every Monday. The students are introduced to a brand new set of words, and are encouraged to “brave” spell them. They aren’t really expected to get them right, but if they do, they are given a challenge list for the “real” spelling test on Friday. Dolphin, information and pumpkin are among some of the words that Elijah will be learning to spell this week! Hmmm…dare I dream of the National Spelling Bee? And doesn’t my son have lovely penmanship for a first-grader?
P.S. The other three words are on the back.
…but I’m back. I arrived home on Tuesday afternoon, and I guess I’ve kind of been avoiding writing a post, because I feel like I need to share something profound about my trip home (notice how I use the word home for both Minneapolis and Moncton?)…but sorry, I ain’t got nothin’. I’m still processing everything that happened and my feelings about it. Thanks to everyone who remembered us in your prayers, and to everyone around here who helped us out. (Steven and Jo…keep in mind that if and when you do have kids, you probably won’t have three at once! When you gradually work up to three, it’s not so bad!)
My Father passed away this morning. He was diagnosed with lung cancer over a year ago and it finally took his life. We were able to visit him in the nursing home when we were home this summer - here is a photo of Elijah with his Grampie Red (so named for obvious reasons)…
My Father was not a Believer, and for most of my childhood the fact that we were, angered him. My Mother, sisters and I have always prayed for his salvation, and we believe that the past year has been an answer to our prayers. He was blessed to have had that time to repent and turn to God. I recently wrote him a letter to encourage him to use this time to do just that. Lately, in my prayers I added a request - that we would know that his soul was saved…but we don’t.
It was a blessing to see him in the nursing home this summer, even though his body looked so frail and sick. He really wasn’t angry - which is mostly how I remember him. He was very quiet, and his eyes were so tired and sorrowfull. I didn’t like that, but my Mother had some insightfull words…”But I think it’s good that he can feel, Janet. Don’t you?” You see, my Father was an alcoholic, and for most of his life his feelings were drowned in alcohol. Yes, I do believe that it was good for him to feel.
Now on to the logistics of getting home to the funeral and leaving my children in the care of others…I really feel that I must go, despite the huge expense. Remember us in your prayers as we figure all these things out.
Here, by the way, is the photo from that post that was deleted. I won’t bother rewriting it in it’s entirety…it was just ramblings about my two eldest children being away at school. (sigh) This was Zeke on Monday morning, all ready for his first day of preschool. He is on our patio waiting for the “bus” - a silver mini-van with a jolly bus driver named Mr. Horsman.
Well, Zeke found a new little friend this afternoon, for which I am very thankful. I was getting tired of hearing, “I’m feeling kind of sad that Eliajh’s not here.” Not that I don’t sympathize with him - I do - but…well, this is just what I was hoping for - a new friend! Dominique and his family are missionaries in Kosovo, and they are staying here on campus for a while. And guess what? Dominique is one of three boys too! I’m tellin’ ya - three boy families are everywhere!
Meanwhile, here is where Noah stood for almost an hour this afternoon, watching me make supper. The menu tonight was spaghetti and meatballs, and Noah was quite facinated with all the little balls I was making. “Ball!” he cried excitedly. “Yeah,” I said, “Meatballs!” “Oh!” he took in his breath sharply, “Ball-balls!” And this is what he said over and over - “Ball-balls” - while I made supper. Being a Mom is the best…really, I could have listened to him say that all day!