Subversive

Sam and I were in the back yard today.  I was quietly pulling weeds.  He was burning branches and stumps, making quite the billowing fire.

As Micah left to walk our dog Annie, she waved at the fire truck that was driving slowly by our house.  According to our neighbors to the south, the police had already driven by.  Everyone was checking out the fire.

In light of what's been happening in Minneapolis this weekend, all we can figure out is that someone called the cops because of Subversive Sam's Sensational Smokin' Fire!

Meet Gary

Friday night, Sam brought home Gary.  Trust me, I did not even know Gary existed - except that I did.  Gary was the night custodian when Sam first started teaching.  I knew him well.

In 2004, Gary suffered a heart attack and died.  In honor of his military service, an eagle statue was put in the school court yard in his memory.  Since Sam was one of the few remaining staff who remembered Gary and Sam had served in the military and the school is changing . . .

Friends, meet Gary . . .

Protector of the back yard

Nap Time . . .

. . . in the hostas!

 

Two are better than one . . .

"Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor: 

If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Just saying, my poor children don't stand a chance.  I just know this verse is talking about momma's - "two are better than one".  Matt's had a rough week.  He called his birth mom to see if they could get together and they did today.  What he doesn't know is that Allison and I spent an hour on the phone on Monday and exchanged e-mails yesterday!  Her direct quote to me was:  "We got this!! We will get him on the right path..." 

Together. 

Thankful Thursday!

I almost hate to write it, but honestly, we were ALL thankful Sam got to go back to school yesterday!

Students were supposed to turn in their Chrome books, so teachers were to be at the building from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

It was a lovely, gloriously quiet day at our house.  We didn't have to listen to morning zoom, homework zoom, staff zoom, students calling for help, coworkers . . . Sam is loud.  Yesterday was not.  For that, we were thankful!

No sweat!

Ever since that first bionic knee, I have honestly missed working out and sweating!  You can get a fantastic workout swimming, but there's no sweat.  I can walk at a good clip, but unless it's beastly hot out, there's no sweat.  Today, I rode my bike.  I was sweating!  I am happy! 

Simply WOW!

“And it shall come to pass afterward, 

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; 

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, 

your old men shall dream dreams,

and your young men shall see visions."

Joel 2:8

We are going through some struggles at our house, which many of you know.  Matt is choosing at this time to turn his back on Jesus.  Part of his poor choices include illegal street racing.  Our choice includes letting him live at home where we can be light in his darkness and hopefully one day, help him walk the journey Home.  It's not easy.  Last night was the worst. 

I couldn't fall asleep for the life of me.  Matt was out again and we knew he was at the races.  In between dozing, I prayed.  Last night more than any other night, I prayed for his safety.  I finally fell asleep somewhere around 12:30 a.m. 

The phone call came at 1:30 a.m.

"Dad (smart child knew who to call!), I'm fine.  My car might be totaled.  Can you come to North Memorial and pick me and Sam up?"

He was attempting to make a left hand turn into a parking lot, when another street racer barreled up out of nowhere and illegally passed him on the left.  Matt hit him.  Both he and his passenger, Sam, sustained neck and back injuries and were brought to North Memorial.  The car may be (hopefully!) totaled.

While Sam went to pick them up, I sent Micah a text telling her what happened.  Then I spent another hour or so in prayer before finally falling asleep.  I finally heard them come home around 6:30 a.m.  Sam went to sleep downstairs so he could get some good quality sleep as today was supposed to be report card day.

When I woke up around 8 a.m., Micah came in and said, "That explains it."

"Explains what?" came from my sleep-deprived, fog-brain. 

 

"My dream last night."  

"Talk to me." 

   

"Mom, I kept having the same dream last night.  Matt was racing in his yellow car and there were white angel wings around it."

Matt doesn't know these stories yet.  He will soon.  Until then, we thank God for granting our family mercy last night.