Reasons to Smile!

It has been an inspiring and enjoyable day so far! Garin has been having a hard time with Daddy's absence, and his sleep was very disturbed last night. He was up three times during the night. He hasn't been like that since Karl's last mission. I hope that this will not last too long.

We got up around 7 am and got ready for church. I somehow, miraculously, even had time to water all of the potted plants and straighten up the house before we left for the 9:45 service at church! I was so moved by the number of people who asked how we are doing and how Karl is. A little girl in our church who is normally very shy and whom I barely know just ran up and hugged me when I sat down. Her mother was shocked. She was the only one who could calm Garin in the nursery a few weeks ago, and she mentioned that she knows how hard it can be to have a little one with such separation anxiety. She gave me her phone number and offered to watch Garin if I ever just want to get away. Another young mom with three little ones and one on the way said she'd like to get together, too. I'm so thankful for such kindness. There was a touching Memorial Day video and prayer at the start of the service. I tried so hard not to cry, but it eventually got the better of me. Kari, our pastor, was so thoughtful to sit with me (and cry with me) through it and our musical worship. We had an amazing sermon about Pentecost and the power of the Holy Spirit to move among His people and reach others with the message of hope we have in Christ. I was soaring when I left.

I was telling Kari this morning that my loneliest time is after Garin goes to bed at night, and she said that it could be a great time to spend with the Lord. Now why didn't I think of that?!?! I have been trying to fill the time with busy-ness to keep my mind off of things when I could really take advantage of the quiet to listen to God and worship Him! Why is it that we rush through a morning quiet time the same way we rush through all of the other duties of the day instead of seeing it as a privilege like we do our uninterrupted moments with others we love? I am excited about making evenings about fellowship with my Savior. Thanks, Kari, for stating the obvious to the oblivious!

After church, we ran to the craft store for beading supplies, and I got back to work on my hummingbird feeders when Garin went down for a nap. I've had jars and stoppers sitting around for months waiting to be put together!

Garin should be getting up soon, and we're going to just enjoy a relaxing evening together. I think I'll make Mexican Mess (a fancy term for taco salad for those who aren't familiar with our family's terminology) for supper.

I've been text-messaging with Karl all afternoon. (For anyone who travels internationally, Blackberry's PIN messaging is free except for the monthly cost of a data package.... WAY cheaper than the cost of phone calls....and you can keep up throughout the day, whenever the mood strikes.) Anyway, Karl made it to the contemporary service this morning, and although he says it is definitely not Connection, it was nice for the middle of the desert. He said they have no one on keyboard, so he's going to see how his schedule goes as far as getting out of work on time. If it is consistent, he's going to volunteer to play keyboards for them. What an answer to my prayers that would be! It would be so good for him to have a group of believers to spend time with and to be able to do something he really enjoys! I know it would give him something to look forward to, each practice and worship, and help the time pass more quickly for him.

I have a mailing address for Karl now. I don't want to post it on the internet, but send me an email or comment on this post if you want it, and I'll send it to you via email.

Love to you all and thanks again for your prayers! I miss Karl very much of course, but my biggest prayer requests now would be for Karl to be able to get involved in the chapel or otherwise involved in a group of believers, as God desires, and for Garin to begin to adjust to Daddy's absence.