Columbus Day

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Luke 13:18 

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?”.....

So let’s just say - there is something beyond what we see. What everyone else around us sees. Something beyond the refugee camps blossoming this year into millions, and the many more that would do anything just to move to one. Something beyond waiting for yet another MRI, or being told that you need to sit and watch your disability score raise even though you are no longer capable of watching your own children. No help yet - maybe never. Something beyond days of winter illnesses, repeated surgeries, climbing bills, dwindling resources, and the continual search for the person who is gonna really “get behind you" and the quieting of those who don't. Something beyond ebola headlines. And something beyond the fear mongers.  Something beyond misunderstands, hurt feelings, unmet expectations, and the sinful brokenness of the person you hoped would be your next best friend. Something beyond my sinful brokenness. At 6:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and then again at 11:30. And then again tomorrow.  Something beyond a cell phone with a humorous or “informative” news feed that momentarily takes the edge off - and silently steals moments from my day - days from my children’s childhoods - all moments of quiet. As I daily participate in the epidemic loss of the contemplative.

It would be worth sailing for.  It would be worth campaigning for, raising awareness of, and leaping out in faith for.  It would be worth more than all the gold of a new world. Worth all that is lost of the old world.  And there would be signs of it.  A slight bend in the distant horizons that whispers, “They are all wrong.” “There is more.” “There is a way.” “Set sail.”

And the bend in the horizon is the beautiful moments and the narrative of those who have been just a little further down the road… or seen it all from a slightly different tilt. And scripture - a map. Perhaps I read it poorly, but well enough to know which way to start. And all the stories and glimpses and directions combined give one enough hope to say, “tomorrow  - I just hoist the sail again, aim that way, and wait for the wind.  For I can’t set sail without the wind, but I can be prepared to catch it when it comes to carry me … one step closer to the unknown… but the promised.”

And i'll practice reading the map. 

So here’s to Columbus Day and the beautiful fall that has been the bend in my horizon:

New family members... and their traditions... and all the beauty it brings to a simple Kansas life.

Good friends who have become family.  Better than family.

Crazy Grammees' who just keep things FUN

And Bunny ears. They are of the kingdom of God. They are. Really.

And family... spread far and wide: geographically, philosophically, and in every other way but roots

Field trips.  I think my kids should go on a field trip every day.

And if they don't we make family field trips.

Or dinner dates with Grandpa.

And there is produce. All kinds - I don't care if is baked or thrown out of a trebuchet - It is blessing

 Doubly if shared with friends.

And celebrated with friends.

Kingdom medicine for my soul.

And Saudi kingdom medicine for my body, "Amanda, it is ok. It is the Saudi way to take it all together."  Good. I'm a bit Arab after all.

And when we are well we should build things and shoot things and dance  and eat hot dogs over an open fire and hold snakes and play tennis. We see the bend past all the brokenness in these ways.

And we should dress up. Always - and we should prepare to dress up for months ahead of time. 

Right Gandma?

And she should take road trips with student drivers - surrendering ourselves to near death just for a Chinese buffet. 

And when someone builds you a fence:

 you should probably fry 25 lbs. of liver for them and make 20 lbs of mashed potatoes.

But then you should probably open all the windows in your house - because the smell...

well it is not of the Kingdom of God

What is your bend?

16 personalities

I'm just going to get this right in the open. I have successfully been avoiding all forms of necessary housework since 8:25 this morning.  It's unlike me - unlike my personality.  I know - because I have MADE everyone I know (ok - literally only 26 people) take this personality test (http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test) in the last two weeks.  

Jarod is not thrilled. I told him he didn't have to be thrilled - just like I am not thrilled when our garage is cluttered with a new tool - but I did want him to recognize it as a "tool."  You know - like maybe an answer to why he accidentally makes all women in his life cry on a regular basis.  Maybe he could work on that.

Just kidding- turns out he has a perfect personality. Which I knew. And it is a the same as Bianca's. Which I knew.  Also my mother-in-law, Maysyn, and Katie all have the same personality of Samwise Gamgee.... who I think is pretty much the best fictional character ever invented. I could have guessed that about all of them.  I guess I just like reading these profiles and being right.  I love being right. I think it is a major defining part of my personality. 

But all that to say- can you please take this personality test and send me your letter results?  Then I can read them, learn more about my friends and family and avoid doing more housework (I'm serious). Because that would be good for me.  Because literally, my results said, "sometimes you should take a break from doing the necessary and pressing things in your life and just write a random holiday blog on a Tuesday afternoon at 1:47 in the afternoon."  Or... something like that.

I haven't made the guys take personality tests yet.  I figure the government gives them enough stupid paperwork to fill out - I should just let them hold the kittens we found in the barn last week. 

Also - I need to sit on my amazing porch swing and watch it lightening absolutely EVERY time God sends such fireworks our way. It is necessary.

I make a wonderful driving teacher - because my car is worthless and I don't really care if I die - and I need a LITTLE bit more of an adrenaline rush than say folding laundry.

Climbing crumbling sandstone cliffs with the family is also a reasonable way to get my kicks.

But ... turns out both Jarod and I would prefer to be alone than with people.  Who knew?

Good thing God surrounds us with SUPER awesome people - every single day.

I think I have someone from every different one of the 16 personality types in my life.... including the super-villian one... but shhhhh... I'm not telling who ;)

Not a holiday - But I'll blog anyway

So - in my books heading back to school is NOT a holiday, but it is SOMETHIN' alright.  Thankfully my kids both seem to have AMAZING teachers this year and keeping true to form they did not disappoint for their back to school photo.  Who are these mom's who capture such cuteness on such an emotionally charged morning?? Also... Lucy and I went shopping for the first time in her little life.  Let's just say. NEVER AGAIN. I don't shop. That girl does. Of course she does. That's how my parenting life works.  Although - major break through - now Jude and I are reading the same novels.  Alas, a dream come true.

Anyway... before school started - after July 4- we had to cram in million and one fun things.

First, with the help of friends we reorganized all the bedrooms on the main floors.  48 hours of chaos (wherein we actually LOST one child) - and walla... the kids have their own spaces and I dusted behind furniture for the first time in 4 years. EEEWWWWW....

(Did you see sleepy Lucy?)

We celebrated some pretty awesome birthdays.

We took the annual trip to Iowa... got lost in some corn,  built some stuff, ate too much, rode around in the model T, ya know -  the usual Iowa fare.  

Speaking of FAIR. I'm totally getting to this place in life, that if I am going to help people "experience" a rodeo... I might as well dress the part.

Poor husband... he is out numbered - we all like to look a little goofy... more often than not

Totally felt goofy needing a blanket in July! But that is NOT a complaint!!

Because we can still grow food the size of our head.

In case the beautiful weather around Hays wasn't enough to spoil us this summer, we also went a pretty unbelievable trip to Yellowstone.  Met up with some amazing friends and family, and even took our own photographer along. (Thanks Claire!)

Jarod and dad even took the motorcycle!

First stop: Korean food in Denver.  Finally got to try the famous... unlimited side dishes.

Next stop the Lindesys' in Fort Collins.

My cousin Shane did check up calls on us to make sure we drank enough water.

Talk about hospitality!

The kids were really great explorers.... but the whole yellowstone thing really is "a long drive ... to do a lot of driving..."

And it's a good thing there is more to see than old faithful :)

Mom says she may not be up for another trip during this lifetime.  But considering she put on cousins' camp the next week... I think she has more energy than she is letting on.

(No time for photos DURING the event...this is just the drop off :)

The kids hit 2 zoos during their last week of summer one with either set of grandparents

And though summer may be over... looks like the garden is just gearing up and our house is just filling up.

I love the fact the life rotates around the school year. 

Because, you see, no matter the season, I don't have homework.

Oh wait... my whole life is homework.

'Cause I'm a housewife.