My Karate Kid

Several months ago I showed the boys the original Karate Kid movie, the one with Daniel-son and Mr. Miyagi.  Ever since then it has been karate-this, karate-that around our house.  Michael, especially, has become quite berserk.  He practiced "the crane" off the diving board all summer long.  Whenever there's a disagreement between brothers he attempts to settle it by sweeping someone's legs out from underneath them or kicking them in the stomach.  He's teaching Zachary to meditate.  Despite my constant insistence that you can not become a black belt from watching Ninjago, Michael is convinced that he possesses some supernatural karate powers.  In case you're about to suggest that we should just sign him up for martial arts, NO.  I just don't have it in me.  Besides, Michael chose flag football as his activity of choice this fall.  He has been dying to play ever since last fall when Blake played and got an amazing, very realistic football jersey for the games.  I can't say I blame him.  I once signed up for dance because I thought we'd get white gloves for our recital costumes.  When my mom told me she wouldn't buy the outfit unless I actually danced in the recital I quit. 

Michael is nothing if not an intense young man.  He approaches every new skill like a cross between Yosemite Sam and the Tasmanian Devil (see aforementioned references to karate).  It takes extreme concentration for him to simply pull the flag during a game and not also mow the other player over entirely.  By the end of his game on Saturday he had knocked over two kids, both of them on his team.  On our way home, as we were rehashing all of the highlights from the game, I told Michael he needed to watch his roughness or the coach would make him sit out.  And here was his actual response...

"Mom, I just can't help it.  It's just that my karate makes me so powerful and I can't control my powers!"

Right. 

I remember when I started as the youth director and I was constantly in this dual position of being totally amazed and totally frustrated with the youth around me.  How bright and funny and wonderful they were!  What talent they possessed and charisma!  And yet, how obnoxious!!  One boy I knew had the most infectious personality.  If he was in a good mood we'd have a great day.  But if he was in a bad mood he would take everyone around him down with him.  I learned quickly that they key to any great gift is to harness its power for good.  The Spiderman Theory, I like to call it.  With great power comes great responsibility.  Michael's intensity is indeed a gift, when pointed in the right direction. 

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill can not be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

Your talents are no accident.  They are your own unique opportunities to do good.  I'll never forget the woman at my church that stood up and talked about her love for animals during a stewardship campaign.  I had never considered that ministry operated so much outside the church that it could extend to animal shelters, but she was so right!!  Ministry is everywhere.  Use what you've got to make a difference.  Whether its your child, a volunteer at school, a coworker or a family member.  Maybe that someone who is driving you crazy is just another person with amazing potential that needs pointed in the right direction.

Lord, helpful me to be mindful of my own gifts, that I have them pointed in the right direction, so that others would see your glory through me.  And help me to point my own children in the right direction, to show them how to honor you through their gifts, that Your Light would shine through them.  Amen. 

I love you, Michael.....you big goober.  I love you.

 

 

XOXO...Kelly

For Carole...the Meat Story

My good and wonderful friend, Nick, lost his mom last week to cancer.  Carole Olivero, pictured above with my friend Nick and Michael (at age 4 months), had more compassion, intensity, expectation and character packed into her five foot body than of anyone I have ever known.  She was an amazing woman who made lifelong friendships and knew no strangers. 

 

Carole loved to feed people and when you visited her house you sat down to eat.  At the table and all at once.  None of this buffet business where you grab a piece of pizza and sit on the couch and you did not wear a hat.  I attended a family dinner at the Olivero house one night.  It was the first time I'd been at a family dinner with all four kids there and their boyfriends and girlfriends, so there were a lot of people around the table.  Being with the Olivero's is an experience in and of itself.  There is no small talk.  There are opinions, jokes and someone usually always quotes Seinfeld.  It's mostly wonderful, but a little intimidating.  And to top it off Carole set down the largest tray of flank steak I have ever seen in my life followed by the largest bowl of mashed potatoes I had ever seen in my life.  And that's saying a lot because my sisters and I used to make my parents take us to the Chuck-o-Rama Family Buffet in Utah when we were younger.  As I put a piece of steak on my plate, Carole looked down at me and said, "Is that all you're going to eat?  You're so small!"  See what I mean?  Expectation.  I panicked a little.  I remember sitting at the table thinking, I don't think I can eat more than one piece of meat!!  What am I going to do??  Carol was not just interested in feeding people.  She was interested in filling them up, and she did it in more ways than one.

 

I think of the things in my life that feed me and I am grateful for them.  Singing in the choir at church, a fun craft project, volunteering with the boys' schools, writing this blog even.  These things bring me lots of enjoyment and they are important parts of my life.  But, oh, they are nothing compared to the things that fill me up.  My husband, my children, my faith.  All of the 40% Hobby Lobby coupons in the world couldn't do for me what one evening of rocking Parker to sleep does. 

 

What fills you up?  Carole knew, and she offered it to everyone who came into her home.  It resonated from her.  My little sister, Terri, welcomed her own sweet daughter into the world this week.  (This is totally a shameless plug for bragging on my beautiful little Faye Beth.)  I am betting the first time she looked at that tiny face she discovered a whole new way of being full. 

 

Christ puts things deep within us and all around us.  His spirit gives us the courage to draw on these things and fill up our lives with them.  We know what it is to feel blessed.  And when we manage, like Carole, to take the peace and joy that comes with these gifts and pass them on to others, we know what it is to be a blessing to others.  "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which we are called in one body, and be thankful." Colossians 3:15.  Be full, friends.  Be full.

 

XOXO...Kelly

 

 

Wednesday

So I was gawked at today, and not in the good way people might gawk at you when you're wearing a new outfit and your hair is done and your tan is awesome.  I actually had food hanging out of my mouth.  We were eating lunch in the car between errands and I was enjoying the new Wendy's Asiago Chicken Flatbread Sandwich.  Nothing but the best for lunch via drive thru.  Anyway, I was shoveling said sandwich into my mouth when I noticed the person in the vehicle next to me staring at me.  I am sure they were appalled.  There was dressing on my face and a tomato hanging out of my mouth.  I know, I know.  What would the people at Glamour Shots say if they could see me now?  But it's Wednesday and it's 100 degrees outside, so I don't care.  I'd like to say it's with maturity that I have developed this carefree attitude.  Maybe that's part of it.  But I've been gawked at a lot in the last five or six years of my life and each time it happens all I can do is look the person, smile, and think to myself, "you don't know anything about me."  And it's true.  I don't mean it in a snarky way, but there are a lot of people in the city of Houston.  I am not going to see all of them on a good day.  Generally speaking, what many people see of me is only a teeny blip of my life as they know it.  Is it fair for anyone to judge me based on one tiny blip?  Absolutely not, and it would be wrong of me to do the same to anyone else.  "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God " James 1:19-20.  Oh, it's so tempting to make a comment about the mother with out of control kids in Target until you are that mother.  In my own family we have good trips to the store and bad trips.  To the older lady I once overheard remarking that she would certainly do better in my shoes I say, go ahead!  I'll be at the Starbucks near the entrance enjoying a white chocolate mocha when you're done. 

If there's anything I deserve an award for it would be my ability to control my road rage in a city the size of Houston.  But I am actually remarkably good at it.  When someone cuts me off I just imagine they are heading to an emergency.  When someone slows down way too much to turn into a parking lot I just imagine they have a cake in their car, or a basket of puppies they don't want to knock over.  I have no idea if any of this is true (it probably isn't), but I don't care.  Slow to judgment, slow to anger.  I've also got a killer Lionel Richie CD that can't help but put you in a good mood.  'Cause I'm once, twice, three times a lady..... 

I'd like it if everyone thought the best of me or, better yet, if the best of me was always what I have to offer.  But it's Wednesday and it's 100 degrees outside.  So when you see me at the red light with food hanging out of my mouth just assume I'm doing the best I can that day and move on.  I promise to do the same for you.

XOXO...Kelly               

Little is much.

I saw a sign in a coffee house a while ago that read, "Little is much when God is in it."  The phrase has stuck with me ever since.  Remember the widow who gave all she had?

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd put their money in the treasury.  Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on." Mark 12: 41-44

Little is much indeed.  Our savior came into the world as a baby born in a barn.  He rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey.  His word reminds us over and over what mountains can be moved with even the tiniest bit of faith. 

If you're feeling that what you have right now isn't enough--time, money, faith, patience--put God in it.  Out of our greatest poverty comes His greatest riches. 

You are loved, friends.  In plenty or in want.  You are loved.

XOXO...Kelly

And that's when I lost it.

I mentioned our summer New Braunfels vacation in my last post.  Vacations are great and this one, our annual family getaway with Kevin's parents, was wonderful.  But there is still a lot of stress that goes along with getting your family out the door and living away from home for a time with small children.  I started the weekend under the weather a bit.  When we got to our condo on Friday we couldn't get the key out of the lock box.  The mattresses were terrible, so no one slept well.  There were no condiments for the lunch meat sandwiches (that one didn't really bother me, I'm just throwing it in for my husband and father-in-law).  Burger King had no ice.  Etc., etc., etc.  Really nothing big and very little to complain about, but just small nagging things that built up until, after a long day in the sun at SeaWorld, I stepped in gum at a gas station on our way home.  I looked down at my shoe and the gum that someone else had been chewing now ground into the floor of the van--the second piece of gum I'd stepped on that day actually--and that's when I lost it.  I began to sob.  I think I also threw a chicken sandwich. 

I love it when you react super emotionally to something as an adult and people try to comfort you by reminding you that even Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers and wept at the death of a friend.  This was nothing like that.  I was throwing a great big, adult sized fit over gum and I have no good excuse except that I was simply too tired to do anything better. 

It's not that the vacation wasn't relaxing.  I actually sat by a pool and read two magazines cover to cover.  Two!!  But I guess I got caught up in all that relaxing and didn't spend much time with God during our trip.  If I had, surely I would have remembered to hand all those little annoyances over to Him. 

I like to picture that I have a spiritual bucket.  It gets full of all sorts of unpleasant things, big and little, and needs to be emptied often.  I do this by starting my day in prayer.  Before my feet hit the floor I ask God to prepare my spirit for the day, thank Him for the joys and hand over the burdens.  When I don't do this the bucket gets full until it has no choice but to overflow into a heaping, chewed gum, chicken sandwich throwing mess.  And I have I mentioned how heavy a full bucket is?  But God's peace is light and freeing.  "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. The will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31. 

Ain't no eagles flying around with a bunch of buckets 'round their necks. 

So my point is this.  Empty your bucket.  Even when things are great and the vacation is wonderful and the day is perfect.  God needs to be a part of your good days just as much as your bad ones.  Take care of your soul everyday.  Because there's a lot of gum out there and you never know when you're going to step in it.  XOXO...Kelly    

Now.

We just returned home last night for a long weekend in the New Braunfels area with Kevin's parents.  It's a tradition we started a few summers ago.  We take off for a few days to a beach or river somewhere and just hang out and it is wonderful!  There is a special kind of bonding that comes with squeezing your whole family into a condo or beach house somewhere that simply can not be beat.  Everyone is exhausted today, of course, so I plan to exercise some of my super parenting skills and allow the boys an extra hour on the Wii while I do laundry.  And then it's back to the grind!  The school year is almost upon us and I really can't believe how fast the summer flew.  Remember when I said several weeks ago that I fear the summer?  All the heat and wide open expanses of time needing to be filled.  But as it turns out I do not mind the heat that much (which either makes me crazy or some kind of adaptation super mutant) and the extra time with my kids was just what I needed.  So now I sit at the brink of another school year and temptation is pulling at me once again.  Part of me wants to be sad, mourn the loss of summer, wish my soon to be kindergartener and first grader could be toddlers again, angst over whether or not I cherished them enough while they were home.  The other part of me says, arg, this is hard, and longs for the days they can stay home by themselves and I don't have to drag four less than willing little boys to Target with me, and dreams of uninterrupted manicures and Jazzercise.  But the bottom line is I don't think God wants me in either of those places.  Oh, I love my babies.  I loved them when they were little and pudgy and cute and giggly and I am sure the time ahead of me when I can move with a little more freedom will be justly deserved.  But what I really love is the NOW of my life.  I love what God has given me to enjoy now.  Michael is smart as a whip.  Blake thinks he's a weapons specialist.  Zachary is working hard to improve his "arm-pit toots".  Parker yells at all of them in baby talk.  It's precious!  How could I possibly want to miss it?  How can I be a good parent, wife, friend, sister, disciple if I'm constantly looking back with longing and ahead with anxiety?  As Kevin and I were floating on the river the other evening, watching all the college kids make a ruckus, I said to him, "I remember that college was fun, but there's no part of me that wants to go back."  (To be fair, watching a group of ragged 20 year olds nearing the end of a long tube ride accompanied by their favorite alcoholic beverage isn't really a good post card for any university.)  Isn't that what God's peace is for all of us?  That no matter what lies ahead and what lies behind, His joy meets us right where we are.  Sometimes the now is rough,  but I believe God provides for every moment of our lives and His greatest desire that we would see Him in them.  Father, I praise you with highest gratitude for what you've given me, for a past and a future touched by You.  But I thank you especially for today and the joy that comes from all that is before me now.  Amen. 

XOXO....Kelly

I'm really, really ridiculously good looking--Part 2

While visiting my parents in Pittsburgh last week I unearthed these photos.  When I was 16, I wanted nothing more than what every 16 year old girl wants.....for someone to follow her around with a camera fashion model style and take beautiful pictures of her and only her.  (If you're female and you're thinking, "I never wanted that" then you are lying to yourself.  If you're male and you've suspected this of our gender all along, well, what can I say.  It's part of our charm.)  So my parents treated me to a Glamour Shot session for my birthday.  Look out world, here I come....

These first two series are really aimed at capturing my sophisticated side.  When you're trying to capture this sort of essence it's helpful to flare your nostrils a little bit.  I love how the fur collar matches the natural highlights in my hair and how my eyes twinkle like the studs on the silver vest.  I can picture myself driving away from the studio in my red Chrysler Sebring convertible with white leather seats.  Fancy!!

 

A little more luxury here.  I bet if you saw me on the street wearing that black and gold jacket you'd assume I was worth a million dollars.  But I'm really just like the rest of you.  And look at how they've played with my image a little on the last line of pictures.  The denim and black says I am tough, a force to be reckoned with, but the teddy bear reminds you that I have a softer side.  How about that last shot?  That's right...eat your heart out.   

 

If looking at these photos inspires you to do nothing more than this right now I will rest well tonight....think of that person that drove you nuts in high school or broke your heart or picked on you and let it go.  Because thank God for the mercy and grace that allows us to be better than we were at 16!  "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon" Psalm 92:12.  But cedars and palm trees don't grow over night.  The process for some is slower than others, but make no mistake.  He who began a good work in you will keep on doing it, moving us from Glamour Shots to glory with the quiet strength of His hand.  That saying about people peaking in high school doesn't account for the chance that God gives each of us everyday to get better.  Maybe it's yourself that you need to forgive and accept that spiritual growth is something that never ends.  Yes, we end this life as imperfect as we begin in, but we do get better!!   "We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with EVER INCREASING glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" 2 Cor 3:18.  I know several people right now doing amazing things for themselves, allowing God to move in their spiritual lives, in their finances, in their health.  You are in my prayers everyday.  Know that His glory in you is becoming greater everyday, too.

 

But back to these photos.  Look...my hair makes a perfect triangle.  Awesome.   

XOXO....Kelly