I saw a t-shirt a couple of days ago.  It said, “I smile because you’re my sister. I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!”  I guess that could be said about any family relationship.  I love it!!

This is an incredible video.  Have you ever tried Dance Dance Revolution?
http://www.dailyhaha.com/_vids/5_yr_DDR.htm

Sometimes the government does something so incredibly right that you have hope that right decisions can actually be made.  The city council here decided to replace the 100 year old dam on the San Marcos River with a series of rapids and chutes. The chute at RioVista Dam had been a popular place to cool off ever since it was built.  When it shifted 18 inches this past winter, fences were put up and danger signs were everywhere. 

The locals wanted the dam repaired and the tubing and swimming to continue. Some of us dispaired that it would become a poor substitute of what we had.  Then one river lover proposed a series of smaller dams with chutes and rapids.  Even though the cost was somewhat higher, the city jumped on it.  By the 25th of May, the dam had been replaced with an absolutely beautiful, free mini water park

Today we rented tubes from about a mile upriver and floated down to this place.  The grandkids and I went down the chutes and played in the pools for several hours.  How wonderful it was!!  Thank you, city of San Marcos!!

A friend wrote a post about taking a day off to spend with his family.  He said he used a Ten Year Principle to make the decision.  I really liked that.  His principle involves asking the question, “In ten years, which will I remember doing?”  I was reminded of a principle that I have used to make some hard decisions.

I called it my Rocking Chair Priniciple.  When my second child was born, I had a very hard time with the delivery and then the baby died after 10 hours.  Somehow the nurses didn’t realize how sick he was so there was no medical intervention until he was dying.  For this I was glad because I was able to hold him and comfort him all night. He might have died even if there had been help or perhaps he would have been brain damaged.  In any event, I was terrified of having another child.  I struggled with the fear for the month or so as I began to heal.  Then one day as I pondered the situation, I pictured myself in a rocking chair, 80 or more years old.  I thought, “Will I be sitting there regretting that I didn’t even try?”  I told myself that I didn’t need to be brave, I just needed to pretend I was and move on.  So I decided not to let fear rule my decisions.

The Bible says that bad roots make bad fruit.  Fear qualifies as a bad root, and from what I could tell, only bad would come from a decision based on fear (or anger, or bitterness, or any number of other negative motives.)  The result of that decision to ignore the fear and live my life is that I had three more children born to me after that experience and also a god-daughter whom we were able to include in our family. If I live to 80 and end up sitting in a rocker pondering my life, I will remember with joy, the decision to reach out instead of shut down, to push forward instead of run away from and to live instead of dying piece by piece.

Well, we just returned from our second trip in two weeks.  First I
went to Mexico to visit my god-daughter in Monterrey.  We returned
on the 4th of July after a week’s visit.  The next day my other
two grandkids came, and we went to Corpus Christi.  Oh, what a day
we had!  We got up early-early to get on the road before the
heat.  We managed to hit a raging storm as we came into
Corpus.  There’s highway construction on the road we needed to go
on so we crept along.  Almost as soon as we arrived, it stopped
and began to clear up.  By noon, the day was sunny and bright!
 

We drove out to Padre Island and spent the afternoon jumping waves and
watching these incredible fish jumping out of the waves.  Someone
told us they were called Skip Jacks. I kept missing seeing the fish
because I was keeping an eye on the younger kids, 6 and 7 year olds. So
we went into the shore, and my daughter watched the younger kids so I
could try again.  My older granddaughter went out with me to see
the fish.  This time I kept seeing them, and she didn’t. There
were schools racing along the waves so they were silhouetted against
the swells. Most of them were 9″ to 15″ long, pretty big fish for so
close to the shore!  Occasionally one would jump out of the
water.  I turned to say something to my granddaughter when
suddenly a school ran right into her.  One large one jumped onto
her head and several swam up her back and shoulders.  I saw at
least 4 of them on her.  She screamed and almost jumped on top of
me.  Then she realized how absurd it was and began laughing. 
I was laughing so hard, I could hardly breathe. We laughed all the way
back to the shore!  I never imagined that fish could be so clumsy
as to run into someone!!  We learn something new every day!

Today we drove home, and I am so glad to be here!!  The grandkids
are all laughing behind me as they play.  What a great summer!!

What a week!!  On Thursday I went to Mexico to see our god-daughter. Her mother and I traveled by bus for seven hours to get there.  The proclaimed purpose was to see our grandson’s kindergarten graduation, but really we just wanted to visit.  It was good we felt that way since the school ended up asking only parents to come to the ceremony.  We went to the party/reception afterwards though.

If you have ever been to Monterrey, Mexico, you know that one of its great attractions is the wonderful food.  Every meal is a delight with lots of avocados, chilis, lime juice and some of the best cheese you could taste!  Enchiladas, queso, flautas, fresh papaya con limon, fruit icees with real fruit not just colored sugar water. It goes on and on. So I was excited about the reception which included lunch.  What a shock when we got a plate with an overcooked cheeseburger which we could add iceberg lettuce, slightly green tasteless tomatoes and onions to, American potato chips, red jello and a cupcake with marshmallow icing!!   I guess it is a style to have American juck food for kid’s parties. I was even more grateful for the wonderful breakfast we had earlier with our grandson’s Mexican grandparents. 

We returned today loaded down with packets of Oaxaca, panela and Mennonite El Laurel cheese and Glorias, a goat milk candy, and a head full of wonderful memories.

Tonight I wheeled my mother down the hall of the assisted living home
to the dining room for her dinner. Since they hadn’t served anything
yet, I sat in an empty chair at her table.  Next to me was a
lovely lady with expressive eyes and delicate features.  Her
elegant hands reached out for her napkin, then fluttered, not quite
sure if she needed it yet.  “How long have you been here?” I
asked.

“A little over a year.  We put my house up for sale last week.”

“Oh, do you have children?”

“A son. He’s helping me sell it. It is very hard.  I had lived
there for 40 years. We once joked about assisted living places, he and
I.  I never thought I’d be here, but….here I am.  You know,
you never realize that it could happen to you.  The disease
progressed faster than we thought it would.” She was using oxygen and
an electric wheelchair..

“What disease is that?”

“Emphysema.”  I had noticed that occasionally she would cough quietly into a kleenex and look embarassed.

We talked a bit longer.  Then the food was served, and I left.
I felt guilty as I got up and freely walked down the hall, out the
door, and got into my car to drive to my house where I could clean and
cook and care for myself.  I don’t think we realize how fortunate
we are just to be able to breathe, and walk, and wash dishes, and clean
a house, or mow a lawn.

Our Ukrainian girl leaves tomorrow.  Her mural is complete. Her
bags are packed. Tonight will be her last night at the youth group
meeting at church.  I know she must be feeling so many conflicting
emotions.  We have enjoyed her and she has felt completely at home
here with us.  I know she hopes to return, but honestly, I have no
idea if that will be possible.  Ukraine is so far away.  Last
night in his deep bass voice, her father invited Nick to bring us to
visit them.  From my side, I heard Nick struggling with his rusty
Russian to thank him for the invitation and assure him that his
daughter had been greatly appreciated in our home.  Her parents
feel like friends although we have never and may never see them. 
We will miss her I am sure. But I know her parents will be elated to
have her back!

Yesterday, I spent the day praying for several situations that are very
troubling for me right now. For no discernable reason, in the late
afternoon, I suddenly began to feel like I had been attached to a hot
air balloon and was being lifted up.  I rose into a place of peace
and hope, a place of eternal joy.  It was an incredible sensation
of happiness, yet more than happiness too.

It reminded me of an event that happened many years ago when we lived
in the mountains in Colorado.  I was driving one day under heavy
clouds, both physical and emotional.  As I slowly climbed up
Dallas Divide, I entered into those clouds and was surrounded with a
thick dark fog.  Slowly the fog began to lighten and become
brighter. It grew brighter and brighter until it was almost impossible
to drive because of the shining glare.  Then suddenly I drove
through the top of the clouds, and I found myself in a fairy land of
mountain peak islands in a sea of glowing clouds. It was so beautiful
with the deep blue sky, the shimmering clouds and the snow-capped
mountains, it brought tears to my eyes. I had to pull over and stop to
memorize the incredible beauty of that magical moment. 

So yesterday felt the same. Nothing is changed, yet nothing is the same
either. I have felt the heartbeat of God and he tells me that all is
well.

This week has flown by way too quickly.  On Monday my husband woke
up with what looked like poison ivy on his back.  It has slowly
gotten worse until today when he finally went to the doctor. He hadn’t
been able to sleep for the past couple of nights.  So today we
found out that he has a case of shingles.  Sometimes I think the
internet is too helpful.  I read what I could and got thoroughly
panicked.  Then I read again and noticed the possibility of those
long-lasting effects.  There are only a few people who take a long
time recovering or who have residual problems. I think I’ll just wait
and see how it goes.  In the meantime, I’m going to do what I can
to help him feel good and get the rest he obviously needs.