• May. 15, 2006
Our Whirlwind Weekend
It's hard to know where to begin! This weekend was so jam-packed with celebrations and milestones. So much occurred in such a very short time!
The weekend began with our annual Prom Alternative. Each year, youth ministries sponsors this alternative to the high school prom. The girls get their hair done and arrive in beautiful formals, the guys wear suits and ties. There's no pressure to attend with a date...in fact, we encourage our kids to come without a date! It's a whole lot more fun to hang out with friends...with the benefit of no added stress!
We take umpteen pictures to chronicle the evening, and then dine in a fine restaurant. Following dinner, we visited a local coffeehouse where there was a guy doing live performances of 60's music. The coffeehouse was the pick-up spot for carriage rides, so while each group of 8 took their turn on a scenic drive, the rest of us sipped lattes, cappuccinos, and sang along to "What a Wonderful World."
Following our coffees and carriage rides, the kids were given the option of changing into casual attire and playing a round of Laser Tag. Those who wished to remain dressed up just relaxed and enjoyed one another's company.
Finally we went back to our church where elegant desserts awaited us. We gathered together in a cozy, dimly lit room with a roaring fire. We enjoyed delectable specialties like Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake and Death by Chocolate. And then my husband led all of us in a devotional about dating and marriage.
It was such a God-honoring night! There was no shame or embarrassment regarding where we'd been or what we'd done. Our kids were able to enjoy a fabulous memory-making night with their friends, but without regrets. Our Prom Alternative is always a highlight of the year, and this year was no exception.
So that was Friday night. On Saturday, the day we've anticipated for 6 years finally arrived! My husband graduated with his master's degree! And not only did he graduate...he graduated Summa Cum Laude! I'm so proud of the excellence with which he completed his studies, all while balancing family and full-time ministry. As I sat through the ceremony, my heart spilled forth with praise for God's faithfulness! Later we were able to celebrate at a favorite restaurant with our boys, parents, and very dear friends. What a precious day!
Of course, yesterday was Mother's Day, and my husband woke up early to go pick up some McDonald's breakfast for the two of us. The boys were still asleep, so we laid in bed...just the two of us...while dining on McD's breakfast burritos and hashbrowns. Sweet memories!
When he left for church, the boys were still asleep. When they awoke, there were no children running to greet me with Mother's Day hugs, well-wishes, and sentiments. In fact, they asked me what we were doing in the afternoon, and when I told them we were going to visit their grandparents for Mother's Day, no light bulb went off in their heads! And when they saw the wrapped presents on the table and asked what they were for, I replied that they were for Mother's Day. They still didn't get it! As I was ranting and raving in my mind about the injustice of it all, I heard our youngest suddenly gasp, "It's Mother's Day!" At which point all three came running to me and embraced me in a sea of hugs.
Today, with a little further perspective (and a meeker heart), I realize that the disappointment I felt yesterday wasn't our boys' fault...it was mine. I'm selfish and have way-too-many expectations. I think I deserve such and such. I want my Mother's Day to look like a Hallmark commercial. And when it doesn't, I grow discontent.
Thank God that He's still working in me! So often I exalt myself and put myself on the throne of my heart. I believe myself to be pretty special, and I think I deserve the thanks, honor, and recognition of my loved ones. Yet when I stop to consider the awesome majesty and holiness of God, I'm put in my proper place. If I'm exalting myself, I can't be exalting Him.
And so perhaps the best gift I received this Mother's Day didn't come wrapped in beautiful paper and tied with a bow...it came in the form of God's gentle nudging; His loving reminder that this life is not about me. It's all about His glory, His fame. He's given me the privilege of being the mom to these beautiful sons He's entrusted to me. And their purpose is not to bring glory to me, but to bring glory to our Great God. He alone is worthy.
We were glad to be able to visit with each of our moms yesterday, showering them with love and honor. We are truly blessed by the sacrificial love of these two lovely women!
So that was our whirlwind weekend. The common thread through these days and events is God's grace. We give him praise and honor for the great things that He has done!
Comments
• May. 15, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by rbjhcmama
First of all, big congratulations to Jon for a job well done!!! Yeah!!!
Secondly, thank you for sharing your heart about your Mother's Day in such a transparent way! You definitely made me feel that at least I wasn't alone ~ which will make more sense if you read my blog!
I am glad we are in this thing together and it is so encouraging to see that He is often teaching us the same things at the same time! Aren't friends wonderful?!
Love you,
Barb
• May. 15, 2006
Hi!
Posted by friends4tea
About an earlier post - - I liked your t-shirts so much that I got a couple for my family! I thought they'd make great anniversary gifts for my husband and myself! Thanks for sharing!
• May. 15, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by gal51
Yes, I was humbled this morning too when I thought about my expectations :( .... because it was a great day (weekend really) and I am SO blessed!
Sounds like a wonderfully fun prom night alternative ... I love it! And ~C~O~N~G~R~A~T~S~ to your hubby on such a big accomplishement!
Blessings to you!
~Heather
• May. 15, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by Hope
Thank you for sharing so openly. I, too, felt the pain of disappointment on Mother's Day, only to have the Holy Spirit convict me of my selfishness and pride.
I appreciate your blog and wanted to tell you that, probably unknowingly, you are reaching strangers with the love of Christ.
God bless you, sister!
Hope
• May. 15, 2006
Stand By Your Man!
Posted by living4Him
That's exactly what you have been doing for the past several years...I have admired the way you have prayed, sacriced, loved and encouraged him through all his studies....I am rejoicing with both of you in the reaching of this goal! YEAH!!!!
Love you much!
Nichole
• May. 15, 2006
Blessings and Congrats!!!
Posted by FaithfulGrace
Several years ago the Lord used Pamela Spurling at www.achristianhome.org
to teach me this same gentle lesson.
You are such a humble and faithful servant, it didn't take much for the Spirit to gently guide you where you were already headed.
Thank you so much for sharing,
Happy belated Mother's Day dear one,
God bless,
Linda
• May. 16, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by daddysgirls
I love the prom idea. I am going to pass that along to our youth workers. Congrats to your hubby!!!!
• May. 16, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by Lilliepad
Congratulations to your husband! That's quite an accomplishment! The two of you look so cute together in that picture.
That prom night makes me want to be a teenager again. What a blessing for those kids.
I always enjoy your spiritual perspectives on things. It's quite obvious that you and the Lord are pretty tight.
• May. 16, 2006
prom, mother's day, masters degree hoorah!
Posted by Edelweiss
I catered our third homeschool 'Spring Formal' Friday night...130 young adults. What a joy to see them all dressed up in their finery! My daughter in ice blue frothy dress. Lovely. They enjoyed fellowship, professional pictures, dinner, games, and devotion. A wonderful evening.
My Mother's Day was the sweetest I've enjoyed in a few years. I rested. While on the couch we watched movies, talked, snuggled, slept, read, snuggled some more. Then we readied up for bed and our daughter fell asleep on our bed. It took a while to decide to wake her...didn't have the heart to. How is it that at 16 she sometimes resembles that wee one I could lift and carry silently to bed?
Congratulations to your hubby on the completion of his Masters Degree. Pure joy, I'm sure!
I truly love reading your blog. Thank you.
• May. 16, 2006
Catching up!
Posted by EEEEMommy
Wow! I've been catching up with your latest posts and once again find tears welling up in my eyes! For some reason, your posts generally have this affect on me, not that it's unusual for me to be verklempt, but here I've spent the past hour or so reading blogs and yours was the one to trigger the dam! So, thanks! LOL
I loved your post about your mom and I love to hear you speak so adoringly about your husband, I feel the same way about mine. I also love that he got a cool brown t-shirt just like yours! That is way cool! Did you ever tell us where you got yours? I guess I could google it. :)
Thanks for sharing (and making me cry!)
God bless!
• May. 17, 2006
Wow what a weekend
Posted by authorDonna
First of all. CONGRATULATIONS ON GRADUATING! And since marriage is a two becoming one that is for BOTH of you. I applaud your alternative to prom. Our girls had the same sort of night and as we recently looked back through the photos I couldn't help but think how wonderful it was that none of them had a 'date' to reminisce about. Typically, most of those 'dates' end up as a distant memory and prom is far to special to have anything take away from it. Our girls, now all adults, still talk about the choice (not always easy) that we made as alternatives to worldly events. Instead of Halloween, we waited until the first weekend in November and threw a huge harvest party. Their friends could come dressed in costume but it had to be either Biblical or to do with the harvest time. I couldn't believe how many scarecrows we had. We'd go on a huge hay ride and have a large backyard fire and roast hotdogs. We'd play hide and seek in the woods that ran the full length of our old fifty acre farm (we've moved since then). We still laugh about those times. What God-honouring moments these events can be.
As to your Mother's Day expectations--I think we all do that to a certain extent and not just on Mother's Day. I often find myself trying to root God off the throne of my heart and have to repent in total shame. Thank you for writing about your weekend. I truly enjoyed your post.
• May. 17, 2006
Wow!
Posted by jammyphoto
I am spinning just reading of your wonderful weekend! What memories, victories and learning has taken place in such a small chunk of time. You are truly blessed, and I am blessed having shared in just a glimpse of it all.
HUGS,
Jenn
• May. 18, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by kleo30
You had a great weekend! Your prom alternative is a great idea. I'd love something like that here. My kids would like it too.
Congrats! to your husband. He must feel so good to have graduated. He did a great job and was in full time ministry. Awesome.
So glad you had a good Mother's Day. I've learned that as long as I don't have expectations, I can't be disappointed. And also to help plan things in advance lol.....
Have a blessed day.
~Kelly
• May. 19, 2006
Congratulations~
Posted by classykymomma
To your entire family. That is a wonderful accomplishment for your husband, and your family! You have a beautiful mother, and what a sweet thing for you to write about her :) That alternative sounds enchanting!
As for whirlwind weekends, I thought that once school was "over" for the semester things would slow down...boy was I wrong!!!!!
