kevinandlindsay.net

The summer is coming to an end. I know, I know. Many of you will say, “Why, that’s not true at all! Summer doesn’t end until the middle of September.” Well, technically yes, but ask any grade school child or teacher and they will sadly declare that summer is over! Instead of feeling sadness though, I feel absolute gratitude. How many of us can say that we are able to spend everyday with our loving husband and beautiful daughter? Kevin and I have been in a very unique position this summer by not working with a ministry, and I would not take back this time for anything. We have a marriage and friendship that is stronger than ever, and we have a little girl who is happy and confident and completely secure knowing that Mom and Dad adore one another and her.

And now, there are school supplies to be purchased! I do get most excited about new supplies and meeting new students and teaching the lessons in new and exciting ways. I am reminded at this time every year of a favorite line of mine from “You’ve Got Mail” as Tom Hanks writes so poetically to Meg Ryan with respect to the onset of Fall, ” I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils.” What an awesome gesture!

And so, gone are the days are of sleeping in until The Price is Right. Gone are the days of napping with my sweet baby. Gone are the days of playing endless hours of Worms World Party with my husband. Gone are the days of staying in my pajamas until late afternoon…That is, until next summer!

<><LinZ

1. I love being Kevin’s wife and Victoria’s mother.
2. Watching Ninja Warrior brings me great joy; I laugh out loud.
3. I wish that I could play a musical instrument well and speak another language fluently.
4. I am horrible at any sport that involves a ball, and any that don’t, for that matter.
5. I did not enjoy pregnancy.
6. I strongly believe in the ministry of ChallengePoint.
7. Teaching 5th grade is a privilege, not a chore.
8. I despise knick-knacks.
9. I hold my breath when people walk by so that I don’t breathe “their air.”
10. I am great at giving advice, but horrible at receiving.
11. I have self-diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; I once cried because my husband put a dirty spoon in the sink instead of the dishwasher. In my defense, I was pregnant at the time.
12. I believe that the passage in Matthew which speaks against worry applies to everyone except me. (I worry entirely too often.)
13. Three of the most memorable days of my life: my baptism, the day I married Kevin, the birth of my Lil Nut.
14. I could eat angel hair pasta for every meal.
15. I wanted five children until I had my first. (See # 5.) However, when I was six years old, I wanted thousands of children. Then my mother showed me the PBS special The Miracle of Life. That number then turned to only two.
16. I had never had a latte’ until I met my husband. I now consume a minimum of four shots of espresso a day. I have…an addiction.
17. Before becoming a Christian at age 12, I had a “forgiveness rock” located behind my grandparents’ house. When I felt like I was having a bad day, I would step onto the rock and announce, “I will now begin with a clean slate!” How grateful I am that I now understand God’s grace or I might be living on that rock.
18. I was never paddled or suspended in school, though I was sent into the hallway twice for talking- once in kindergarten and the other time in fourth grade. While sitting in the hallway as a fourth grader, the principal walked by and inquired as to why I was in the hall. Without hesitation, I replied, “My teacher is going over a test that I’ve not taken yet and she didn’t want me to hear the answers.” And because I was a model student, the principal did not question my reply. Wow! I could have gotten into some serious trouble.
19. I secretly wish that I could handle myself the way Jack Bauer does. (But only to defend myself or my family.)
20. I always wanted to take my grandmother on the Wheel of Fortune.
21. I regret not spending more time with my grandparents before they passed away.
22. I want to be able to run a mile without stopping (or going into cardiac arrest.)
23. I admire people who always remember to send cards to others.
24. My house is always ready for the “drop in.” (People who come by your house unannounced.)
25. I am currently reading three books, and I have half a dozen more that I have started, but not finished.
26. I cannot tell a lie; my eyes always give me away.
27. I believe that church is the one place we should not play dress up. If we, as Christians, are to bring people to Christ, we’ve got to make ourselves approachable, to be the Church where Jesus, in his robe and sandals, would be welcome.
28. I despise bullying and cursing. I believe that both scream of ignorance.
29. I once wanted to be a medical missionary in a third-world country.
30. I am grateful that God is not finished with me yet.

<><LinZ

According to Milton in his classic writing Paridise Lost, Lucifer says upon his expulsion from hell that it’s, “…better to rule in hell than serve in heaven.” However, I would have to say that Lucifer underestimated to peace that is found in quiet, humble service.

Since leaving my ministry position, I have been spending my days taking care of my infant daughter and, to get me out of the house a little, working evenings a Starbucks. If you don’t know, I like coffee and I thought spending a little time a Starbucks making beverages and learning what they know would be rewarding. Of course, working in a coffee place isn’t always as glamorous as many think when they see the efficient barista pulling shots of espresso and mixing microfoam and syrup. No. In fact, there are much less glamorous deeds that must be done such as: mopping, sweeping, cleaning up spills, washing dishes, and, quite common, dealing with some rude customers. However, I can say this with all confidence: it has been very peaceful.

There is powerful peace to be found in quiet, humble service. I have been in positions of authority and control and I have been in positions of humility and I can say without a doubt that no amount of money, prestige or power can replace peace. Therefore, I eagerly tie on the green apron knowing that in a few hours a soft pillow and good night’s sleep await. Oh, and I get to make coffee for people in the process.

k><>

Now that I am a parent, I find such irony in the phrase “sleeping like a baby.” That is unless the person who first said that statement meant that the person sleeping was continuously grunting, crying, experiencing gas pains, drooling incessantly, or thrashing about violently. (Well, maybe the “thrashing about violently” is a bit extreme.) Perhaps the new phrase should be “sleeping like a Beagle puppy after playing outside for several hours on a warm Spring day.” Or maybe “sleeping like a 5th grader on a Monday morning after they’ve played in a baseball tournament all weekend.” Perhaps these aren’t as catchy or as easy to say, but certainly not “sleeping like a baby.”

This realization comes after a LONG night of sitting up with my five-month old. She is by far more adorable than a Beagle puppy or a 5th grader, but she is exhausting me! I put her down for bed as usual and she slept peacefully for a couple of hours, and then BAM! She’s awake. She was happy and playful, but obviously not feeling well. Just when I thought that I had lulled her back to sleep enough to lie her back down, she would cry. She would cry that pitiful cry of, “Mom, please don’t put me down; just hold me and I’ll be good.” How can a mother resist that?

And so, this is my plea to all mothers (and of course, any dads) who wish to offer me jewels of wisdom. What worked for your children during this stage of life (including teething and growth spurts)? I look forward to reading your advice.

<><LinZ