Completion of a project

Have you ever had a really big project? And you had a long time to complete it? And then you waited till the relative last minute to finish it up?

I've been working all year on a book project. I've done intervews, read books, and finished many chapters. I have put my heart and soul into this book. It has been a labor of love for my Savior, my children, and children around the country (their parents too).

A few months ago I thought I was "almost" finished, and so decided to start finishing up the chapters. It was then I realized I had more to do than I thought. A year sounds like such a long time. But it really isn't.

So these past two month I've focused on the completion of my manuscript for Harvest House. The book is called "When Your Child is Hurting" and they will release it next fall. On Thursday I submitted the manuscript via e-mail and did a ceremonial dance at the post office when I put the CD in the mail.

It was a joyful completion to a year-long project. Now I have the nervousness of waiting to hear what they think of it. This is actually more nerve wracking than having them decline or accept my proposal. They put their trust in me, and I hold that trust with the greatest respect. I love Harvest House and want them to succeed in publishing solid Christian books. So it is one of my biggest prayers that this book not only advances the rule and reign of Christ, but advances the mission of Harvest House.

But for a few weeks, I'm going to relax and have fun. We started this weekend by going to the movies and out to dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. Tomorrow we are going to Slide Rock, which is just outside of Sedona and the beautiful red rocks. Then a week of catching up. And next Sunday, my husband and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary (which was 8/12) with a 10-day trip to England. This is a dream trip for me. I'll try and post some photos when I get back.

After we get back, I will be focusing on my next project, which is organizing some long-forgotten areas of my home. I'll share some before and after photos.

So if you don't hear from me for awhile, that's why. I think I need a few weeks without anything to do, except enjoy my husband and kids. I sure would appreciate your prayers. Specifically for my five kids - that God protects them from any illnesses, harm and bad judgement. Also, pray for Tod and I to be safe as well. We've never both been this far away before.

With great love,

Glynnis

The Ups and Downs of Motherhood

I've never done anything as difficult as being a mother. Well, the first part of motherhood - the physical part - that was tough. But it was incomparable to the rest of it.

There's this ideal mother I want to be, and then there's ... well ... me. Disappointing at times. I understand why my children will look at me after they've made a mistake and say in response to my "Why?" - "I don't know?"

I don't know why I do the things I do sometimes. I sure don't want to shut down a conversation with my teen so I can make a point. I don't know why I let work consume me, or get frustrated at minor things.

I get what Paul said in Roman 7: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

There's something else I "get" from the Bible, and that's the concept of grace. I need it in full measure being a mom.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthinians 12:9)

That's really good news for me today, because I sure feel weak.

Being a mom is really hard work. I'm so glad God's given me grace. Maybe I need to accept it more.

Love,
Glynnis

The Beauty of Nature

This past summer my family went to Zion, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. In addition to connecting with God through His breathtaking creation, we also had a chance to connect as a family.

I love the routine of everyday. I know that may seem weird, but I'm one of those gals who never rearranges furniture, I still have clothes hanging in my closet that are waaaay out of style, and my idea of a night out is sitting on my patio eating grilled burgers with my family. There's a comfort in the known.

But there's something surprising that happens when a family moves out of the normal routines of phones ringing, text messages beeping, e-mails dinging, tvs droning, calendars reminding, bosses requesting and dirty clothes accumulating. We listen. More.

It's as if creation speaks ever so gently ... saying "hush" ... and we respond. We can ignore this quiet call to listen, blundering through it all, looking for a spot to get cell phone reception.

Or we can settle our rushing spirits and receive the beauty God wants to offer. When we do, we realize that routine back at home, that routine we know so well, dulled our senses. It dulled our senses to the miraculous nuances of God's presence in our midst. It dulled our awareness of each other's needs. It even dulled our compassion at times.

Yet the freshness of nature, the quiet of a meadow, the startling height of a mountain, the power of a waterfall, the colors of a rock ... God used His creation to cleanse our dingy spirits.

I thought I would share some family photos from our trip. It was a remarkable time.

This is Robbie whittling. Being a city girl, and an ever so protective mother, I cringed when my son asked for a pocket knife. But since I've read "Wild at Heart," I know that a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. And this 13-year-old "man" needed to make a walking stick.



At Yellowstone, we stopped at the museum honoring the National Park Rangers. Since we love the rangers, we decided to stop there. Plus we could get a stamp on our passports. It was near closing time, but this retired ranger let us stay late and watch the movies. He also asked if one of the children would like to help him fold the flag, and Josh got the honors.

Three years ago, my two daughters couldn't even have imagined a scene like this. Three years ago, they lived in an orphanage wondering about their fate. While they had heard about God, they didn't know anything about Him. Now they know there is a God who loves them so much, He would move heaven and earth for them. And did.

This is the son who has improved my prayer life. There is no cliff high enough, mountain tall enough, river rapid enough, trail hard enough, or adventure thrilling enough for Dylan. When this boy gets an idea, like jumping up a rock, my husband looks at me with that look that says, "Shhh .. it will be alright" and I start to pray ... and remind myself to breathe.

This might just be my favorite picture, although it's technically pretty grainy. Robbie took it without us knowing (Obviously, as I would NEVER allow my backside to be photographed knowingly). But I love that I'm holding hands with my teenage son.

Yes, this is one of the gifts I received when I listened to what God's been trying to say to me all along.

Thank You Heavenly Father!

Love,

Glynnis