Saturday, May 05, 2012

When An Extrovert is Quarantined

There has been a lot of joking around here lately about the fact that a family of eleven had only two strongly extroverted personalities.  I've learned so much from living with my introverts. Jared has the nerve to graduate and go back to the states.   Life will certainly be different to be the only extrovert amongst introverts once again...but.... WAIT...what about Stacia?


We decided she "may" be an extrovert. Princess Chatterbox DOES like to be with people. She LIVES for the homeschool room at PWOC. She keeps Arielle up late at night chatting and loves to have one of us snuggle with her. She adores walks WITH me and usually still grabs my hand and skips along. Maybe.....


It's my practice to quarantine sick family members. We're a big family and I've learned it simply keeps the rest of the house healthier. They stay in their room, get meals in bed, the dvd player and they LOVE it. Stacia got sick while I was gone on my personal retreat.  When I got home Jared mentioned she just won't stay in bed and is going to get everyone sick. I thought...hmmm..... 


Then...yesterday she kept saying, "MOM....being sick is so boring!" Today she begged to just sit near me and watch a movie instead of watching it on her "bed" (futon on floor)......and funny thing is Jared joined us....all 3 of us watching movies and enjoying a spot of tea during our afternoon thunder storm....Yep, she does NOT enjoy all the meals in bed and movies in bed...she feels like it's a punishment....and so...I do believe the caboose is an extrovert too.....and Michael will some day see what it is like to be the perplexed odd man out. ::snort::


I'm going to work while she's young to cultivate the disciplines of rest, secrecy and solitude which I'm just now discovering  - but I'm also going to delight in her sense of fun and spunk. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Dinner for Two

Ruth, a dear friend and our PWOC Prayer Coordinator, gave the local board an amazing gift last night. I knew Ruth was a woman with a passion and calling for prayer when I invited her (o.k., maybe I begged her a bit) to be on the board this year.  It has been incredible and inspiring to watch Ruth follow her passion in this position. She's prayed for us and with us.  That is what I expected.  She also planned Prayer walks - which continued right through the winter. Recently, we began to add onsen trips after the walk - because you were COLD after an hour of walking the track in the snow. 

When I pitched MOCA (Mom's of College Aged) in the fall and told her I'd like to get a prayer group for  moms with older kids started - she ran with it. 


Earlier in the year she shared a time she had with Father God. It resonated with me. I had experienced similar last May when the family went to the states and I was "home alone." We agreed she was going to pray about how to recreate a  nice dinner for two - you and God - for our board. 


Meanwhile, the year continued....a new PWOC prayer group began....and our retreat team began work on this year's retreat which is focused on "Kingdom's Treasures -  Spiritual Disciplines."  I am speaking on Secrecy/Solitude and Surrender (and Simplicity at W.I.L.D. - seems to be an S thing going). ::SSSSnort::  Michael encouraged, and deep down I felt led,  to go away and practice this solitude and silence I was studying about and preparing to speak about. 


Ruth picked a date for Dinner for Two.....This was a  PERFECT time of preparation and pulling away for our board before we pour ourselves out at retreat in 13 days! It was a reminder of why we do what we do in the midst of a very busy season for many of us.  It was also a spectacular end to my days of solitude. It was such a God-thing and I'm so honored to have been a part of this leadership team. 


Last night Ruth gave us a precious gift...she led us into silence and solitude with Jesus.  She'd thought of every detail. We entered the room and the tables were set with one place setting at each one ....and situated so you faced the wall with your back to all. 


The meal was simple...and the moment felt so holy that soup and corn muffins were perfect...with a bit of fruit and ice cream near the end. She chose plastic silverware so there wouldn't be clanging - she thinks of everything!  As I helped her serve the ladies their meals I felt it was a holy moment.

Yes...our fun-loving board was quiet...silent...and God met each of us, I believe. Some read, some prayed, some journaled...some were nervous about what in the world you'd do for a couple of hours if no one talked....but I don't think anyone ended up being bored in the end. ::wink:: I suspect each one has a story she could share of how God met her for dinner.....but see it's secret...so I wanted to share the idea and experience...but I'll just keep the revelations to myself for the time being and savor them (another  nice S word). ::wink::



I have come to love these ladies dearly! God did a good thing when he knit this year's team together. I'm excited to see what He will do in the lives of next year's leadership team.

Shhhh....don't tell Ruth I said all these nice things about her....but really I want to capture the night and remember it in our family journal....I love that Ruth agreed to be on the board....she's my very same age and has a son graduating in a couple of weeks too.  I'm going to miss you, Ruthie. It has been pure joy to watch you make this position YOURS rather than "do what the list says to do."  We were all blessed by your care and service last night. Thank you!

BTW - I'm not totally callous - I went in before everyone and got photos...and then Ruth and these gals agreed I could take a couple of  photos right at the very start....then the camera disappeared...I was busy having dinner for two myself. LOL


Ruth - one of my favorite memories of the year
but we still have a month left! 
Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Cherry Blossoms?

We waited and waited for Cherry Blossoms. A SURE sign spring is here to stay.  When the blossoms bloom Northern Japan comes to a standstill. Cherry Blossom festivals...hanami (flower viewing parties)....it's MAGICAL to walk in a park with blossoms floating in the air.  At night they light the lanterns....it's really one of those bucket list experiences....So...we waited with great excitement. Michael missed the first year due to his deployment. He missed last year due to the girl's graduation....this year.....

They finally bloomed  - barely; not even fully  - and two days later it began to rain and storm. Many blooms are down...and we've not made it to the park....but I went ahead and snapped some photos in the storm  when I was at the chapel, as you never know if there will be blossoms when the storms past and Stacia is well enough to be out and about. For this moment, I decided to enjoy "Hanami" at the chapel.  I think there's an illustration in here about living in the present.











Click to see past  beauty.....and I was reminded that it has been MUCH warmer around here on May 5th - we usually have broccoli growing by now. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Day in the Life


  • TnT Gal 4.6-9 Slave to child! Think about it! We've come to KNOW God and better yet, He KNOWS us! Why would we ever willingly put ourselves back into slavery? My heart is to live a life walking in the Spirit, through grace, by faith! 
  • Taking care of ministry business this a.m. before anyone wakes up! I love weekend mornings! Everyone sleeps in....and I get a lot done. 
  • Had an AMAZING time last night at an "Intimate Dinner for Two" with our local board. Thanks to Ruth, an amazing prayer coordinator! 
  • DENIAL - just made it known Jared cannot leave when I'm gone - and that will keep him here until early July, as I travel much in June. ::snort:: 
  • Stacia says being sick is "BORING!" I dislike croup. Everyone is exhausted. ::grin::
  • Nolan enjoyed drama practice and rehearsal today - RE Spring Program tomorrow night. 
  • Stacia refuses to stay quarantined.....trying to use the little masks you can buy at the stores here. 
  • Dinner with only 5 at the table...hmmm....
  • Jared really does not want a big graduation ceremony....we finally talked it all out and he will participate in the Baccalaureate service at the chapel...and  the end of June we'll have a "Farewell/Graduation/Thank You" party for him. 
  • I seem to have weaned myself from excessive Facebook posting...not sure I'll keep up these daily snippets....really do we NEED them? LOL 
Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...