Family and Princesses

The Quillins (that's us!) just got back from probably one of the most relaxing, enjoyable and RENEWING vacation of my life. Don't know if it was the fact that we were going to the wedding of a young woman whose life is one of God's great stories of power and healing and that I had a small role in her life. Or if it was the fact that I got to see my sister Amy who is one of the closest people in my life and her joy and optimism gives me great encouragement just being in her presence. Or if it was the fact we were spending time (and money :-( ) in the happiest place on earth. I don't know. But you know when you get to spend long periods of unrushed time with people who fill you.. who love you... whom you can totally rest in their presence...that is a vacation. I am grateful for these past several days. For pirate swimming pools and pina coladas with my hubby. For being able to witness the reward of investment in the life of a young girl on this side of heaven. For morning breakfasts with my family. For safari rides and princess lunches. For the wonder of childhood found in every corner at Disney World. For the reality that God was present in every moment and I was finally still enough to see it and experience it. That God's gifts are often the small and most wonderous in their simplicity. That God smiled as I rode It's a Small World with my daughters. As it was once said (and I don't know by who) "God is happiest when His children are at play." (I found that in the movie "The Legend of Bagger Vance) :-)

I think God was mighty happy this past week observing His kids....

Simple pleasures..

Chicken nuggets after kindergarten...Phineas and Ferb...Snuggling on the couch...handmade afghans to keep warm while sitting with my hubby...pizza and pasta...notes on my bathroom mirror...terry towels...kids who smell like watermelon after their baths...a clean kitchen courtesy of my husband...long talks with my sis...popsicles...riding bikes...dress up...lip gloss...homemade popcorn...cameras...Dancing with the Stars...Cold Tangerines...the smell of firewood burning...handwritten cards from the mail...worship songs...coloring books...nativity sets...sweatpants...passion fruit ice tea from Starbucks...hearing my kids play make believe..."I love you, mom"...clean sheets...new makeup...elderly people telling stories...watching my dad complete the Jumble page...Enchanted...loofahs...a pen and a blank piece of paper...Jesus

Doctor's Offices and gym class

Remember gym class in high school? If you were anything like me, this was not your favorite period of the day. I was never real athletic and so any sense of self confidence or esteem went out the window, or the locker room if you will as soon as I put on those red and black PE uniforms of BHS. Just being in the gym or field or track made me feel just a little...less. It didn't help that some PE teacher who didn't look much more in shape kept calling me by my last name and telling me to run faster and pick up the ball after I missed it. I was so thankful for driver's ed my sophomore year so I could miss an entire semester of gym!

I kinda felt like that again today. Not in a gym class but in a doctors waiting room. I feel sicker than I really am right now. When I was little I kinda liked being sick. Not seriously sick but just enough that would keep me home from school for a day and all of my mom's attention. I don't feel like that anymore. The thought of being sick is not one I welcome. It makes me think of pain and tests and little hospital gowns that truly do not cover all things. It makes me worry... but it also makes me pray. Pray those "Ok, Lord, this is Yours" kind of prayers. Today as I went in for 2 more tests, I just felt littl-er and more vulnerable. And I longed to be the sofa-kind of sick when my mom brought me lunch on the little tray and I could watch Happy Days.

It's easy for me to talk and preach and teach about faith. But it's not so easy when the unknown is in my lap. I wish I could say I always responded with such great faith and smiles and the "everything's going to be alright" comments. But I don't. I think and I worry and I call friends who reassure me. And then in the quiet, I pray. "Ok, God this is Yours. You know what's going on and I am kind of freaking about it. Please take care of this. You're my Father. You've always been and I just need You so near right now."

This past week a friend sent me a card. She has been praying for me and it felt like God bringing me lunch on the couch. I don't have any answers right now but my God is near. And I feel a little...more.