THE LOST SOUL

Day 19 - October 19

Early in the evening my munchkins and I went out to the front yard to play some ball.  They were so engaged in the game totally unaware of the happenings in our surroundings.  I, on the other hand, was watchful as always.  I credit this habit or skill to my upbringing.  I was raised by a mother who was sexually abused in her teenage years.  I also grew up in the middle of a civil war (back in El Salvador) where kids had a tendency to disappear (kidnapped by guerrilla or army).  As you can imagine, I'm always on guard with my motherhood antennas on alert mode.  That's exactly when I saw the Lost Soul walking in the middle of the street.  I have never seen him in our neighborhood. He was dressed all in black with overly sized clothes and his hand holding the side of his garment.  He looked so somber and hollow, it gave me chills.  He was looking straight ahead, although the look seemed so empty.  He was definitely on a mission.  

The Lost Soul appear to be of young age, yet so drained and wasted.  His empty bones showing through the barely skin on his arms.  He didn't even noticed I was watching him.  He walked by my house and turned right into my neighbors house.  I suppose no one was home because he was out of their driveway in the blink of an eye.  He stood in the middle of the street looking ahead.  Then he started his quick marching like walk and disappeared.  I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.  How does this happen? How do our children grow into this hollow empty souls?  How is it that the world's temptation can slave them and drained the life right out of them?  This young man was a kid once. He surely had a mother, or so I think.  What happened to him?  As I started to ponder, I looked at my children dribbling the ball.  They seemed so innocent, so full of life, so happy.  I know I can't keep them innocent forever, but I must keep them full of life and happy.  I can't let this empty superficial world make slaves of them. I once had a brother who walked as a lost soul in this world, and though my heart still hurts for him, I have a new mission as a mother.  My ministry as a christian mother is to be the light in their path and guide them to the one and only God.  This is the truth path for happiness.  In time, they will make their own choices.  But for now, I must make sure to build the strongest foundation ever.  I'm at lost for word for the Lost Soul, but in my prayers I lift him up and ask God to send an angel who can be the light in his path. Would you lift a prayer with me for him and all other kids who are wondering lost in this world?  

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all peopleto be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4

OCTOBER MEMORIES

Day 18 - October 18

My goal as a mommy has been to create the most incredible memories with my kids.  When they're all grown up and living on their own I wish for them to look back and remember all the fun, crazy, cozy, heartwarming, silly and challenging things we did together.  I don't want them to look back in time and remember an empty chair or an absent mother.  Everyday is an opportunity to create those memories.  Every morning is an opportunity to start all over.  Every evening is an opportunity to show our endless love.  I believe with all my heart that God gives me a new chance at the motherhood thing with the start of each day, and I choose to take those opportunities.  I can't live just because.  I want to have a purpose and I want my kids to delight in our purpose.  The other day I saw the following quote on Instagram and identified with it instantly: 

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for." - Rachel Jankovic.

I chose that calling and in the midst of the daily chaos (specially in the mornings).  I enjoy my calling to be a mother and I treasure each memory in my heart.  I sure hope and wish that my kids do too.

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart..  Ecclesiastes 3:11

 

 

ORIGAMI OVERRATED - IT'S TOUGH BEING A PARENT

Day 17 - October 17

Housework when you have kids is like 100 times more.  Wouldn't you agree?  When I first got married my husband would make fun of me because I would vacuum everyday.  I now can vacuum twice a day and sometimes three times a day and still find a trail of toys, papers, crayon...etc.  As much as I remind my kids to keep their rooms clean is like a tornado hits the rooms every single day. Well, today was no exception, I walked into my boy's room and it was beyond a mess.  Recently he found a new hobby: Origami.  

Not just any origami, but "Star Wars origami.  He could spend hours building Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo...etc. He's actually pretty good at it if I may say so, on the other hand however, the mess created by origami is annoying.  There is tiny pieces of cut paper everywhere, construction paper, crayons, markers, etc.  Well, when I kindly asked him to pick up the mess I didn't see the star wars coming my way.  Talk about drama!  He must have had an awful day because he whine and cried and whine some more.  Apparently he had not made the mess on his own but along his little sister.  And maybe, his sister had contributed the most.  Long story short, my poor 9 year old was discipline by having to wash the dishes all week long (not because of the mess, but mostly because of the whining)   For now he's assigned to dishes and trash only on weekends.  What do you?  Life is not always easy, and as much as I enjoy seeing him be entertained by something constructive as origami (origami helps develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and mental concentration), responsibility is must in this household.  It's tough being a parent! 

Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverb 13:24

LAST CHAPTER

DAY 16 - OCTOBER 16

Today was my last day at the office I worked for 41/2 years.  

I turned in my two week's notice after landing a very promising position.  I've been too excited to close this chapter and begin the new one until yesterday when my coworkers threw me a farewell pot luck party.  The potluck, which was a taco bar/Mexican theme was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  Today, I got gifts and so many compliments.  They all made me feel so special indeed!  I was so grateful that they were appreciative of me and my work. It felt like my work was never in vain. 
Note to self, always teach the kids to try their best and be diligent at everything they do. For now, I get to wait before beginning a very promising new chapter in my life.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

OVERBEARING

Are you an overbearing parent?  Gosh, I really hope not to ever be one.  As much as I love being in control I know I can't control everything. I try hard not to be judgmental because we all have our very own parenting style.  But sometimes, well sometimes is just too hard. There may be a thin line between trying to help our kids and butting in a bit too much.  Where do we draw the line?  The worst that we could do is make our kids believe that we can magically grant every single one of their wishes.  We're no genies nor do our kids have the magic lamp.  

As as I wrote in yesterday's blog, letting our kids experience hurt and sadness is just as important as letting them enjoy happiness.  I've been thinking about this after finding out that our drama teacher got bombarded with calls, emails, texts and even parents' visitation after some kids didn't get a call back for the musical.  I guess they thought that calling the main director will change the ruling of 7 judges.  In my opinion, actions like this just expose our kids and makes them more vulnerable.  

DISAPPOINTMENT

DAY 14 - OCTOBER 14

Parenting is so hard, even more so when our kids learn about hurt and disappointment.  Today our little one came back from school heart broken.  I so badly wish I could fix the whole situation.  Where are my super powers when I need them? I know what rejection and disappointment feel like.  But experiencing your child's hurt is ten times worst.  My hubby keeps telling me that she'll be o.k. and I know she will.  I also know that being an overprotective parent is so harmful to a child.  I need to let her live her own experiences which is probably a bigger lesson for me.  I'm going to bed praying for wisdom.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

EBOLA; THE UNKNOWN

Day 13 - October 13

Today we were sadden to hear the news about Nina Pham, the Dallas nurse who has been diagnosed with Ebola.  She's the first person to get infected with Ebola within the US, causing somewhat of a frenzy on this scary virus.  Scary, I suppose, because it's unknown and from what we have seen so far, extremely dangerous.  So how do we prepare as parents?  What do we take care of our kids? We're living really hard times with so much violence, natural disasters and illnesses with no cure.  It's very easy to get caught up in the turmoil of the "end of times."  Just this past Friday the whole kinder class (but three kids) at my

kids' elementary got sent home with the flu. Two teachers were also sent home sick. All you could the parents arrived to pick up the kids was how scary the situation was and how we should all rush to get our kids the flu shot. These are the time we're living as parents, with so many unexpected terrible situations happening in the blink of an eye. I don't know about you, but I know I can't live worrying all the time.  I refuse to live is a state of panic. I refuse to let the days go by without enjoying to the max the blessing of being a mother.  I refuse to be governed by the unknown of tomorrow.  I'm  choosing to cast my worries on God whose got my back.  I'm choosing to live with joy the present and to enjoy each second of my kids' life.  Tonight, let us all lift a prayer for Nina Pham and her family.  Miracles do happen.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you 1 Peter 5:7 NVI