Rooted and Grounded

Ephesians 3:140-19

Sometimes--oftentimes--when our children go out into the world, we wonder and worry and hope against hope that we've taught them enough. We think of all the lessons that went unsaid-- all the things we figured they just knew because they lived here--and we wish we had a few moments left to say them aloud, to make sure they really got it.

They say that having a child is like having a piece of your heart living apart from your body. It's true. And the more children, the more pieces. And the older they get, they further away for longer periods, that those pieces all live. 

And when that piece of your heart is broken, either by the foolishness of your precious child or because someone else has stepped upon it, then every Mama bone in your body asks, "Was it enough? What more could I have done or said or given?" 

God knew. He knew we'd ask those questions again and again. And He wraps us tightly in His reassurance and tells us clearly that children who are rooted and grounded in love, will comprehend God's boundless charity and be filled with the fulness of His grace. 

If that--if they will, eventually--have that, what more can they need? 

So we root them and we ground them in the love of Christ. They are raised in a family that has taken the name of Christ. Depsite everything that goes undone, unanswered, unswept, and unfolded, we spend each day to making sure that our children know that we love them and that God loves them, too. We give that love with our whole hearts and we trust that He can and will provide grace sufficient to overcome all our weaknesses and bring our children home to their Father.

At least that's what I tell myself a thousand times a day.

I Love You Tree!

Sweet Mama! You, with the baby in your arms and the husband working long hours and the Christmas tree still standing forlorn in the corner. I dug this up from the archives  for you, because I know that feeling and, well, I love you!

2007

The "Honey-Do List" in this house is quite long. In the interest of preserving marital bliss, I won't share it with you here. Let's just say that "Honey" started a new job just before the baby arrived and he's been working and traveling enough for two men ever since. That is the segue to revealing that (drumroll, please): The Foss Family Christmas Tree still stands proudly in my family room on this seventh day of February!

There was a time in the life of my marriage when I would have actually written that "Honey Do" list and I would have oh-so-carelessly left it lying around. Or, I would have invited his mother to dinner, knowing that he wouldn't want her to see the tree in the corner. Or, I would have pouted and moped and complained about (1)the fact that he was gone and/or (2)the fact that the tree is annoying my sense of order. Neither #1 or #2 does me or anybody else much good.  It's wasted energy and does nothing to contribute to the atmosphere around here. His mother isn't coming to dinner any time soon. And the last thing the poor, overworked man needs is another list of things to do.

There was later time in my life when I would have taken it down myself. But I have since learned that some jobs are better left to big, strong men (and I have the scars to prove it).  Now, I have a couple of big strong, young men in my house.And both of them offered to take down the tree. But I know my Honey--he wants the tree in the box just so (and rightfully, I might add--trees last longer when they are handled with care and they are far easier to assemble when put away properly). And I know my young men--better not to let them touch the tree. Family harmony next advent is worth far more than freeing up space in that corner of the family room.

So, it stands in my family room, ornaments long since put away. And it reminds me every day of just how hard my husband is working to feed and clothe and shelter and educate this very large family.  It stands there and very early in the morning when it's still dark and no one is looking, I turn on the lights and I say prayer for the man who wishes he were home more.  I ask God to show us how He'd have us live, which choices He'd have us make. And I thank God for the Honey who chose that tree and who provided for it and for the house where it stands.

So, it only seemed natural on one very cold winter evening, when Honey was still at work long after dinner was done, to turn to those beautiful children and ask them to help me make that tree everything it was meant to be.

We took the pink paper hearts on which we'd written all the things and people we love and rested them firmly on the "God" doily and we hung them on the Daddy Valentine Tree! Martha Stewart, you can have your efficiency calendar that tells us all when to take down the Christmas tree. Mine just became the Tree of Love in this house full of life!

A Post for the New Year

Gathering My Thoughts

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I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

How wonderful is it that on the Christmas when several children received bicycles we had amazingly warm weather? Pretty wonderful.

::listening to 

this has been my soundtrack this week. Collin Raye has a beautiful voice. He teams up with Marie Bellet on this album. Marie Bellet has been providing soundtracks to my life for decades. Absolutely perfect album. I love it! Highly, highly recommended.

::clothing myself in 

Headbands. I can’t decide whether to grow out my hair or not. In the meantime, it’s headbands.

::talking with my children about these books

The final installment for Mr. Benedict and friends. It’s been a lovely time together. Now taking recommendations for books to read aloud and discuss with early teen boys.

::thinking and thinking

About the year just passed and the year ahead. Goal setting, daydreaming, asking God what word He’d have me choose. Thanking Him for the year of Renew.

::pondering prayerfully

“My own idea, for what it is worth, is that all sadness which is not either arising from the repentance of a concrete sin and hastening towards concrete amendment or restitution, or else arising from pity and hastening to active assistance, is simply bad; and I think we all sin by needlessly disobeying the apostolic injunction to 'rejoice' as much as by anything else.

Humility, after the first shock, is a cheerful virtue.”

C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

::carefully cultivating rhythm

I have dearly loved the rhythm of the last few days. Before going to sleep last night, I ventured to open the email regarding soccer practice for Nicholas. Four times a week. In January. And February. Out of doors. Drafting a plan for new rhythm as we speak.

::creating by hand

I’m nearly finished with my third Boyfriend Scarf—the one that’s truly for my boyfriend. Karoline has requested one just like it in a “color for her.” I still have a Honey Cowl to finish for me. I wonder? If I order Karoline’s yarn after I finish Mike’s scarf, can I push myself to finish the Honey Cowl before the new yarn arrives? We shall see.

::learning lessons in

The importance of rest.

::encouraging learning 

I’m looking forward to settling into studies in earnest again soon.

::begging prayers

for all the intentions of our prayer community.

::keeping house

We cleaned well yesterday. The house smells like lemon and eucalyptus oils. The laundry is nearly caught up. We’re ready to welcome a new year.

::crafting in the kitchen 

Mary Beth, Katie, and I completely re-did the spice rack. I had several boxes of 4 ounce jars that I’d purchased for a different project and found to be too small. The rack on my pantry door has different sized shelves. The jars fit in all of them, some better than others. We printed labels and tidied up. This system will work much better for spices purchased in bulk. And it looks might pretty –at least it does today.

There will be Hoppin’ John tomorrow. Always is.

::loving the moments

when he comes home. (I say that a lot, don't I? Reunions are just plain awesome.)

::giving thanks 

for the chance to see that joy does indeed come in the morning—after a good night’s sleep (or two or three).

living the liturgy

These Days of Christmas are such a gift in so many ways. Tomorrow, we celebrate the new year, but we do it with a day set aside to honor Mary in role as the Mother of God. Such a good place to begin. We have so much to learn from her.

::planning for the week ahead

I will go to finish up at the dentist today.

Tonight we’ll celebrate the new year with our family tradition of dipping and dancing. Fondue is the perfect New Year’s Eve tradition for us and every year looks a little different, but I’m so glad we do it this way.

Dance begins again right after New Year’s Day. For real?

And then there’s that soccer schedule. I’m shuddering a little as I let the reality settle in.

Several orthodontist visits are on the books this week (only metaphorically speaking, because I’ve yet to order my calendar.

I have every intention of soaking up the last few days of rest that remain in the Twelve Days of Christmas.

{{{Psst: It looks like my friend Joy has successfully keyed in social media link buttons at the bottom of my posts. Try 'em out for us? :-) Thanks!}}}

Last Minute chance to GIVE in a Big Way! (and a BOGO for you)

Here is an amazing way to finish off the last of your

Christmas shopping!

We're huge fans of Give Bracelets here in the Foss household. I love, love, love to give these gifts. I'm fairly certain that every teacher one of my children has ever had owns at least one Give bracelet:-). Also, Godmothers, nieces, grandmothers, and all of us:-)

Once you get to know Charlie and the story, you'll understand why we have such a  heart for this endeavor.

The big GIVE goal this year is to increase from the current 5 orphanages to fully supporting all 14. Originally they could not imagine supporting even one, but they have seen what happens each time one person shares with their friends and family.

Give Bracelets fans from Heart of My Home can still get free shipping (code: HEARTOFMYHOME), but

they will also double any order for free this week if you write "Elizabeth Foss sent me" in the comment box during checkout.

The free jewelry will be picked randomly from a very nice selection that was bought in Bali on their last visit to the kids. 
Give doubled up on the shipping team for Christmas orders this year and are getting most packages out the same day they are ordered. With the free 3 day shipping, the last day to get orders in before Christmas is this Friday morning 8am PST. 

GO! Do this. I promise you won't be sorry and neither will the people on your gift list.