Friday, September 5, 2008

This week's recap

This week has been very different for me. Many days with two solid hours of total peace and quiet. All my children were away at school. My youngest ones in the care of a perfect stranger. They have each had a great week. As I suspected, they are each very well rounded, well adjusted, confident, and independent.

Tyler is entering 8th grade in a new school. His final year of middle school and Monday night, the day before school, brought much anxiety for him. Tyler was pretty emotional, nervous, and actually down-right petrified. My husband quickly put us in a circle, joined hands, and he led us in a prayer over each of our children. Thanking God for his angels that work overtime to protect them and for His peace that surrounds us as we each transition into new journeys. We then surrounded Tyler and all laid hands on him. Todd asked that each of us pray individually over Tyler. We've never asked this of the kids and it was so awesome to hear from their hearts and good wishes for their big brother. They each loved it so much, they all had to have a turn having hands laid on them. Faith followed it up with a new scripture she learned in children's church.

I have been a shy person by nature my entire life. When I first started doing sessions outside of friends and family I would make myself sick the solid 24 hours before the session. So I told Tyler to do what always settles me. Say "thank you Jesus for filling me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." By the time I get to my session, I'm ready to go.

After I embarrassed Tyler pretty sufficiently at the bus stop that morning he did find himself throughout the day quoting the scripture he'd been armed with. I'm so proud of him!

What did I do to embarrass him? What any good mother would have done of course. I saw a young man/teenager approaching the bus stop with is iPod in his ears. I asked him what grade he was in. "8th grade" he replied. So I told him Tyler was also in 8th grade, "we just moved here this summer, and would you mind hanging out with him today." "Maybe sit with him on the bus and lunch time, that sort of thing." Tyler looked at me like 'oh my goodness mother, what is WRONG with you!' Well the nice young man introduced himself, the two shook hands, and before I left I ruffled his hair and kissed him on the cheek. He he! Tyler politely asked me when he got home from school that day to "NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!" I can't make any promises but I'll try. It was all a secret ploy to embarrass him on purpose so the two could relate to each other and have something to talk about. Guess what, it worked! They shared a seat on the bus and talked about how horribly embarrassing their mothers are!

Now if I can get Faith to sleep past 6:00 a.m. and quit waking the rest of the girls, we'll be in good shape.

4 drops of sunshine:

Shannon said...

8th grade and a new school... I can see why he was a bit nervous! But you armed him well... you set a wonderful example as a mom!!!

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

Loving how your family aleviated Tyler's nerves. What a great way to teach the whole family!
I also really enjoyed the pictures from your vacation. I expecially liked the one with the fingers and light house. :)
By the way, a couple of friends and I are planning on attending a Selah concert in October that I think may be somehwere near where you are (The concert is in Northville)?? Angie has dates and times on her blog right now.

Joy Junktion said...

Oh how I remember those years.
New school, new town, just about the same age my son was when we moved to AZ. I'm sure he was happy that he got to walk to school instead of me taking him, I probably would have done the SAME things.
Praying over our babies before anything is wonderful. I'm sure that really helped settle some nerves.
Blessings, Cindy

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

what a beautiful post! i just love it. i love that you prayed together for such a big 8th grader day...remember how petrifying jr high was? so glad you put your little boy at ease with the embarassment...it was the right thing to do...as always. :-)

con'td blessings with your sessions also!