My Bubbling Teapot

It all started with a question. "Mom, what would you and dad think if I entered this writing contest? The winner will be given a scholarship toward a pilot's license." What would it matter? We were in the throes of moving across the ocean and the last thing I wanted was another decision to make. I knew my son's dream was to fly, and maybe this would be the thing that would "scratch that itch." After all, he wouldn't win. What are the odds anyway? "Sure, why not?" And so he did. His essay said a lot about his dream to learn to fly so he could use it in mission work one day. His mother cringed every time he talked about his dream. "Lord, at least keep him on the ground," I prayed. And...you guessed it...he did win. "Lord, I knew I was giving him roots and wings, but does it have to be so literal?" His face was a wreath of smiles when the check came for over $3000. Enough to pay for a large part of his pilot's licens...

God had a plan for my forties. It wasn't anything I ever dreamed of but it has brought our family tremendous joy. Amanda Jean joined our family 10 months ago and like my son said, "How can it be that it feels like she was always a part of us?" Yes indeed. She has been our ray of sunshine. Our twenty-one -year old son drove home that first weekend, nine long hours, just to welcome his little sister.   My husband and I agree on one thing~God intended young people to have children. We don't have as much energy as we did with our other children. Sometimes we feel old but other times a baby brings us back into a world of youth. One of my siblings said, "Poor Amanda! She will be growing up in the old people's home." I hope not.   Some of the things I love about having a baby at this stage of my life: 1. A priceless gift is seeing my teenagers playing with a baby. It brings such joy to my heart. 2. I have a connection with the young mothers at ch...