And Miles to go Before I Sleep...

Dear Dezdin,
Hi baby. Tonight, you did not want to go to bed. Ha ha!

It is so rare for you to fight us on that. Usually you're so happy in your little man bed, snuggled with puppy and shooing me out of the room. But tonight, you clung to my face and had to be returned to your pillow half a dozen times!

It was so sad I wanted to crawl right in with you - but I had tried that last night and you promptly told me, "Mommy you need to go that way to Daddy's bed." Ha ha ha... I don't even get my OWN bed; it's Daddy's bed!

You are such an independent little Mr. - so much in your own mind and occupied with your own pursuits - that when you want to be with us like that very little can keep me from giving you my full attention.

For instance, today, when you insisted that the picture on the "diamond" (dime) was Jesus and he was singing "Jesus Loves Me," then proceeded to sing the ENTIRE song for us so we would understand... your dad and I both completely stopped what we were working on because you so rarely engage us like that!

You are such a little miracle and a mystery all wrapped in a shaggy-haired, blue-eyed bow. Thanks for being a surprise, in every facet of your being, every day and on so many levels. You keep my eyes open and I can't wait for the next revealing secret! :)

Love beyond words,
Mommy

Jesus in the Sky

Dear Draes,

I have always had a few concerns for you. I have feared you will feel like you missed out because you were still a baby when your baby brother was born; I have feared you will feel lost in the shuffle of an older brother and a younger brother; I have feared you will not be certain of the love we so desperately feel for you.

They're untrue - all of them. Still, it is my heart that you know how amazing you are, how impressed we are with your character already, how I wish I could freeze time so I could spend hours learning to know you better and not having to deal with the mundane issues of life...

You've always had such a tender, generous heart. But lately we have been blown away by your heart for God. Your prayers are veritable sermons as you thank God for "Jesus in the sky," and say things like, "trust You wif awl ouw houwts." The passion you have is something ... well, maybe we have modeled it a little, but mostly I feel it - like your generosity - is something God has planted deep within your spirit. It is precious and amazing. It makes me want to share with you mysteries I'm unsure you could fully comprehend. Perhaps you would surprise me.

Thank you for being a daily reminder of the tender intimacy I desire to have with the Spirit. You're a unique, gifted young man. So proud to know you and get to "grow up" with you :).

Love you - so much more than you can know,

Mommy

I Don't Do Windows...

Dear Daxton,
It was fun working with you today. And while the tedium of feather dusting the blinds and washing the windows is grand, we both thrive on doing things as a team. I love that we share that trait.
I could not be-LIEVE how disgusting those windows were. Who knew that three years of wind, weather and wayward foul could make such a mess! It is an unfortunate thing that smells are so tied to memory. The scent of windex soaked dirt may forever pollute my psyche.
But what a joy it was, when we had finished, to sit back, swallow gulps of almost frozen Mountain Dew and admire the beauty of our labor! The world outside was so lovely - its colors brightened and magnified behind the now-transparent glass - like vivid moving pictures hanging framed on our walls.
As with so many things - it reminded me of the spiritual. The world around us grows dim, my love, with "wars and rumors of wars." Governments and monies fail. People hurt other people and "because of the abounding wickedness the love of most [grows] cold."

I pray you always tend to the windows of your soul, buddy. I pray you wipe them clean of the muck and dirt of bitterness and unforgiveness and fear. There are SO many things that can cloud your view of the world around you, but if you keep your heart and mind under the maintaining eye of the Spirit, He will help your vision to remain true.

Love you so much. Loved our time together - even if it was dirty work. Ha ha. You're an amazing kid.

With all my heart,

Mommy

Love is in the Moments

They are my third calling, following closely behind my heart for Jesus and their daddy. It often feels like they are my first, consuming the most time, energy, and all of my cerebral contributions and productivity. . .

Yet, it is sometimes difficult to feel as though I've really enjoyed them. I LOVE being "Mommy." LOVE IT! In fact, they are growing up just slightly too fast and I'm still praying for one more . . . (Dusty and God are holding jury on that :). But I'm a romantic and slightly theatrical at heart, so I measure things in BOOMs and OOHs and AAAHs.

Plenty of BOOMs around here, but they're more often followed with OWWWWs and AAAGGGGGHHHs. Ha ha. I often question myself or my choices when I don't see magnanimous milestones on a daily basis. "We didn't make a scientific discovery today? What kind of mother am I?"

I've noticed I measure my first two callings that way too. There is a constant inner cry for "more time," "more growth" and "more intimacy." I'm finding, however, that those things happen less in the BOOM and more in the constant that follows.

Powerful moments of worship are amazing, but their solidity comes in the Holy Spirit's whispers thereafter as He reminds me He is by my side while I do really spiritual things like the dishes.

The intensity of being swept off my feet by my husband shows its true meaning in each passing day, as he works to pay the bills, fixes his car with his bare hands and pours his heart into the three walking, breathing proofs that our love exists.

And my boys? Truly? As exhilarating as it is when they recite what I've taught them or sit properly at the table (oh, wait, has that happened yet?) those moments are laced in the pure joy of Dezdin taking away a toy simply so he can "share" it again, Draes breaking his cracker into five pieces so he can give one to each family member and Daxton laughing himself to weeping as he purposely misspells words. Yes, I know, it makes no sense to you. Your moments are, no doubt, different. That is why you must reach out and grab them; cherish them as they pass.

I am finding love does come in the BOOMs and OOHs and AAHs. But love stays in the moments. The moments make love true.

Jesus, thank you. As the author of love, you must simply itch that we have not even begun to scratch the surface. And yet, you remain, teaching and nurturing, challenging and calling us to your life, your cross, your heart. Teach us to grab each moment you have gifted us. Thank you for the gift of love. Help us to worship its creator each time it touches our hearts.

2010 - A Year of Blessing

I'm laughing to myself as I note that, while I'm starting this in a timely manner, and it will probably say it was posted in early December, it's not likely I'll actually post it until . . . oh, the DAY I finally get my Christmas cards sent, so . . . March? LOL.

As you can tell, 2010 has not made me any more or organized, but it has been an amazing year. I think the word "Blessed" would best define it.

Dusty continues to move ahead like a force of nature: providing tirelessly for us, pouring into his boys, being my best friend and leading the vision at Connections to get out the message of Christ. Last Easter Connections (a.k.a. CX) moved into a small storefront, lovingly dubbed "our first apartment." With its two tiny classrooms and ONE toilet (nope, not even joking), it has proved a blessing and a challenge. This summer we were approved to lease adjacent space for classrooms (and an additional bathroom - Hallelujah!). If he's not working with crews at CX, he's on the phone encouraging contractors and city officials to help us expedite the process. His passion to help raise up a body of people who will live the message of Jesus . . . well, it boggles my mind sometimes. I am truly blessed to be at his side.

Daxton entered the wild world of first grade this year! Originally we were concerned as he took the transition from kindergarten pretty hard. However, he embraced the challenge, rising to the top of his class and really enjoying the power and freedom found in his reading skills. He is such a happy young man and a HUGE help with his little brothers. But, more than all that, we are so excited about his heart for the things of God. The other day, in one of our discussions about salvation he said, "Well, how in the world could I NOT believe in that?" Dax turned 7 in November. He has always been such a delight. We cannot wait to see what he does next!

Draes turned 3 in June. He is so passionate and confident. His choleric (administrator) tendencies have been evident since he was tiny; he sees the world through a definitive set of glasses and feels you should too ;). So it has been fun, this year, to watch him take joy in and embrace others. He says hello to EVERYONE we pass, usually followed quickly by, "Ya know? It's Dax's BIRTHDAY!" That has been the most exciting thing to him for about 2 months running. He has all his letters and sounds down, so we've turned our main focus to counting to 100. Like his daddy, he will stick to something until he has accomplished it. Draes is SUCH a hard worker and so joyful! I eagerly await his appearance each day and his exultant, "Good mowning!"

Dezdin turned 2 in November. Still our most content and docile, he is learning how to make himself heard. It is so strange to have such a soft-spoken person in our midst. Ha ha. Dez contentedly watches and listens to most of the goings on. Then, once in awhile, he will toss out a complete, articulate sentence. The whole family seems to hush at the sound of his rarely-heard voice! He's also learning to use his stealth to his advantage and my dismay. Recently, Draes has taken to tattling on him, so that helps evade SOME chaos. He is learning his letters and numbers alongside his older brother, and he takes great joy in the new-found world of Play-do! Dez is a tender spirit, adored by all who know him, and a joy to my heart. I cannot imagine who we would have been without him!

I know it has been a trying year in America, and the world round. Struggling economies weigh heavily on people and families, straining relationships and, sometimes, breaking them. While the year has not been an "easy" one for us either, we can never say we are anything but blessed. At present, we are all healthy. We have been blessed to keep our home which allowed us the privilege of housing family for a few months - such a blessing to provide that. Dusty and I often muse that we are nothing remarkable that we should have the great privilege of leading a ministry like CX - filled with people who understand the call to live radically for Christ, and strive to answer it - yet, here we are. What an honor; what a blessing. And above all, we are blessed with the presence of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. This world would be a great despair without Him.

God's grace and our love to each of you. We pray you feel the depth of His love in 2011, and the weight of his blessings - which outweigh anything the world has to offer. Ephesians 1:3

Love,

Dusty, Tammi, Dax, Drae and Dez

True Reality

Some long-distance friends of ours have been through an extremely difficult year. Last September, they lost their 6-month-old baby girl to an aggressive brain tumor. I've been mystified as I have read her blogs and posts and emails about what they have endured and how Jesus has brought them through.

Well, this week they cried and rejoiced as they brought their new baby girl into the world! Not a replacement. . . rather, a choice to love again, to trust God, even still.

I am SO moved by their stories - I wanted to share it with others. This week I have been surrounded by discouragement, disunity in the Body, petty jealousies . . . it has weighted my heart to the ground. But then I read my friend's blog - and I was reminded, again, what TRUE reality is, the hope of this life and eternity - and where our focus should really be.

I hope it challenges you toward that as well.

Read their story here.

Rest Easy

I'm lying on my bed, my sweet three-year-old falling asleep beside me. Daddy decided to reward Dax with a movie tonight, so Draes gets to drift off in our bed until such time as the movie has ended and he can be moved into his room. 

He looks so angelic, so peaceful. In this moment, it's hard to even believe it POSSIBLE that such a child could even CONSIDER throwing a tantrum. (heh heh) And he went to sleep so easily - no fighting or begging for one more drink...

I remember sleeping in my parents' room a few times. It really was more restful there. Was it the nearness? Was there some greater danger in my bedroom - a mere five feet across the hall - than in theirs? I'm not sure, but I never had a nightmare in my mother's bed. And I never woke up randomly through the night. It was a true, deep rest.

God offers us that kind of rest. Matthew 11:28 says if we come to Him, He will give us rest. Isaiah says He will keep us in PERFECT peace if we keep our thoughts on Him. So why do we often find ourselves crying in our beds, as it were? We stare at the closet door or the floor of our lives, petrified the monsters might emerge when, in truth, we need only to jump to our feet and take the 5 deliberate steps into his arms to find all our fears fading. 

Why do we fight so hard to hold on to our monsters? Why do we ask God to meet us on our trembling ground, when, if we would run to his solid place we could find true repose? Is it because we are unsure of Him? Hasn't he proven Himself in the past? Or is it because we fear what His peace might cost us? Perhaps there are certain things we've grown to like about our monsters?

It is true, God's methods are not always certain, but they are always good. I guess the question is, then, is the peace worth the price? I look again at the angelic child by my side. To have such a rest in spirit? Yes, I believe it's worth it.

Run to His arms today. Seek Him while He may be found. Lay down everything that's holding you back and run to Him. He will be there. I pray you find the courage to rest easy.