A Lump, a Surgery, a Phone Call, and Trusting Jesus: Part 2

Yesterday was a long day.  We knew we would be receiving a phone call from Ben's doctor re: the lump on his neck, but we had no clue when that call would come.  Ben went to work for the first time since his surgery last Thursday, and he felt pretty good.  He called his doctor's office mid morning and was told the doctor would call him sometime after 6 pm.

So we waited.

And waited. 

And we went to dinner with Ben's parents.  And we all jumped a little when the phone rang.  And sighed when it was someone checking in on Ben.

We had calls, and messages, and texts from our friends all day long checking on the prognosis.  I know many of you were thinking of us and praying for us all day long, wondering when we would update you all.  Thank you for loving us.

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It may seem odd to some of you why this lump was such a big deal.  I don't know.  Maybe lumps are always a big deal.  I've never dealt with lumps, but I know I never like the sound of it.  

Twenty-five years ago, my husband lost one of his big brothers to cancer (lymphoma).  It presented with a lump in the neck.  Just like Ben.  Ben was only 8 when he lost his 17 year old brother.  It still hurts.  I'm not sure the hurt of losing a brother and son ever goes away.  I never knew him.  My kids never knew him.  That also makes my heart hurt.  My kids watch home videos of their uncle sometimes.  They wish they had a chance to meet him.  And someday they will in heaven.  Someday.  

My heart ached for the possible outcomes of his lump.  But my heart ached even more for Ben's family, who knew first-hand the loss of a brother and son.  As a mom, I cannot even imagine the pain of losing a child.  My mother in law and my own mother both know this pain.  But even more, I cannot imagine hearing that another of my children had a similar symptom, with a similarly suspected diagnosis.  It's just too much and too unfair.  

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We sat watching TV last night.  At about 9:00, the phone rang.  We both jumped and held hands.  I sat quietly so I could hear the doctor talking to Ben.  

Blah, blah, blah, blah, bengin.  What?!?!  Ben squeezed my hand and I knew I heard correctly.  It was benign.  

So why had the doctor had such a gut feeling that this particular lump was not good?  Well, in this doctor's 43 years of practicing medicine, he had NEVER seen this particular type of cyst.  He actually had to look it up to gain info on it to pass onto Ben.   He had what was called a cervical thymic cyst.  They account for only half of 1% of cysts.  It is benign, not expected to come back, and Ben doesn't need any follow up visits.  

Leave it to Ben to have the most rare type of cyst.  That's totally him.  Over achiever.

We are beyond relieved.  I cried all sorts of ugly tears last night.  I have puffy, swollen eyelids this morning.  My husband is healthy.  My children's father is healthy.  My in law's son is healthy.  Louie and Joel's brother is healthy.  Tears all around.  I felt like Oprah last night sending out texts....here's some tears for you!  And some tears for you!  Don't worry...you get some tears too!

Want to cry with me?  Go ahead.  I'm crying right now as I write this.  I'm so thankful.  So glad it's over.  And so happy to move on in life.  Thank you for praying with us, and checking in on us, and celebrating with us.  Life is good.  God is good.  

Christmas Advent Activities

This year, instead of a candy advent calendar, our family will be doing an activity advent calendar.  I'm super excited about these activities.  I've included more than just 24 activities on this list in case we decide that we don't want to do a particular one.  Want to join us in some December fun?  Here's our list this year.  This is a printable pdf so you can print it out, too!

Click below to get a copy of my Christmas Activity Advent Calendar.

CLICK HERE: Christmas Advent Activities

Jesus StoryBook Bible for Kindle just $2.99

 

I just saw (via Money Saving Mom) that my all-time favorite children's story book Bible is on sale again on Amazon for just $2.99 for the kindle version!  We have a hard copy of this Jesus StoryBook Bible, and I really think this is the best kids Bible ever! (I know, I've mentioned this book more than once!)

I love that every story, even old testament ones, make a connection to why God would someday need to send Jesus for us.  I also love that there is some depth to the stories, which many kids Bibles seem to lack.  

If you are looking for a kids Bible that has great stories and excellent pictures, definitely consider grabbing this deal while it's so cheap!  Head to here to download it now!

(The links in this post may be my referral/affiliate links.  Read my disclosure policy HERE.  Thank you for supporting the continuation of this blog by using my links!)

3 Super Simple Easter Crafts

We had our Easter party at school today.  I took photos to share with you all of the three easy crafts that I did with my students.  The first is pictured above.  Isn't that a cute little bunny?  All you need is some white and red paint.  Paint your child's hand (not the thumb) with white paint.  Spread your child's fingers apart and press down to make the bunny ears.  Once dry, mix some red and white paint together to make pink paint, and add the pink to the ears and the nose.  Use a black sharpie to add the eyes, whiskers, and mouth.

I used a simple Word document and inserted an oval shape.  I typed the verse "Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead."  Matthew 28:7.  The kids watercolored the egg.  Then using scissors and a strip of green paper, the children cut slits into the paper to create "grass".  Then they finished it up by glueing the grass to the egg.

For this craft, you can either have an older child cut out the tomb, stone, and sun, or you can pre-cut the pieces for a younger child.  They glued the stone to the side of tomb, and we learned the verse we glued to the top (He is not here, he has risen, just as he said!  Matthew 28:6

These crafts are so easy and frugal and they require very little supplies!  Happy Easter!

Jesus StoryBook Bible on Kindle Only $1.99 Today

Ohhh!  Today on Amazon, the Kindle version of the Jesus Storybook Bible is only $1.99!  The Kindle version is usually $16.99, so this is quite a steal!

I wholeheartedly believe that this is THE best children's Bible out there.  My children have it and love it.  Every story, even old testament ones, "whisper His name".  They all tie to our Savior- why we would need a Savior, what He would do, etc.  My kids have the deluxe version with the read-aloud cd's (which are really well done, by the way; not your typical boring book reading on cd). 

I love that this Bible has some in depth details about the stories found in the Bible, and that it's not as basic as most other kids Bible's.  And, the pictures are absolutely amazing!  

Anywho, if you have been looking for a great kids Bible, I highly recommend this one!  

10 Weeks to an Organized Christmas: Children's Activities 1

If you are joining us for the first time for the 10 Weeks to an Organized Christmas series, be sure to check out all the posts in the series HERE.  

I have to admit that I'm slacking a little at publishing all my Christmas Activities.  There will be 25 of them, and almost all of them will tie to Jesus in some way!  While I'm completing the other activities on my list, here are three to get you started.  I will be utilizing my calendar print out (find it HERE) to plan each day for my family.  I will be writing down at least one activity to do on each day leading up to Christmas!

Hershey Kiss Advent

This activity should be done on the 1st of December, or even the last day of November.

You will need:

*A long strip of plastic wrap or colored cellophane (one for each child)
*25 Hershey's kisses (or other candies) per child
*Ribbon, cut into pieces

What to do:

Lay out a long strip of plastic wrap or colored cellophane on the ground.  Have your children each count out 25 "kisses".  Encourage older children to help younger children with counting, if necessary.  Have the children lay out the kisses along the strip of wrap.  Then, use the ribbon to tie the wrap around each individual kiss.  Tie a long, looped string at the very top to hang.

How to Tie it to Jesus:

While making this "kiss" advent, talk about the meaning of advent with your kiddos.  The word "advent" means "to come".  Talk about how we are counting down to Christmas, which is when we celebrate that Jesus came to earth as a little baby!

Snowy Night Scape & Follow the Star Game

This is a fun craft for kids of all ages, even the little guys.

You will need:

* Black or Dark Blue Paper
* Salt
* Water
* A yellow star (made from construction paper, a yellow button, etc.)
* Paintbrush
* Glue
* White crayon

What to Do:

Mix up a solution of salt water.  You will want it to be heavy on the salt, as it will represent the snow when the water dries on the paper.  You can add a bit of glue to the solution, too, if you want to ensure that the salt sticks well; just don't add too much or it will be hard to paint with the salt.  Have your child glue the yellow star onto the paper.  Then, allow your child to color "stars" with the white crayon.  Finally, allow your child to paint with the salt mixture.  Allow it to dry.  The end result should be a snowy night scape.

How to tie it to Jesus:

While doing this activity, place an emphasis on the big, yellow star.  Talk about how the star appeared in the sky when Jesus was born.  The wise men followed the star to find their way to Jesus.

Bonus Activity:

While the landscape dries, place a trail of big yellow stars (print from your computer or cut from construction paper) around your house leading to a small treat.  Have your children pretend that they are the "wise men" following the star to baby Jesus.

Foot and Handprint Angel

This craft can be done in one of two ways.  You can do it with paint on paper, or with just paper.

You will need:

*Yellow and white construction paper
*A picture of your child's face
*Yellow and another color (maybe light blue or pink-for the "robe") paint (if doing the paint angel)

What to do:

If you are utilizing paper only:

Trace your child's hands on yellow paper (these will be the wings).  Trace your child's foot on white paper (this will be the angel's robe).  If your child is old enough, allow her to cut out her templates.  Once cut out, allow your child to glue the wings to the body (toes face down).  If desired, let your child embellish the angel with glitter, markers, or other decorative items.  Finally, cut out the picture of your child's face and glue it to the top (you can also have your child draw their own face).

If you are utilizing paint:

Paint your child's foot with a color of your choice.  Have him step straight down on to a piece of paper (toes will face down). Paint your child's hands yellow and then press their hands down to make the angel wings on the paper.  Either draw or glue a photo of your child's face to the top.

How to tie it to Jesus: 

While doing this craft together, talk about the angel Gabriel who appeared to Mary and informed her that she would be giving birth to baby Jesus!  You can also talk about how 9 months later, a full sky of angels appeared to some shepherd's to tell them that Jesus had been born.  It would also be great to talk about how the angels worship God, and that we are supposed to worship God, too!

Significance

Lately I've been starting to think about the idea that every conversation I have, every person I meet, and everyone I interact with may be of significance.  You know what I mean?  Like, significance beyond the easily ascertained significance (getting directions, asking for my total at the grocery store, etc.).  What if each time I talk to someone, they are getting a glimpse of Jesus for the first time.  Maybe they're having their first human interaction in days.  Maybe they're lonely.  Maybe I can help.

What if the reasons I end up talking to people are not really by my own intentions, but are actually chosen for me by Jesus?  Like yesterday when I knocked on a door to ask about picking fruit from someone's yard and got to talk and pick with an 80ish year old man.  Although I chose to knock on his door, was it really me who originally had the idea?  The only reason I saw his house in the first place is because last week I went to drive around the school and pray for the school and the people there.  His house was over there, and I took notice of his fruit tree.  I think Jesus would totally have stopped to pick fruit and talk with someone!  So will I.  Significance.

Or last week at the grocery store when I got a cart for an older gentleman which led to a 5 minute conversation in the store together...with three kids hanging on me.  His son had just committed suicide.  I got to talk to him.  The kids talked to him.  He loved it.  So did I.  Thank you, Jesus, for that interaction.  Significance.

I'm hoping that by changing my thoughts on the every day, mundane, "it's just life" kinda things, that I will truly begin to see how Jesus loves people.  I will begin to see that nothing is luck, or by chance, or on accident.  That everything points back to Jesus.  That I can be Jesus to those who don't yet know Him.  That Jesus cares about the small things, about loving people, and about making people feel special.  I want to interact with people like he would.

And so, I leave you with that very thought.  What if there is some significance to every person you meet today, and every conversation you have?  Does it change how you think?  Does it change how you will speak?  I know that for me, it sure does.

Jesus+Motherhood=?????

I recently had a guest post on moneysavingmom.com entitled "How to Have Productive Mornings When You Have Early Risers".  It was a thrill to see something I wrote on such a HUGE website!  Totally exciting!

One of the commenters wondered how, with my early risers, I find "Jesus time" in my day.  I think most moms have to think through this aspect of life every now and then.  How DO you find time to specifically spend with Jesus when you have 3 kids ages 4 and under, a husband who is injured and really can't do much of anything, a job, and kids who are awake by 5:30 each day?  Well, this has been quite the adventure for me.

You see, I used to have an attitude problem.  I used to think reading a certain number of chapters a day in my Bible = being a "good" Christian.  I used to get angry when my kids interrupted my reading/journaling time.  Wow.  Yeah, can't you totally see Jesus throwing a tantrum that some little child interrupted his time praying?  Please.  

There came a time when I realized that it was not worth getting angry at my children for interrupting my Bible reading time.  God has given me children and He expects me to care for, love, and BE Jesus to them.  One of our hugest responsibilities as parents is to introduce them to Jesus and "to train them in the way they should go".  I don't know about you, but I don't want my children to learn to be angry people.  The association of mom + Bible + kids = angry mom is not one that I'd like them to adopt.  

I eventually began to embrace the distractions of motherhood; learned to hug my children when they woke up from naps and interrupted my reading.  There are days when I don't read my Bible.  God doesn't love me any less.  

I learned that my time with Jesus would look different at different times in life.  It's not bad, it's just different.  It changes.  It's a new adventure all the time.  

Sometimes it looks like me listening to a podcast of someone I enjoy (such as Daniel Brown) while doing dishes.  Sometimes it looks like reading my Bible online while on my break at work.  Sometimes it means I read the Bible on my phone while rocking a baby to sleep.  Sometimes it simply looks like a constant conversation between me and Jesus throughout the day.  And sometimes I just end up passing out at the end of the day once the kids are in bed.  

It takes a positive attitude, adaptability, and a willingness to love Jesus and your family in new and changing ways despite your life's circumstances.  

At times, being a mom means that you don't always get to do the things you WANT to do the way you WANT to do them.  Getting upset over this fact does no good.  I'm choosing to embrace it.  

How does Jesus + Motherhood look for you right now?  Any tips or advice?

The Jesus/Santa Christmas Dilemma

My Christmas dilemma.  It's not really so much a dilemma anymore, but it was.  I'm talking about the whole "Jesus/Santa, who's real/who's fake, lying to have fun/telling the truth and spoiling childhood fun" dilemma.  I didn't like having to make the decision as to what we teach our children about Santa.  Of course it's "fun", but we're also straight-up lying.  My inquisitive Ellie started digging for the truth at the age of 3.  So, we had to come up with something.  I tell my children something along these lines:

"Some people love to play make-believe at Christmas.  People like to pretend that Santa comes around on Christmas Eve and gives everyone their presents.  We know that our gifts really come from mommy, daddy, family, and friends, but it's still fun to play make-believe.  If you want to pretend that Santa brings your presents, we can do that!"

I really want to give my children the joy of playing make-believe and having fun with the traditional "Christmas" things (Santa, reindeer, elves, etc.), but I also want my children to know the truth so that we don't have to later deal with the "Santa's not real?  You lied?  Is Jesus even real?" type questions.  I just don't want to even go there.  Besides, Christmas is about Jesus after all, and I think Santa is of little importance when it comes to Christmas.

 

On that note, there is an amazing Christmas book that incorporates both Jesus AND Santa. This book was a gift a couple years ago, and I absolutely love it.  In the book, Santa tells his favorite Christmas story-the story of Jesus.  It's a perfect book for helping children realize the true meaning of Christmas, while still getting some of the fun "Santa" theme in there, too.   It's called Santa's Favorite Story.  You can find it HERE on Amazon, although the price isn't that great.  You may be able to check your local library for it, too.