…and this is one amazing man.  Gregory is a rare and precious vessel.  Not just because he is the hands-on, ever-watchful, ever-prayerful, effective father of five sons, and the steady, rock-like husband to this oft-times emotional woman (me).  Admirable qualities indeed, but more than that, he’s a real man, and there don’t appear to be many of those left in our culture.   Gregory is never moved by men’s opinions.  Seriously.  Driven only by kingdom and energized by faith, come what may, he’s a rock.  Twenty-nine years ago, I fell head-over-heels in love with everything about him, but I was especially attracted to his unusual strength. He’s a pillar.  Not a pushover or a politician. What you see is what you get.  He is tenderhearted and deeply and practically compassionate, yet strong as steel and immovable when it comes down to Truth.  I’ve learned so much from him and benefited greatly by being his wife these past 28 years.  And, he’s still my hunk o’ hunk o’ burnin’ love. (My boys always cover their ears on this part, but it’s true.  He takes my breath away.)

He’s faithfully sowed into too many lives to count across the earth.  He’s also paid a dear price to hold fast to God’s Truth.  I’m so proud of him.

Happy Father’s Day to a truly great man.

…and every dollar it will cost you, even at its $59.99 retail price.  This 7-part video series chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government, whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. Set against the backdrop of a nation’s stormy birth, this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story, a gripping narrative, and a fascinating study of human nature.  Based on the Pulitzer prize winning biography by brilliant historian/writer David McCullough.

Just released for purchase this week.  What a prize for Dad on Father’s Day.  The kids will love it, too.  We were riveted.

Trust me on this one.  

(Qualifier: Some mature content - view with small children at your discretion)

…came yesterday, when, due to a bad case of chickenpox, Seth missed out on a pre-planned  beginning-of-summer-festivities-104-degree-waterpark-fun-in-the-sun-day with friends. 

We’re talking Major Bummer.  As the Mom-driven, kid-packed partying SUV, music blaring, pulled up out front to pick up big brother, the cloud of despair settled over my people-person, activity-LOVING, Mr. Thirteen.  No super smoothie, chicken soup or oatmeal bath was gonna fix this torture  We sat and rehearsed the time his bigger brother missed out on the opportunity of a teen-lifetime to spend the day boating and sunning at an NBA player’s local lake home, due to sudden strep throat.  And, the time Mr. Thirteen missed out on a music concert 3 hours away - a really special planned event, due to sudden sickness.  These details weren’t helping the situation, so, I suggested he phone a dear friend in Seattle.

As he and his buddy chatted, all pain and itching was dispelled.  Laughter and energy bubbled over.  His friend just had serious oral surgery and is also recovering - he can’t eat solid food and is experiencing his own form of suffering.  The jabbering went on for a good hour and was the best medicine my boy could have had.

Last night was especially difficult, and I finally grabbed my pillow and tucked in beside him to try to bring him some relief.  I’m hoping - please, Lord -  we’ve hit the peak, as there really isn’t a whole lot of room on his skin for one more itchy bump! 

The pox saga continues.  Buying myself an hour to get with God last night, I gave my little patient the opportunity to watch an animated 90-minute movie, hoping it also to be a welcome distraction to his misery. 

When the credits began to roll, it was my cue, once more, to be ready for action.  Around our house, it’s not just about Momma serving popsicles, applying Calamine, taking temps and preparing cool rags for the forehead.  It’s about being there.  On call every moment. 

Observe:  After presenting a fresh bowl of sliced fruit, arranging bedding and engaging in some brief, sincere, commiseration with the little fellow, I ran out of the room to transfer laundry and attend to kitchen duty (someone is always hungry at our house).  As I flew, I heard a little voice proclaim, “I have just two words for you:  HURRY BACK!“

Then, he launched into some fun facts about how Orangutans can’t cope if the female disappears, likening the tendency to that of our household.  He went on to describe how they arrange a ‘hunt’ until they find her.  If they couldn’t find me, he continued on, they would first go to Starbucks and then to Trader Joes.  Well, by then, I was laughing out loud.  But he was very serious.  He wants Momma there, right next to him.  Now.

I plopped down next to his makeshift bed in the living room and opened a book we’d been wanting to read together. As I began to read, he reached his arm as far as he could, to hold my hand.  It took him quite an effort, and reminded  me just how much of a comfort I am to him. 

Mommas were made to lessen the pain, soften the blow, comfort the afflicted and most of all perhaps, just be there.  I’m so grateful to be spending my hours attending to him at the moment.  Yeah, it meant waking to his cry at 4 a.m. today, interrupting my sound sleep to attend to his pressing needs, but I consider it a privilege.  Truly.  At thirteen, he’s becoming very independent, and the times he feels a need to have me around become fewer and farther between.   So for the next few days, you know where I’ll be.  Right there.

Yep.  Mr. Thirteen (that’s what we call our resident adolescent just for fun on occasion) woke up this morning with itchy bumps all over his chest, neck, spreading to the arms…slight fever increasing some throughout the day, topped off with feeling pretty yuck.  So you know what I’m doing.  Cold drinks.  Off to the store for Popsicles and pudding.  Plumping pillows, taking temperatures, Calamine lotion, preparing soaking baths, comforting, serving soup, pretty much all day…intermittently, of course, with laundry, dishes, meals, changing sheets, tidying, answering pressing emails, running up stairs, down stairs, ironing, answering phones and attending to ‘Frankenstein’ - as my fourth-born Levi has proclaimed himself today, since he woke up with a ‘frozen’ neck and can’t ’tilt’ his head or  look side-to-side without turning his entire trunk.  I told him he’s way too young for this, while I handed him a bag of frozen peas to ‘ice’ for 20 minutes, then a heating pad to ‘heat’ for 20 minutes, repeat, then assorted other natural remedies…Mr. Thirteen just informed me that he and his brother had each other in severe twin headlocks last night on the living room floor…hmmm. 

Happy Monday!

$50.00 VISA Gift Card Sue. P.

$25.00 VISA Gift Card Jen Sarg.

Jeff Allen Comedy Video-Shannon B. and Amanda P.

Tim Hawkins Comedy Video-Dimitri N. and Katy

Dan and Louie Bible Story CDs - Caryn, Maria, Lindsey R., Jennifer Sar., Diane, Cristin T., Malisa P., and Tammy A.

 After double and triple checking the details of all of our Big May No Ordinary Celebration! drawing entries - each blog entry during May was worth one entry and every book order was worth one entry (ie., if you ordered a triple set of two-for-one books, you earned 3 entries), a neutral witness observed while the drawing began in our Impact Media Office.  And the winners are…

Our “No Ordinary May Celebration!” was a huge success because of YOU!  All of our drawing winners will be announced this weekend and winners will be notified by email that prizes are in the mail.

……………ROBBED!

Okay, so you got the special announcement about party favors, and 3 for 30 on the 30th and you’re thinking, “why would I buy 3 books for $30.00 ($10.00 per book includes shipping) when I can buy 2, 2-for-1 in May Specials and get 4 books for $35.98 ($8.99 per book includes shipping) ?!?!?!?

And you begin to….

while..uuhh…hm…yes, indeed, you’re jumping up and down alright, LAUGHING!  Okay, the joke is on us 2 dizzies in the office - and SURPRISE…..

IT’S 4 FOR $30.00 ON THE 30TH!!!

-Winston Churchill - Tribute to the Royal Air Force, House of Commons, 20 August 1940.

How appropriate a quote for us in America.  It’s come to mind so much, after wrapping up a 3-day weekend culminating with our national holiday on Monday called Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.  A formal day to reflect on those whose blood was spilled to purchase my liberty to do, basically, whatever I wanted to do, wherever I wanted to do it, all weekend long.  Whenever I’m feeling the heat of some ‘persecution’, some light and momentary affliction, and all is not as I wish it could be, with the sun shining down on me, I remind myself:  There is no gun to my head and I’m not yet hiding from government oppression and I owe it to a relatively small number of men and women who paid the ultimate price for my freedom.  That’s a sobering realization, isn’t it? 

How did you spend your weekend?  Some of you took Friday and made it a 4-day weekend…that’s such a treat!  I imagine lots of you were working on the landscaping, painting the trim, maybe grilling some chicken with friends.  Our weekend was peaceful, but constant, as we’re in the middle of many projects and I’m the sort of person who always seems to be spinning a lot of plates.  Our boys were occupied with friends, plans and activities out-of-town, which left me lots of time to spoil my husband and also to catch up on study and crossing some major items off my to-do list  that have been lingering far too long.  We Americans are truly privileged people.