Contentment Checkup

From a worldly perspective I have never used my Children's Ministry degree since I graduated from Lincoln. I substitute taught (while I planned our wedding), lifegaurded (during Jeremy's internship), was a secretary (for Jeremy when we lived on the edge of Camp End of the World), and then I became a full time mom. I really didn't understand why God was calling me to stay at Lincoln when I choose to stay and get a ministry degree versus persuing a teaching degree. And some might doubt that decision since I haven't ever had a paycheck for that job, but now as a minister's wife I have no doubt God knew exactly what he was doing!

Still I tend to be an overthinker often doubting that I am making decisions that are in line with God's will for my life. So when someone calls you out of the blue and says, "We are looking for a youth minister & part time children's minister would you and your husband be interested?" it is truly a contentment checkup. I didn't even hesistate- I knew the answer was no. Hoorah! No, doubting if this was God's call, or questioning my decision to stay home. I finally feel like I am dead center in the middle of God's current call on my life. What a blessing! I have doubted so many previous decisions, sometimes to the point of it being rediculous. For example, when I decided to end a very unhealthy relationship in college the person asked me to not tell anyone and pray about it for three days because they didn't think I was doing what God wanted. And I acctually did it and questioned whether it was the right decision even though my friends and family were affirming me right and left!!

I love being a stay at home mom and I have no doubt that is the best decision for me & and my family. And I am so thankful the Lord has given me confidence in this area because I think I might have mentioned before I have a very strong-willed two year old! And from God's perspective I am doing the purest form of children's ministry everyday in my own home, I just won't see the paycheck until heaven. And seriously look at my co-workers-aren't they the cutest!

Too Much of a Good Thing-The Great Flood of 08

Well, if you grew up along the Mississippi River like I did everyone talks about the flood of 1993. I was 10 years old that summer. I can kind of remember the news coverage and I distinctly remember being mad because we didn't get to go on vacation due to the Hannibal bridge being closed. The river levels reached during that flood are only "supposed" to happen every 500 years. But, I guess nature didn't read that scientific report because we are having another flood just as big as the historic flood of 1993.

This time the flood has really caught my attention. I have been very interested in the news coverage. On Sunday we took Grace down to the river so she could see everything that was going on. But you couldn't actually see the water because it was too dangerous. So we went up to Lover's Leap. It was crazy!! It was bumper to bumper trafic. We were telling her how people would talk about the flood of 08 when she grew up and she wouldn't remember but we would tell her stories. But it wasn't just curiosity, God was really tugging on my heart. I felt desperate to DO SOMETHING to help. I was torn as a mom. I can't exactly pack up my two kids and go sandbag! So I helped Jermey get all the infomariton and organize our youth kids to go. I couldn't decide whether to try and find someone to watch the girls so I could go or not.... I mean that person could just go sandbag themselves, so it seemed a little pointless. But I found a more than willing highschool girl so I was able to go. And I am so glad! It was really fun working alongside our highchool kids and seeing the wide range of people who were volunteering their time.

Now normally if you asked someone from Hannibal if it is a good thing being located along the river I think they would say yes. The river is beautiful and it helps to support the tourism here. Our family loves to walk down by the river and visit Riverview Park. Isn't it ironic how such a good thing can be disastorous when you have way too much! That seems like a picture of my life right now-too many "good" things. I feel like I have way too many things asking for my time. I long to have my priorities and the holy spirit direct where I spend my time instead of my circumstances and inability to say no. Ever since the Hearts at Home conference I have wanted to sit down and list everything I have committed myself to and do a little pruning. But, I haven't done it....yet!

I Miss My Husband!

I hate when Jeremy is gone. I am not a good soldier. "Keeping the home fires burning" might be in the traditional preacher's wife job descrition. And in a way I do feel like I try and keep some consistancy while Jeremy is gone, but I don't necessarily like it. I just miss having my best friend. Jeremy is the fun one, the laid-back one, the one who makes me laugh, and basically the person who keeps me sane (and takes out the trash!) He should be home very soon and I can't wait. Welcome home sweetheart-we have missed you!!

Hi. My name is Jennifer Humiston and I was a strong willed child.

Well, I have hit a tough spot in parenting- I now can personally attest to why they call it the terrible twos. Jeremy has been gone to camp since last Thursday and Grace is exerting her independence like never before. I have to confess I have been at the end of my rope more than once and tears have been involved. Basically to sum things up Grace has decided she no longer is interested in listening and obeying. When I read Kristina's blog about the fun things her and Sadie are doing I teared up. I felt like that was exactly all the fun things I was experiencing with Grace last summer. Where has my happy daughter gone?

I will briefly describe the reality of what I am going through simply so I can look back and clearly remember the challenges. We have taken a break from potty training. Grace was pretty much down to one or two accidents a week and has out of the blue totally regressed. I also feel like I can't take her places because she is very fond of throwing tantrums. Oh, and did I mention she also hits when she gets frustrated? I used to see kids out of control and thought why do those parents give in and let their kids run the show. Well, I have repented for my judgmental thoughts!!

So what do you do when your husband is at camp and your toddler is out of control? You pray and call your mom. The funny thing is I always thought I was a good kid. I very rarely got in trouble in school. I feel so foolish even saying this but I thought I was the "easy" one (my brother can be kind of onery) But by trying to parent Grace I am actually discovering a piece of myself I'm not sure I have fully recognized. According to my mother I was a very strong-willed toddler. She says I would tell her I hated her, had very specific ideas about what I would and would not wear, and I was a terrible little friend. She says I should be grateful Kristina is such a good forgiving friend because sometimes I would be awful to her. (Sorry, Kristina!)

The words of the song, "My daughter's Eyes" come to mind.
"In my daughter's eyes
I can see the future
A reflection of who I am
And what we'll be"

So I have already seen how parenting is challenging me to grow, but I guess I never thought it would teach me about who I was. And in a way it gives me a little piece of hope to hold on to. While I'm not perfect I no longer tell my mom I hate her or am mean to my friends. So I am trying to recommit myself to seeing Grace's strong-willed tendencies in the most positive light possible. I call her my "little leader." And I try and dream about what God can do with such a strong resolve to make things happen... (Oh, and I'm reading Dr. Dobson's book on Parenting the Strong Willed Child!)

Learning to Dance in the Rain

Well, I haven't posted in awhile as the Humiston family is gearing up for our yearly church camp. I am in charge of all the crafts for camp so this has been taking up my spare moments. But we have had new things going on in our home so here is an update.

Faith:

The biggest news is that last week both of Faith's bottom two middle teeth came in. So in one week she went from toothless to sporting two new teeth. This of course included some rocky moments. And who can blame her, tooth aches are the worst! I tried to capture them in a picture but they have just broke through so they are kind of hard to see. She is also really enjoying sitting up and playing with more "big girl toys" which includes showing interest in putting all of her sister's toys in her mouth. Uh, oh let the sharing begin! She is also loving picking up bite size pieces of cooked carrots to feed herself.

Grace:

Last week Grace had a lot of fun spending the night at Grammy & Papa's house. She got to go on all sorts of adventures including a trip to the farm. (and sitting on Undle Cody's horse!) She is also showing a lot more interst in getting herself dressed and picking out her own clothes. She is especially partial to her purple clothing. This morning she told me she needed to get dressed up to go to church and proceded to adorn herself with jewlery and hair ribbons. Also whenever I ask her to pick up she now asks me if someone is coming over. (Could it be we only clean when guests are coming? Surely not!) Her favorite thing to pretend right now is going to sleep. She gets out blankets and pillows and makes a bed on the floor and makes everyone pretend to go to sleep. And of course like a good little mommy pops up to go care for the baby that is "cryin."

We also have some new additions to our "family." Two days a week I am watching three children. You can see the girls pictured here with my girls. They are having a lot of fun. Grace asks each day, "Friends coming?" They also have a little new baby brother who was sleeping when we took the photo. It has been fun for me to learn how to adapt to meet the needs of five children under the age of three. I am really enjoying it.

Recently I saw a quote that really stuck with me for some reason. It said, "Life is less about avoiding thunder storms and more about learning to dance in the rain." What a great quote for moms. I tend to be a control person by nature. I like things to be "under control." This is a lot harder to manage now that I'm a mom. Thunderstorms seem unavoidable. Children turn two, babies get teeth, I forget things, the house gets messy (again), children become grouchy and overtired, things become less predictable. So how do you learn to dance in the rain? I think the only way that really works is if the rain is the sweet refreshing rain that only Jesus can bring. So I ask Jesus to help me see my children through his precious eyes of love, I pray for patience (again), and I try and keep perspective. I know there will be a day some day in the future when I look back and long for the thunderstorms that seem so dark right now. I dance in the rain by trying to truly enjoy the special moments when being a mom is just simply amazing.

Crash! A little thunderstorm just hit. While I was typing these words I turned around to see wet panties and shorts on the floor. Grace had an accident and stripped off her clothes! Well, I guess I'd better go practice dancing in the rain.