Catch Up!

Abby’s casts are history!

On Wednesday, John, Joy and Abigail Grace made the journey back to Shriner’s hospital in Tampa.  Cast removal is a bit scary for little ones because of the loud saw used. 

But the nurses are always so careful and tender.  The doctors understand that they are dealing with a tiny person.  And Joy said the look on Abby’s face as they massaged her legs for the first time was one of utter ecstasy!

(Most of you will remember that three weeks ago Abby had an extra toe removed from each foot.  The three weeks have flown for us but not for Joy and Abby.) 

When they got home the night after surgery, Abby flashed her trademark smile (albeit a bit drunk looking from the pain meds).  She immediately set about the task of learning how to crawl again.  This time with casts covering both legs - from toes to thighs.

She even mastered her own unique version of stop, drop, and roll.  Sitting all day was not an option for this mobile ten month old. 

So she learned to lean as far to the left as her cubby little frame would allow.  Then in an incredible display of strength and dexterity, she would fling her right leg toward the left and flip her entire body landing on her belly.

After that, “crawling” was a simple maneuver that resembled a soldier on some undercover reconnaissance mission.  But she took it all in stride (pun totally intended) and never quit smiling at all.

By the time they headed back to Tampa, she had nearly worn a hole in the knees of her massive leg covers.   Oh, the resilience of children!

In other news, Frank and I have been away for three days.  We represented our church at the annual state conference.  Such a privilege!

When we first moved here eight years ago, the conference was a bit lonely.  We had been part of the NC conference for twenty-five years.  We knew almost everyone there; in FL we were the newcomers.   

But it never takes Frank long to make friends.  And I guess I’ve acquired his habits.  My sister often teases when I introduce her to people.  “Oh, I met one of Sheri’s thousand best friends today!”  

What can I say?  When you love people – a lot – it shows!

My dad has come for a visit.  He’ll be speaking this Sunday at our church as we mark Pentecost Sunday.  (The year is flying by!)  We’re expecting friends from NC and GA this weekend too.

And before too many more days, SUMMER will arrive.  Game on from there!

Right now, I’m savoring a few quite moments on the patio.

Listening to the wind chimes and the trickle of our koi pond.  A great breeze keeps the bugs confused enough that they aren’t landing.  And the air is full of fragrance from the gardenia and jasmine bushes. 

Ten minutes more and I head out for Noni duty!  No sorrow in that task, I assure you.

So to my “thousand best friends” at Embrace the Grace let me offer a simple, “Happy Spring!  Hope your Pentecost weekend is blessed!”

Ode to Mommies

Mother's Day!

It's right around the corner and I can't let it pass without cheering for every mom out there!

When our daughters were babies, I thought it must surely be the craziest time there could ever be! I prayed hard for wisdom, grace, patience.  And thought that when I got through this season, things would get easier -

• Then we started homeschooling.  
• Then we became evangelists and lived in a fifth-wheel camper.  
• Then they started going off to India and college and getting married. 
• Then they started making us grandparents.

Moms, learn to pray now.  You won't ever stop, I can assure you!!

Kristin (our first-born) was only four when Meagan (the final) was born.  So the years of diapers and teething and crying and ear aches and runny noses and NO SLEEP carved deep trenches in my life.   Today those trenches contain rivers of compassion for every young mom I meet!

During the early years, Frank and I lived ten hours from my family and six hours from his.  We wouldn't have made it without help given by our wonderful church family.  I still pray blessing from time to time when I think of Rita and Ann and Darlene and Amy and Brenda, Marilyn, Teresa........

They (along with many others) offered help and we accepted - gladly!

Recently, I saw on facebook a post by a young mom who has a toddler and a younger set of twins.  She was connected somehow with a horrible website.  It spouted condemnation for every young mom whose children weren't magazine-cover-ready every minute of the day.

May I just say, people writing such as that aren't really raising children!

When our girls were little, I seldom ever reached the accomplishment level I set for myself.  And feeling condemned about it was counter-productive!

Yes, they got into the dog food.  But they never ate the entire bowl.  WIN!

Yes, they fell and scraped their knees.  But they still have both knees.  WIN!

Yes, they frequently wore mismatched socks.  But they thought it was a fashion statement.  WIN!

Yes, their mother yelled.  But they came to believe a whisper was even more serious.  WIN!

Yes, they argued.  But they had to hug each other afterward.  WIN!

Bottom line is this - I want to offer encouragement to EVERY mother reading.  You have such great influence, no matter what age your children may be.

But I'm especially cheering today for the moms of pre-schoolers!   The little moms trying to potty train.  The mom who hasn't slept in three nights because of a baby's cold.  The mom who has TWO in diapers at the same time.  The mom trying desperately to find something their child will eat besides chicken nuggets and peanut butter jelly sandwiches!

You, my dear, are the hero of the day!  You are influencing our future!  Your job is more important than Warren Buffet's.  Your wealth is greater than Bill Gates'! 

There's an amazing quote that is seldom rehearsed these days.  But its impact remains true:
"The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world!"

The little girls that I worked so hard to keep clean and teach good values may not step into roles of world prominence.  But I will tell you this - they are each impacting their own world in very prominent ways!  And I couldn't be more proud.

Hang in there, kiddo!  Love Jesus in front of your children.  Live as honestly as you can.  Accept help.  Model forgiveness by giving and receiving it.  Watch VeggieTales with them.  Have a picnic on the living room floor.  TAKE A NAP!

Your children will survive your imperfect parenting and you will someday look back on these days as the precious gift they are.  Be present - it goes quickly!

And know that there is an older mom in FL who thinks YOU ARE AWESOME!!

Happy Mother's Day!    

Short Spencer Story

This is just one short story that BEGGED to be recorded.

It's about grandson Spencer Matthew.  So if you're overdosed on cute grandkid stories, feel free to click out now.  But you'll love this one - promise!

We usually share family dinner together on Monday nights and don't eat together much otherwise.  But this weekend, John was with family in NY for his brother's college graduation.  (Phil, the brother, leaves on Tuesday for ALASKA where he will serve as a missionary!  Dedicated men, those Schrecks!)

Since John was out of town, Joy and the babies came to our house for Sunday lunch.  Pretty uneventful.  Your average, run-of-the-mill Sunday roast and potatoes from the crock pot.

Average, until I presented a little outfit I'd picked up for Abby.

We tend to make a big deal out of the most mundane things.  So in characteristically, overly-dramatic fashion, I said to Joy, "Close your eyes!  I have a new outfit for Abby.  Keep them closed!!" 

I retrieved the tiny dress and matching bloomers.  "NO PEEKING!!" 

I placed them in front of Joy on the table.  Then called out, "OPEN!"

The normal squealing and ohhh-ing and ahhh-ing resulted.  (It really is the most adorable, pale pink, summery outfit!)

But what followed was the precious part.

Spencer, seated in his high chair next to Poppa, had carefully observed all the excitement.

As the squealing subsided, he began to call out, "Eyes Closed!  EYES CLOSED!!"

I glanced over to see him sitting up straight as an arrow with his own little eyes squeezed tightly shut.

"EYES CLOSED, NONI!!!"

He wanted to join in on the fun and be surprised, too.

"Okay,  Okay.  Keep them closed!  No peeking!"  I frantically searched the kitchen to see what I could possibly place on that tray to merit the excitement building in the heart of that expectant little one.

"Eyes Closed, Noni!"  He declared it again.  Feet swinging with anticipation.

"Good boy.  No Peeking!"  I responded.

Just then, my eyes fell on one of his prized possessions.  His passee!  (That would be pacifier for everyone else.)

I scooped it up and dashed over to stand in front of the upturned, unseeing face.

"Okay," I said in the sing-song voice required by the moment.  "OPEN!!"

Big blue eyes shot open then looked down to see the treasured passee cradled in Noni's hands.   His face registered both surprise and delight.

"PASSEE!!!"  He was ecstatic!  Hands clapping, face beaming, feet stomping.

We all cheered and immediately, tears formed in my eyes.

"Don't you dare cry, Mom!"  Aunt Kristin already sounded choked-up.

"I can't help it!"  And in my heart I wondered,  "Is this how our Father feels when He surprises us with a special kiss from Heaven?"

Oh, may my responses ever be as gratifying to Him!

Plan B

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“Mom, WRITE!” 

The command came to me this morning from Meagan on her way to work. 

“I’ve read the same post about five times now and I need something new to read!”

Okay!  Okay!

I have to write about my trip to Mississippi.  (Does anyone else spell that by rehearsing the childhood memory technique?  “MISSISSIPPI:  M.  I.  Crooked letter.  Crooked letter.  I.  Crooked letter.  Crooked letter.  I.  Hump back.  Hump back.  I.”  Just wondering.)

This time last week, Kristin was finishing my wardrobe checklist.  (Most of you will remember that I’m rather fashion challenged and she sets up all my outfits when I travel.  It’s good to know your limitations and where to find help.)

“If you get there and it’s more casual, just wear this necklace instead of that one.  Only wear your black shoes with these two outfits.  And you can put heels with either of these if it’s dressier than you expected, Mom.  Mom!  Are you paying attention?”

Frank arranges everything for me and weighs the bag because he can organize better than anyone I know. 

And the entire time we’re packing, Gracie (the shih tzu) skulks around the bedroom; looking at me out of the top of her big brown eyes.  She doesn’t need words to express her total disgust with me for leaving her - again!

 This time I was headed for Columbus, MS; which has it’s own regional airport about twenty minutes from the hotel where I was staying. 

Plan A was for me to arrive there around 7:30.  Grab a bite of dinner with the hostess and turn in early so my body would be all adjusted to the time change.

Plan A crashed and burned!

Plan B consisted of a missed connection in Atlanta and a reroute into Birmingham, AL.  A lady from Tuscaloosa picked me up in Birmingham around 10:30 (which was actually 11:30 my time).  We drove for an hour and Loretta (the weekend hostess), Pastor Shane and Dana met us at a Chevrolet dealership somewhere.  We shuffled my suitcase, I hopped into their vehicle and we were off again.

Columbus, MS – here we come!

I finally hit my hotel room around 3:00 Saturday morning.  “Travelling is such a glamorous adventure!”  If you could have seen me stumbling toward the breakfast bar and coffee pot just four hours later, you would have seen the glamour!  And gasped!!

Fortunately, the banquet didn’t start until 5:30.  So I did get some rest before being handed a microphone.  My family only would have cringed a couple of times during the sermon had they been there.

We laughed a lot.  We cried some.  We felt closer to Jesus when the evening was over.  That’s always the objective!

The real kicker was when I woke up Sunday morning with a searing migraine headache.  Fortunately, it was still dark when I stumbled out to the car to go find some Aleve.  UN -fortunately, I bumped my head on the door getting into the car. 

“Don’t cry!”  I told myself.  “Crying only makes it hurt worse!”

I must have looked pretty rough because the worker at the breakfast bar found change in her own purse and bought the Aleve for me.  She waved away the dollar bill I offered her.

I love living in the South!  She kept crooning, “Oh, Honey!  Oh, Honey!  Those  ol’ headaches are so miserable!”

By the time church rolled around, I was able to stand without weaving.  And when I went to the platform to preach the morning message, I knew that lots of people had been praying.

Usually a migraine leaves me totally depleted.  But God had a message He wanted to deliver to the marvelous congregation gathered at THE POINT church in Columbus, MS.  I literally felt an infusion of strength.  I showed pictures of my family; told a funny story and it was game on!

The altar time at the end of the sermon was precious. 

Their church looks a lot like Heaven.  Even though it’s in the heart of the Deep South, the Gospel has united races.  A nearby college has a large group of international students and many of those attend THE POINT church, too.

It was wonderful to watch such diversity harmonizing as they all prayed to the same loving God.

 I finally got back home Sunday night around 11:30, instead of the scheduled 9:30.  And I was in Tampa instead of Orlando.  But my suitcase got there with me so I counted it a win.  I hugged Frank tightly, climbed into the Tahoe and relished the cup of hot tea he’d brought.

When Plan B over takes Plan A, we all wonder: WHY?

I met the WHY on the second leg of my journey, last Friday.  I’ll call her Tara. 

She was a beautiful, confident young lady in her 30’s.  Talking with her was easy.  She wasn’t supposed to be on that flight.  (Plan B for her, too.)  Yet here we were.  Seated by each other, sharing about our lives, when we weren’t even supposed to meet. 

I think it was a divinely orchestrated appointment!

There was a similar situation coming home.  “Jennifer” was a young mom sorting out life, marriage, children, and career.  It’s amazing how transparent you can become on a plane with a stranger when a loving heavenly Father sets it up.

It’s taken me almost this entire week to catch up while still carrying on with my regular office hours.  But the truth is – when Plan B brings about such wonderful results, I don’t mind it at all.

If Plan B wrecks your schedule this weekend, watch for the divine appointment.   I’ll bet you spot it right away!

Random Check In

I've scheduled in three different blog times over the past six days and not ONE of them actually happened.

I did, however:

• survive the government delay of all air travel during my trip to Mississippi and back.
• meet many new friends at THE POINT in Columbus, MS.
• preach through a migraine headache on Sunday.
• meet two amazing ladies on two of the flights and share my love for Jesus with them.
• RUN through the Atlanta airport to successfully make a connection.  (Where's America's Funniest Videos when you need them?!)
• drink deeply of the hot tea Frank brought to Tampa International when he picked me up.

 I have to write about the wonderful people I met in Columbus.  I have to write about all the people- watching available to me while waiting and waiting and waiting in Atlanta.  I have to write about Abby's surgery day.  I have to write about how much I love the month of April and how sad I am that it's over.  I have to write about getting to hear the heartbeat of our grand baby due in October!  I have to write about my time with Spencer.  ("I see cows o' dere!" Yes, that is a five word sentence from a two year old!)

But for tonight, I could not lay my head down without a quick "Hi There!" And because of all the things I've listed above, I'm going to lay my head down pretty quickly.  And will HOPEFULLY write a true post tomorrow!

Strength for the Day

When I don't post for an extended time, it's usually because I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

My objective is to write at least once every seven days.  That's what I work toward.  That's what I hope for.  That's what could happen in a perfect world.

But my world, just like yours, is anything but perfect.

Each day is filled to the brim with planned work and meetings and calls/emails and other communications.  Then throw in a couple of UN-planned things and my neatly scheduled, tightly buttoned-up day can begin to unravel pretty quickly.

(That's why I keep listening to Deanna Shrodes teach on time organization.  Eventually, I WILL get it!)

Actually, my calling and my job are about the unplanned moments more than about the planned ones.

When someone calls with an illness or a crisis, I'm there to listen.  To share words of comfort and hope.  To pray with them.  I've never known a crisis yet that politely called to schedule itself!

When we hear of atrocities like the bombing in Boston, Frank and I have to process it personally while trying to offer comfort and prayers for those around us.  (Kind of like "Emotional" emergency responders.)

When we face family struggles/changes/illnesses we're forced to wrestle through our own questions and fears.

And some days, although I want to write, I'm afraid that my own emotions are too dangerously near the surface.  Opening the reservoir to draw out words would allow for a flood of tears that wouldn't be pretty for anyone!

So if you click on Embrace the Grace and don't see a new post for several days, it's safe to assume that the author could use some prayer herself.

Tomorrow, the little family Schreck will head back to Shriner's hospital in Tampa for another surgery.  This time it's Abigail who will need your prayers.  She will have both legs in casts for three weeks following the surgery.

We know God's grace will be sufficient!

This great bit of scripture has been my comfort through many difficult times.  "When I am overwhelmed, I run to the Rock that is higher than I......"  HIS vantage point offers better perspective.  And even if the view is still obscured to me, I at least know my prayers are effective for those in need!

And that's where we ALL find courage!











 

Small Problem - Big God!

I love praying with other people!         

Especially with people who believe that God is listening

AND that He cares

AND that He is willing

AND that He’s able to intervene in our circumstances!

Just this morning I called John’s mom, Linda, so we could pray together.  The Schreck portion of my family has a special need.  And I knew that no one else was praying for them the way Linda and I were.  So, why not call and just pray together?!

(As the under 30’s would say, “Duh!”)

Because we don’t chat often on the phone, I immediately said, “Everything is alright!  I’m not calling because of a problem.” 

Linda breathed a sigh of relief and said simply, “Oh, good.”

(Mentor moment for the under 30’s – Mothers WILL panic!  Don’t scold us for this.  God equipped us to panic so we could have the strength to lift cars off you when you run out in front of them even though we told you not to!  Every mother reading this right now is nodding her head and thinking, “True!  That’s so true!”)

So I explained to Linda that while I was praying, the thought occurred to me that she and I could pray together.  Scripture does say there is additional power in “the prayer of agreement”. 

Linda said sure and began the praying while I did the agreeing.

In the middle of her prayer she said, “This is a small problem for a big God!”    

Profound, right?!

A small problem for a BIG God!

Since the end of our phone visit I’ve pondered that phrase again and again.  It applies to so many issues in my life.  Actually, it applies to every issue in my life!

• When I feel overwhelmed. 
• When I see no possible way. 
• When I think it’s too much. 
• When I question His timing. 
• When I wonder if He has forgotten.   

I should simply rehearse the phrase – “This is a small problem for a Big God!”

Scripture is filled with examples proving the truth of this.  And if we pause long enough, we realize that even our lives are filled with examples that He is a Big God who cares very much for His children.

Looking at His greatness causes problems to diminish.

There’s really not a need to elaborate on that today.  I’m just finding such comfort in this simple phrase and thought you would as well.  Practice it for yourself today:

               

THIS IS A SMALL PROBLEM FOR A BIG GOD!!