"...with freedom and with confidence."

Current State of affairs:  Basketball season has officially begun.  Basketball season is a great time at our house because all four kids play so everyone understands and really gets into the game.  Everyone enjoys watching each other, though that is fairly rare.  The downside is that with 90 games in 95 days, Phil and I do not get to see everyone play every game.  That is STILL difficult for us.  This year we have actually mapped out a schedule to make sure each of us get to see each child play around the same number of games.  I think maybe we get to be at the SAME game three times:(  So if you only see one of us at the gym, or neither of us, please cheer for the Newman who is playing and know we are watching another child somewhere else.  

Hannah's primary sport is basketball and we all admire her hard work, including getting to school at 6:15 or 6:45 for practice three days per week and staying til 6 most days, all of which has made her a stronger better player.  She will be playing with Oakland's varsity this year at  guard, and is a definite shooting threat.  Oakland's team has worked incredibly hard conditioning for this season, and what they lack in size they have in speed.  We are amazed at the progress Hannah has made.

Because everyone plays, the kids work together to get better in the driveway, in the garage, and whenever possible at the PCA gym.  Peter and David sometimes get to help with Cameron's practices.  Peter will often say to Cameron, "let's go outside, I want to show you something you could do."  Peter has learned to "teach" in a manner that is easily accepted, that does not feel like criticism.  

 

Peter is playing on the first PCA High School Boy's team as an eighth grader and also on PCA's Middle School team with David.   There is something wonderful as a parent about seeing two or more of our children working together on an athletic field, like the fast break last week when Peter made a strong pass to David who completed the lay up.  It really is very special. Peter is working hard for both teams and it is requiring a great deal of time.  We have to be careful that everyone has enough time for school work and SLEEP.  David is a solid addition to the PCA Middle School team as a guard.  David has also developed a habit of getting up early before school to hit baseball's off the Tee in our garage, baseball being the first love of both David and Peter.    

 

Cameron is playing on a 5th and 6th grade team for PCA and also on a team of 5th and 6th graders on a competitive team that will play together fall and spring.  Basketball may emerge as Cameron's primary sport as well.  He is fun to watch, I think because of all the time he has spent playing with and trying to keep up with Hannah, Peter and David at home.  

  

We talk constantly at our house about playing for God's glory.  What does that mean?  Is it just a thank you to God at the end of a great game, giving Him the credit?  It is certainly that, but is it only that?   I have come to believe that a large part of playing for His glory lies in freedom.  The freedom to succeed or to fail, the freedom to play with abandon regardless of the outcome because your purpose in PLAYING is to honor Him with your gift, your health, your body, your life.  This mindset frees my children from fear of a mistake, fear of "letting the team down",  fear of  correction from a coach (or parent for that matter).  If our identity lies in the freedom we have in Christ, then our identity is not affected by our performance in athletics or any other endeavor.  That is the freedom Phil and I hope for our children, and for ourselves.  

 

Well there you have it.  This season consists of crock pot dinners eaten at odd hours, meals out after games, homework in the car and whenever possible, working hard to get enough sleep, constant stream of uniforms and practice gear to wash,  never enough underamour, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat and the goal of playing with abandon in freedom as a Child of God.  I would only hope the very same freedom for us all.  

"In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and with confidence." Ephesians 3:12

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."  Galations 5:1

A Few of my Favorite Things

It has occurred to me that there are certain simple things in my life that brings me a great deal of joy, disproportionate to their apparent worth or actual value.  Now I am not talking about joy as compared to the joy of relationships with my family and friends or my Lord and Savior.   More like everyday kind of pleasure in using something that is just right for the job or that adds beauty to everyday life.  Do you have those things, too?  For example, I love my handheld stick blender.  Really, really love it!  It is almost silly - but I love how small it is, taking up little space, I love the way it purees tomatoes right in the can before I add them to cheese dip or chili which makes my non tomato eating child very happy, I love the way it makes a protein shake for me mixing the powder, ice, peanut butter and 1 splenda perfectly smooth like a yummy milkshake in one easy non messy step.  This blender is my favorite gift to give, along with recipes for what it is good for.  

Anyway, my blender love has inspired me to take note of the every day things that bring me joy.  It has also moved me to consider how many "things" I have in my home that DO NOT bring any joy, but rather are robbing me of peace because of the excess.  What if our home only contained  things that we either love or need - that either bring beauty or function? Can you imagine the order... the peace?  All that could be passed along to those who need it?  Time for more questions, isn't it?  (Do I use it, need it, love it?)  

Anyway here is my list..my L list.. a work in progress: (note: this is a list of THINGS, favorites regarding people would be a different and much longer list)

Hand held Immersion Blender which inspired this post(function)

McCarty Popcorn bowls (not used for popcorn, but used for EVERYTHING else)(beauty and function)

McCarty  Tumblers (beauty and function)

Crock Pot Liners (function) Extreme joy when I remember to use one, now I store them IN the crock pot

Stainless Steel Crock Pot with attached lid and removable crock (function)(this one items brings more peace to my home than a week at a spa)

Pampered Chef paring and chef knives, heavy and sharp (function)

Woven straw floral mat, purchased w/ Cameron in the Bahamian straw market that perfectly fits our Lazy Susan. (beauty and function and good memories)

Said Lazy Susan, referred to as the "round thing", still (function)

The pearls Phil gave me for our 14th Anniversary, a significant year in our marriage (beauty)

The Pachelbel Cd that I play when I need a sense of peace as I restore an unorderly house to order in our small and amazing Bose system; that CD never fails to invite said peace. (beauty and function)

My cup of sharpened pencils

The bookshelves, floor to ceiling, in our study and all they contain (function... some beauty)

Mrs. Myers Clean Day Lavender and Lemon Verbena laundry products (function beautiful smells)

additions and photos to follow

I'd love to hear about your favorites ... 

at least the first one off the top of your head....

ready, set, comment!

A Week in our Life (Fall)

I know this post will be completing uninteresting to anyone reading this, and if I knew how to post something but not make it visible to all I would have (does anyone know how to do that?)

Anyway, I was sitting down today to plan meals and think about a routine for household tasks (bc things are NOT getting done), and I started by charting the regular activities of the family to see where tasks fit in best.  Of course Phil's work schedule changes week to week (shifts vary from 5:30am-1:30pm, 8:30am-4:30pm, 10:30am-7:30pm, 1:30pm-9:30pm, 4pm-12midnight, 7:30pm-2:30am, and the beloved night shift - 9pm-6am).  I'm recording the schedule for the week for posterity's sake, to remember what life was like with four children 11-15, before the launch of teenage drivers.  

This week so far:

Sunday

Sunday School/Church 9-12

Cameron baseball 2-4

Phil ER 4-midnight

Cameron Basketball 4:30-6:30

Hannah Peter David small group 5-7 

Dinner 7:30pm

Monday

Peter basketball 3-5

Hannah basketball 3-6

Laurie OPA Meeting 6pm

Cameron basketball 6:15-7:15

Dinner 7:30pm

Hannah Young Life 8-9

Tuesday 

Laurie Bible Study 9-11

Phil ER 8:30-4:30ish

Hannah no school, basketball 12-2

Peter and David basketball 3-4:15

Cameron basketball 3-5

Dinner 5:15pm

Cameron baseball 6-8

Wednesday 

Hannah basketball 6:15am-7:45am

Phil ER 8:30 to 4:30ish

Peter and David basketball 3-4:15

Peter basketball 4:15-5:15

Hannah basketball 3-5

Dogs groomed 4pm

Dinner 5:30pm

Hannah Peter David Youth 6-7:30

Laurie and Phil to dinner w friends 6:15

Thursday 

Hannah FCA 7:30am

Laurie Bible Study 8:30-10:30

Hannah basketball game 3:30-6pm

Peter basketball 3-5

David basketball 3-4:15

Phil nap before night shift

Dinner 5:30

Hannah rehearsal for musical 6-8

Cameron scrimmage 7:15-8:30

Phil ER 9pm-6am

Friday 

Phil Men's Prayer 7am

Phil sleep 8-3

Hannah basketball 3-6

Peter basketball 3-6:15

Dinner out

Smith Bonfire

OHS playoff game 7:30

Phil ER 9pm-6am

Saturday 

Phil sleep 7-3

Cameron basketball games

2pm and 3pm

Hannah party 3:30-10:30am

Dinner  6pm

Phil ER 9pm-6am

McMullan Baby News:)

My news from Jenny Kate this morning is so wonderful, four little McMullen babies are sharing a crib in the "step down" area of the NICU (less critical care)!   Paul and Jenny Kate have been told that Charlotte and Pallie will likely go home "soon", which could mean days or maybe weeks followed by Duncan and Lucy as they are ready.   

The babies must be able to maintain body temperature, take 8 feeding/ 24 hours with a bottle (a lot of work for a little preemie), and consistently gain weight in order to go home. 

Needless to say the prospect of the babies' homecomings is met with great joy and some apprehension.  Thank you for continuing to lift up this lovely young family that God would give them peace and endurance for the task he has set before them, and that He would continue to bless and protect these four tiny little McMullans.

"Paul and I are thrilled at the prospect of having our family together under one roof!  The Lord has been good to us!  We are also terrified by the logistics of being parents to six very young children and would appreciate prayers as the homecoming days approach."  With love,  Jenny Kate

photo top left: Jenny Kate holding Lucy and Pallie, Paul holding Duncan and Charlotte

photo bottom left:  Mollie and the babies

photo right: Pallie, Lucy, Duncan, Charlotte

Charles

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." Col 1:16

Phil spent 12 days in the primary school, medical clinic, and churches supported by our friends Rick and Vicki Rogers and Divine Care Ministries in Uganda, Africa meeting students, pastors and teachers. He met Prossy, the amazing little girl we sponsor at this school. It was amazing to witness what God is doing through these faithful people, and heart wrenching to see how great the need is for resources so that they can do more.

At a church service in a remote area Phil noticed a little boy in a purple shirt sitting alone, very content, massive holes in his shoes. When the service was over and people lingered to visit with the American visitors, Phil noticed that this little boy still sat happily watching all that was going on, but in no hurry to leave. Phil sat down beside him and in visiting with him learned that his name is Charles and that both of his parents are dead. He had walked to church alone. The gentle spirit of this little orphan captured Phil's heart. Phil asked Pastor Peter if he knew the boy and his situation and Peter immediately said, "this boy needs some shoes!" Pastor Peter has developed a heart that sees clearly into the needs of a situation! Peter talked to the church members and learned that Charles was living with a relative, but no other details. Charles sat listening and realized someone was looking into helping him. Pastor Peter said to Phil, "This boy is so happy he can hardly contain his grin!" As Phil left this area and ultimately Uganda, he carried with him a burden for this boy.

A month or so after Phil returned to the U.S. we got this message,
"About the little Charles his situation is very pathetic he and his brother are now working in the stone quarry to get something. This last sunday i invited him to come for the evening services and he told me he could not make it because he works from dawn to dusk. We are inviting him and his little brother to come for christmas. If not then we will send something to their family for christmas."
We (the Newmans) hurt for Charles and his baby brother, to imagine children having to do manual labor from morning to night just to "get something". It was so hard to watch from afar and trust that the Lord and Peter were doing all that needed to be done for these little ones. We were able to send support for the boys, and soon received this message from Peter, "Hope you had a great christmas!! We had a good one and we were honored to have your son Charles as one of our guests! " (Ugandans often refer to the children we sponsor as sons and daughters:) Comforting, but we were so anxious for more detail, more relief!

Well, that relief came in this precious message,
"Praise God Dr. Phil, Laurie and your family? How are you all? Back here we are good, everything is growing, children are growing and the ministry. Thank you so much for your love and support, we pray for God's blessings upon you. Thank you so much Laurie for building up a relationship with the school (meaning PCA) we pray that God will bless you mightily. I am planning to send you pictures about the school and the children at school. And if you need any other information you think would help, please, we are ready to send it. Dr. Phil, we took Charles and his brother to our school, thank you so much, their situation was so pathetic, they had nothing completely. I was at school last week and they were very excited. I teased them, I said I was taking them back, and they shouted a big No!!!!!. Thank you for standing in the gap! Keep us in your prayers please. love you all

Peter and Phoebe.

Praise God for Peter and Phoebe, who are devoted to carrying the burden for little children in Uganda. Divine Grace Primary holds 620+ little ones like Charles. Divine Grace has hundreds of children living at the school and hundreds more walking miles to get there. Some children walk up to 8 miles to school; they are actually dismissed hours early to get home before dark to avoid dangers on the road and from wild animals. Peter told us that many children must swim across a river to get to school; they remove their school uniform and carry it over their head across the river so that it does not get ruined. When the children come to Divine Grace they receive a pair of shoes, but will often walk to school without them in order to “keep them nice”.