Learning to Swim

The boys are in swimming lessons, the lovely kind where the parents have to get into the water too. It was long overdue for my cautious Elijah. His trepidation when it comes to trying new things made jumping into a pool enough to make him cry. But, knowing, the strong arms of Daddy would be his guide made it a bit easier. We finished our seventh lesson today and I watch my danger-avoiding first born jumping nearly across the pool to reach his father's arm, go under water, and come up giggling like the cutie he is. It made me smile; it made my heart smile.
I feel a little bit like Elijah. We are jumping into a great big pool of unknowns. People keep asking us what our plans are. When are we moving? Will our house sell in this market? What kind of a house are we going to get? Where will the boys go for daycare?
I don't know. I don't know the answers to any of those questions. I do know that I am believing God opened this door and that He will work out the details. I do know that God exhorts me to bring my anxiousness to Him. And I pray that like Elijah I will trust my Father.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow"

Dear Gethsemane friends,

Juliet nailed it when she said parting is such sweet sorrow. The term itself is an oxymoron because you cannot really have sweet sorrow. However, I do think that some partings are both sweet and joyful while at the same time bringing a heavy heart.
That is where I find myself. I will not be returning to teach at Gethsemane and that makes me sad because I love all of you so much. You have no idea how much you have blessed me, bended my way of thinking, made me laugh, created memories I will never forget, and pushed me to be a better teacher. I will miss each one of you so much.
My joy comes in knowing I am going where God has called me to go. The Anderson's are moving back to South Dakota. I will be teaching 8th grade Literature in a small town south of Sioux Falls called Harrisburg. This puts me in the same town as my sister and nephews and within ten minutes of everyone one else in my family. God has placed this call on my heart as my dear grandmother has gotten older and needs more care and as I experience how family can love each other.
I will continue to pray for each of you, that God's word is imbedded in your heart, that He makes your path straight, and that you will seek His wisdom always. I know God has plans for Gethsemane and I will always hold Geth in my heart. Please pray for me as I learn about a new school, learn about my new students, and as we try to sell the house.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4: 8-9

With Joy,

Mrs. Anderson :-)

Lessons from the Black Hills

We spent eight days in the Blacks Hills. I learned many lessons while we visited GeeMa and GeePa as John calls them. I learned many lessons while we visited FCA Endurance camp as Elijah calls it (it is actually just FCA Camp).

1. A tractor is the most fun with Grandpa.

2.. Helmets are cute.

3. Throwing rocks into the rushing water can entertain for many minutes, until your brother's hat almost becomes a mistaken for a rock.
4. Who needs a pool when a water fountain will do.

5. Toys are not necessary for camp as long as the golf carts are parked outside.

6. Toons are better with friends.

7. It is important to announce to everyone on the bus that they are indeed riding a bus.

8. Grandpa has the coolest job.

Me & Self-Control

1 Peter 4:11, "If anyone speaks [which is all of us], he should do it as one speaking the very words of God."

Nothing makes you feel more convicted than when the words you say to your children are the words God has been whispering in your ear for ages. Car rides to and from work have become excersises in how much Mommy can handle before she bursts. It is often not much after a day with middle schoolers. On one particular car ride John was practicing his shreek. It is a very good, ear piercing, shrill shreek. I was trying to control my voice and calmly was asking him to please stop. When that didn't work I raised my voice and said, "Stop it, you need to listen to Mommy." And as if on cue, God whispers to me, "Yeah, Suzanne, stop it, you need to listen to me."

I am supposed to be working on self-control this year but so far I have done a lot of talking to myself about it but not a whole lot of action. This part of myself is so dissappointing. I am a pretty abnormal statistic, one would think I could do this too. I often feel like Paul when he wrote about doing the evil he did not want to do but was unable to do the good he knew he should do (Romans 7:19). God justwants me to start. I don't have to wait until Monday. I don't have to wait until I start a new Bible study. I don't have to wait until I feel better. I don't have to wait until the TV shows are on summer break.

I just have to start. I just have to listen & obey

We all need a little grace

Chris has talked for a few years about trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon (THE race for marathoners. It is so exclusive that to enter you have to run another marathon deemed worthy and get a qualifying time). This year he decided he was going to do it. He would have to run a 3 hour 10 minute marathon. This is much faster than any other marathon he has run (although he had only run one true marathon race and another during his Iron Man). He choose the Fargo Marathon because he knew it would be flat, thus giving him the best chance to run the 7:30 mile pace he needed to reach qualifying time.

Race day started with a great blessing. Rain and clouds, which kept the predicted heat and gale force winds at bay. At mile 9 he looked like he was out for a jog with his buddies. At mile 17 he looked happy and settled into a good rhythm. At mile 19 he asked for prayer; his side was hurting really badly. He was unable to breathe correctly. And so we (his little cheering section of friends and Elijah and I) prayed. I kept praying as we drove to the Fargo dome to see him finish. I prayed and cried as the clock ticked to 3:10:24. He had missed his goal by 24 seconds and I was crushed for him.

Working our way through the crowds I finally got within shouting distance. Wanting to see if I had missed anything I asked, "Did you make it?" "I think so," he replied between labored breaths. You see, the Boston Marathon qualifying time must be within 59 seconds of your qualifying time. They call it the minute of grace. Chris qualified for Boston by grace.

Obviously a parallel can be see here. After the race, Chris talked about how great he had been feeling during his race. How he had even felt he could finish in 3:05 or so but then the wheels fell off. The side ache hit and then his legs were shot. As Chris describes it during the last 6 miles he was digging as deep as he could. Chris has steadfast perseverance. His ability to set a goal, train for the goal, and meet the goal is awe inspiring, but he said this was so hard because he knew his time was slipping away but there was no more in him. Chris needed God to finish the race. Chris needed God to qualify for Boston. And God wanted Chris to remember that. And Chris did.

We all need grace...."for it is by grace you have been saved..." We would be nowhere without grace. This race reminded me to be so grateful for that free gift of grace and to be grateful that it is not only for 59 seconds but a lifetime.