"Grandchildren are the crowning glory." Psalm
Each summer we try to make a trip to Big Bear with Mike's parents, brother, his wife and 2 young children. Well, we just started making it an annual tradition last year! It's been so much fun both times, and lots of memories are being made. It's a one bedroom cabin with some extra space where we attempt to comfortably fit 6 adults and 4 children. Works for us just fine!
In the last 3 years, Mike's parents have really had their share of physical challenges. Mike's dad, Russ, had a stroke nearly three years ago and has been limited severely on his right side as well as in other ways. Mike's mom, Bev, has been doing much of the caretaking for Russ while dealing with a lifetime of arthritis and most recently losing her eyesight to macular degeneration. There has been so much change that it's become overwhelming at times for Bev.
While in Big Bear, I was watching and admiring this woman from afar. We spend a lot of time together regularly, but I realized while in Big Bear, Bev has always been the spiritual leader for her 3 sons and step-daughter which has been her legacy passed on to her grandchildren. She was the first born-again Christian in the family and marched her boys to church each week alone. It wasn't until decades later that Russ would come to church with her and get involved in Bible Studies himself. Each of Bev's boys have been heavily involved in their churches since their childhood. Each of her sons married Christian women, and now she has several grandchildren being raised in Bible-believing Christian homes. I marveled at this revelation watching her move about the cabin and was brought to tears when I saw my own daughters, niece, and nephew with her sitting on the couch. I am blessed to see her legacy living on in my children, her choice many years ago being lived out in her son, in my life, in my daughters' lives. Thank you, Bev. I love you.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
On the Heart
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4
Yesterday I officially entered the 4-0 club. What a day for celebrating...and celebrate we did. I definitely have noticed in the last decade many physical changes...wrinkles, sags and bags (despite how many crunches or lunges or stairmaster steps I do). For the most part, I'm OK with it all. I mean, I do work out, I do eat moderately healthy, and I do try to take care of what I've got. I do love new clothes...and looking presentable on the outside. I definitely can't complain, and I'm not trying to kid myself when I know the next decade will bring many more signs of "the aging process."
About a month ago, Taylor and I were chatting about me turning 40. She can feel every lump, bump, wrinkle, crease, scrape, scab...basically EVERYTHING! She was asking about her many new "discoveries" upon my face, and she said, "I know I can't tell what you look like, but on the heart-you're beautiful." Thank you Taylor for the reminder of what is really important.
Yesterday I officially entered the 4-0 club. What a day for celebrating...and celebrate we did. I definitely have noticed in the last decade many physical changes...wrinkles, sags and bags (despite how many crunches or lunges or stairmaster steps I do). For the most part, I'm OK with it all. I mean, I do work out, I do eat moderately healthy, and I do try to take care of what I've got. I do love new clothes...and looking presentable on the outside. I definitely can't complain, and I'm not trying to kid myself when I know the next decade will bring many more signs of "the aging process."
About a month ago, Taylor and I were chatting about me turning 40. She can feel every lump, bump, wrinkle, crease, scrape, scab...basically EVERYTHING! She was asking about her many new "discoveries" upon my face, and she said, "I know I can't tell what you look like, but on the heart-you're beautiful." Thank you Taylor for the reminder of what is really important.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Challenge
Yesterday was such a special day in the Cox Household. Lauren had her first scrimmage for this softball season, and she did a great job! I celebrated finishing my Braille class, and Taylor attended her first Braille Challenge.
Sometimes just finishing something we've started is a challenge in and of itself. That's how I felt Friday when I turned in my final Braille assignment. I figured I'd better finish my one-year class (that took me a year and a half to complete) in time for Taylor's Braille Challenge. Learning contracted Braille has been like learning a foreign language and is about as hard as some of my Master's classes in college. The joy of completing the challenge was HUGE for me! I wanted to finish before Taylor entered her first Braille Challenge which wasn't anything anyone else was going to celebrate, but I did in secret.
Now, celebrating Taylor's success and Lauren's yesterday were so special. Taylor came out on top of her age group (though she's got a year on the other two contestants) which happened to include a dear friend of ours in the blind community (Brennan) and one of Taylor's "new best friends" (Evelyn) as of yesterday! It was an amazing day celebrating these kids who have put in countless hours cracking the Braille Code.
It makes me think of all the "codes" we're trying to crack all the time. Most importantly, so many people struggle with trying to find the answer to their life's purpose. I am so grateful I understand that I don't have to have the answer on my own. I am just trying to live in obedience to God's Word and along the way I get the answers in so many different forms. What a joy to understand that I don't have to have all the answers or complete a challenge to enjoy my purpose.
Sometimes just finishing something we've started is a challenge in and of itself. That's how I felt Friday when I turned in my final Braille assignment. I figured I'd better finish my one-year class (that took me a year and a half to complete) in time for Taylor's Braille Challenge. Learning contracted Braille has been like learning a foreign language and is about as hard as some of my Master's classes in college. The joy of completing the challenge was HUGE for me! I wanted to finish before Taylor entered her first Braille Challenge which wasn't anything anyone else was going to celebrate, but I did in secret.
Now, celebrating Taylor's success and Lauren's yesterday were so special. Taylor came out on top of her age group (though she's got a year on the other two contestants) which happened to include a dear friend of ours in the blind community (Brennan) and one of Taylor's "new best friends" (Evelyn) as of yesterday! It was an amazing day celebrating these kids who have put in countless hours cracking the Braille Code.
It makes me think of all the "codes" we're trying to crack all the time. Most importantly, so many people struggle with trying to find the answer to their life's purpose. I am so grateful I understand that I don't have to have the answer on my own. I am just trying to live in obedience to God's Word and along the way I get the answers in so many different forms. What a joy to understand that I don't have to have all the answers or complete a challenge to enjoy my purpose.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Super Human
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13
This post has pretty much nothing to do with Taylor, and it has everything to do with learning how to accept myself as I am.
I am a part-time teacher, just received four new students 2 days ago, and yesterday was our Back-to-School Night. Adding four new students the day before Back-to-School Night is a little stressful, but we were thrilled to get them so we had a chance to meet their parents. I teach in a lower socio-economic area and don't typically get a huge turnout for the evening, but my teaching partner and I put in a ton of work for the families that do show.
As Susie (my teaching partner) was getting final touches put on the room for our families, she texted me saying how rough the afternoon was trying to get things in order. I texted her back reminding her how much I appreciate all she does and said we have to remember we're not Superhuman! (How many of us think we are???) Then it occurred to me, "I'm super human." By this I mean, I am a human being...a normal, regular person with real human limitations. I expect way more of myself than is humanly possible! Can you relate??? I feel like jumping off this chair and asking you face-to-face (Beth Moore style for those of you who have heard her speak...Amen???) It's crazy what we think we can do...and even crazier how frustrated and disappointed we are in ourselves when we "fail." The truth is we set ourselves up to fail. What we set out to do is truly impossible. We are super human after all. Those Superhumans are the stuff of science- FICTION movies!
God gives us the strength, talents, and abilities to do ALL things. Count on Him first and be thankful what He gives you the strength to do.
Now, I better get off my soapbox and get to work on my impossible-to-achieve To-Do List for the day (or more likely...week).
This post has pretty much nothing to do with Taylor, and it has everything to do with learning how to accept myself as I am.
I am a part-time teacher, just received four new students 2 days ago, and yesterday was our Back-to-School Night. Adding four new students the day before Back-to-School Night is a little stressful, but we were thrilled to get them so we had a chance to meet their parents. I teach in a lower socio-economic area and don't typically get a huge turnout for the evening, but my teaching partner and I put in a ton of work for the families that do show.
As Susie (my teaching partner) was getting final touches put on the room for our families, she texted me saying how rough the afternoon was trying to get things in order. I texted her back reminding her how much I appreciate all she does and said we have to remember we're not Superhuman! (How many of us think we are???) Then it occurred to me, "I'm super human." By this I mean, I am a human being...a normal, regular person with real human limitations. I expect way more of myself than is humanly possible! Can you relate??? I feel like jumping off this chair and asking you face-to-face (Beth Moore style for those of you who have heard her speak...Amen???) It's crazy what we think we can do...and even crazier how frustrated and disappointed we are in ourselves when we "fail." The truth is we set ourselves up to fail. What we set out to do is truly impossible. We are super human after all. Those Superhumans are the stuff of science- FICTION movies!
God gives us the strength, talents, and abilities to do ALL things. Count on Him first and be thankful what He gives you the strength to do.
Now, I better get off my soapbox and get to work on my impossible-to-achieve To-Do List for the day (or more likely...week).
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Miracle Kiss
Taylor is definitely growing up and coming into her own. Two weeks ago my sister got married and Taylor came up with the idea of the "Miracle Kiss." Granted, she's been a flower girl three times in the last eight months...for two of my sisters and one of my brothers! (It's been a little busy!!!)
Following the ceremony, Taylor told my dad about the Miracle Kiss that happens at the end of the wedding. "Grandpa, that's the kiss where Aunt Liz went from being Liz Hudson to Liz Madden." When asked who told Taylor about that idea, she said, "No one. I just thought of it myself." Why hadn't I thought of that? I love learning from my nine and seven-year-olds all the time.
It makes me think of the Miracle Moment. Is there a moment you can think of when you went from being __________ (fill in the blank with your name) to ___________, Child of God? I never felt like there was a specific moment in time when I made that commitment, but I certainly know there was a Miracle Moment when Jesus died on that cross and was raised from the dead for you and I. The veil was torn and the divide was lifted. We get to be in eternity because of that Miracle Moment if we love the Lord.
Following the ceremony, Taylor told my dad about the Miracle Kiss that happens at the end of the wedding. "Grandpa, that's the kiss where Aunt Liz went from being Liz Hudson to Liz Madden." When asked who told Taylor about that idea, she said, "No one. I just thought of it myself." Why hadn't I thought of that? I love learning from my nine and seven-year-olds all the time.
It makes me think of the Miracle Moment. Is there a moment you can think of when you went from being __________ (fill in the blank with your name) to ___________, Child of God? I never felt like there was a specific moment in time when I made that commitment, but I certainly know there was a Miracle Moment when Jesus died on that cross and was raised from the dead for you and I. The veil was torn and the divide was lifted. We get to be in eternity because of that Miracle Moment if we love the Lord.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
A Heavenly Party
Just two weeks after losing Aunt Pat, Taylor's long-time Physical Therapist, Miss Karen passed away. Miss Karen was in her mid-forties, has three gorgeous children, and was gone far too soon for my understanding. Miss Karen was also the woman who truly taught Taylor how to crawl, walk, climb a step, then two or three, and how to run. We saw Miss Karen at Cornerstone Therapy every week, even a couple times a week in the beginning. It is with great sadness I write this entry because I often forget how difficult is was to get Taylor to go from Point A to Point B. I froget because Miss Karen always made it seem like it was the highlight of her week to spend time with Taylor teaching her the basics of navigating each step of life...literally...
The day we found out about Karen and the moment I told Taylor, she once again made sense out of nonsense. She said in her profound six-year old voice, "Well, Mom, at least Aunt Pat and Miss Karen will get to meet each other in heaven." Now, I may not have the words exactly right, but the statement is just right. Taylor knows that in heaven it doesn't matter who you know. Just knowing Jesus will get you to meet millions of others instantly. There are no boundaries of any kind, pure joy and pure perfection! I was completely caught off guard by the pure innocence and pure understanding of heaven from Taylor's perspective.
I also think now of how many people we will get to meet for the first time in heaven. We get to meet our Maker. We get to meet the saints who have gone before us, those we've personally known, gotten to know through the Bible, read about in books, and those we're longing to see again. Oh, how I long for that day...in God's perfect timing.
The day we found out about Karen and the moment I told Taylor, she once again made sense out of nonsense. She said in her profound six-year old voice, "Well, Mom, at least Aunt Pat and Miss Karen will get to meet each other in heaven." Now, I may not have the words exactly right, but the statement is just right. Taylor knows that in heaven it doesn't matter who you know. Just knowing Jesus will get you to meet millions of others instantly. There are no boundaries of any kind, pure joy and pure perfection! I was completely caught off guard by the pure innocence and pure understanding of heaven from Taylor's perspective.
I also think now of how many people we will get to meet for the first time in heaven. We get to meet our Maker. We get to meet the saints who have gone before us, those we've personally known, gotten to know through the Bible, read about in books, and those we're longing to see again. Oh, how I long for that day...in God's perfect timing.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Pray Without Ceasing
"We do not know what we outght to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26
While it's been so many months since a posting, so many wonderful and not-so-wonderful things have happened. I'm really going to try to get back into the swing of things here.
One of our major life changes was losing a dear aunt in October. The morning I got the phone call that Aunt Pat was not going to make it more than a couple of hours, I told the girls why I would be leaving for the day. Immediately, Taylor got out of her bed and on her knees to pray. I have not seen nor have I heard her pray with such fervor as I did that morning. Lauren and I joined her as we prayed for God's mercy to heal Aunt Pat at that moment. Really, I wept. I really had no words to utter...just tears.
God's healing took a different turn as He healed her forever from all sickness and brought her home to heaven that day.
I marveled at Taylor's first reaction and her understanding under the circumstances. I also marvel at how passionately we get to talk with our God. I marvel at how sincere a six-year-old can be when she prays and how I learn from her each day.
While it's been so many months since a posting, so many wonderful and not-so-wonderful things have happened. I'm really going to try to get back into the swing of things here.
One of our major life changes was losing a dear aunt in October. The morning I got the phone call that Aunt Pat was not going to make it more than a couple of hours, I told the girls why I would be leaving for the day. Immediately, Taylor got out of her bed and on her knees to pray. I have not seen nor have I heard her pray with such fervor as I did that morning. Lauren and I joined her as we prayed for God's mercy to heal Aunt Pat at that moment. Really, I wept. I really had no words to utter...just tears.
God's healing took a different turn as He healed her forever from all sickness and brought her home to heaven that day.
I marveled at Taylor's first reaction and her understanding under the circumstances. I also marvel at how passionately we get to talk with our God. I marvel at how sincere a six-year-old can be when she prays and how I learn from her each day.
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