Happy Thanksgiving

Once upon a time, there was an adorable reenactment of the very first Thanksgiving by a certain first grade class.

With the world's greatest "boy narrator"/"Indian"/"cornstalk" you ever did see.

They did such a good job telling the real story of the very first Thanksgiving that the reenactment continued at a certain household even long after the curtain call.

A certain little sister insisted that she play the part of a girl pilgrim while a certain big brother continued to play the part of an Indian boy. So, a certain mommy rigged something up for a pilgrim costume and shortly thereafter headed to the backyard to re-live the first Thanksgiving.

First, the pilgrims rode on the Mayflower to the new world, where they knew they would be a able to worship God freely (and play with their hula hoops.) Once they arrived in the new world, they exited the Mayflower using the newly installed bright yellow slide. (Okay, maybe not. But by far, the slide is the safest and most fun way to exit a "ship.")

Once in the new world, they found growing crops for food to be a rather difficult task. Things didn't look so good. (And this might be my favorite picture of the day)

"Savage" Indians were watching as the Pilgrims tried to plant and grow enough food to eat.

But it turned out, those "savage" Indians were rather quite friendly. They were willing to help the Pilgrims. They taught them many helpful hints for a successful crop.

In the meantime, the Pilgrims shared with the Indians all about God and how they trusted Him to provide for their needs.

When harvest time came, they saw how all their prayers and hard work had paid off. They were downright giddy that they had enough food for a feast, so they threw a party. It was the first Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

An Odyssey of Two Soul Mates

A little over sixty years ago, a bold young man named Paul wrote a letter to a beautiful young woman named Dorothy. They had recently met at a Wycliffe Bible conference. Both loved the Lord dearly. Both had intentions of going to the mission field. Paul to Mexico. Dorothy to Peru. They only had a few conversations during that conference, but Paul was smitten. He wanted someone to do ministry with him in Mexico. He wanted a wife. And he wanted Dorthy to be that wife. So after leaving the conference and praying about it, he made a bold move. He wrote a letter and attached a six-cent airmail stamp...

Dear Dorothy,

When I learned the other day that you would not be returning to the conference, I wanted to ask if I might write to you. Realizing the seriousness of the implications of such an act, under the present circumstances, I decided not to say anything. After Sunday night, however, I was sure that I wanted to become better acquainted with you. I have been thinking and praying about it, and I am now ready to take the responsibility for the commitment that this letter involves.

I said to myself, "You must not think of Dorothy; she is going to Peru and you are going to Mexico." But what I have observed seems to indicate that you are not certain that Peru is the Lord's place for you. I remember your speaking of "confusion about the future..." (I know that you are trusting Him to guide, and He is faithful.) I think that you are a rare jewel of a girl, Dorothy. I've not know you for long, but I've seen your love for Christ, your sweet personality and your family and church background.

Doubtless my letter has broken the ice. Perhaps I'm presumptuous and impetuous. (But "faint heart never won fair lady...") The thing that makes me happy about this matter is that it is done before the Lord, and he knows my heart -- every desire, every purpose, every motive. "I delight to do they will, O my God." I recall again His faithfulness to perfect that which concerneth us, His own. May I have the great privilege of receiving a letter from you soon? (If I am out of order, please tell me frankly. Perhaps it would be good for me to be told. (But I am hoping for better than that...)

Yours for Mexico's Indians,

Paul

About three months later, they were married. Almost immediately, they left for Mexico and began living among an Indian tribe known as the Chinantects. Their job: translate the New Testament into the Chinantec language. This is one of my favorite pictures of them during those early years:

Notice the dirt floor. Paul and Dorothy and their kids born in Mexico recall that dirt floor...and the mosquito nets...and the many other "complications" of missionary life. Only, not surprisingly, they didn't call them "complications."

Paul's job was translation. Later, he also worked for Wycliffe as a photographer. He had an artistic eye and captured numerous photos from around the globe. Gorgeous photos. Some of my favorite photos, however, are the ones he took of his own family. Like this one, of Dorothy taking care of their daughter, Marlene.

Yes, Marlene. The same Marlene who would grow up and marry Travis and eventually have a daughter named Kelly. Kelly would grow up to marry Joey and have two kids - Jonah and Hannah. Jonah and Hannah don't know much right now about all the stories of their great-grandparents, Paul and Dorothy Smith. I hope someday they remember traveling down to visit them and celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary last weekend.

And someday when Jonah and Hannah are a little older, I will have the privilege of reading to them a wonderful book called One More Mountain to Climb.

It's a thrilling missionary adventure written by... Paul and Dorothy Smith.

To them, it's their story of serving in obedience to our heavenly Father. To me, it's my heritage. (And let me tell you, my heritage blows me away!) I get choked up re-reading so many of the pages even as I write this post. My grandparents make me proud. They inspire me. They bring me joy. Someday it will be an honor and privilege to read their story to Jonah and Hannah. Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa! And...

Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary! We love you!

My Super Sweet Five

There is or used to be a show on MTV called "My Super Sweet Sixteen" in which spoiled-rotten teeny-bopper divas are followed by camera crews who document the planning and execution of an extravagant birthday party, replete with gold-platted Hummer limos and private performances by a popular vocalist (provided their spoken name consists of a least one or more individual letters). In true reality TV-fashion, what keeps you watching is not the ostentatious bling, but rather the drama created by the ridiculous manner in which these doting parents indulge their little Verucas, which fuels the little Verucas' ungrateful and entitled attitudes. Most sane people watch that and, after quickly turning the channel and taking something for nausea, resolve that they would never allow their daughters to drift so far into that egocentric, don't-care-how-I-want-it-now-mindset. At least, that was my response the one time I watched the show.

Before I go further, I should clarify that our birthday party for Hannah's fifth last weekend was not anywhere close to the excess displayed on TV (except for the gold limo). It was, in all fairness, a birthday party for Hannah, and so we had all the trappings: the song, presents, and cake, but nothing deserving a camera crew. It did however, smack of girly-diva-rockstar-princess-ocity, the likes of which I'm still coming to grips with, and so in my own attempt at recovery, I'm recounting it in blog form.

I also need to point out that my wife is awesome.

Friday, I got home from work to find my backyard full of children: four whole children were skittering around, seeming to defy the second law of thermodynamics. The more they expelled energy, the more energy was created. The cast consisted of Jonah, Hannah, and nieces Anna and Abigail (the latter two on a rent-to-own program). We hopped in the car and began driving to Branson, MO, the Christian Las Vegas. Kelly immediately loaded her specially made "Hannah's B-Day Party Mix" CD, cranked up the base, and we all got our hawk in the sky with Hannah Montana as she told us how to do the Hoedown Throwdown. Next, we were all nodding our heads like "yeah" with Miley Cyrus. (btw- has anyone ever seen Hannah Montana and Clark Kent at the same time? Makes you think.)

Before the Missouri state line all four (yes, four) children had applied their strawberry-flavored lip gloss and strawberry perfume provided them in their personalized Travel Party Packs, and Hannah had already changed into her brand new birthday jammies. Other girlyish- type items distributed included Strawberry Shortcake pencils, markers, notepads, slap bracelets, necklaces, place settings, blue-ray players, Lear Jets, and the like.

The next 38 hours on the road seemed to just fly by as the party mix cd had a staggering 9 whole songs on it, most of which were performed by the latest genetically-engineered Disney child stars. Turns out a dream is a wish your heart makes. It was also during this car trip that I learned that Hannah has learned (from her cousins) how to talxt: the time-saving and ubercool text lingo for tweens and Paris Hilton. When we arrived at the hotel, the kids donned their swimsuits and paddled around at the Lawrence Welk Memorial Indoor Splashatorium. The next morning, we had custom-made birthday doughnuts

along with a manicure and pedicure for those not shaking too badly. (Jonah and I watched the Clone Wars while this was going on.)

After a brief run through an outlet mall, the rest of the day was spent at Silver Dollar City where this was the highlight, as you've already seen.

The following day was Hannah's traditional birthday party at Grammy and Papa's where everyone in the tri-state area attended (thanks again, everyone!). Several weeks ago, Hannah had colored a picture of a birthday cake and told Kelly that it was exactly what she wanted for her own cake. So, naturally, Kelly did her darndest to create that cake for her and I thought it turned out really good.

The problem was gravity, and inertia, and a poor economy. It was, however, delicious, as everyone agreed, and most importantly, Hannah thought it was perfect. She pointed out that it looked a lot like the building we had just seen the day before in Branson.

After cake, we circled around Hannah and watched while she opened her presents. I think she did a fairly good job of taking the time to thank her courtiers. Later however, we learned from a sniveling Hannah that she was kindly reminded by a well-meaning cousin that, quote: "It's not all about you!". Judging from her manner, I think that this had struck a chord in Hannah as she realized the truth in it. After a weekend of indulgence, Hannah was reminded to put things into perspective. Since that time, I have noticed a few glimpses of some truly other-focused behaviors, which although not altogether absent, have previously been few and far-between.

I can say with confidence that this admonition was the best, and hopefully longest-lasting present she (or any of us) could receive.

(For you hardcore Teach and Tickle junkies, I couldn't post this without a link to this.)

Chore Helpers

When do you do chores?

I do most my chores (cleaning, grocery shopping, etc.) while the kids are away at school. There are a number of reasons why, but mostly for my own sanity. I like things done right. I like to start and finish without interruptions. I like shopping without kids. Those are just a few.

Both kids are away at school on Wednesdays, so I was able to get quite a lot done around the house today. However, as I was cleaning, it occurred to me that I might be doing a disservice to my kids by not allowing them to see me do most our housework. I worried that since the kids don't see me cleaning house very often, they might grow up thinking that I never cleaned. (Heaven forbid!) Then they might not learn to clean house themselves someday. Eeek!

Those thoughts were running through my head today when I went to pick up Hannah from preschool. That is when she handed me her craft for the day and said,

"Mom, you will never have to set the table again! I will do it from now on. Just tell me when it's dinnertime and I will set the table!"

SCORE! The kids usually help set the table at dinnertime, but usually under my close supervision. (i.e. - "Jonah you put the plates on the table, Hannah take the water glasses to the table...") Hannah pretty much offered to do it all from now on.

Then I looked at her craft.

It tells the story of the "Kingdom of Dinnertime." It is a cute little story of Princess Spoon and Prince Knife and the Evil Mr. Fork. It is an adorable story that helps kids remember how to set a proper table. I remember when Jonah learned about this a few years ago and he talked about it for weeks.

But look closely at the craft.

Oh snap! Do you notice something wrong? The knife, spoon and glass are supposed to be on the right and the fork on the left. At first, I worried that all my life I had been setting a table wrong. Nope. Not the case. Rather, this is a classic case of a little girl so excited about her "Kingdom of Dinnertime" that she failed to remember which side is right and which side is left. Classic. I might keep this craft forever.

Oh well. At least I'll never have to set another table at our house. But if you ever come over for dinner and notice table is set backwards, just smile and go with it.

If you have kids, when do you do chores? While the kids are away? While they nap? Once they go to bed? With your kids watching? Helping? If they help, do you follow behind them and re-do everything so it gets done right?

And while I am asking, do you have any tips teaching kids how to remember which is right and which is left? I might need that one soon.

FYI: 5 + idk = lol

Hannah turned five this weekend. FIVE! You go girl!

Turning five means a number of things to her:

1) She can do the Hoedown Throwdown. (Because, "if you're 5 or 82, this is something you can do..") There must be an exception for 30 somethings, because I seriously can't move that fast with any form of coordination. (Don't tell Hannah, but she can't either! lol)

2) She starts school. A while back, Jonah informed her that she would not get to start going to his school until she turned five. She thought she would start the day after she turned five. Not quite.

3) She can speak in text lingo. Her girl cousins went with us on a little birthday getaway and taught her how to speak text lingo. "idk" is her favorite right now. (fyi - "idk" stands for "I don't know" - who knew that?) I had a little sit down lesson with Hannah this morning to explain to her how "idk" could mean "I don't know." (Just a little teach moment, you might say.) She might be the only 5 year old around that understands how the "kn" can make the "n" sound. I have decided that a 5 year old speaking text lingo is cute, like, once. And then it is not.

4) Strawberry Shortcake - she is obsessed right now. I totally don't mind because I LOVE the smell of strawberry shortcake toys - totally takes me back to my childhood. Our house is a very happy smelling house right now thanks to some sweet gifts from family members at her party last night.

5) I just asked Hannah what being five means to her. I'll give you one guess what her answer was. Yep. "idk"

Joey is going to do a re-cap of our weekend birthday getaway with the cousins, but until he posts something, I'll share this little photo of the girls living it up as southern belles at Silver Dollar City:

ttfn

our maple leaf fell...

Dr. Ray "Grandpa" Jones

passed into eternity on Saturday, October 31st at 6 p.m.

He will be missed more than words can express.

We'll celebrate his life and home going in a service later this week.

Our Maple Leaf written by Joey Oct 21, 2009

Dear Grandpa Jones written by Kelly August 30, 2009