Chop! Chop!

Last week a friend of mine (and a neighbour) submitted (with my permission) a request to visit the karate dojo where her son currently takes lessons . . . to see if Christian might be interested in joining.  He does need an activity (even though, I must say, he's the most physically active of my three children).  However, he balked and I relented (he is trained to be a greeter at our chapel, as an "activity" and service so I wasn't going to push him too much, since, as I had said, he's very physically active on his own).  Then something surprising happened.  Connor piped up and asked to check it out.

Huh.  He's the least likely of my children to do anything beyond what he likes (video gaming, to be specific) and something slightly social.  But, I embraced his interest enthusiastically and moved on it straight away.

I can't give this kid time to think about committing - I have to throw him in whatever part first!

What I love about it is the price ($115 includes the uniform/belt and first month fee; monthly fee is $65 and it's an annual contract - but easily undone if we move per military orders, even though they have studios across the U.S.).  I love the location.  It's nearby so I'm not driving too far in the evenings (with my difficult depth perception issues in the dark I really need familiarity with where I am going).  The staff are super nice and easy to talk to.  I love the philosophy behind karate (leave all the junk outside, be at peace with yourself and others - self control and self-confidence).

You see, Connor is wired much like his mum.  I knew what was going through his mind as we sat there, because my brain was also kicked into over-drive of why this won't work.  The screaming children (their pitches, not what they are saying), it was a bit warm (but at least it doesn't smell like a gym) . . . I hope they can put him in an adult class because these kids are going to make him nuts . . . blah blah blah.  On and on my brain spun out of control . . . and then, suddenly, I thought, "We need to learn to appreciate chaotic situations - and maybe embrace the truth that not everything we perceive as chaotic is actually chaotic.  It's good to get out of our comfort zones.  It helps us grow and to know ourselves better.

And, yes, certainly, the "screaming" children had initially been a big turn off for him.  However, he watched and then had a very successful one-on-one session with a black-belt.  She was young and enthusiastic and engaging and encouraging . . . all the things my son so desperately needs from other people.  He misses out on the love and humanity of others, because he closets himself off so much (from past bad experiences).  His mind had become such a bitter prison (yes, at 17!!!!).  The sad truth is, I see so many kids with this heavy negative burden these days - a bunch of sour pusses!  I must say, he is a natural.  He caught on very quickly!  He may not be very limber, but that will come.  I mean, the kid hasn't had a day of PE since the summer between his Sophomore and Junior year.  I have always known that he has a natural instinct for sports (even though he never wanted to really join up for any - that kid can throw a ball like no man can!), but it was so nice that she spotted it straight away and complimented him on it.

It was restorative . . . to see my son being praised so honestly from another human being.  I can't tell you the joy I felt, but more importantly:  witnessed.

Besides, karate will be good for him in another way if he does decide to pursue the uniform of a soldier (not likely), a sailor, a coaster, airmen, or marine (most likely).

My first-born is finally rising!

Giving Up

It is so hard to do.  Right?

But, I have.  I turned in the plastic and am going by cash only.  This is difficult, because I have to re-orient my thinking about money.  I can't just randomly purchase stuff any longer, because I have to keep cash at the ready for groceries and other necessities.  I have only so much and I have to make it work.  My husband does make enough money to live on - and have a few extras!  I'm so very grateful for that fact.

I have had idle hands of late, and, that is the root cause of another one of my sins.  This isn't the confessional so I'll keep much of that between me and God.  *smile*   I have to keep myself busy and my mind occupied on tasks that keep me busy.  So, I've gone off the Target and bought a utility shelf . . . so that the stuff under the stairs can be gone through, sorted, and shelved in the garage.  Which means the garage is also slowly going through another re-birth, as it were.  *smile*  These two areas of my home have bothered me the most, outside of my own bedroom (which is just down to the filing - again!).  But, progress is taking place!  Organizing my home/life makes me happy, or, let us say more balanced and peaceful.  I am more restful the more this stuff is organized.  The chaos makes me cringe. 

Another way I will stay busy is finishing (and, starting and finishing) all the stitching kits/projects I have on hand.  I bought that magnifying lamp for the very reason of being able to stitch at night (which was difficult do do under the lighting we have).  Also, the same goes for all the books I have purchased (when I walk by them, unread as they are, I feel a pinch in my conscience . . . ).  I'm going to decide to read them, one at a time . . . and, if I think they are not going to keep me interested, I'll donate them before I even start.  It's time to be real about all this stuff.

I have piles of books that I know I will never read again . . . so I am gathering them together to take to the book exchange (for cash; what doesn't sell, I'll donate).  The Catholic ones are going to the MCCW ladies - they can take what they like.  If they "feel bad" about it, I'll say "give me a dollar per book" and then give the money to the chapel for the childcare.  This is about letting go.  Also, I've always believed that a donation or giving things away is precisely that - letting go.  No expectations.

I am able to make headway with these projects because I'm keeping myself busy in the determination to be free of things . . . which do separate me from God.  So, whilst I shed things, I pray I gain God, Who is, after all, the Greatest Gift of them all.

Checking Out of the Check-Out Lane

If you pray for the entire community, then the prayer of the community will come back to you.  This is because you form a part of the whole.  So you can thus obtain great benefits.  The prayer of each member of the People of God is enriched by the prayer of the rest.  - St. Ambrose, Treatise on Cain and Abel, 1

This passage in "In Conversation with God" was important for me to read today.  I ask you all to pray for me as I endeavor to quit using credit cards and make better judgments about our budget and spending.  I have two plastic death cards . . . I want to cancel them, but I'm afraid that if I do that the banks that own them will do something stupid, like raise my interest rates or something.  You know, penalize me for trying to square my debt and not stay in their noose by my own choosing.  It's a choice to be in debt, and they love it when we stay there.  

I don't.  I need to change.  I need your prayers!

The first step is to recognize the danger and decide to make amends.  I've checked that box today!

The second step is to stop using them.  I've checked that box, too!  They are not in my purse!  They are somewhere else.

I do not need three quarters of what I buy with those stupid things.  The stuff around me is another kind of noose.  Y'all know what I mean.

I need you to pray for me to be strong . . . to trust that God will fill the holes in me:  the boredom  hole being the biggest one. 

Thank you!!!