the joy spread by the kids in our lives...

Though I don't have kids of my own, I love the kids and grandkids of my friends. They bring such joy into my life, and I am grateful for them.

This New Year's Eve, my friends had two of their grandkids with them for a few days. I, always in for a good time, was invited to their house for New Year's Eve and a sleep-over. (I think I was probably the "out" so they didn't HAVE to stay up till midnight with the boys!)

The day and evening were full of fun, food, games, and just enjoying each other's company. While cooking dinner, I was handed a pen and an envelope by the 8yr old, and inside the envelope was the following note:

Translation (in case you can't quite get it):

Dear Shree:

[short for Shri-ri, a name they all call me due to boy #3 saying my name that way for a short time]

How are you doing?

(blank box for answer)

and what and when are you going to play with us?

(two blank boxes for answers)

And [till] what time will we stay up?

(blank box for answer)

I responded to the questions with the following:

excellent

after dinner and dishes

games? (uno?) later, a movie?

To which he responded with a note on the back of the original card, stuffed in the envelope again:

The above note was preceded with shouts of delight in response to the "stay up till" answer!

...for these kids in my life, I am grateful!! Thanks, God, for the amazing ways You bless us with others in our lives!

"...their children will be a blessing." ~Psalm 37:26b

my favorite word...

The other night I was out to dinner with some friends of mine. Eight-year-old B said to me, "Hey, Sharilyn! What's your favorite word?"

I paused for a moment to ponder the question... there are just so many good words out there! I decided upon one, and just as I was about to tell him what it was, he said, "I bet I know what your favorite word is...."

"What do you think it is, B?"

"AMAZING!" and amazingly he was right! That was the word I was going to say!

I said, "Hey! That's what I was going to say!"

He said, "Well, I knew it was."

"How did you know that?" I asked.

"I knew it because you like exploring and finding cool stuff!"

I laughed and told him he was right. He smiled, quite pleased with himself, and I smiled, quite pleased that he would know that about me... from our shared adventures of discovery-- searching out bugs in his yard, closely examining flowers and leaves, discovering hearts of all types, playing on the beach together, and generally being AMAZED at God's truly amazing creation!

I decided a couple of years ago that I wanted to use words that were really worth using-- big words, not necessarily big in size but big in their descriptive powers. Words like --"fantastic" and "wonderful" and "magnificent" rather than just "good" or "cool" or "nice." And "amazing"... because that's what it's truly like to live in this world our Father created for us, and I never want to stop being amazed by it... or by Him!

...just something to think about...
what's YOUR favorite word, and what does it speak about you?

ttmms (you know--"things that make me smile")...

This past weekend two of my young friends were in town visiting their grandparents. On Saturday I went over to spend the day with them all at Mimi and Poppa's house. The younger of the two, B (age 7), loves to help with whatever we may be doing in the kitchen, so Mimi, B, and I made lunch together.

We sat out on their balcony in the lovely Southern CA fall air to eat our lunch. After his older brother said grace, B asked if he could pray, too. Mimi and Poppa said 'of course!' The following was his prayer...

"God, thank you for this day and for our lunch and thank you that I got to help my two best friends, Mimi and Sharilyn, make it. Amen."

Talk about things that warm one's heart and make one smile! Who could ask for more??

...for this I am grateful!...

pure joy...

...pure joy!...

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

"The LORD has done great things for them."

~Psalm 126:2

If you laugh a lot,

when you get older

your wrinkles will be in the right places.

~Andrew Mason

please pray for Elijah's family...

Two weeks ago, I wrote my Saturday post about a little boy named Elijah who has cancer, and I asked for you to pray for him. I do appreciate those prayers that were sent up to the Father on his behalf. Elijah left his earthly home and went to be with the Lord today. I'm sure he's hanging out with Jesus and with the angels and is probably wearing the same great big smile on his face as in the photo above.

And, though his parents are secure in the knowledge that Elijah is in heaven and no longer in pain nor suffering, their hearts are broken with the loss of their little boy. I would appreciate it if you would pray for them and for his brother, Gabriel... that God would give them peace beyond their understanding and comfort for their broken hearts.

It's never easy when a child dies, and it doesn't make sense to us. But our Father does promise He will be with us in these dark times and will walk through them with us........

My friend (who was good friends with Elijah's mom and dad) sent the following today in memory of little Elijah...

In an instant of time, you arrived
And just as quickly you have now departed.
We can’t make sense of it, nor understand,
the immense sadness, as our newest friend.
Your smile so bright, your eyes aglow…

E- Every moment was a blessing to have with you
L- Life is precious, and there is joy in knowing yours continues
I- Into peace, you have begun…
J- Jesus holds you now in the best place you’ll ever know
A- Always in our hearts
H- How wonderful it will be to see you again…

Thank you for your prayers.

"special"...

On Saturday, two of my young friends and I went on a little excursion to a local shell shop for a bit of shopping. They each had a certain amount of money to spend and were working hard to buy what they really wanted and still stay within the specified dollar amount. S, the older (at 8 1/2), was doing pretty well on his own--finding treasures, adding up the cost, checking with me for verification of his funds availability (and could he go over just a bit?!)--while I helped B, the younger (at 7), do his treasure hunting and calculating.

We had a great time checking out all the sea treasures and doodads in the store, and it didn't take the boys too long to make their decisions and reach their dollar limits. They were able to get a bit more "bang for their buck," as many of the items were on sale, and most of the baskets from which they pulled their treasures were marked with "SPECIAL!" signs.

When we got out to the car, both of the boys opened their bags and pulled out and unwrapped their purchases to examine them with delight once again. They were very pleased with themselves. S exclaimed about what a great shop that was and how wonderful everything was in it. He said, "These things are so very SPECIAL, aren't they, Sharilyn?!" I agreed with him that they, indeed, were.

Both boys talked excitedly about the store and the awesome things they had seen in it. And then, after remarking about how great were his purchases, S said, "There were so many good things in that store! That's why there were all those signs saying 'special'... because all those things were so special!"

I agreed with him as I held back a chuckle at his misunderstanding of the use of the "special" signs. He was impressed that everything was so very "special" in the shop and didn't realize that "special" meant "on sale" in that context.

This little boy's misinterpretation of the use of a word started my mind to working.... about how differently God sees than we do. People. Circumstances. What we see as failure, God sees as an opportunity for growth and deepening of character. What we see as a broken life, God sees as a chance for something new to be built from the pieces. What we see as a hopeless person, not worth trying to rescue (on sale? not worth much?), God sees as SPECIAL... a treasure.

Hmmm. Out of the mouths of babes... no wonder Jesus said we must be like children! They have a way of seeing things that we miss. They have insight and understanding born of a certain sense of innocence and lack of sophistication. They are generally looking at the world with their eyes wide open and with the wonder and awe of seeing things for the first time. To them, so very much of the world and what it holds is, indeed, SPECIAL...to be delighted in...to be treasured.

I love how God uses everyday situations to remind us of His presence and His character. I love how He uses even the seemingly smallest things to point us to Him and His ways. And, I'm sure I'll never look at a "SPECIAL" sale sign in the same way again.

pure joy...

This was part of MY Saturday...

I hope yours was at least 1/8 this good!

~ wonder ~

If a child is to keep alive his inborn

sense of wonder...
he needs the companionship
of at least one adult who can share it,
rediscovering with him the joy,
excitement, and mystery
of the world we live in.

~Rachel Carson

~excitement~

~ pure joy ~

thank You, God, for answered prayers... and baby smiles!

A great big THANK YOU, GOD! for Isabella's happy smile!!

And a great big THANK YOU to you who were/are praying for her... She is doing miraculously better, and I thought I would give you a quick update from her parents:

March 9: Out of ICU!
"Thank you, thank you for all your prayers. Isabella has shown marked improvement over the last 24 hours, and this afternoon was transferred out of ICU and into a regular pediatric unit. Her body seems to be responding to the antibiotics, her fever is down, her vital signs are fairly stable, and she even smiled and played a bit this morning. We are so grateful to you for your prayers, and to God for hearing and responding. "

March 10, 2009: All Better!!
"Well, it is quite a miracle, but little Isabella is suddenly very well. The power of prayer is amazing! We were given a private room at the hospital yesterday, and last night she slept peacefully with her head on my (Daddy's) forearm.I snapped this picture (top photo above) when she woke up this morning - the first time she has smiled in two weeks. They tell us she may be able to come home tomorrow if the can switch the intravenous meds to oral. Welcome back, Bellaboo!! "

please pray for Isabella...

This is Isabella. She is the daughter of friends of mine, and they have asked for your prayers. She is 7 1/2 months old, lives in Brazil, and is in extremely critical condition in the hospital. You can read about her at the blog her parents have set up - Isabella.

She was adopted in July of 2008 by my friends, and she has been in and out of the hospital many times during those months. She was born prematurely, and she suffers from problems relating to her lungs not being fully formed at birth.

She is once again in a battle for her little life, and we would greatly appreciate your prayers. As of last night, she was in an induced coma and on a ventilator to try to allow her lungs to rest and heal. She is not responding to treatment and is desperately in need of a touch from the Great Physician.

As we can only imagine, this has been a very difficult time for her parents and big brother as well... please pray for them and for Isabella... for healing, for peace, for rest... for the amazing presence of our loving Father right there with them in the hospital...and for a miracle.

** update 3/6/09 Fri a.m. --thank you for your prayers! Isabella is showing a bit of improvement, has been taking off the respirator, and is breathing on her own.

the joy of being an adult...

Today was another day of rain. (Have I mentioned that I LOVE the rain?!!?) I watched the rain out my window at work, and I couldn't wait to be off! I couldn't wait to get outside IN the rain--driving in it, walking in it, feeling it beat on my head and run down my face...

Perhaps, it is the Midwest girl in me--missing summer rainstorms and spring showers. Perhaps it is because I live in a state that doesn't differentiate all that much between its seasons. Perhaps, it's just that I love getting outside and playing around when the weather is a bit unfriendly.

I went the store on the way home tonight, and it wasn't raining when I went in. When I came back out, however, it was a downpour! I walked out into it and enjoyed the feel of the rain pouring down upon me. And when I went to get into my car, it was in the middle of a big puddle. I just stepped into it and laughed as my shoes filled and my pants legs got soaked. For some reason, I just find it fun!

Then, because it is southern California, and the streets are not designed with proper rain drainage in mind, there are many streets around my neighborhood that fill up and flood after a day of rain. I made sure to drive (even a bit out of my way) home via those streets so I could plow merrily through them with my Pathfinder and A/T tires! I love how the water splashes all the way over my car as I drive right through those giant puddles! {sigh} Does it get any better than that?! : )

I was reminded of a "poem" I wrote some years back during a rainy period in the town where I used to live. I thought I would share it with you tonight...

The Joy of Adulthood

*

I have discovered once again

one of the true joys of being an adult...

*

It is going out on a rainy evening with a friend,

laughing together at secrets shared,

walking home in the rain

and refusing to use your umbrella,

letting the rain pour down upon you,

soaking you to the skin.

*

It is splashing in all the puddles along the way,

until your feet squish in your shoes,

then running into the house,

and jumping into a hot bath filled with bubbles,

burying yourself in them and staying there

until your toes are unrecognizable pink raisins.

*

It is climbing into soft flannel pajamas and a warm, snuggly bed,

with a hot cup of cocoa and a bedtime story--

no responsibilities, no worries,

no cares of the world...

just listening to the rain on the window

and reveling in the frolic of the evening.

*

Perhaps, after all, one of the true joys of being an adult

Is remembering how to be a child...

* * * * *

And, if it's still raining when I get up tomorrow morning, I think I'll go for a long wet walk...

joy ...

Today many people were out and about--shopping, shopping, shopping. They were searching for that perfect (or, perhaps, not so perfect) Christmas gift for someone on their list. They were braving the traffic and the crowds, waiting in long lines, spending money they may or may not have... all hardships endured in the hopes of obtaining a bit of "joy" to be given on Christmas day.

As for me, I was at home today--catching up on the housework of the week, doing laundry and dishes, listening to Christmas music, putting up a few Christmas lights on the balcony, finishing up my Christmas cards (supposedly). And then, in the midst of my day's hustle and bustle, I was lured into my neighbor's house by her little boy, Boog, and his delightful smile. He saw me and said, "Shellin, come play" (that's how he says my name). And I, not one to be able to resist a sweet little dimpled face asking me to play, left my chores and went in and played cars with him for awhile until it was time for his nap.

When I came home from church tonight and walked past Boog's living room window, he saw me through the glass, and his face lit up with excitement. As his mom opened the door to say hello to me, he ran to the door and, with a huge dimpled smile, said "Come IN, Shellin!!" He pulled me inside, dashed to the toybox, dragged his bag of puzzles over to me, and dumped them out at my feet...all the while saying, "Come on, Shellin! Come on!" What joy...to be so welcomed...to have someone so excited to play with me!

No, the chores didn't get finished today, nor did the Christmas cards, while I was playing with Boog. But what fun we had. There was JOY in the day...the joy that comes not from things purchased, or from a clean house, but from time spent with a child... from the smile on a little boy's face and the sound of his laughter as we raced cars down his little orange tracks... from the expressions of delight as we put puzzles together...from the squeals and giggles as we wrestled on the floor. ("Do it again, Shellin!")

...and this, this JOY, this experience of relationship, this love of a child... all because one would take time out for a child... to welcome a child... in the midst of a busy day, of a busy season, of a busy life...

...and may we find this JOY, this experience of relationship, this love a Child... may we take time out for Him, to welcome Him... in the midst of a busy day, of a busy season, of a busy life...

Joy is not in things;
it is in us.
~Richard Wagner

for JOY...what a gift! (153)

Operation Christmas Child...or Shoeboxes, Shoeboxes, Shoeboxes...

Today a couple of friends and I spent the day volunteering at one of the processing warehouses of Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child, also known as the Shoebox Project, collects, processes, and delivers millions of shoeboxes full of gifts for needy children around the world each year.

This year they anticipate processing and delivering EIGHT MILLION boxes! The warehouse at which we volunteered is located in Southern California, and half a million boxes will go through that warehouse alone.

This is the sight that greeted us as we walked into the warehouse:

...thousands and thousands and thousands of boxes of gifts...

Below is a close-up of a couple of pallets of shoe boxes.

Before arriving at the processing warehouse, each of these shoeboxes was lovingly packed with little gifts for a boy or a girl, such as books, toys, pencils, crayons, toothbrush/toothpaste, brushes/combs, candy, stuffed toys, and other small treats. Individuals from all over the United States fill these boxes each Christmas to bring joy to children from ages 2-14 all over the world. The boxes are delivered by Samaritan's Purse staff to different countries each year.

When the boxes arrive at the warehouse, each box has to be "processed" by volunteers. The steps are presorting, inspecting, and cartoning. At the "presort" station, the boxes are opened and any money (including the minimal shipping fee) is removed from the box. The boxes are then stacked and moved on pallets to the "inspecting" stations.
The photo below shows volunteers working at one of the rows of inspecting stations. That's what I was doing today--I was an Inspector!

This (below) was one of my stations. We were working on boxes for children from ages 5-9 (see the sign at the end of the table). Here we take a box from the pallet behind us and place it on the table in front of us. We open the box and carefully look through the items inside the box. We take out any "inappropriate" items such as liquids, scary or military toys, and food items. We then fill the empty places in the box with extra toys, hygiene items, and candy. We then tape the box shut and place it on the conveyor belt above our heads (see the silver thing), and it makes its way to the cartoners at the end of the table.

Here is one of the boxes -- this one for a girl.

And here is one which a child decorated before filling!

Once the boxes are sorted, taped, and sent to the cartoners, they are put in large boxes to be shipped to their recipient countries. See all the boxes full of shoeboxes in these photos:

Operation Christmas Child is all about bringing joy and the Good News of Christ to children all over the world, and the work of this ministry touches the lives of so many. Whether through packing a simple shoebox or volunteering time in the processing warehouses, each person involved can make an eternal difference in the life of a child. It is an amazing organization through which God works miracles each year!

"Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ."

ok...a few more of my favorite...

...things? How about "people" instead?! Since I've been on a roll the past couple of days about some of my favorites...here are a few more... they are my friends' grandkids, and they are so very much fun to hang out with.......going to the beach, to the movies, playing cards together (tonight was Go Fish and Uno), talking about life, laughing together...

good times!!

Though I don't have kids of my own, I do so enjoy being a part of my friends' kids lives. They bring so much joy and laughter to our lives! I am truly blessed by their smiles and hugs and wide-eyed wonder and am grateful for them in my life!

Kids faces say so much...especially the mouth part!
~unknown author

draggin' a little today... or a little dragon??...

Today I'm draggin' a little, so I thought I'd share my favorite little dragon with you...

...modeling all sides...
...turn...
... turn...
And here, checking out his cowgirl friend astride her horse...

...crawling around as dragons do...

...and that's that.

~the little dragon is my great nephew in MI, B, and the cowgirl is his friend, S

• the smiles of children (118)
• colorful costumes (117)
• active imaginations (116)

a son's love...

Recently my friend J's son was outside playing in their yard when he yelled for her to come and look at something he had found. J followed him into the yard and this is what he showed her:

She (good girl!) immediately went back into the house to get the camera to take a picture of this little gift of love her son had given her! Isn't it wonderful?!


Upon closer examination, we have decided it was the outside of a seed pod from a tree. But to him -- and to her-- it was a demonstration of love!

I think it's absolutely delightful when people of all ages have eyes to see these special tokens of love found along life's daily path... (thanks J&R for sharing the love!!)

• the love of children (78)
• seeing through the eyes of a child (77)
• a heart seed pod! (76)

shadow fun...

Being creative can be fun. Being silly can be fun. Being creative and silly at the same time can be great fun!! Just give a kid a sunny day and a couple of hands, and watch and see what he can come up with for some laughs.

For a post of simple creative fun, I thought I would share a few of the delightful shadow creations of my nephew...

...a dog...

...a dog and a rabbit (or is it a wolf?!)...

...a snake (see his fangs?!)...

...a snail...

...getting his eye posts touched! (my favorite!!)

...a spider (also a fav!)...

And then, the adults give it a little bit of a try after dinner....

...two ducks??...

...a flying bird...


...a rabbit looking at a flower (to eat!)...

...and the piece de resistance... (drumroll, please!!)...

...Michelangelo's "God Creates Adam", from the Sistine Chapel!!
(do I hear applause for THAT one?!)

the models for the shadows above:

I hope you enjoyed our little shadow show... if you get a few minutes on a sunny day (or even under your living room lamp!), see what YOU can come up with. It will bring a childlike joy to your day and a smile to your face!