If I could choose any phrase that describes what 2014 has
been like for me, this would be it. “I
said I would NEVER, but…”
What are those things that you said you would NEVER do?
I am not talking about sinful things that you really should
never do. I am talking about things that
were never your preference, or perhaps you had some very valid reasons for
saying you would never do something.
And in the spirit of complete honesty, can I just tell you
that every time someone says “Never say never” in that sing-song voice I want
to punch them? Of course, I wouldn’t
punch them. But, without the proper
self-control, that is what I would do. I
sincerely dislike when people say things like “Never say never” in a sing-song
voice whilst grinning. It feels like
they should really just say, “You are an idiot and one day I will point at you
and laugh and say ‘I told you so’.”
Perhaps I am a little touchy.
Also, I am pretty sure that just today I said, “Never say
never” to a girl in my Sunday morning class.
I should have punched myself. I
have been thinking about this blog post for a couple days now and she just so
happened to make a statement today that started with I NEVER…. Abby and I laughed, hard. We also told her that she better find us when
she is older and her “never” has happened and then we could just smile at
her.
So there have been a few things in my life that I have said
I would NEVER do, or would NEVER happen.
And I think that in the last couple of months there has been some
conspiracy to make sure all of those things actually happen. Wow, has God humbled me in the last few
months.
Here is a list of things I said NEVER about:
1. Going to India.
Truth be told, I watched Slum-Dog Millionaire (which was a great
movie btw), and I was totally disgusted by some of the things in the
movie. I realize this is about the same
as watching some movie about the worst possible places in the USA and then
thinking the whole country is like that.
I never said it was rational.
I also remember listening to our case worker for our home
study as she recounted her adoption from India.
And I remember thinking, “This is so precious, but I just don’t feel a
desire to go to that country. Get me
somewhere in Africa!”
I remember seeing pictures from a friend’s trip to India a
couple of years ago. Her pictures were
wonderful but I remember thinking, “I miss Africa so much. I would totally rather be there.”
And now, we are walking down a path that will likely lead us
straight to India! And I am
EXCITED!! Even more so, I am looking
forward to seeing the sweet face of our daughter in her native country, among a
people who look like her. I look forward
to seeing that precious face every day once we bring her home. We will forever be linked to India.
2. Aiden and Noah being in the same school grade.
Oh, this one is a fresh helping of humble pie. We had a long list of reasons why we thought
Noah and Aiden should not be in the same school grade. And they are valid reasons in my
opinion. Finally, it was as if God was
saying that we needed to take a step back and evaluate what was best for each
child without allowing the decision to be effected by the other child. Tough stuff my friends. We found that we were continually trying to
see which child would be least affected by the decision that was best for the
other. And it just so happens that what
is best for each of them individually will then mean that they will be in the
same grade.
3. Aiden being ready for first grade in the fall.
To say that Kenneth and I have been concerned about Aiden’s
academic endeavors would be a gross understatement. In fact, if you had asked me about this at
Christmas, I would have said no way is he ready to move on.
I remember listening to kindergarten orientation and his
teacher saying, “I have never had one child leave my classroom without being
able to read at least a little. I even
had a girl who could hardly spell her name and she left reading.” I was like, “Lady, you crazy. My child will probably be your first.” Please don’t think I am being mean to
Aiden. I’m not. Just honest.
We were very concerned about possible learning deficits.
Wouldn’t you know, in the last several weeks the child is
flourishing?! He IS reading!! And the other night he blew us away and
counted to 100 with absolutely no help!!
We have never even practiced that at home with him. He has done far greater than we expected. I am so proud of him!
And speaking of schooling, here is the grand-daddy of them
all….
4. Homeschool.
Seriously.
For those of you who know me, I will give you a minute to
breathe or pick yourself up off the floor or stop dying of laughter……..
I am still in shock over this one. (If anyone reads this, PUHLEEZE understand
that the purpose of this post is not to start a schooling debate.) Kenneth and I have regretted sending Noah to
school when we did. He has a late
birthday and has always been the youngest in his class. Although he is very smart, we wanted him to
be one of the oldest rather than youngest.
We sent him to school when we did because we wanted to keep he and Aiden
separate. And that meant he had to go
early. And we have been kicking
ourselves ever since. We have talked
with his teacher about retaining him and apparently this is the worst idea
ever. It does not seem like the school
would let us do this especially because he is one of the best readers in his
class. So, we looked into the private school
in our area which is way out of our budget.
And the more we prayed about it, the more we felt God leading us to
homeschool Noah in the fall. It is as if
He chose this for Noah. Obviously He
did. I said I would NEVER unless we were
on the international mission field.
Those who know me well, I will give you another minute. I know you need it.….
Right now our plan is to homeschool Noah for one year and
re-evaluate. He may go back to
Creekview, and he may not. I have
learned that it is not wise for me to make definite statements where this is
concerned.
I am now on a mission to try to remember all the non-sinful
things I said I would NEVER do just so I can know what I have to look forward to
doing in the next few weeks.
