michellesingleton.com // Confessions of the Preacher’s Wife

What I left out of yesterday’s blog was a new home remedy that Rob came up with to expedite Juliana’s return to camp. 

Although Rob did not admit it, I am betting that Juliana’s progress was not coming along quick enough for him.  I’d like to say Rob was sad to see Juliana suffering so, but there was really no suffering.  She didn’t feel bad, fever was marginal, tummy ache all but gone, normal appetite, normal activity…  Not to mention the fact that she was safely tucked away in a mountain lodge with her daddy, and she had her daddy all to herself.  Isn’t that what every princess wants?  To be alone in her castle with the prince of her dreams.

Since it was a camp rule that Juliana had to be fever-free for 24 hours before she could return to Camp Lurecrest, Rob decided to take the healing time in his own hands.  Please keep in mind that our children have rarely been given medication ~ not even tylenol.  With a chiropractor for a mom, we most often opt for natural healing methods.

So are you ready for Rob’s home remedy? 

He purchased a bottle of Pepto-Bismol and insisted Juliana down a good bit of it — but wait, there’s more!  He forced Juliana to chase the detestable chalky pink liquid down with pizza… That’s right, I said pizza!  Greasy Pizza!

The results were almost instantaneous.  Juliana threw up (can you imagine the colors?), her fever broke and she was ready to leave the castle!  Couldn’t get back to camp fast enough!

At first I was appalled!  Pizza and the Pink Stuff.  What was he thinking?” But Rob got the results he wanted.  Juliana got well and was able to get back to camp.   

An older friend of our family, a seasoned grandfather, was amused but not at all surprised by Rob’s method or his formula for taking care of Juliana.  “Michelle, didn’t you know Rob’s remedy is in the Father’s Handbook?” 

No I did not.  I’d never even heard of the book.  It’s intuitive I presume.

I am learning that men are, by God’s design, motivated by results — solution oriented and outcome focused.  I have to admit, I would have never dreamed up the pepto-bismol pizza concoction on my own.  I get queasy just typing about it.  And I am guessing my results would have come much later in the day. 

Bottom Line:

Never underestimate the power of a godly man.  God works through them… and their home remedies.

Rob and I were enjoying some special couple time with the kids away at camp… it was wonderful!  Every night was a date night.   And our house was very quiet! 

That all changed with a phone call from the camp nurse at 8:30 Tuesday night.  Seems Juliana had a mild temperature of 100 degrees.  Due to Swine Flu precautions, children with any fever at all are not allowed to stay in the camp infirmary.  We must come get her now!

Rob and I were both disappointed for Juliana.  We hated that her first camp experience away from home had such an interuption.  She had been having so much fun.  Juliana had actually checked in with the camp nurse because she had a tummy ache ~ no luck using the bathroom… Taking her temperature was standard procedure and elicited an unfavorable incidental finding.

Since I was still at my office, Rob volunteered to make the 3 hour drive up the mountains and rescue the princess from the Infirmary.  But he was very strategic in his method.  He packed a small bag with clothes and some paper work which would allow him to stay in a logde for a night or two.  His hope was that Juliana’s fever would soon return to 98.6… wait 24 hours… and then he could deliver her back to camp to finish out her camp experience.

And right on schedule as Rob anticipated, Juliana’s fever returned to normal on Wednesday and went back to camp on Thursday.  She promised to make Rob a coffee mug if she got to go back to “Arts and Crafts.”

Rob sacrificed for his little girl.  It would have been much easier on him to turn around and bring her home.  But Rob selflessly put his comfort, his convenience and his needs on the back burner so he could give Juliana a chance to return to Camp Lurecrest.

That is just one of the many ways Rob has sacrificed for our kids.  He is an amazing dad!  And I vote him dad of the year!

Don’t let their sweet faces fool you.  Those dogs are in a heap of trouble!  Just what do I mean?

In one week:

• ate a chair
• chewed through storage cabinet in garage (it was locked with a metal padlock)
• chewed through food storage bin
• ate all the food (gained 15 pounds)
• chewed through 2^nd storage cabinet
• spilled several cans of paint ~ AGAIN!
• knocked over and broke a bird feeder made by Rob’s Grandpa
• Chewed volume 1 of Spurgeon’s Writings (also belonged to Rob’s Grandpa)
• Ate one of my plants
• Ate a 2^nd plant including the pot in our courtyard
• Ate a latex glove
• Ate glass
• Nipped at a visitor ~ drew blood
• Ate my bike helmet
• Chewed the seat right off of Juliana’s bike
• Ate a roller blade
• Chewed through the garage wall
• Ate the pink insulation out of the wall
• Chewed through the invisible fence collar ~ for the 3^rd time

I’ve just about had it with those dogs.  But Rob and I don’t see eye to eye on this matter.  I threatened to send the dogs to military school… He said if I did, he was going with them. 

That was until today when we came home to find yet another garage cabinet chewed into pieces.  I said nothing.

I overheard Rob talking to Bear, his beloved chocolate lab, “You used to be such a good dog.  Now you’ve turned into Marley.  I am mad at you!”

Pray for us… I don’t know who will survive the terrible chewings… yes I do.  The dogs can chew their way out of anything… as for Rob and me?  I am betting Rob will soon be off to military school!

I spent Saturday afternoon packing the kids for a week at Camp Lurecrest:   

• sleeping bags
• flashlights
• camp clothes that can get real dirty
• toothpaste (I am a mother you know)

I enlisted each of my kids to help me pack their bags.  It actually made packing fun.  As we put their clothes into their camp bags, I was able to talk one-on-one with my kids about their expectations for camp, my expectations for their camp experience and pray with them regarding their upcoming week away from home.

We were ready, so I thought.  We dropped the kids off at the Lurecrest Bus Depot with at least 100 other campers.  My kids fell right in place with the check-in process.  I, on the other hand, was grateful for my sunglasses.  I didn’t want my kids to see me cry… as I looked around, I seemed to be the only mother crying.  And the kids, well, they were doing just fine. 

I have been away from my kids before but they’ve always stayed with my parents or close family friends.  The difference?  Rob and I have always been able to call them, text them or at least send/receive a daily email.  But not at Camp Lurecrest.  Cell phones are not permissible.  No communication for 7 days ~ except for cards and care packages!

I fully trust God with their care and protection.  I know they are in good hands.  And my prayer is that they would see God move on the Camp Lurecrest Mountain Top in a mighty way… that they would have a life marker experience with God away from Rob and I so they would be drawn in to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ — without the influence and presence of mom and dad.

My deepest desire for Nathan and Juliana is that their walk with the Lord will grow deeper each day.

OK  Off to mail their care packages… I miss them so much already!

Girls Nights are so much fun, we decided to multiply the fun by 7 and have a Girls Week!  The event took place last week while Rob and Nathan were in Gettysburg attending a Father-Son Leadership Retreat.  Juliana and I had friends visiting from Florida, Barb and her daughter, Chloe. 

Every night was a sleepover… nails, make-up, dancing to Miley Cyrus, movies, laughing, lots of girl talk and silly fun.  It was absolutely wonderful Girl Fun!

On our last night we decided to mimic the boys and “go to war.”  We wanted to “do battle” and conquer the enemy.  So we headed over to the Sports Connection for a few rounds of Lazer Tag.  After being slaughtered the first couple of rounds, we came up with a strategy for our battle.  It was so well executed that by the last round, we conquered the enemy base! 

We followed up with some indoor rock climbing and then headed to the pool for a midnight swim.  We did cheer stunts off each other’s shoulders and splashed for several hours.  To celebrate our victories and our friendships, we topped off the night with ice cream…

Memories like this last forever… Can you think of a better way to say good-bye to some of the best girlfriends?

I thank God for summertime… and a relaxed schedule to enjoy the  friendships with which He has blessed us!

This past month, I have been spending time with a friend going through some really tough, challenging trials.  When we get together I don’t say much.  In fact, I find myself without words.  I have never walked in her shoes so I don’t feel qualified to speak about her condition.  Mostly I just listen.  At times, my eyes well up with tears as she painfully shares her heart.  I do give her a hug now and then and occassionally I will share a Bible verse.  But mostly I just listen.

Proverbs 17:17 says that a friend loves at all times…

I am learning that at times, when there is nothing to say, loving a friend simply means just being there:  letting your friend vent or cry or sitting with them in silence ~ in love.

May God give you an opportunity to show love to your friends.

Blessings,

Michelle

I love taking pictures of my kids.  Both Nathan and Juliana learned at an early age to smile sweetly and work with me… life ends up being better for everyone when they cooperate.

As I began my photo shoot of Juliana after her recital this past week-end, I noticed that Juliana’s smile didn’t look quite right.

I zoomed in for a closer look:

Juliana was cracking up and could barely keep her Billy Bob teeth in place!  Her sense of humor comes from Rob… I love it!  She is definitely her Daddy’s Little Girl!

Juliana danced at Dana Auditorium this week-end.  As you can imagine, Rob and I were very proud parents. 

Seeing Juliana smiling with joy as she beautifully performed her dances ~ well, of course we are proud! 

However, we were outdone.  Sitting in the audience directly in front of me was a mom and a dad.  They were some of the most Enthusiastic Parents (E.P.) I’ve ever seen.  Each time their daughter appeared on stage, they would jump up, wave their arms in the air and hoot and holler as if they were at a football game.

Their daughter beamed with delight over her parents’ distracting antics.  Meanwhile, other parents complained about the noise and “hoopla” coming from the E.P. 

It made me think about my Heavenly Father and how He must look upon His children.  I can imagine Jesus cheering me on with great enthusiasm, going to extremes to get my attention ~ just look at His magnificent creation ~ as He calls out, “That girl is one of mine.  She belongs to me!  Atta Girl, Michelle.” 

Yes, I think Jesus must be the perfect E.P…. no obnoxiousness and perfect love!

Make it a point to thank Him today for His perfect enthusiasm for you!

You’ve probably seen the books while you are waiting in line to check out at the grocery store.  Sudoku.  My mother got Nathan hooked and now Nathan has me playing the Japanese logic game of numbers.  I solve one puzzle every night before I go to bed.  It helps me turn my brain off… and it puts me to sleep.

I’m getting pretty good at them too!  My kids bought me new Sudoku books for Mother’s Day ~ my favorite puzzles are the ones that Nathan and Juliana solve with me.  It is fun to work together with my kids.

Yesterday, I was talking to a 99 year old patient of mine.  Her mind is as sharp as a tack.  She still drives (she probably drives better than I do).  She even runs errands for her neighbors in the assisted living community where she resides.  I asked her to share her secret for keeping her mind young and engaged.  Much to my surprise she responded, “I recite Bible verses and play Sudoku!” 

She uses and stretches her brain daily.  I am beginning to see there is much truth in the old “use it or lose it” adage.

God often helps me recall the verses that I’ve committed to memory.  But I wish I knew more.  Think back to the number of Bible verses you learned as a kid in Sunday School and at VBS.  Compare that with how many verses you know now ~  including the references.  Yikes!  More often than I want to admit, I use the search engine as a crutch when I need to recall a Bible verse.

But Mrs. 99–Year-Old has given me a challenge that I choose to accept.  It’s back to Bible memory work for me!

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of having 7 kids for a Sleepover.  Two of the kids belong to our friends that move to Texas this week ~ Thomas and Samantha (Sammy).  My eyes welled up with tears as I watched all 7 kids gobble down scrambled eggs and cinnamon toast on hot dog buns (I was out of bread).  A sad thought overcame my heart: 

This may very well be the last time, at least for a long while, that my little friends would be at our house for a Sleepover.

I had already hugged them all ~ more than they wanted I’m sure, but I wanted to leave them with something.  What could I say?  All the giggles and laughter (and a couple of burping noises) made my teary eyes smile.  The only thing that came to my mind was the importance of Christian Friends.  Friends who encourage you to keep your eyes focused on Christ.

We talked about this ~ the importance of Christian Friends.  And I made Thomas and Sammy promise that when they got to Texas, they would make sure that their very best friends loved Jesus.  I encouraged them to surround themselves with Christians.

And this is my prayer for them:  That they will seek friendship with those who love Christ.  It is my prayer for my own children too.  It is important to have lots of friends.  But the best lasting friendships are built on the common bond of a love for Jesus Christ.