Positive, Encouraging

I know there are a lot of KLOVE haters out there.  Don't like the DJ's, don't like the music, blah blah blah.  Well, I've been listening to KLOVE pretty much exclusively for almost 2 years now.  Something about it just soothes my soul and when I listen to "regular" music I can almost feel my soul being sucked out of me.  I think it's because, just like my clothes, I tie emotions and memories to songs or artists.  Certain songs remind me of certain people, or times in my life I'd rather not relive.

The girls and I are in the car a TON and I just can't handle them listening to Rhianna and Ke$ha...that's not the influence I want these girls to have.  At first they fought it...complained about listening to KLOVE all the time.  Now, they sing along with a lot of the songs, listen to the stories, ask questions about what is being said and feel like they know the Dj's. (Here in Chicago, KLOVE broadcasts on 94.3FM)

Sure, the DJ's on KLOVE are pretty syrupy.  I sometimes even turn the radio down when they're talking in between songs, but sometimes, I don't.  And usually, they are actually saying something worthwhile.

Right now they are doing the pledge-drive.  Since they are listener funded they have to ask for donations a few times a year to keep the station going.  Just like your PBS station.  The stories that come out of the radio during the pledge-drive are crazy.  Here are a few of my favorites (please excise the lack of accurate names...I'm going form memory here)

A middle school teacher in New Mexico struggled to get pregnant, finally gave birth to twins and immediately was diagnosed with 2 brain tumors, one of which is inoperable sentencing her to chemo for the rest of her, what is probably now very short life.  The students at the PUBLIC school decided that because KLVOE is so important to her and they want to do something to bring her comfort, they set up a collection jar in the cafeteria and committed to putting all their spare change in it each day...donating $20/month to KLOVE to help keep it on the air for their beloved teacher.

A man walked into a UHAUL/Penske/Ryder rental place and rented a truck.  He got in it and drove away.  An hour later he returned the truck.  The owner of the rental place asked what was wrong with the truck.  Nothing, it turns out.  The radio was tuned to KLOVE, the man hear the song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real and decided NOT to leave his wife and kids...instead of moving out he turned the truck around and went back to his family.

A 12 year old girl wrote in saying that she's struggled with suicidal thoughts daily and suffers from severe depression.  A friend from church told her about KLOVE, she started listening to it and though she still struggles and her depression isn't cured, she has enough hope to want to live.  She wished she could donate but she doesn't have any money.  Immediately, the phone lines were flooded with people calling in donations from around the country letting that girl know they loved her and her life is worth them donating so she can continue to hear God's word through KLOVE.

A man called in saying he was taking his 6 year old daughter Abigail to daycare when she asked what it means to be saved.  She told him she'd heard about people being saved on KLOVE.  He explained that it means giving your heart to the Lord and what it entails.  She said, "Daddy, I want to commit my life to Jesus."  He pulled the car over and they prayed together.  He said even though the day was just starting, it was the best day of his life.

Shortly after that, a woman called in and said her daughter heard the story about Abigail giving her life to Christ when they were in the car to school and now she wanted to do the same.

Are you kidding me?!  Crap, my eyes are welling up just typing this!  God is at work, everywhere.  Whether you like KLOVE of not, you can't deny that it is an amazing way to spread God's word and the message of His love, grace, mercy and forgiveness to people who may never set foot in a church.  People who are hurting in ways others might not even know.

I love it.

If you want to donate to KLOVE click here.  Also, it's important to note that with a $40 monthly donation the organization "Shoes For Orphan Souls" will donate a new pair of shoes to an orphan right here in the US or somewhere else around the world.

Planting Seeds

I have an opportunity daily to show the light and love of Christ to my girls.  I sometimes think "I could be doing so much more for God if I just moved to Africa!"  but then I remind myself that a soul is a soul, whether it's in Africa or here in Chicago.  God is jealous for each of us, He wants every single one of His children to turn to Him and accept His Son as their Lord and Savior.  As much as I think I'd like to move to Uganda, I know God has me here, right here, for a reason...3 reasons actually.

The girls weren't really sure what a Bible was when I started working for them.  When I pulled out my Bible to work on the Job study I was going through at the time, the girls stopped playing Barbies and asked what I was doing.  Since then, it's become a familiar sight--the girls playing or doing homework, and me reading my Bible or working on a Bible Study.  Phoebe even checks in a few times a week to see if I'm keeping up with my daily reading (I'm doing a Bible in a year plan) and if I've done my pages of reading/workbook for small group.

We listen to KLOVE in the car (because I don't wanna have to explain what DJ's are talking about or what Ke$ha's lyrics mean...) and God often provides openings for me to talk about what I'm reading or answer a question with a Biblical perspective.

My prayer each day as I drive to work (it's a short prayer because work is only 1.2miles away) is that this family would see that I'm different than everyone else they encounter in their daily lives, but that it wouldn't be me that they see, but that it would be Jesus.  That His light would shine through me and into the darkness.  That I would serve them as Jesus would and that I would serve them as if I were serving Him.

I understand that I may never know what comes of the seeds that are planted in the time I have with the girls.  That I have to give to God.  Trust that He will soften hearts and open eyes to His truths.

I do know however, that my girls get it.  They get that I'm different than other people they encounter.  Little comments like, "Linsey would NEVER do that!" or the way they now look for homeless people to give their snacks to instead of getting upset when I give their snacks away while at red lights.  

And this...this past weekend the whole family went to St. Louis to explore the City Museum and take in the Arch.  On Tuesday (I had Monday off) the girls handed me a little brown bag and said they'd gotten/made me a gift.  In the bag was this:

A bracelet (made from a shoelace from the Shoelace Factory) with cross beads on either side of my initials.  I love that when they think of me, they think of the Cross...or maybe it's that when they see a cross they think of me.  Either way, I know those are seeds that will one day sprout.  And that is just enough for me!

Shoulder Rubs and Eye Rolls

The girls and I talked about "love languages" the other day.  I mean, I didn't use that wording, but we discussed that people give and receive love differently.  It all started when Amelia stood behind my chair at Sbux and started rubbing my shoulders.  Pho just can't handle it when this happens, "I can't believe you do that for fun!" she says with disgust.  Poor little Mia pauses and says, "What?  I don't mind!"  That was enough to provoke a famous Phoebe snort and eye roll.

Mia, always wanting to please her sisters was stuck between a rock and a hard place...does she continue to rub my shoulders resulting in my happiness or does she stop because her sister doesn't think it's cool?

Well, I certainly didn't want her to stop so that's when I said, "Pho, that's how she shows me love.  She knows I like my shoulders rubbed and it makes her happy to make me happy in this way."

This resulted in a convo about how each of the girls shows me love...

Pho shows love by being helpful, volunteering when I need a helper, letting me know exactly what is going on at all times and asking about my day.

Lucy, well, she's a different story.  I had to find proper wording...I went with, "You show me love very differently than the other two girls.  It's less frequent, but"  And that's when she chimed in, "But, Linsey!  You KNOW I LOVE YOU, right?"

Yes, Luc, I know you love me.  It's just few and far between.  It comes out in little ways that others might not notice, like a very thoughtfully worded message in a Christmas card--it appears nice to anyone else but there is hidden jokes or secrets we've made that only I would notice.  Or the booklet of "32 Reasons I Love Linsey" she gave me for my birthday.  The quick, "I love you Linsey" every once in a while as she closes the car door when I drop her off at school.  Those are the moments that make it all worth it.  They fill my cup and give me the energy to do it all again tomorrow.

I ended the conversation by telling them that it is important to know how the people in our lives receive love the best because even if that's not the way we usually show love, it's important that everyone around us feel loved.

By no means an award winning conversation, but yet, you never know what these seeds might grow into.

I love these girls.

Know who else I love?  My little Arkansas boys...they'll be in town all weekend and I can't wait to get my hands on them!!  Pics next week!

Happy Friday!

Wait, You Don't Eat Pork?

I mentioned before that I've been praying that God would present me with opportunities to speak the Gospel into the girl's lives, and the courage to do so.  Today, He presented such a moment.

I'll set the scene: Lucy, Pho and I were hanging out in the car while Mia was at her dance class.  The girls were doing homework and I was reading my way through today's portion of my "Read the Bible Through in a Year" program.  I just happened to be in Leviticus and something (ok, God) nudged me to interrupt their homework...

Me: Hey, Lucy, you know how your Jewish friends don't eat pork?

Lucy: Yeah...

(Pho stops doing homework and sticks her head up from the back seat)

Me: Well, I'm reading that part of the Bible right now 

Then I read them most of Leviticus 11:1-46, stopping along the way as they were grossed out at the thought of eating some of the animals listed.

Me: So that's why they don't eat pork.

Lucy: So, Moses, he was like a messenger for God?  God spoke to him and he told the people?  What's that called?  A prophet?

Me: Yeah, exactly.

Lucy: Well, I used to think that it meant he made money-because he was a profit.

Me: That's funny Lucy!  So clever!

Pho: So, you're Jewish?  Wait, you don't eat pork?

Lucy (breaks into maniacal laughter): Yeah right!!!  Linsey not eat bacon...that would never happen!!!

At which point I explained to Pho the difference between the Old and New Testament, the difference between someone who is Jewish and a Christian. And then Lucy asked me to "draw her the cross thing you drew for me last month and explain about how without Jesus, you'd just fall into the Grand Canyon, but because of Jesus and his work on the cross, he bridges the gap between you and God so you can be with him forever when you die." (Lucy's words)

So I did...

Enjoy your eternal trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon...

Lucy pointed out several times to Pho "how cool it is that this makes a cross,
and that's the symbol for Christians because Jesus was crucified on a cross."

I know it really should read "Jesus took all my sin"--it's not contingent on me giving my heart to him, it's already been done...it's not perfect, but on the spot, this is what I came up with.

Clearly, they are listening when I talk.  And praise God for answering prayers and providing an opening for His message to be heard.  God is Good!

You're Supposed To Have Curves...

You've read all about Lucy and her take on me and my life.  But what you don't know is that her sister, Pho, is maybe the sweetest almost 11 year old around.  She's the middle sister, so she and I have bonded on such things as: constantly being picked on by older sister while simultaneously being unable to pick on younger sibling due to "baby status" held worldwide by all youngest children which protects them from the same cruel and unusual punishment handed down by oldest to middle sibling.

Anyway, I digress...she, much like me gets hangry and on occasion steam has been seen coming out her ears, but she has a big heart and so much love to give.

The other day while we were waiting for Lucy after school I was recounting my day for Pho: dentist, trip to target, etc.  

Who doesn't think Marilyn's
curves are beautiful?

"What did you get at Target?"

"Uh...some shapewear."

"What's that?"

Lets see, how do I explain shapewear to a skin and bones, completely innocent, pre-pubescent girl?

"Well, you know that wedding I'm going to in a few weeks, and that dress I'm planning on wearing?"

"Yeah.  It's really pretty Linsey."

"Thanks.  Well, I feel like I might be a little lumpy in it.  Shapewear is tight material that sucks in all your bits so you look smooth in the dress."

Without missing a beat, Pho replies, "You don't need that Linsey.  You aren't lumpy and you're thinner than most people out there."

"Thanks Pho.  I still feel like maybe I could use some help sucking in a little, ya know, I just have some extra shape."

"What do you expect Linsey?  You ARE a woman after all.  You're supposed to have curves."

Clearly she's my favorite.

And yes, I was the woman walking around Target holding shapewear, 3 boxes of tampons and some advil.

Welcome to my life.

What do you expect?  I'm a woman after all, and it's totally acceptable...just ask Pho.

My Past Life

Lucy asked me the other night what I was in my past life.  Looking at this as a moment to speak some Jesus into her life, I answered her with a very serious, "I didn't have a past life." To which she shook her head, looked at me with that sideways glance that says trouble is brewing, and whispered, "I understand, but sometimes its fun to pretend, isn't it."  As she then glanced at her little sisters and added, "for them."

OH!!!  We're in pretend mode/imagination land...sometimes it's hard for me to tell!

So, after thinking a moment I said, "Well, I was most definitely a mermaid in my past life."  Which received rave reviews from Pho and Mia.  Lucy was less than impressed.  So I added, "And I could sing too."  Which got me thinking..."I was Little Mermaid in my past life!!!"

The crowd roared with approval!!

Lucy got a serious look on her face, eyes focused, nose wrinkled ever so slightly, brow furrowed...her thinking face.  Little did I know, but she was about to take all the wind out of my sails...

"It's like you're the exact opposite from your past life.  You aren't a mermaid, you can't sing, you breathe air, you have legs, you can't get a husband, your dad is dead instead of your mom and instead of being babysat, you're a babysitter...wow!!  Everything is the exact opposite!!"  Thanks Lucy.

Everything I don't have  in this life...

The little girls and I decided that we were all mermaids; the singing sisters portrayed in the movie.  Lucy again did not like that idea..."I was not a mermaid!" she said.  Now, it was my turn to rain on her parade.  "Lucy, you were the seagull, Scuttle." Again, huge applause from the peanut(free) gallery, Pho and Mia, but huge displeasure from Lucy.

We also decided that Clover, the family german shepherd, was Prince Eric's dog and that's why she likes me so much in this life--I married her owner in our past lives.  The girls' dad (my boss) was determined to be the old butler guy...jury is still out on their mom (my boss) as we can't make her Ursula...we'd all be grounded/fired for that one...

Kids...I tell ya, they sure do make dinner entertaining!  And I thought it was going to be a boring night of homemade chicken alfredo...boy was I wrong!

Puppies vs Cats

I'm a nanny.  It's not what I do, it's who I am.

I LOVE kids.  And kids love me too.

I've been working as a nanny for over 10 years with three different families.

I helped raise premie triplets from birth till their fifth birthday.

I was with Goo and Bug from the time Goo was 2 months old, and I was the first person (besides mom/dad and hospital employees) to hold Bug when he was born...they are now 5 and almost 3years old.  The day they moved out of town (one year ago) was one of the hardest of my life.  Luckily, they have super awesome parents, we've stayed in touch and I've been able to visit them every few months, as well as FaceTime every other week or so.

I've been with Lu, Pho and Mia for the past year and let me tell you--having three tween girls is incredibly different than having two little boys.  The boys were like puppies...they waited for me by the door, jumped, circled and yelped when I walked in, sometimes they might even leave a little puddle.  At the end of the day, they followed me to the door and pressed their noses to the glass as I walked away.  I was a jungle gym, a comfy place to curl up and sleep and they depended on me for everything: if they were hungry, I fed them; if they needed to go potty, I was in charge; if they were sad, hurt, mad, I was the one to make it better.  I was licked, pawed, peed on, covered in kisses, and I loved every second of every single day.

The girls...well, they are like cats.  I have to hunt them down when I walk in the house, and nobody seems to care when it's time for me to leave.  My presence is generally only requested when someone needs money, a favor, or food.  Every now and again, I'll get someone curling up in my lap wanting love...but as it ends almost before I realize what's happening and my lap is empty once more.  I get hissed at when I request homework be done, and I must be the most embarrassing person that ever walked the earth...I'm constantly getting looked at like I stepped on someones tail.

That being said...I know they can't help it.  Girls are different than boys and tweens are different than toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners.  It's not their fault-I was the same way when I was their age-it's just a part of life.

But...every once in a great while, the cats will drop their guard and fill up my little love cup.  For my birthday they each made me a card.  I commented to the oldest (Lu, almost 13) that I loved her card because I hardly ever get to hear her say nice things to me.  I walked in the next day and this was sitting on the counter:

Here are a few of the things she wrote:

* Has a sense of humor (a good one)
* Is willing to try new things
* Cooks, and cooks, and cooks some more (and cooks some more)
* Listens to most things you have to say (non-nonsense things)

Maybe they are puppies, just disguised as cats...