In Honor of Public Schools

We are well into our school year here in the Stobbe Household. The children have found their groove and are in a decent routine: homework, sports, and music. Keeping things organized is the key. Okay, okay, 'somewhat' organized. We have moved to the marvelous school district of Conroe ISD where Doug and I believe our children are getting a tremendous education. Over the summer I came to realize the next time my children (currently 3rd and 5th) are on the same campus again will be in year 2016-2017 when my son is due to graduate. This is no big hill for a climber, so I did what any sane parent would do. I embraced the adventure of school buses. The Wheels on the bus go round and round....oops, that's for another time.

I have found there are those among us who will always find something to complain about when it comes to public schools. But, then again, are they not the same ones who will find a way to complain about anything? Being reared in the home of a school superintendent and a public school teacher surrounded by extended family members representing all facets of public education, it stands to reason that I am a defender of public education.

Now, I understand and respect my friends who have chosen private schooling and/or homeschooling. Pitting these types of schools against the public system is not what this post is about. This is about coming around our public school educators who show up day in and day out and pour their time, energy and lives into our kids.

When I came across this phone recording from a school in Australia I applauded! It is a fine message to parents everywhere. It is worthy to note the students of this particular school worked on a variety of messages and voted this one as the best. Please, take a moment to listen, to appreciate, and then to thank your area public school officials.

No school is perfect, and yes, I realize there are some teachers who would do well to find a different line of work, but most teachers want to be there to help our kiddos. Let's honor them. Let's also do our level best to rear respectful responsible students.

Here's to a GREAT school year!
Julie

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
- Philippians 2:14-15 (New International Version)

Revisiting Re-routed Rites

Do you ever go back to look at old journals? If you are not a writer, do you like to go back in your mind and revisit particular memories?

I did that this morning and wanted to share a page from a journal dated over 3 years ago. The entry is dated May 24, 2006.

May I have a moment to bless you? I mean really bless you?

As parents, we go through various rites of passage. When my children were younger it was getting them through the diaper stage, then graduating from the high chair, then using “grown up” plates and utensils, potty training...the list is endless. Today I would like to share a rite of passage with you. It is the rite we all know as vomit.

Currently I am in full blown “end-of-the-school-year” madness. You know, the time of year when the cosmic calendar collides in all directions: ball games, school parties, birthday parties, pre-school graduation, musicals, more school parties (haven't we had enough?)... The time when it is humanly impossible to be six places at once. And let me mention, we are supposed to not only attend all of these gala events, but we are to do so with genuine smiles gracing our lips while carrying a set up pom poms showing our never-waning spirit.

This morning was to be one of the calmer mornings. I had plans to attend only one of my son's school parties (a luau, ugh!), but my little girl threw up in the middle of the night. So, at 1 a.m. I was thinking, “Now, how am I going to pull this off? Who is going to want to babysit a vomiting 5 year-old?" This was probably just a short-lived bug, but I could not take her with me. I declined my son's festive occasion and knew I would be at home – where I should be. The lei went back to the closet.

After dropping Connor off at school, Katherine and I went to get some medicine at the store. She carried a little plastic bowl with her in case she got sick. She did not want to make a mess. What a lady! We made it through the store and all the way home without an incident. The Lord and I exchanged a spiritual “high five” and I thanked Him profusely for getting her through this particular outing. Safe in the garage I got her out of the car. Everything seemed fine. I should not have counted those pesky chickens before they had hatched.

Turning to get my purse from the front seat I realized my mistake. As if in slow motion from the corner of my eye, I saw Kate crawl back in the car. “Why is she getting back in the car?” I wondered. Then I saw the tell-tale signs of tension grab her little body. She proceeded to vomit all over the inside of the car! Timing and location are everything.

This is a good time to point out that this is a brand new car; not a 'new to me' kind of car, but a 'brand spanking new vehicle right off the lot' kind of car. I have driven it for all of 2 months.

So much for the new car smell.

I stood looking at her retching all over the back seat and envisioned my husband, red faced, hands balled into fists, shaking and proclaiming, Why now, Why the new car, Why me???? Trying to hold back the laughter from that thought, I reached to pull Katherine from the car. My laughter was interrupted by a new realization. Katherine had crawled back in the car in order to reach for her little bowl. What a precious little girl. She was trying to do the right thing - to vomit in the bowl. It never occurred to her that the place she was emptying her stomach might prove problematic.

As I wiped wisps of golden hair back from her face, I reassured her that she would be okay. I softly whispered to her how much I appreciate her and that she is such a gift to me. Now we are cuddled together waiting for the uninvited bug to run its course. I have extra time with my little girl. We are going to share a cup of Sprite together. Isn’t God good?

I have passed this rite of passage! The vomit-in-the-new-car didn't succeed in ruining my day. God also reminded me that sometimes my best laid plans for a day may get re-routed! After all we must learn to roll with the punches.

When I close my eyes I think I can see God smiling. Or wait, is that a smirk?

Beach Bums

Summer means all sorts of things to different people. Stobbe summers mean sand between the toes, creative sand creations and body burials, tackling the waves with boogie boards, feeding gluttonous sea gulls, reading books poolside, and fierce card game competition.

We enjoyed some of these special moments recently at one of our favorite beaches: Port Aransas, TX. It's a quaint little fishing town, so don't be looking for the high-rise resort condos. 'Port A' as it has affectionately become known, is home to great times, touristy shopping and is also home of the legendary Pat McGee's surf shop. While growing up, it was all the rage to own a T-shirt from this well-known store. Sadly we discovered it is no longer open. :(


One of our favorite activities is waking early to walk down and catch a glimpse of the sun making its daily appearance on the horizon. We relish the quiet time listening to the waves gently crashing on the shore while eating a couple of powdered donuts. This is pretty well the only time we eat those addictive little morsels, and it's interesting to note the children think one cannot go to the beach without powdered donuts. Ha!

After lots of sand, sun and waves we would break our beach camp and head to the pool. After becoming duly waterlogged we headed in to clean up and fix feasts for dinner and to prepare for card and domino mania. This year was an unmatched frenzy of epic proportions. A good time was had by all!

Now that school has begun, I find myself thinking back over the memories we made this summer. Port Aransas tops the list in my book. Do you know why it is was so special to me? It was special for all the reasons I have shared before, but more importantly because I got to share the experience with my birth mother. 40 years ago, Alyson placed me in the loving arms of my parents. She created a home for me. She could have chosen differently, and well, my life certainly would have been different.

Many people don't understand adoption and often think of it as abandonment or that a birth mother 'gives up' her baby. Whatever people may think they often do not realize or understand the depth of love these women possess for their children. They love their babies and want what is best for them. In this case, providing parents for me through adoption turned out to be the greatest choice. And because of this choice, my kids are able to play with, talk to and love on Alyson and her husband Rusty. They are better known as "G-Mom" and "G-Dad."


Just look at the smiles around that table! I wish you could have heard the uproarious laughter that was the common background music of all our activity. This is a shining example of how God can bring about great things from seemingly very negative circumstances. Praise God for His goodness, for His redemptive power, and for His priceless grace. And I thank Alyson for her courage as well.

Adoption provides a legacy of life that affects generations. My children's smiles are living evidence.

Summer beach bummin' spent with family. My, oh my, how grateful I am...
Julie

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream!!

Can you hear the little jingle in the background? Something like, "Blue Bell, the best ice cream in the country!" We do our fair share to support this fabulous creamery. We should probably own stock in the company with all we consume.

In fact, when my son was a toddler and when asked if he wanted ice cream would respond, "Does the carton have a cow on it?" If there was no cow then he would politely decline the scoop. Now THAT is some good ice cream. What kid do you know who will refuse ice cream? I call it discriminating taste.


A couple of days ago the kids and I took a road trip and ended up at the Blue Bell Headquarters in Brenham, TX. We were looking for a fun outing that wouldn't break the bank. Blue Bell delivered! Their factory tours are $3 and include a generous scoop of ice cream in their quaint parlor at the end of the tour.


Not only do you see the process that produces this delectable dessert, you get to walk through their country store which boasts all things Blue Bell. Aprons, scoops, bowls, stickers, mugs, etc. There is something there for everyone! And they have these great little complimentary paper ice cream hats for all to wear!



So, if you are looking for a fun field trip, take a drive up 290 and cut off at Loop 577. Just beyond the Coco Cola factory you will find a great little country creamery waiting for you.



For my friends and colleagues not fortunate enough to reside in Texas, and may not be aware of Blue Bell, let's just say...move over Ben & Jerry's. You can't hold a candle to the cow!

The Fruit of Our Labor

"I wonder what these are, Mommy," she whispered. It was hot, and I was tired as we sat on the floor of the garage looking through a newly discovered sack of seeds. Inside we found several packets still sealed, easily identifiable and ready for planting. Yet, floating at the bottom of the bag were a half dozen seeds of unknown origin. What kind were they? How long had they been in there? Was there life still within the seed? We had not a clue what they were but quickly decided these would be the seeds to plant in one of our pots.

I silently wondered if we were embarking on a doomed experiment.

Pushing aside these dismal thoughts, we set about our work pouring soil into the pot and carefully placing the seeds within the fresh dirt ending with a cool drink of water. Then we waited. And we waited. Within two weeks we saw sprigs of leaves poke their way through into the sunlight. Major excitement erupted. Over the summer we watched the leaves grow taller and fuller, but no flowers came. My daughter fought her disappointment while I attempted to provide encouragement by explaining 'these things take time'; not what an 8 year old wants to hear. Or a 40 year old, for that matter.

Just about the time we quit looking for petals we were surprised with a flicker of hope that a bud was forming. We watched the bud develop and then squealed with delight when it finally opened. Not only were we excited to be able to identify the flower as a viola we also felt rewarded for our patience.

This entire process holds spiritual significance as well. Often times we plant seeds with others skeptically wondering all the while if they will ever take root and eventually bear fruit. A gentle reminder from the Lord came.

We are to simply be about the business we are called and equipped to do. Plant the seed, water the seed and allow time for it to grow.

We cannot cause another to embrace Christ, but we can give him/her the opportunity to hear, thus planting a seed. The Holy Spirit will then take the seed and and nurture its growth. Most assuredly this will take time.

"Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor." John 4:36-38

What a blessing to be a part of harvesting souls for the Lord! Are you on the lookout to cast the seed of the Gospel? Christ followers carry the seed of faith at all times. Be prepared to plant. Caution: just as it is messy to garden physically it can also be messy when dealing with humans! Be watchful so as to water a seed previously planted, and certainly be ready when the Spirit chooses you play a part in the harvest of seeing one saved through faith. Incidentally, there is great freedom and joy in realizing when we are about the Father's business it is never a doomed project. God knows what He is doing and His seed always carries life within it.

Got your gardening gear on today? What are you going to plant?



A joyful sower of both earthly and eternal seeds...

Co-laboring,
Julie

Life Saving 201

Last week I had the privilege of presenting a workshop at the Texas Life Connections conference called Life Saving 201 in Dallas, TX. For more information about this event please visit the Act of Life blog.

Hope you are enjoying your Friday afternoon! Yes, oh YES - it is the weekend!

Blessings to you and yours,
Julie

Stobbe Wildlife Preserve

The pendulum has swung and it has done so with great velocity.

We recently relocated from the arid Tall City of Midland, TX to the tropical forest of The Woodlands just north of Houston. I am not sure we could have chosen a more opposite climate or a more drastic difference in scenery.

Let me make one thing clear: I like Midland. Too many people sigh or roll their eyes when they think of West TX. They only think of enormous and plentiful tumbleweeds or dust storms that can be like blackouts. While those things are an ever present reality, that is not all that makes up West Texas. I have never seen such beautiful sunsets and sunrises as when I lived there. And by 10:30 p.m. vast shimmering skies emerge sporting sparkling stars as far as your eye can see. I encourage you to see first hand the rugged beauty of this part of our great state.

The first picture shows what our back yard looked like: wide open West TX desert. It was a never-ending playground and fort constructing paradise. Our children loved digging, collecting some of the coolest and largest bugs I've ever seen, and playing out wild adventures.

Then the change and an embracing of a new adventure....

Now we are cataloguing birds of a different feather, so to speak. Birds a plenty! Our back yard is home to all sorts of feathered friends. Blue jays, robins, finches, sparrows, cardinals and owls! We have thoroughly enjoyed watching two sets of cardinals build their nests, lay their eggs, feed their young and teach flying lessons. All this viewed from our back porch!





We've also found a friendly turtle, a long (and I mean long) garter snake and insects of all sorts that keep us marveling and reaching for empty jars. National Geographic could do a special on our nature preserve with little effort.





Just yesterday we made a great discovery. You know that color in your 64 Crayola pack named "robin's egg blue"? Well, guess what? It is aptly named - we found a recently vacated egg shell and made the comparison. Crayola is spot on!


The squirrels are as big as wallabies - oh, I forgot, we are in Texas where everything is big - and quick on the draw.



And any wildlife preserve worth its weight will have reliable park patrol. Our family dog fills this important role nicely. She is forever on alert, tracking newcomers or giving the squirrels and possums a run for their money.

If you call and get the answering machine, chances are I'm out in the back with my camera at the ready looking to capture the next species on film. Want to come 'sit a spell'?

Lemonade or iced tea - the choice is yours.
Julie