forty-six candles

So this is most likely what the 46th birthday looks like for a lot of women and moms. But here's mine on this auspicious 17th day of November:

Laundry.  I washed and hung about two loads today.  Fortunately, it's November so it's not Philippine summer I'm working in. In other words, nobody's sweatin' puddles to keep the house in order... not even me.  Not even while drinking the coffee that husband brewed, doctored up with cream and xylitol, and then served his greying wife. I'm surrendering to the fact that there are now wisdom twigs showing up staring back at me.  Mirrors have a way of reminding one of their reality.

Dishes.  Well...., yah.  At daybreak the sun rays did kiss the sink full of dirty dishes because that's what happens when I choose to go to the other side of the city and watch Faith Academy Varsity games at Brent, the night before, while husband treats younger kids to pizza and ice cream for supper. Fortunately, the kids were awake this morning so it was very easy to summon them to a few house chores and dishes being one of them.  I don't do all the work.  They have to do half (if not most) of it. It's a win win really. I get many breaks and they grow up to be responsible adults more than capable of taking care of themselves when they graduate and leave home.  The first two college boys are well organized in their college apartments.  They know how to keep their space clean and how to tend for themselves in the kitchen. 

Designated driver.  High school girls have high school banquet related social activities of sorts going on today.  But this year I got lucky.  Only one of them needed a ride to her activity which will be followed by other activities.  

Sermon Prep. Husband is swimming in the Logos software and other tools trying to prepare for the teaching he was assigned for tomorrow. Thus, the reason why I'm the designated driver and why there are no expectations for him to share in house chores.  

Domestic referee.  Someone has to keep the 18 year old, 17 year old, 12 year old, six year old and the three year old in perfect harmony.  Snicker... chortle. Otherwise there's high volume chaos with far too much blame getting thrown about.  Oreo found an abandoned hello kitty balloon outside so now Leia has decided it's hers.  It would be a crime to let the boys take ownership of the female-ish pink colored pocket of air that has no ability to escape her ...vertically.  That was the tamed conflict.  I'm sparing readers details of the more juvenile-not-too-aggressive theatrics.

THANKFUL !!!!

I may not have pictures of myself soaking up the sun on a million dollar yacht or whatever.  Who really cares?  There's millions of women/moms who don't get to do half of the above because their lives are more about making it to the next day and wondering where the next day's food is going to be coming from for their kids.  I get to be part of God's mission which involves other women seeking his face and searching for his truth.  Join me in praying for all the women around the world.  Let's pray together for those desperate for their own safety and for that of their families.  Let's pray for women being persecuted.  The Christian woman for her faith. The lost woman for the oppressive faith of others.  Let's pray for women fighting for their lives because of terminal illness.  Let's pray for the women conflicted on personal and medical issues that will determine the fate of their unborn children.  Let's pray together for sisters around the world. Young and old....and in between.  Let's pray for them all.