Bigger Picture Moment: I Am a Steward

I am beginning to understand...

These are not my children, they are God's and these children are more than just a gift from God, He has entrusted me with their well-being.

I am a steward. I have been given wards to raise, nurture, teach, lead, and utterly love. My children are God's children, given to me so that I may care for them.

That's a pretty big responsibility.

When I look at my children through these eyes, I begin to change the way look at them, the way I speak to them, the way I love them.

I ask myself, how would God speak to them? Especially when I feel I'm being harsh. Or raise my voice when volume is not needed. {These are also the times I thank God for not talking to me that way.}

Rules still exist in this house, there is still discipline, as I fully believe we need rules and limits. God even gave us rules by which to live {remember the 10 Commandments?!}. Paul told us of the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. {Gal 5:22,23}
I feel he could have been yelling, "Rose, pay attention to this!!"

So everyday, I thank God for this chance to serve Him, for this awesome challenge. For is there a better way to show my love for Him than by loving them?!

A Little About Me

{because I know you're dying to know more about me...}

I was tagged by my lovely friend Ally to answer the following questions.

1. If you could have any superpower, what would you have? Why? Teleportation! I decided that years ago when I was in the Middle East. I didn't mind being there {volunteered to go} but would have loved to be able to go home on the weekends. Now with my friends and family being spread to the far reaches of the world, I would again, appreciate such a power.

2.Who is your style icon? My sister! She's trendy in a non-trendy sort of way. She's chic and sporty, classic.



3.What is your favorite quote? "The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot protect you." Author Unknown {I know this is not a direct quote from scripture, if you know who deserves credit for this quote, please enlighten me}

4.What is the best compliment you've ever received? A couple weeks ago, my husband came home from work and told me I was doing a great job with our kids and our house. I don't know if it's the best compliment I've ever received, but I sure needed it, more than I knew at the time. And just today, when B spelled "DAD" with the letters on the fridge, he told me it was a testament to my work with her.

5.What playlist/cd is in your CD player/iPod right now? I have a 6 disc CD changer in my van, the CDs are as follows: Simon and Garfunkel, WOW Worship 2010 {both CDs but I do prefer the first}, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Disney songs.

6.Are you a night owl or a morning person? Night for sure, I only get up early if I have to!

7. Do you prefer dogs or cats? Either or neither, depending on the day. With the life we live, a cat is easier. Never knowing where we're going to end up next, what the climate will be... We've told B we'll get a dog when Daddy gets out of the Navy. I'm hoping this will be the next member of our Clan. Her name is Cookie {named by my nephew}, she's currently a ward of my mother's. We spent this past weekend with her, the girls love her and she loves the girls!



8.What is the meaning behind your blog name? I started My Clan as a way to keep my family posted on our lives as we travel wherever the Navy sends us. Somehow it has morphed into what it is today, an outlet for my poetry or ramblings. It's my therapy, writing, that is.


And now is the time I tag others, 8 others, really?!

Robin at The Misadventures of Jack and Luke
Kamryn at All Pop No Corn
Lindy at Mrs. Rogers Neighborhood
Callie at Mia Bella Vita
Diana at Little Pieces of Me
PJ at Confessions of a Sugar Addict
Elizabeth at The Strahan Clan

I'm following Ally's lead, I will be leaving the 8th spot open. If you follow my blog and would like to participate, please do so and share your link in the comments below.

Oklahoma Trip

Definite signs you're at Yaya's and Papa's.


The sound of little feet running through the house.

Kids chasing kitties, kitties chasing kids.

Endless horsey rides. (oh my aching knees)

Gold fish and bananas for breakfast.

Extended bedtimes. (Utter lack of bedtimes)

Slumber parties in the living room floor.

Sleeping in! (Til 8:30)

Colorful band-aids for pretend boo boos, and for real ones.



*****

Definite signs you're home from a long weekend at Yaya's and Papa's

Very little in the house to eat, total lack of fresh fruit and veggies.

Suitcases still packed and laying open on the floor providing clean clothes to be grabbed in a hurried effort to get out the door on time.

Allergies! Nice dry, cool weather in OK; hot and humid in MS.

Dreading driving anywhere after spending 14 hours in the van the day before.

*****

We had a great time in Oklahoma visiting my parents. We had wonderful weather and enjoyed sitting outside chatting. The girls were wonderful on the ride, their resilience amazes me sometimes.

The Sunday Creative: Illuminate

This mornings prompt instantly conjured two of my favorite verses. As I couldn't possibly chose between the two, I wrote for them both.

********

Lost and wandering through unknown lands
Searching for a path, something familiar
Wading through the shadows of the dark
Alone
Cold
Affable sounds echo in the distance
Supporting words breaking the silence
Determination holds its head high
Alone
Darkness wanes under the threat of Hope
Confidence grows as prayers are answered
Never Alone
Whispered in a wanting heart

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

********

Colors slowly shifting o'er the sky
Orange splendor greeting the day
Casting out shadows of darkness
Morning comes anew
Bringing Hope to the faithful
Brilliance in Light illuminating the world

Prov 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

A Rambling Reply

A reply to Sarah's post (I found I was rambling so I thought I'd share it here).

While I have no actual snapshot to share my snapshot...
The day began about 30 minutes earlier than Momma would have liked but both girls were up early, prodding me to get out of bed.

Since yesterday was a grocery day, Little Bit was all too pleased to see apples almost spilling over their crystal home (don't ask me why I keep my apples in a crystal bowl, I needed a bowl and it looked pretty). One pealed for Little Bit and one washed for Big Bit, I congratulated myself on putting off breakfast for a few more minutes giving me a little more wake up time.

But alas, I forgot, apples = energy! I discovered how quickly I can put on a pot of coffee.

Armed with my cup of joe, I sat back and watched my girls rediscover a clean sun room, with all toys put away in their proper homes (I had a busy night last night).

I finally put them at the table with their breakfast and enjoyed some facebook time while they ate.

We've been enjoying a non script day.

The Sunday Creative: Orient {or Reorient as it were}

Thank you Madeline, this was especially challenging and fun.





Walking down a path
Staring at my feet

Seeing the sky reflected in the ground
A mirror

Feeling much like Alice
Can I simply step through

Walking upside down
Life is feeling lighter

Still on the path
But is it truly the same

Step by step
Wondering and wandering

Which side is real
This path or the other

Is this reality
Still upside down

Although lighter
I see happiness on the other side

No happiness here
No sadness, no joy

Can I simply step back
Like M.C. Escher stairs

Reoriented
Right side up
Right side up

Bigger Picture Moment: A Joyous Moment

Welcome to Bigger Picture Moments, a weekly writing event sponsored by Bigger Picture Blogs. We welcome you to join us in finding the Bigger Picture amidst the hectic, everyday craziness in your week.



I really didn't have a Bigger Picture Moment this week and I thought I'd have to keep looking for inspiration and hopefully have something to share next week. But to my glorious surprise, today happened.

*****

The heat and humidity bring out my inner introvert. I'm really only outgoing and independent when I have to be. Most often I would choose to curl up with a Jane Austen book I've read dozens of times instead of being out hobnobbing with others.

Unfortunately for my children, when the inner introvert rears it's shy face they become house-bound, spending yet another day hold up in this bastille called home. The big one often asking for friends, the little one often driving her sister crazy.

Today was a bit different, today we got out. B asked if we could go to the park and since the heat index hadn't quite reached triple digits, I agreed. We didn't stay long, but we got out and I got inspired. {Hopefully tomorrow's post.} Like I said, it was a short trip because the heat index did quickly reach triple digits, and back to the house we went.

The girls quickly ate and went off to play, leaving me alone at my computer {ah, such a dream}, or so I thought. It wasn't long before I heard Little Bit grunting in frustration. When I got to her room, I immediately saw the cause of her distress, a container a bubbles, sitting high upon her dresser far out of, not only her reaching arm, but that of her sister's as well. She emphatically signed "pleased" and how was I to resist those big blue puppy dog eyes.

Out came the bubbles and utter joy ensued.

It was in that joyous moment I realized my children are going to be just fine. I'm not doing them a world of harm (as I sometimes feel I am) by staying in doors. And even though B might want to see friends, she gets along great with her sister. I was reminded, in that moment, that I am truly blessed.

These precious angels are mine!





On a side note, we don't stay in all day, everyday. We get out and do things. I'm just tired of being the one to ask a stranger we just met at the park or in a store if they want to get together for a play date. I know God has good things in store for us and I feel our lives will be changing soon, my girls and I might even get tan, although I doubt it (so much sun block!).