Wednesday, November 19, 2014
On seasons, and sweetness, and SEVEN
Fall entered so gracefully. With wisps of leaves falling here and there and a little blonde girl tooting her horn on how Fall means her celebration. September came in tiptoes of school starts and lost teeth and simple party planning. Her big day, done in her style. A FROZEN party (mostly) planned herself and (mostly) decorated herself. FROZEN, because she's a committed Elsa fan. Fiercely loving all thing Elsa colored, Elsa drawn, Elsa sung, Elsa Elsa Elsa.
Life is sweeter and richer with this girl in it.
So, I obliged and she took to the wind with plans.
In seven years of loving this one, she's taught me as much, probably more, as I've passed on to her. Like creativity. And loving even when you're wronged. And seeing the best in people. And, in recent days, how my actions as a mama are reflected in her nurturing. Wow. I don't write this lightly- Annabelle has a LOVE for babies and toddlers that is fierce and strong and gentle and constant. She takes care of Emmalee in my stead, often, and I watch with wonder sometimes. Her gentle disciplining. Her kind hand in teaching. Her mama-heart. Annabelle draws out in me the desire for God's hand in every single moment of my mothering. Because, folks, in the end I'm not just having fun being her mom and planning Frozen birthday parties with her, I'm shaping a mother of the future. An arrow to be shot and used to further The Kingdom of God in her own family. And that's huge. It's everything. I can't do it on my own. It's just too big. I need God daily, no - hourly as I walk this high calling as a mom.
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As gentle and sweet as Fall came in, it got booted out with a kick and a shove.
Over a week away from Thanksgiving and it looks like January in our backyard. And we are loving it. True North Country children, we are. The snow welcomes the quiet and the clean. It ushers in coziness and rest. It means watching with wonder as the snow falls, building an igloo in our backyard, and drinking hot cocoa. We are thankful for each season in this rich community. Each time we venture into another season I can't help but think how much I love raising my children here. So, on this eve of Thanksgiving week we're living in the sweetness of God's richness, thanking Him for seven years with the firstborn, spunky girl, five with the imaginative boy (the heir to this Dowling throne), the approaching 2nd birthday with the lively baby girl, and in awe of each season He has fashioned.
Heather Dowling at 9:09 PM