Mother's Day 2008

Mother's Day is about over and it's been a nice, relaxing day. :)

I awoke this morning to my sweet hubby bringing me some yummy breakfast and coffee in bed! :)

We then went this morning to Olathe and listened to Gracia Burnham. It was so touching and I was near tears, especially towards the end when they showed a slide show of Gracia and Martin and a gal was singing this beautiful song about the love of God. She told stories from their time in captivity in the jungle, but more importantly, she simply shared her heart. She shared how she thought she was this 'strong christian' - she was a missionary afterall; however, when she was in that year of being a hostage, she said she saw herself for who she really was -- a weak, human being. She said she saw the yuck in her heart: the hate towards her captors, the covetousness of wanting food or something else that someone else had, etc. And, slowly over time God began to soften her heart and minister to her in the midst of the jungle.

She said one thing that really stuck out to Steve and I...she was talking about the young men that guarded them and she said that every day, several times a day, they'd do their sing-songy chants of passages of the Koran (muslim 'bible'). So, one day she asked this one young man about it and he was so excited and talked about how that was his favorite psalm and so she was asking him about it and what it said. He replied that he didn't know what it said, because it was in Araebic and he didn't know that language; however, he had memorized it enough and it was therefore easy for him to get through and get on with this life. She said it struck her -- how many Christians are the same way? We've heard and know certain portions of the bible and supposedly base our lives on it, but how many actually READ the bible and live by it?

She said, "In this large amount of people here, I'm sure there are some just like this young man - you're basing your life on a book you've never even read." She wasn't saying it mean, but just matter of fact with tears in her eyes.

And, that so struck me because it's so true. I know there are so many people who go to church each and every week and yet never even open their Bibles and read it. They're basing their lives on what they hear, rather than what they, themselves read and know.

I had read Gracia and Martin's story, "In the Presence of Mine Enemies", and had so much respect for her/them; however, after today and 'meeting' her in person -- I have even more respect for her. She is so humble and gentle and yet honest and vulnerable. She isn't trying to prove anything, but has gone to one of the lowest places and yet come out of it with an unshakeable faith, truly knowing and believing God is good and can be trusted even when life doesn't make sense.

We were also amazed to hear about their three children now. Their oldest is studying to be a missionary aviation pilot, just like his Dad. Their middle child is in bible college and wants to go on the mission field. And their youngest is a senior in high school. I think it's pretty amazing for what this family has gone through that the kids would even want to be missionaries themselves! You'd think they'd be bitter and angry that their Dad was killed while they were on the mission field; however, after hearing Gracia you can see that she's strived to honor God and serve Him with gladness, even at times when her heart has been breaking. It's pretty amazing how faithfully God has kept their hearts as they've walked this out the past 6 years!

You can read more about this family at: www.graciaburnham.org

So...that was a great start to our day and we're so glad we went! :)

Then, we decided to head downtown to the Plaza and go to the Cheesecake Factory! :) YUM! We still had a gift certificate from Christmas (thanks, David!), so we used that today! I had the Chinese Chicken Salad which is so yummy! :) Then, we split some cheesecake slices and brought some home. We got: Peanut Butter Cup, Vanilla Bean, and Chocolate Raspberry! :) They're so rich, so we only ate a bit of each and brought them home to have the rest later. But, it was a fun place to eat today and so yummy! We drove around the plaza more, too, and saw places that we want to go back to and try out more this summer. The KC Art museum is down there, as well as quaint little restaurants, and a neat park, etc. KC seems to have lots to do and much we have not seen! :)

We then came home and Steve let me take a 2 hour nap, while he left with the boys and took them to the library and skatepark, turned off the phones, and made sure I could rest in a quiet house -- until the neighbor decided to mow their lawn and wake me up! lol Oh well -- it was nice while it lasted, as I don't usually get naps in a quiet house! :)

And now we're just going to rest for the night and watch Extreme Home Makeover, which is one of my favorite shows. It's just kind of nice to not have to rush off anywhere or do anything major, but just 'be' today. :)

I'm thankful to be a Mom and have two amazing boys whom I love dearly! :) And, I'm thankful to have a wonderful Mom whom I also love dearly! :)

Happy Mother's Day everyone! :)