Treasures in the Dark

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Rivers (3) was inconsolable. He wanted Mommy and Daddy, and he wanted them now! In the darkness, at 1:30 a.m., I took his tiny hand and crept down the steps to the guest bedroom where we wouldn't disturb his sleeping brother and my husband.

After 30 minutes of failed attempts to soothe his soul, I finally turned to prayer. "Father, help me. Show me how to comfort my little grandson."

Moments later a sentence popped into my head. I scooped Rivers into my arms and said, "I'm thinking of fluffy white clouds shaped like elephants." Immediately, he calmed down, so I forged ahead. "I'm thinking of a fuzzy puppy licking my face. I'm thinking of --"

Rivers jumped in. "An airplane!" He sat up, fully awake now and engaged with the game. "It's dark out there," he said, gaze fixed on the window.

"Yes, but look at the beautiful moon, one of God's gifts at night," I countered.

Satisfied, he continued with the game. "I'm thinking of a frog," he said, crooked grin in place.

I thought surely a couple rounds of this would gently ease us both back to sleep, but not so. The game went on for close to an hour. The last I remember, I was drifting off to the imaginary sun warming my face and the ocean waves lapping the seashore.

When my eyes popped open, Rivers was nestled against my side with his arm draped over me, and light shone through the window. At last, he stirred and rubbed his eyes. Yawning, he sat up. "It was dark last night, Grandma."

"Yes, it was, but God gave us treasures in the dark when we thought of all those fun things . . . fluffy clouds, fuzzy puppies, airplanes, frogs, and so much more!"

What started as a stressful night for both of us turned into a special time as we refocused our thoughts on good and lovely things, just like Philippians 4:8 teaches.

What a reminder to me that in the dark days, God offers His treasures if I will look for them.

As James 1:17 says, Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow (NASB).

Saying Goodbye to Grandchildren

The end of an era is upon me, and I feel sad. Happy, but sad. Happy for the rich memories accumulated in the last year and a half as Chuck and I have housed missionary family. What a treat, and what a treasure to have children who love and serve the Lord around the world!

But with that comes the painful separation times. But with that also comes the wonderful "Welcome Back" times. 

How much we've packed into this past year . . . 

Grandkid Circus with Grandma

Backyard fun

Picnics

Dress up

Tea parties

Box creations

Beach reunion

Museum trips

Drawing together

Games

Hide & Seek

Pumpkin carving

Home schooling

Christmas decorating

Ministry

Yard sale lemonade stands

Laughter

Tears

Pillow fights

Cousin joy

Travels

And funny sayings from the mouth of the grandkids. Gabe alone has provided me with close to 130 unique quips! Here are a few . . .

Gabriel and Daddy were shopping in Walmart when an old lady came up and started oohing and aahing over Gabe. Then she turned her attention to Matt and struck up a conversation. She said her goodbyes then walked away.

Gabe looked up at Daddy: "Hey, I was still talking to her!

~~

Gabe loves to make up stories. The other day, I asked him: "Now Gabe, is this a true story?" "No," he replied. "It's a lie story.

~~

On the way to church yesterday, Gabe sat in the backseat holding an open testament, going on at a great rate. "For the strength of the power of the Lord, in the banana, of the discipleness of the Lord. Acts 1:8a, and the lion ate his face, and in the love and thankfulness of the Lord. And I will demand you to my father's mother, and ankle bites. The End. Can I take this book inside?" 

~~

While helping me trim the yard, Gabe (3) said, "I'm a strong man, Grandma. And I'm a patient man. And sometimes, I'm a rude man." 

Well, that's just a few of the things Gabe has said over the past year and a half. I sure will miss all his cute antics, but I'm so glad I took the time to write down the stuff that comes out of his mouth.

Life is full, and I'm so blessed to be a grandmommy! Even when it means saying goodbye. I'll always treasure the fun times we've shared and pull out all those cute sayings now and again to encourage my heart and bring a smile and a chuckle. 

Perhaps you'd like to join in! If so, my kid quip book, Out of the Mouth of Gabe, would make a wonderful gift for the mom or dad in your life. And for you! Check it out at the following location:

Out of the Mouth of Gabe 

 

Grandchildren: Those Cute Things They Say!

The end of an era is upon me, and I feel sad. Happy, but sad. Happy for the rich memories accumulated in the last year and a half as Chuck and I have housed missionary family. What a treat, and what a treasure to have children who love and serve the Lord around the world!

But with that comes the painful separation times. But with that also comes the wonderful "Welcome Back" times. 

How much we've packed into this past year . . . 

Grandkid Circus with Grandma

Backyard fun

Picnics

Dress up

Tea parties

Box creations

Beach reunion

Museum trips

Drawing together

Games

Swimming

Camping

Hide & Seek

Pumpkin carving

Home schooling

Christmas decorating

Ministry

Yard sale lemonade stands

Laughter

Tears

Pillow fights

Cousin joy

Travels

And funny sayings from the mouth of the grandkids. Gabe alone has provided me with close to 130 unique quips! Here are a few . . .

Gabriel and Daddy were shopping in Walmart when an old lady came up and started oohing and aahing over Gabe. Then she turned her attention to Matt and struck up a conversation. She said her goodbyes then walked away.

Gabe looked up at Daddy: "Hey, I was still talking to her!

~~

Gabe loves to make up stories. The other day, I asked him: "Now Gabe, is this a true story?" "No," he replied. "It's a lie story.

~~

On the way to church yesterday, Gabe sat in the backseat holding an open testament, going on at a great rate. "For the strength of the power of the Lord, in the banana, of the discipleness of the Lord. Acts 1:8a, and the lion ate his face, and in the love and thankfulness of the Lord. And I will demand you to my father's mother, and ankle bites. The End. Can I take this book inside?" 

~~

While helping me trim the yard, Gabe (3) said, "I'm a strong man, Grandma. And I'm a patient man. And sometimes, I'm a rude man." 

Well, that's just a few of the things Gabe has said over the past year and a half. I sure will miss all his cute antics, but I'm so glad I took the time to write down the stuff that comes out of his mouth.

I suppose some of you are wondering what ever happened to the Wit & Wisdom from the Wee Ones project. It's still in the works! Slow going, but still coming. That book was in the works when Gabe was a mere babe, but I gathered so many cute sayings from my other grandchildren at that time. Who knows, maybe I'll compile a sequel. :)

To date, we have seven grandkids! With two foster grandchildren. 

Life is full, and I'm so blessed to be a grandmommy! Even when it means saying goodbye. I'll always treasure the fun times we've shared and pull out all those cute sayings now and again to encourage my heart and bring a smile and a chuckle. 

Wit & Wisdom from the Wee Ones is a collection of cute quips and quotes inspired by Eileen’s grandchildren. Along with other contributors, Eileen cracks the door to the whimsical, 

yet often wise world of the child.

Lean in close . . . you may just hear God’s heartbeat.