Beyond Bringing Up Boys

Do you all remember when I wrote this on August 3, 2007? Last night I found myself wandering the halls of the unknown …searching for the boys’ classrooms and meeting their teachers. So far I am known by this; "Ohhh, you’re Dr. Balty’s wife." Usually the conversation plunges into the possible (probable in one case) misuse of the English language and that David might somehow discover these errors and like any good teacher, return the paper with big red circles. "Dr. Balty’s wife" isn’t a title that I mind. In fact, I still look instinctively for David’s mom when someone says, "Mrs. Balty." So as proud as I am to be "Dr. Balty’s wife", "Zachary’s mom", or "Samuel’s mom," among friends I am known simply as "Amy." And I look forward to hearing that again. Today was the second time I went to Bible study at church. To meet other moms of all ages is such a blessing. And everyone uses my first name! I’ll try to write a li...

We had heard so much about “Atlanta” traffic that one the of biggest issues was choosing a house near the school in our price range. We are so fortunate to live only 2 miles from the school-especially this morning. The morning routine began smoothly. Zachary likes to be sung to as he awakes (I hope his wife can carry a tune) so I began my little performance. Seth sang too but thought singing, “ tickle, tickle, tickle” might produce more results. It did, in fact. Check. Samuel is usually the first up and dressed and ready to go(sometimes by 6 AM). Check. Seth rides in his jammies. Check. Lunches, backpacks and time to pray at the table before we walked out the door, 10 minutes early because David had called at 6-ish and said that traffic from the interstate had been detoured to the three lane state highway next to our subdivision. Check. I knew it was a problem as soon as I pulled on to highway 42. We sat. And sat. And sat some more. Samuel suggested that maybe we should start honk...

I know you must be thinking, "Beth Moore, Beth Moore, Beth Moore." And in the same tone that my kids use when they say, "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." I just have to share something else Beth talked about in the Daniel study, specifically from Daniel chapter 6. Three ways to react in an emergency: We can panic. We can become paralyzed. We can pray. I'll admit, often for me it's panic followed by becoming paralyzed. When I listened to this portion of Beth's teaching several weeks ago, I thought, "Yep, that's me, alright." I do pray but it's not my immediate response unless a panicked, "God, help me!" counts. I wanted to be different but I wasn't hoping for application soon. Today, instead of letting my imagination makes images of places that are not healthy for me right now, I have taken every thought captive, and PRAYED. I can feel your prayers, I really can. Like Daniel I want to practice a holy habit long enough th...

I’m learning that God never fails to prepare us. In Beth Moore’s teaching about the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace from Daniel 3,she says this: When facing the fire, #1 Pray for deliverance from the fire The benefit: Our faith is built #2 Pray to be delivered through the fire The benefit: Our faith is refined #3 We can be delivered by the fire into the arms of Jesus The benefit is faith that is perfected. This was several lessons ago but it has stuck with me and I am so glad. Friday I had a doctor’s appointment and in that visit I learned that I have a growth 2 inches by 2 inches on my right ovary. I will have further testing next week. But I’ll be honest I’m praying for deliverance.

It is dark and rainy here in Georgia but we are very thankful for it. Our water supply is limited and the trees parched. But Saturday dawned blue and beautiful--perfect for a day trip. I deserted the house early--even leaving beds unmade-- a rare promise of a leisurely pace to Tallulah Gorge and yard sales. The 2 yard sale promise fulfilled and a spontanteous stop at North Georgia Premium Oulets was permitted, if not encouraged. "What do you think, 30 minutes?" David asked, hopeful (when we arrived at the outlets). That is, afterall, roughly 9 seconds per store. Who would want more? It was a fun 30ish minutes-- but a half a day and lunch with some friends would be perfect. Another day, maybe. Tallulah Gorge was beautiful. 1000 steps to the bottom and we made it back up--to tell the tale. Even little Seth did more than half of the steps himself (don't worry, we'll go back and get him- lol-kidding!!) As usual, Samuel led the way down and back up--resting only a...