(If the slide show effects are distracting, click on the show and you can view just the pictures. Sam and Spencer prefer the effects!)
Posted in theReynoldsFam
“You came to this planet to be remarkable. You do that by being yourself, using your gifts, and shining your light. … It is your obligation to swing for the fences. Whether or not you make the home run is beside the point.”
I just returned home from meeting with a friend. Tara, not her real name, works here on the Northeast side of Madison, we’ve been getting together occasionally for the past 3 years. Today Tara shared with me some of her dreams -things she wants to do with her life. Among other things, she wants to conquer her fear of roller coasters and learn to ski before she is 25. She is thinking about her life and wanting to make the best of it. As I listened to her talk, my thoughts went on a path from “she is so young, plenty of time” to “she is on the right track, how can I be a part of encouraging her” to “if she just does what is on her list now, and then makes another and another, she will end up just where she belongs.” Tara, as many of us are, is in a battle with the voices that are telling her what would be a good use of her life, what would indicate success. (She should be getting married and having children – that would be a good use of her life.) Real or imagined- those voices can be real “dream killers”. Tara will be on the right track if she knows what she is about and sticks to that. We are not all meant to live the same life. We all have dreams, they take on many different shapes. I have many conversations about dreams, goals, and how to we ought to live our lives out in relation to them. It is a passion of mine to see people relating properly to their dreams and not giving up on them and allowing them to die. I love to see dreams released. That is where I see the glory of God.
I left our meeting feeling encouraged. We discussed taking another step on this journey together, I committed myself to pray for my friend. I arrived home with my sails full. I opened the door to the sound of a house full of boys playing – and waiting for lunch! The wind was picking up. Then, as we popped the pizzas in the oven, Gene delivered a couple updates regarding our progress in partnership development for our next adventure. As he did, the wind just seemed to disappear- just that fast. Now, with my sails luffing, “in irons” I sat.
Now, while I have not become an avid sailor, I did learn a little something that has been useful to me in life so, here is a a little sailing lesson:
Being ‘caught in irons’ refers to a boat sitting at, or very nearly, head to wind with sails luffing and no forward motion. Left alone any boat will eventually drift out of irons with a 50-50 chance of coming out on a desired tack. here are a number of situations which can cause a boat to go into irons, the most common of these is a failure to complete a tacking maneuver. o bring a boat out of irons under control it is necessary to examine the effect of the rudder. A rudder generates steering forces by virtue of the flow of water along it’s surfaces in the same manner that lift forces are generated by the airflow across the sail surfaces. So, if your sail is not taking you forward, look to what can – consider another tool, the rudder in this case
Did you know that Levi and Strauss began making durable clothing because they weren’t making enough selling their tents to miners? Did you know that Milton Hershey wen bankrupt before he started making chocolate bars? When one dream dies, another will be born in its place, if you don’t give up.
To establish a network of life-changing, reproducing communities of Christ followers both locally and globally that impact their communities as they live out the Kingdom life.
We will not give up, we will move forward – we’ll position the rudder, do the work of getting ourselves out of irons. We will work hard and do the next thing. My latest life coaching mentor and author Vicky Moran says this, “you don’t have to do it all today, buy you do have to do today’s share.” My friend Lavon said to me today, “Just do the next thing, don’t project yourself out so far”.
So, when you are sitting in irons, the wind and the sail is failing to move you forward, consider the rudder. What gifts, what advantage, what skills do you have to get you moving forward? I am glad to have mentors, friends who believe in us. Today, God sent a friend who despite her own exhaustion, picked up the phone when I send up my flare. Our major advantage: We are kids of the most High King! We are certain of our calling. So, Sail on!
Thanks for sitting in on my therapy session… this one comes free.
Posted in theReynoldsFam
If you have or want to have horses…there is a great property – in Illinois -for sale! If you have horses, or would like to have horses, it’s an ideal place to live! Check it out!
2915 207th St N – Port Byron IL 61275 (Click here for map)
Move your cursor over the pics for descriptions.
O.K. So, my parents who live in Illinois are preparing to relocate -to Tennessee. “What a coincidence!” you may say. (We are also trying to sell our home in hopes of one day moving to Nashville.) They are moving South to be outside, enjoying their equestrian life all year long. Another coincidence, my sister and brother-in-law are also moving their family to Tennessee, when they sell their home (Moline, IL). That’s right! They are hoping to live within an hour or so of Nashville. So, the move we were making away from family – at least it won’t be all family. Cool, ey?!
So, if you know of anyone who lives in Illinois – or would enjoy relocating – this property is a great find!
(Reply in the comment section if you need more information and we’ll get it to you.)
Please pray with us that all of our homes sell soon and we can move into our next adventure!
Advanced Life Support Provider certification is a very intense, anxiety producing process. If you have test anxiety, which I do, this is one of the most adrenaline saturated days imaginable. Even for those who work with this stuff every day, it’s nerve racking. You would think that there was really a life at stake when the testing begins. Well, maybe that is the case – it’s just not the dummy lying on the table that we are hooking up to monitors, intubating, defibrillating… It’s the RN who is now tachycardic (heart racing) herself and finding it hard to breath, or think as she drowns in adrenaline. Needless to say any more, I learned a lot and it was worth the celebration when it was over. I have now been certified in adult and pediatrics – the running of codes in my sleep is beginning to subside (post traumatic stress).
The rose was from my wonderful husband – it probably should have been me getting him a gift for putting up with me the days leading up to this course!
Posted in theReynoldsFam
We spend a lot of time playing baseball. The boys are playing on the Madison East Little League – and having a great time! Their current ambitions are in playing catcher, and maybe pitcher (we are thinking if they stick with it, there may be college scholarships involved).
If playing isn’t enough, Spencer has been designing his own bats, gear and glove. Tomorrow we put a design idea in the mail to Mizuno. To view the design, go to Spencerlanium.com
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Sit on the soccer side lines …or at a play ground, a ball field…be around kids for very long and you are going to have a child run up to you with a bloody nose. Nose bleeds are often scary looking. The sight of blood, and sometimes there is a lot of it, can cause children and adults to panic.
Nosebleeds are usually not as concerning as they appear, especially if the child is running toward you when you first witness the trauma.
I post this only because I am often surprised that our instincts are not always correct in treating nosebleeds. So, if you haven’t ever been told – you probably lean the child back, hold the nose tight and put an ice pack on it. Well, two out of three is not bad, but we can do better.
No nose blowing. Doing so can cause additional nosebleeds. Tilting the head back will cause blood to run into the throat. This can cause coughing or choking, and if a lot of blood is swallowed, it could lead to vomiting.
If you’ve tried the steps above twice and the bleeding continues after 10 minutes, you’ll need to see a nurse or doctor. You may want to call a nurse advice line, this may be treatable at home.
If you do have difficulty getting the nosebleed to stop, once it has stopped don’t do activities that cause you to strain, and don’t blow your nose for 24 hours. Also, keep your head elevated above your heart as much as possible. If the child returns to play, don’t be alarmed if the bleeding does in fact begin again – it may just mean that the clot has been dislodged. Begin the process over.
Juli, RN, Soccer / Baseball Mom
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Today, although I think I have a good understanding of the word “patience”, I looked it up in the dictionary. We have been saying the word often. An eager 10 year old steps up to the plate with the intention of hitting one out of the park, “patience!” the coach shouts from the sidelines. Waiting for our meal to be delivered at Monty’s Blue Plate diner, patience. Kids standing at the door, ready to go to the park to play ball, patience. Waiting for our realtor to call, our house to sell, to know when this next adventure begins, “PATIENCE”.
I read what the dictionary says about the virtue we call “patience”. I then decided to take a look at a couple other sources of wisdom. Paul said that he had patience, “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance…” I stopped looking in the Scriptures when I couldn’t find a reference to patience that was not in the face of hardship and persecution…or simply waiting – on God. I looked at YouTube – watched the whole video of Guns N’ Roses – Patience. (Do they have two songs called “Patience”? This was probably an older song.) Good song. Another angle, about the process of patience, good to consider.
Patience – the capacity to accept or tolerate delay.
- Everything comes gradually and at its appointed hour. –Ovid
- Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content. – Helen Keller:
- Genius is eternal patience. -Michelangelo:
- Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. -Saint Francis De Sales
English Dictionary
www.Parents.comDictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) – Cite This Source – Share Thispa·tience[pey-shuh
–noun
1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.
3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.
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