Week 1- No electronics while the kids are awake.
Other than missing a day of work due to a killer sinus infection, week 1 has been amazing.
Hailey and I got some one on one time Monday afternoon, so we got cozy on the couch and I asked her about all of her favorite things. She is amazing. Her favorite food is pizza, she loves to get ice cream on the weekends, and her favorite color (that day) was blue. Precious girl got a pillow, put her head on my lap and let me play with her hair and ask her questions. I'd say we have very similar love languages. :-)
Yesterday while Hailey was at school, Hannah and I played all day. We danced and sang songs and danced some more. We played with Rylan and snuggled a lot. She LOVES it when I put on music, pick her up and dance around the living room with her. I love it too :-)
This weeks challenge just might stick. It has been wonderful.
Can't wait for week 2! Real listening, real answers. Keep praying with me please!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
My full time job is to be a part time mom...12 Weeks of Nannyhood Challenge
That's confusing I'm sure. Let me explain. I am a full time nanny. I take care of three beautiful children for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. While I know that I am NOT their mother and never will be, I do mother them. Let me repeat something before we move on so no one freaks out. I know I am not their mother and never will be. The have a fabulous mother and father and I am blessed to be working for them and to be entrusted by them to take care of their children 10 hours a day. That being said I do mother them. If they get hurt while I'm here I kiss the boo boo. When they are disobedient, or sometimes just downright mean to each other, I discipline them. I feed them, dress, them, put them to bed for nap time, answer deep questions from Hailey that seemingly come from no where. I know Rylan's different cries and Hannah's different fits. I know what each child will and will not eat and try to come up with new fun ways to get them to try things. (I often fail at this. Who knew eating would be one of the most difficult parts of taking care of children?!)
Here is the part that stops me dead in my tracks sometimes. They know me. They know that I love Jesus. They know my heart is with them and in Uganda. They know when I'm losing my patience. They know when I'm not giving them 100% of my attention. They know when I'm not engaged at all.
Lately this has been a struggle for me. To be engaged here and now. I have so many other things happening and coming in the near future that easily take my attention.
I love my kids in a way I didn't know was possible! This family has given me purpose for the here and now which was an answer to many prayers. I am getting real life experience for raising children! I am bathed in the unconditional love of three kids every day. I want to love these children well. I want to point them to Jesus every day.
A couple new friends of mine have said something like this to me at least once if not multiple times, "live in the present while you are still in the states. You don't want to find yourself wishing for or only planning for Uganda while you are home, or home while you are in Uganda. Live in the present." That has been something I really strive to do daily but fail at some days. I want to give Hailey, Hannah, and Rylan 100% of me until I leave. I want to make sure they know Jesus. I want them to know that Jesus loves them. I want them to know that I love them because Jesus loves them. Some days I fall short of loving them well. Some days I lose my patience. Some days I just want to get through the day instead of live in the day. Sometimes, I miss opportunities to point them to Jesus. I am thankful for a God that redeems and loves despite my failures. I don't know the kind of despair I would be living in if it was up to me to be good enough. But I also want to give Him my best because He gave me His best! I am forgiven for my failures and His mercies are new every day! I want to worship Him with my best!
I have really been thinking about this over the weekend and this morning. When I put the kids to bed for nap time I got out my lunch and my phone and got on twitter (bad habit.) I came across Jamie Ivey's blog and a pod cast about her Year of Motherhood Challenge. Basically she wanted to be more intentional with her children so she made new goals for each month and set out to be a better mother. I think what I loved most about her goals is that they were simple and I could relate. One of her goals was to not be on her computer when the kids were home. CONVICTION! I so often find myself zoning out on my phone while the girls play by themselves rather than playing with them or talking to them while they play. Sure they like to play alone sometimes, but in 4 months I'll be in Uganda and I won't have the opportunity to watch them play anymore.
After reading her blog for a while and listening to her podcast I decided that this conviction wasn't going to change me unless I took action. I may not have a year but I do have 4 months (give or take a week or two) left with my kids and I want to be intentional.
I have decided to do a 12 Weeks of Nannyhood Challenge. :-)
Week 1- No electronics while the girls are awake. No phone, IPad, tv, nothing. (Except to answer texts from their mom haha)
Week 2- Actually listen to what Hannah and Hailey are saying and answer accordingly. No uh huh's and ok's just to pacify them. Real listening. Real answers.
Week 3- Be intentional with our conversations this week. Point them to Jesus every time we talk.
Week 4- Play with Rylan when he is awake and the girls are sleeping. Don't just put him in his bouncer to get stuff done the whole time. Play with him.
Week 5- Have an exciting craft or game planned for the days that both girls are home. Think outside of my box.
Week 6- Spend one on one time with each kid twice this week.
Week 7- Love them well. Be gracious when they mess up. Give lots of hugs and kisses and say I love you until they are tired of hearing it.
Week 8- Make creative and FUN healthy lunches! Think outside my usual healthy lunch box.
Week 9- Tell Hannah and Hailey that they are lovely and beautiful and wanted. Tell Rylan that he is handsome and strong. (even though he may not understand yet!)
Week 10- Say yes when I would normally say no at least once a day. (Obviously to things that wouldn't harm the kids.)
Week 11- Repeat week 7. They need to know they are loved so very much!!!
Week 12- Repeat week 3. They also need to know that Jesus loves them more than I ever could.
(Disclaimer- I DID take most of my ideas for this from what Jamie Ivey did with her children. I am not smart or wise enough to come up with any of this. Thanks Jamie for being awesome and a real life super hero for me even though I don't know you personally.)
So there it is. My 12 Weeks of Nannyhood Challenge. Jesus help me to follow through each week and not give up when I fail, because I will. Now I have to go because my kids are waking up and I can't be on the computer when they are awake!
-Callie
Here is the part that stops me dead in my tracks sometimes. They know me. They know that I love Jesus. They know my heart is with them and in Uganda. They know when I'm losing my patience. They know when I'm not giving them 100% of my attention. They know when I'm not engaged at all.
Lately this has been a struggle for me. To be engaged here and now. I have so many other things happening and coming in the near future that easily take my attention.
I love my kids in a way I didn't know was possible! This family has given me purpose for the here and now which was an answer to many prayers. I am getting real life experience for raising children! I am bathed in the unconditional love of three kids every day. I want to love these children well. I want to point them to Jesus every day.
A couple new friends of mine have said something like this to me at least once if not multiple times, "live in the present while you are still in the states. You don't want to find yourself wishing for or only planning for Uganda while you are home, or home while you are in Uganda. Live in the present." That has been something I really strive to do daily but fail at some days. I want to give Hailey, Hannah, and Rylan 100% of me until I leave. I want to make sure they know Jesus. I want them to know that Jesus loves them. I want them to know that I love them because Jesus loves them. Some days I fall short of loving them well. Some days I lose my patience. Some days I just want to get through the day instead of live in the day. Sometimes, I miss opportunities to point them to Jesus. I am thankful for a God that redeems and loves despite my failures. I don't know the kind of despair I would be living in if it was up to me to be good enough. But I also want to give Him my best because He gave me His best! I am forgiven for my failures and His mercies are new every day! I want to worship Him with my best!
I have really been thinking about this over the weekend and this morning. When I put the kids to bed for nap time I got out my lunch and my phone and got on twitter (bad habit.) I came across Jamie Ivey's blog and a pod cast about her Year of Motherhood Challenge. Basically she wanted to be more intentional with her children so she made new goals for each month and set out to be a better mother. I think what I loved most about her goals is that they were simple and I could relate. One of her goals was to not be on her computer when the kids were home. CONVICTION! I so often find myself zoning out on my phone while the girls play by themselves rather than playing with them or talking to them while they play. Sure they like to play alone sometimes, but in 4 months I'll be in Uganda and I won't have the opportunity to watch them play anymore.
After reading her blog for a while and listening to her podcast I decided that this conviction wasn't going to change me unless I took action. I may not have a year but I do have 4 months (give or take a week or two) left with my kids and I want to be intentional.
I have decided to do a 12 Weeks of Nannyhood Challenge. :-)
Week 1- No electronics while the girls are awake. No phone, IPad, tv, nothing. (Except to answer texts from their mom haha)
Week 2- Actually listen to what Hannah and Hailey are saying and answer accordingly. No uh huh's and ok's just to pacify them. Real listening. Real answers.
Week 3- Be intentional with our conversations this week. Point them to Jesus every time we talk.
Week 4- Play with Rylan when he is awake and the girls are sleeping. Don't just put him in his bouncer to get stuff done the whole time. Play with him.
Week 5- Have an exciting craft or game planned for the days that both girls are home. Think outside of my box.
Week 6- Spend one on one time with each kid twice this week.
Week 7- Love them well. Be gracious when they mess up. Give lots of hugs and kisses and say I love you until they are tired of hearing it.
Week 8- Make creative and FUN healthy lunches! Think outside my usual healthy lunch box.
Week 9- Tell Hannah and Hailey that they are lovely and beautiful and wanted. Tell Rylan that he is handsome and strong. (even though he may not understand yet!)
Week 10- Say yes when I would normally say no at least once a day. (Obviously to things that wouldn't harm the kids.)
Week 11- Repeat week 7. They need to know they are loved so very much!!!
Week 12- Repeat week 3. They also need to know that Jesus loves them more than I ever could.
(Disclaimer- I DID take most of my ideas for this from what Jamie Ivey did with her children. I am not smart or wise enough to come up with any of this. Thanks Jamie for being awesome and a real life super hero for me even though I don't know you personally.)
So there it is. My 12 Weeks of Nannyhood Challenge. Jesus help me to follow through each week and not give up when I fail, because I will. Now I have to go because my kids are waking up and I can't be on the computer when they are awake!
-Callie
Friday, January 4, 2013
I'm in awe...
Sometimes God does things that are beyond any of our expectations. Like leaving zero room for doubt kind of things. Things that cause us to stop and say there is no way anyone could ever convince me my God isn't real and powerful after this. This is one of those times!
Lets back up... The Monday before thanksgiving the IChooseYou board let me know that I would in fact be going to Uganda for 6 months in May! I began fundraising a week or two later in hopes that I would be fully funded by March or April. I sent out letters and expected to have to send another set of letters, make visits, as well as do other things to raise the support to go.
God had other plans.
My goal was to raise $12,000 to cover monthly living expenses as well as the actual travel costs.
Wednesday I received news that I am ecstatic to share with you...
I currently have $9,500 in my account!!!
I have been fundraising for only one month! I only need to raise $2500 more! And the crazy part is that I was planning on saving a total of $4000 toward my trip so basically I'm done!!!
Beyond that I have really felt like I need to have money for an emergency plane ticket saved just in case, and now that is looking like its going to happen! I know it will happen actually! God is doing this! In a big, mighty, exceeding all my biggest expectations kind of way! Praise Him!!!!! I know I shouldn't be this shocked and amazed by God doing great things but I am! Join me in praising him for what he has done!!!
Just a little side note- for those of you that still want to give please do! If I have any extra I will set aside an emergency travel fund and then the rest will go toward my next trip. If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact me.
Once again Praise God! I am humbled by this generous gift from my Father. Thank you Lord!
Lets back up... The Monday before thanksgiving the IChooseYou board let me know that I would in fact be going to Uganda for 6 months in May! I began fundraising a week or two later in hopes that I would be fully funded by March or April. I sent out letters and expected to have to send another set of letters, make visits, as well as do other things to raise the support to go.
God had other plans.
My goal was to raise $12,000 to cover monthly living expenses as well as the actual travel costs.
Wednesday I received news that I am ecstatic to share with you...
I currently have $9,500 in my account!!!
I have been fundraising for only one month! I only need to raise $2500 more! And the crazy part is that I was planning on saving a total of $4000 toward my trip so basically I'm done!!!
Beyond that I have really felt like I need to have money for an emergency plane ticket saved just in case, and now that is looking like its going to happen! I know it will happen actually! God is doing this! In a big, mighty, exceeding all my biggest expectations kind of way! Praise Him!!!!! I know I shouldn't be this shocked and amazed by God doing great things but I am! Join me in praising him for what he has done!!!
Just a little side note- for those of you that still want to give please do! If I have any extra I will set aside an emergency travel fund and then the rest will go toward my next trip. If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact me.
Once again Praise God! I am humbled by this generous gift from my Father. Thank you Lord!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone! I received one of the greatest Christmas gifts today! I got news that I am half way to being fully funded!!! God is so good! I am constantly amazed at his faithfulness. To be merely a month into fundraising and already half way funded is astonishing. God has plans that far exceed anything I could ever dream up and I'm getting small glimpses of his beautiful plans already.
I would like to give a HUGE thank you to everyone that has given so generously already! I just can't imagine what I would do without you. Thank you for letting God use you for his mighty plans.
For those that haven't given yet but want to, don't worry there is still time! If you'll look back a post or two there are instructions on how to give. As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact me!
Most of all I have a request for everyone, whether you have given or not. Please commit to being in prayer daily for me and this trip. Pray for God to be glorified in everything and for his purposes to be fulfilled. Pray for wisdom for me in the planning, transition, and my stay in Uganda. Pray that above all else His name would be made great from this season in my life. I will continue to post prayer requests as they come up but those are things I need prayer for in general.
Once again, THANK YOU! I'm just blown away at God's goodness.
Merry Christmas! Don't forget to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus today :-)
I would like to give a HUGE thank you to everyone that has given so generously already! I just can't imagine what I would do without you. Thank you for letting God use you for his mighty plans.
For those that haven't given yet but want to, don't worry there is still time! If you'll look back a post or two there are instructions on how to give. As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact me!
Most of all I have a request for everyone, whether you have given or not. Please commit to being in prayer daily for me and this trip. Pray for God to be glorified in everything and for his purposes to be fulfilled. Pray for wisdom for me in the planning, transition, and my stay in Uganda. Pray that above all else His name would be made great from this season in my life. I will continue to post prayer requests as they come up but those are things I need prayer for in general.
Once again, THANK YOU! I'm just blown away at God's goodness.
Merry Christmas! Don't forget to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus today :-)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Monthly support
I just wanted to leave some information regarding monthly support for those of you interested in this.
As I mentioned in a previous post I am looking for 30 people to sponsor me with $30 a month for at least 6 months. There are a couple ways to do this.
1.) Send in a check made out to Cypress Creek Church to:
Cypress Creek Church
P.O. Box 1357
Wimberley, TX 78676
When you send it in you could request to have a stamped addressed envelope sent to you monthly to send in checks.
2.) Automatic Bill Pay online! Most banks will allow you to go online and set up an automatic bill payment monthly. Follow the steps and set it up to be sent monthly to:
Cypress Creek Church
P.O. Box 1357
Wimberley, TX 78676
**Put my name in the memo!!!
A lot of people have expressed interest in this option because you won't have to remember to send it in every month!
I hope this answers your questions about monthly sponsorship!
Thanks!!!
As I mentioned in a previous post I am looking for 30 people to sponsor me with $30 a month for at least 6 months. There are a couple ways to do this.
1.) Send in a check made out to Cypress Creek Church to:
Cypress Creek Church
P.O. Box 1357
Wimberley, TX 78676
When you send it in you could request to have a stamped addressed envelope sent to you monthly to send in checks.
2.) Automatic Bill Pay online! Most banks will allow you to go online and set up an automatic bill payment monthly. Follow the steps and set it up to be sent monthly to:
Cypress Creek Church
P.O. Box 1357
Wimberley, TX 78676
**Put my name in the memo!!!
A lot of people have expressed interest in this option because you won't have to remember to send it in every month!
I hope this answers your questions about monthly sponsorship!
Thanks!!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The adventure (officially) begins!
The adventure officially begins! I will be moving to Uganda for 6 months in May. I am overwhelmed by the amount of love and support I have already received! Thank you!!! I could never express to you how much it means to me to have friends and family join together to support me like this. A few people have asked for details about the trip and how exactly they can help so here is some basic information.
I will be raising support for the majority of this trip. I am saving money for a large portion of it but there is just no way I can completely fund myself. I am going to be asking for at least 30 people to commit to sponsoring me at $30 a month for 6 months. Sponsors will have the option to give monthly or pay $180 up front to cover the 6 months. If that is not something you can do right now but you still want to give you can always give a one time donation toward travel costs. I don't have an exact amount needed for travel yet but I'm guessing somewhere around $2500-$3000. All donations are tax deductible! Make all checks out to Cypress Creek Church and attach a note with your name, address, phone number, and my name. Don't put my name in the check! Only on the note you put in the envelope. Send all checks to:
Cypress Creek Church
P.O. Box 1357
Wimberley, TX 78676
If you have questions please feel free to contact me. Above all else I am asking for prayer, prayer, and more prayer!
Once again, I am humbled by the amount of love and support I have already received. I just can't say that enough. Thank you!!!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
I am living
I am living. Really living.
I have to confess, some days I feel stuck. Like I'm just sitting around while the rest of the world keeps going. This could be credited to not having a job at the moment, feeling purposeless, or sheer laziness. Probably a combination of the three. It's ugly really. To think that even a second of a day could be wasted. To think that I've made that choice could completely hinder me from moving forward, or catapult me into moving because I know the sick taste of idleness.
Thankfully our God is a Merciful God. Thankfully He knows the plans he has for me, plans for hope, and a future. Plans to prosper me. Praise Him.
Tonight, as I was on Facebook of all things, I was reminded that God hasn't left me here. Instead, He has put me here. He has put me in a community full of people that are letting The Lord speak and move through them to literally shape me. I want to tell you a little bit about them...
God has given me a treasure of a friend, sister, and shoulder to know me and love me still. She lets me tag along with her and her husband and never once makes me feel like the awkward third wheel. She prays with me, for me, and even despite me sometimes. Our friendship is permanent. I know this because it has walked through many living hells and it's still intact. I am blessed.
God has given me an amazing mentor, discipler, and friend to walk with me through things I might not have the strength to even whisper to anyone else. When the valley of the shadow comes she tells me to go to the throne before the phone. Then she meets me at the throne and prays and walks with me. I am blessed.
God has given me a crazy wonderful sister to have life with and lead with. She thinks that somehow I teach her, but I promise you it's the other way around. She has taught me so much with her passion for obedience. God has graced me with her beautiful voice, musical talent and passion for loving others well. Let me be the first to tell you that she does, in fact, love others very, very well. I am blessed.
God has given me another fabulous sister to share life with and lead with that is just out of this world. She has so much joy and passion and is fiercely beautiful inside and out. Her honesty is a breath of fresh air and challenges me to be honest as well. I am blessed.
God has given me a brother that leads so very well. His passion for the gospel and making sure every eye sees and every ear hears is like nothing I have ever seen before. He challenges us to seek The Lord and to lead well daily. He prays for us, with us, and for us again. He is there when we have hard questions and always takes us back to the word. I am blessed.
God has given me another brother that really does lead well. He is genuine and honest. He keeps us entertained always and blesses us more than you could imagine with his musical talents. He has a gift for leading people into worship, straight to the feet of Jesus. I am blessed.
I am not stuck. Far from it. I am living. Really living. God has given me so much! I have a spiritual family that blows my mind, and together we are allowing The Lord to use us to change lives. Will we always be here doing this? No. One of us is probably moving soon. I am probably moving shortly after that. People will graduate and move on, but I will always be blessed by these people and this season The Lord has given me.
I know I didn't mention names but I'm pretty sure you all know who you are. Thank you. I am going to miss you all so so much when God calls us elsewhere. Thankfully we're not there yet. :-)
I have to confess, some days I feel stuck. Like I'm just sitting around while the rest of the world keeps going. This could be credited to not having a job at the moment, feeling purposeless, or sheer laziness. Probably a combination of the three. It's ugly really. To think that even a second of a day could be wasted. To think that I've made that choice could completely hinder me from moving forward, or catapult me into moving because I know the sick taste of idleness.
Thankfully our God is a Merciful God. Thankfully He knows the plans he has for me, plans for hope, and a future. Plans to prosper me. Praise Him.
Tonight, as I was on Facebook of all things, I was reminded that God hasn't left me here. Instead, He has put me here. He has put me in a community full of people that are letting The Lord speak and move through them to literally shape me. I want to tell you a little bit about them...
God has given me a treasure of a friend, sister, and shoulder to know me and love me still. She lets me tag along with her and her husband and never once makes me feel like the awkward third wheel. She prays with me, for me, and even despite me sometimes. Our friendship is permanent. I know this because it has walked through many living hells and it's still intact. I am blessed.
God has given me an amazing mentor, discipler, and friend to walk with me through things I might not have the strength to even whisper to anyone else. When the valley of the shadow comes she tells me to go to the throne before the phone. Then she meets me at the throne and prays and walks with me. I am blessed.
God has given me a crazy wonderful sister to have life with and lead with. She thinks that somehow I teach her, but I promise you it's the other way around. She has taught me so much with her passion for obedience. God has graced me with her beautiful voice, musical talent and passion for loving others well. Let me be the first to tell you that she does, in fact, love others very, very well. I am blessed.
God has given me another fabulous sister to share life with and lead with that is just out of this world. She has so much joy and passion and is fiercely beautiful inside and out. Her honesty is a breath of fresh air and challenges me to be honest as well. I am blessed.
God has given me a brother that leads so very well. His passion for the gospel and making sure every eye sees and every ear hears is like nothing I have ever seen before. He challenges us to seek The Lord and to lead well daily. He prays for us, with us, and for us again. He is there when we have hard questions and always takes us back to the word. I am blessed.
God has given me another brother that really does lead well. He is genuine and honest. He keeps us entertained always and blesses us more than you could imagine with his musical talents. He has a gift for leading people into worship, straight to the feet of Jesus. I am blessed.
I am not stuck. Far from it. I am living. Really living. God has given me so much! I have a spiritual family that blows my mind, and together we are allowing The Lord to use us to change lives. Will we always be here doing this? No. One of us is probably moving soon. I am probably moving shortly after that. People will graduate and move on, but I will always be blessed by these people and this season The Lord has given me.
I know I didn't mention names but I'm pretty sure you all know who you are. Thank you. I am going to miss you all so so much when God calls us elsewhere. Thankfully we're not there yet. :-)
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