We went letterboxing with Bobby yesterday without ever leaving the house. And Bobby all the way up in Michigan! While the other guys worked Bobby visited nearby Ludington State Park where I'd found there were many, many LBs hidden. (FYI, he's not a slacker - yesterday was Sabbath. He actually wanted me to find a meeting for him to go to, but most listings we've ever found for Sabbath keeping groups are, um, let's just say not options.) We don't have a laptop, with or without WiFi, all we had was the phone. So, I printed up a map of the park and all the clues here at home and put everything in order while he got some supplies at the store. He'd left home without our family's rubber stamp, ink pad and LB notebook. He passed on making a new stamp and just signed with an ink pen, though he did get an ink pad and memobook to capture the stamps he found.

I have to say it was quite an interesting day. We were on the phone about half the time he was at the park (good thing his cell worked out there!), guided by my instructions to "look for a bench on your right" and "head 240° about 30 paces until you reach a fallen tree" and that sort of thing. There were some slightly frustrating moments when the directions were vague and he couldn’t find what I was describing. We were having too much fun to be discouraged and I dare say it added to our enjoyment. "A short way farther there’s a distinct tree bent toward the east. Here you’ll find you prize." Apparently there were many distinct trees and they were all bent toward the east!  Frustrating on my end to not be able to help more, "Could that be it?"  "Maybe it means down there..."  All I could offer was what was written on the page!

If it was a bit of a hike to the next LB we’d get off the phone and he’d call me at such-and-such trail marker and we’d proceed. I think even the kids had fun tracking Daddy’s movements on the map and several times I’d have him describe what he was seeing. The kids and I would do our usual thing between calls... reading or playing or eating or whatever. Not exactly usual, because my back is still out and I’m having to spend a good deal of time lying down. But it was a beautiful day here, mostly sunny and in the mid 70’s with a cool breeze. We spent some time lounging outside in the sun reading "Little Women." Just started it, never read it before, but of course I’ve heard lots about it.

This back pain is somethin’ else. God sure knows how to get my attention. I’m a total Martha and it seems he has to hurt me to get me to sit quietly at his feet like Mary. All week it feels like I’ve been in training. When sitting still I’m in the habit of contemplating my next move. I look around me and see all the things that need to be done and I formulate plans. I really think God is guiding me to be still inside. When I find my thoughts turning to what color I hope to paint a particular wall or where I want this fence or how I intend to bed down the garden this fall... I now catch myself and turn my thoughts to him. With a deep breath I’m able to let the "things" go and just enjoy being still, being in his presence. I pray more. I intercede for my brethren, for the lost. I enjoy the blessings around me (contentment) instead of planning their future, whether kids or walls or barn or land. I’m also learning to be thankful for my various infirmities, rejoicing in them even, instead of growing discouraged. Not easy (especially in this cooler weather when I want to do things).

I know I have help that I can call on, but so far the kids have been tremendous helpers. It’s amazing to learn just how much work your kids are capable of when you can’t do it yourself...

Some more thoughts on yesterday...   What a wonderful heart-changing God we serve! The first few years of our marriage Bobby was not a homebody or a family man. He spent as little time at home as possible and when he was home he wasn’t "here." It was TV or movies or video games. His spending the day with us long-distance yesterday is an example of how God has turned Bobby's heart toward home (my caller ID holds 30 IDs and they all say "Bobby" - except for one wrong number - how funny is that?). It makes me cry to know what a different man he is and how much he loves us. If I could share our whole story here, you’d cry, too! I can’t even hold it against him when he doesn’t want to go to work some days... I do struggle with this, but find peace turning it over to God. In Christ I can marvel that Bobby would rather be at home with us and in Christ I can enjoy being with him on those days. In the flesh I get upset that I can’t make him go to work, that my day doesn't go as planned, and I get anxious about the bills. Anyway... he’s a good Daddy and a good husband and God has done sooooo much in his life, even if not in fast, dramatic ways.

Yeah... I’m learning some important things in my "down" time this week. So what if the dishwasher’s broken and the garden is full of weeds and the barn is unfinished and there’s oatmeal all over the floor and it hurts to move.... My heart is full and I am grateful.