Letters to Lead You Home
Letters written from a momma to her two teenage daughters.
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Things have changed…
May 18, 2013
Dear Lauren and Lydia,
Ok…lots of things change, but in particular today I’m talking about your kitchen options growing up vs. mine.
Today I was at the grocery store perusing the produce section looking for odd things like water cress and bok choy and I realized how very different your childhood is than mine.
I grew up on carrots and celery, corn, peas and green beans, occasionally squash, especially in the fall. I grew up on apples, bananas, and oranges.
Girls in your kitchen right now you have
blueberries
strawberries
raspberries
blackberries
apples
pears
nectarines
kiwi
lemons
oranges
limes
bok choy
celery
carrots
broccoli
brussel sprouts
baby spinach
baby greens
kale
coconut
pineapple
honey dew
watermelon
canteloupe
grapes
mushrooms
potatoes and sweet potatoes
beets
tomatoes
And I might have missed something. All of this is fresh. Oh and throw in some mint leaves too 
I’ve got to the place where walking produce sections has become akin to what flower shops used to be like for me. At this point…I don’t buy many flowers…they’re all already planted and growing fine
I’ve purchased a great blender and juicer and we are good to go eating fresh stuff.
I’m not going to say it’s cheap…but just like I felt like I improved my whole block when I landscaped my yard…I feel like I’m giving you and I life when I buy healthy food out of the produce section.
I realize you don’t get all pumped up about all of it. But you are at least trying more and finding that you like some of it
I am so looking forward to the produce that will come from our own garden and also going down to the Farmer’s Market this summer and various other produce stands. Who knows…maybe I’ll even take up canning or something exciting like that
I never, never dreamed that I would be a ‘don’t buy processed, boxed food person”. When everybody else was talking about chemicals and bad stuff for you, I kind of just swept it under the rug. I’m still not a purist by any means. But in my own way…I’m making major changes. Which means by default…you’re making major changes
I hope that after all of the years of going to fast food and making other bad choices…I can correct some of those habits and set you both out on a life time of healthiness with your own families. This is my small way of choosing life for you and I.
I tried to get all of the produce out to take a picture for this blog just because the colors and textures are so amazing…but it became too much and I just put it away. But honestly…fruits and vegetables, produce stands…might as well be art. That’s how amazing God is. Even our food is beautiful.
Looking forward to many, many fresh made meals and drinks this summer!
Love your momma who just spent her favorite part of the week, Saturday morning at the produce section. I have a feeling that might just become habit
Voice Lessons and Psalm 23
May 16, 2013
Dear Lydia,
I’ve been teaching you voice lessons now for a couple of weeks. You have such a lovely voice. And you know how to read music. You take delight in good phrasing, dynamics and tempo markings. Seriously…I wish I had been as good as you are when I was your age. You have God given talent.
I have a Sacred voice book. I haven’t used it on any other students yet. I’m sure I will at some point…but I kind of feel that kind of thing out a little before I just thrust it on a student. But for some reason, when it came to teaching you I pulled that book out, opened it up and chose for you to sing the very first song based on Psalm 23. I had never even heard the song before. But I knew I loved the Psalm, so figured, I’d have you go for it.
The words are old. Lots of dosts and e’ens and thous and other various old words. The song is not easy. It changes key and has long phrases requiring great breath control. You’re doing a lovely job on it. Someday you’ll have to sing it for your grandparents, they would enjoy it.
The music side of me is proud of you for learning the song. The real life person that I am is hoping the words will stay with you forever, even though they are old.
I love Psalm 23. That Psalm has comforted me and calmed me, given me peace and direction and hope in times that were scary or hard or overwhelming.
I love the imagery of God leading us beside the still waters. And the fact that even though I walk through the valley of death I shall not fear for God is with me. And how He’s preparing a table set before me in the presence of my enemies. Every phrase, every image, is beautiful.
When you learn scripture with a song set to it, it will stick with you for life. I have no idea when you might need it…but someday I think the words you’re singing in voice lessons might just come back to you and give you what you need. Comfort, Hope, Direction, Encouragement, Peace.
Soak in the truth of those old words Lydia. The Lord is your Shepherd…you shall not want.
Love your momma who enjoys listening to you sing with your beautiful voice such timeless words and melody. May it stay with you forever.
Empty handed love
May 15, 2013
Dear Lauren and Lydia,
It’s been a doozy of a week. It would appear that sleep is kind of essential to the welfare of our family life. We lost a bunch of sleep over the weekend…for good reasons, no regrets, but we’ve been fighting to recover ever since. Maybe by this weekend.
As a result…I’ve been more stressed than usual. Or at least more than what I would like to think is usual. It could also be the fact that my surgery bill came and it was unexpected and dental work had to be scheduled that was unplanned a month ago and the air conditioner is acting not so great and my scooter is still being repaired at what expense I don’t know. It’s just money. It’s ok. But…these things cause me stress. It could be the fact that I’m still teaching all day and then going home and doing another job, teaching lessons at night. Which is great by the way. I’m grateful for the lessons…but it’s a lot right now. Who knows…none of it is earth shaking stuff. Just stress, weary, back breaking kind of stuff. It will pass.
Lydia…you’ve had your own stuff going on this week. You and I have had nightly talks. We’ve had lots of opportunity to work out our difficulties:) You haven’t felt good. And various other issues…and sometimes we just go head to head. Which is hard when you only have one parent. No tag team to take the next shift. No break for either of us.
Lauren…you’re just trying to finish homeschooling. You’ve done well all year…but now are getting a little bogged down in the finishing and you’ve got me on your back. Lovely isn’t it?
In the midst of everything God is doing a work on all of us.
Lauren…when you identified yourself as the elder son in the prodigal story while walking through walmart last night and felt remorse I knew that God was speaking to you. I didn’t have to say a word. Although…I’m sure I did, just because that’s what I do.
God is reminding me to trust Him. To not panic. I often think that I have to do it all alone, nobody has my back. Sometimes He has to remind me that He has my back.
Lydia…God is teaching you to sort through the lies that play in your head. He’s leading you to truth and love. Not easy…so much easier to buy into lies.
We’re so close to another weekend. So close to the end of another school year. We can do this.
I wonder if we might just try to do really small things for each other out of love and kindness if the effects might be earth shaking in our home No big goals or plans. I can’t add anything else on right now. But small acts of kindness…I think I can do. I know they would seem huge to me from you two.
We love each other…more than we can possibly ever express…sometimes we just forget how to be the first to love. To excel in love. Our own stuff gets in the way.
Nothing is more important. I believe that at the core of me…yet sometimes I get distracted. Especially when I’m tired and stressed.
Love your momma who has really empty hands this week. I don’t feel like I have much to give…but still want you to know that I love you no matter what. Always will.
