Earthquakes and tsunamis

Last night, I happened upon a documentary on the earthquake and tsunami damage in Japan. Normally I would've just changed the channel to one of my "shows." Instead, I just sat there and was in awe of the intricate design of God's creation, the earth. Science has always been fascinating to me so it was interesting to hear what scientists had to say about everything. I had no idea that there were over 500 aftershocks in Japan, some were even greater intensities than the initial one!

After looking at a map of the plate tectonics lying beneath Japan, I counted not 2, not 3, but SIX plates! The pressure released by the movement of one plate caused the earthquake and the movement of the ocean floor created the waves of the tsunami. The release of pressure from one plate probably created more pressure onto one or more of the neighboring plates. To me, Japan sounds like a ticking time bomb!

I'm definitely no expert, but have always seemed to love geology. I wondered why I never pursued that.....

Anyway, watching video footage of the tsunami acting like a big glacier, tearing up the city beneath it and gaining more power as it pulled more of the wreckage into its path, I struggled with my emotions. The scene captivated me. I couldn't imagine people being in there. Yet, they showed the aftermath and how the Japanese were putting flags in the mud and debris to mark the deceased. I was so saddened and still can't imagine what those people are going through. It's so easy to forget about something that happened on the other side of the world. It's even easy to forget about something that happened yesterday. Talk about desensitization in our society. Sure, the newscasters will show some photos of homeless Japanese men and women amid the aftermath. We'll feel bad for them, but will we really think about how their world literally came crashing down on them? Sometimes I feel helpless -- but then I'm reminded of the power of prayer.

Praying for the Japanese -- that this be a great opportunity to learn more about Jesus Christ and how God can provide for them and comfort them during this time of distress. May God soften the hearts of the Japanese and plant seeds of faith through any believers that they encounter. Lord, just be with these people. They need you so much right now.

*Sorry if this seemed so scattered. Some of my thoughts were lost from last night into today. Other thoughts just kept coming back and I needed to write them down. If you're reading this, please join me in continued prayers for Japan.

Pulling out my hair at times

Parenting is not always easy. Sure, the kids can be very sweet at times, almost angelic. Yet, they have their moments where they like to push your buttons and see how far you'll go. Empty threats of discipline followed by sitting in the corner on the "naughty chair," being put on yellow or even red light, losing special privileges.... I just need to find something that works. Yes, I'm talking about my little boy. Lately, he has been a lot more sassy and has either lost his sense of hearing or is choosing not to listen to mommy and daddy. He's even been teasing a kid at school and doesn't always listen to his teachers. This is not the same kid I placed in 4K at the beginning of the school year. I'm hoping it's just a phase that will pass by.

The other day, I felt like a failure of a mother. I can't control my own kid! But... I have to remember that he has a mind of his own and I won't always be able to control his behavior or the words he says. It was easier when he was littler and acted so sweet and innocent almost all of the time. I'm not ready to be a parent of a 4 and 1/2 year old! Well, I'm ready, but apparently not very well prepared. I guess Caleb will just have to be the guinea pig like all first-borns. I'll probably make some mistakes along the way. (Hopefully nothing too serious! haha) Someone reminded me that Caleb is a pretty good kid most of the time so I must be doing something right. He just seems to act up so much when I'm around that I tend to see the not so angelic side of my little guy.

I've been trying to pray a lot more for my children and also for my parenting. It seems to help a little, but at the end of the day, I still feel like pulling out my hair!

Does anyone have some good ideas to reinforce positive behavior / discipline? I feel like I've tried everything. Maybe I'm lacking consistency with enforcing our current "policies". Either that or I need to try something new and start from scratch.

Well, that's my rant for the moment. Sonya has been teething lately and just whines a lot throughout the day so that probably doesn't help my sanity much. Thank goodness she is taking a morning nap today! I better get a few things done while she's sleeping! Over and out!

The more I pray...

It seems that the more I pray, the more God challenges me. I've been praying a lot about the house that He has in mind for us. Sometimes I wonder why He even lets me get my hopes up about certain houses... only to have them crushed when we learn that the house has an accepted offer or they've taken their house off the market. Yesterday was one of those days of disappointment. I'm learning to just trust that God knows what's best for us. When I look back on some of the doors and windows that He has closed, I realize that maybe that house wasn't quite right for our family. It's still possible that a window or door might open up again. He might be doing some work with the seller's family that we don't know about.

It's funny how I've started praying for complete strangers. Tim suggested that we pray that the buyers on a house we liked would win the lottery or get a really fantastic job in another state so they'd have to pull their offer on the house and we'd be next in line since we put a secondary offer on it. On another house, I'm praying that a woman gets to keep her job and/or they are able to still qualify for a loan on the house that they have an accepted offer on. They have a contingency that they have to sell their house first before they can go forward with the closing on their new house. Who knows? Everything might fall into place so that we still get one of those two houses. Otherwise, it's a new day and we saw two more houses that we can tour. Which direction does God want us to go? We'll find out.... eventually.

For now, I'm just trusting that God will continue to guide us even though at times I feel like I'm on a wild goose chase trying to find a needle in a haystack. I'll find that needle one of these days. :-)