7:20 p.m. Today's project was to get together with as many of our children as are in town for Steve's birthday lunch/dessert. Our oldest son Sean is out of town, and Steven is in Toronto with Muscletech. My dad joined us along with Heidi & Pavel and Heather & Nick, for a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon, Kriss and Marisela, sans puppy Penny (who was at Marisela's mom's house) came by from Long Beach.
Heather gave Steve the Star Trek movie; my dad had given him a check; and Kriss brought an Abercrombie & Fitch flannel shirt, along with a dozen gourmet cupcakes. Steve has been quieter now, with trouble finishing sentences, but he loves to pop out some hilarious one-liners. Upon viewing a strange, knarled iron vine at the restaurant, we all were trying to figure out what the sculpture was supposed to be, and shouldn't it have more leaves? Steve said, "It's not getting enough sun!" We rolled with laughter.
"Children are the heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward," Psalm 127:3 says, and we heartily agree from experience. But in their chosen fields of endeavor, how is the Lord rewarding my children's diligence?
Sean is finishing his automotive certification and works in home restoration. He will be remarrying in April, to an ICU nurse, Pam. Their kids are all the same ages so we are looking forward to this blessing! Steven is going forward in the bodybuilding world, runs a PE program for mentally retarded adults, very active in youth ministry, and a senior in college. Heidi is a teacher, and her fiance Pavel is a social worker; both have post-graduate degrees and are active in children's church leadership. They are being encouraged by the pastors to consider more of a commitment in future.
Heather and Nick had a neat announcement today. If a planned job advancement goes through for Heather, Nick will be able to quit his job, complete his master's thesis, spend time in ministry for their church in a liaison position that is right up his alley as an urban planner, and take a city internship. Eventually, when his profession is established, their dream is to allow Heather to be at home pursuing her photography full time. They are also very active in church ministry, especially in their giving. In a clear connection I see between giving to the Lord first and letting Him advance one's life, they may be looking at buying their first home next year! Hear Malachi 3:10:
"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts. "If I will not open for you the doors of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."
Kriss and Marisela are establishing themselves in the urban setting they love, even if it is expensive to get a financial foothold in their first year of marriage. But they are finding small successes and deals on a regular basis, and are keeping their obligations current. Marisela is looking to find a better job, and Kriss is deciding whether to stick with his comapny, huge retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, long enough to move up to District Manager, or, get a less stressful job and have time to pursue his music. Maybe this is the time for his wife to go back to college and get her teaching credential! Kriss is considering a change in career as well, maybe police work--Mom' ll be praying!
In their own way, each of our kids is growing in their marriages, marriages-to-be, careers and ministries. Each one thinks and plans differently for today's economic environment, staying true to their own gifts and talents, and true to their God. Missteps and mistakes will occur, as they did for us in the older generation. But with the Lord going before them, my children can expect a richly rewarding, exhilarating ride, with the love of their life at their side!
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