I love blogs and the themes that they have. I love the way I can read almost anything written on The Good Women Project and know that lives are being changed. That is right. A blog is changing lives. How cool is that? So, if I could have one theme for this post it would be the GREATNESS of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and living as a child.
Here are some wonderful, crazy, and hilarious things that have happened to me the last few weeks when simply living with children 24/7:
*9 kids and I are upstairs. We hear these words, "KIDS GET DOWN HERE! THERE IS A RAT IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM!" After much yelling and jumping around, a plan was eventually made. Mimicking Canadian hockey players, a team was formed by placing one person at each open doorway with a broom ready in hand. An object was thrown, and the rat began its fearful journey. He scurried across the floor only to be side-swept into the wall. Then, the next attack occurred when The Grasshopper, age 12, swept the creature like a puck across the floor. The rat then proceeded to jump 3 FEET in the air (no lies) and out a hole in the screen covering the window. I will for the rest of my life remember these tactics when trying to defeat evil rodents in the house. I will also forever remember that jungle rats jump. HIGH.
Always remember to work in teams. Especially, when there are scary, furry, yellow-eyed creatures involved.*On Friday, some Board members for Jungle Kids for Christ came to visit. They graciously offered to take us out to get pizza. A year ago, I would have not been too terribly excited about driving in a car for 40 minutes to get some pizza. HOWEVER, living in the jungle for a few months changes that attitude. I have never seen so many happy faces. Kids were jumping and screaming "PIZZA!!!" for at least two hours before we even left the house. It was a grand event.
Always remember to get excited about the little things in life. Jumping up and down and screaming can be wonderful too.*Over the last week, Little Miss Ariel and I have had a lot of fun reading The Jesus Storybook Bible (I definitely suggest kids and adults get this book. I had a wonderful friend give it to me). I love watching her reading or listening to the stories. She is absolutely fascinated. We read the story of Moses and the Great Escape from Egypt a few evenings ago. The thought of water turning into blood and flies absolutely disgusted Little Miss Ariel. She wanted to know more and more about each character. I have read that story many many times, but I have never imagined what it would have been like if I had been living in Egypt. Have I ever stopped to think of the feelings and thoughts of the people? Have I ever thought what it would be like if I had frogs jumping in my house, kitchen, bed, hair, and chocolate cake? No. I am pretty sure I haven't. I want to start wondering, thinking, questioning, and empathizing more when I read these stories from God's Word. They are pretty amazing.
Always remember to read each story from The Bible with the same fascination as a child reading a bedtime story. And eat a snack while doing so.*There was a huge storm on Saturday. If there was ever a day when I would say it was raining cats and dogs, this would have been it. We were cleaning up after dinner and I saw something. Hundreds (yes, hundreds) of flying large ants had flown into the window screens. I was so amazed at this unusual event that I failed to recognize the thirty or so flying ants inside the kitchen. I bet Mister Funny Man, age 10, that he would not catch one and eat it for a snack. Apparently, a dollar is worth much more than the discomfort of a one-inch long crunchy flying ant sliding down your throat.
Always remember that you can eat almost anything if you put your mind to it. Even crazily large Formicidae.*After the storm on Saturday, we were a little afraid the power would go out again. M the Leaping Lemur and I decided that fort building was a must. The whole clan and I ran around on blanket scout out mode. We found adequate materials and started construction. The end result was magnificent. A complete success.
Always remember to build a fort on a rainy day. It will bring smiles to many faces and make you feel like you can construct the next Empire State building.
He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Mark 10:14-15
I love retelling these stories. I can just imagine that God must have had quite a few laughs and will continue to have more as He sees our life here :)
I must head to bed now. Sleep is very important. I hope you can LIVE life and LOVE life like children.
Oh. And don't fight on the playground.
Love, excitement, and crazy fascinations,
Keri
Pictures of childlike fun:
