#remotelearning

 In the mess of our schedules, I forgot to pick up Landon from school on Wednesday. -_-

This job [of motherhood] has been given to me to do.
Therefore it is a gift. Therefore it is a privilege.
Therefore it is an offering I may make to God.
Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God's way.
In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.
-Elisabeth Elliot

I swapped out motherhood for remote learning. What are you sub'ing in? 

Grandpa

Tomorrow my grandpa would have been 99 years old. 

He passed away at the beginning of this year, before Covid descended. Looking back I am so grateful we were able to grieve together and celebrate his life with a funeral and burial. 

I held my grandpa in high esteem. He wasn't bitter about being interned during the war. He was faithful to Jesus. He was a pastor but not necessarily a preacher. His messages were always refreshingly short. There was never the arm waving, dramatic story, or voice fluctuations but the congregation was always left with something profound. He had a nice singing voice and if I close my eyes I can hear him singing hymns and Christmas songs while my Auntie Ruth played the piano. I can remember throwing a baseball in the backyard of their home in Anaheim. He had been through hardship but he wasn't hardened. At one point him and my grandma lived in a house with no working toilet even. Having been called into ministry, they didn't have a lot of money, but they were both hard workers and not one to complain. Over the years I would hear tidbits about his ministry and life's work through people - he married us, visited us, called me into his office one day, and so on. He was poetic and loved my grandma. Before she passed, I can't recall when the two of them weren't together. An intellectual for sure. I can still muster the distinct smell of his study. He had a big wooden table with a swivel chair and the back wall had floor to ceiling bookcases filled with biblical references and studies. He loved tempura, sashimi, and vanilla ice cream. His wasn't big on emotion but his eye always had a twinkle and oftentimes a thought would come out under his breath that I was lucky enough to hear. He was generous. One of my most memorable times with him was when he took us grandchildren to Japan with the senior adult tour he was leading. He often led the family in singing the doxology at events and hangouts. His faith was true and not just a vocation. I'm sure he is deeply pleased that his children and grandchildren love Jesus. 

"There is no sorrow without joy and no joy without sorrow, this side of heaven. They strength each other and often accompany each other." 

Today at church we celebrated seniors and ironically without my input, we sang the doxology. While we practiced I could see him and grandma, and our whole family, those who have passed and those who are still living, side by side on our knees, facing the radiant throne of Christ together, in complete awe, and surrender, and praise. 

So I bring my sorrow and trade it for joy today. For one day, this exact picture will happen. I am sure of it. A gift and testament to my grandfather's legacy of following Jesus, which has so graciously carried on in his children and grandchildren. 

Till that day Grandpa. 

Thank You, Son.

Landon informed me today that when Josh and I die soon, he is going to take over the responsibilities of caring for Abby. 

Our Covid Summer

The kids officially begin school tomorrow. It was a different summer for sure but we still did a lot of stuff we normally do - even if it did look a bit different. 

Science camp!

Playing at the park!

Swimming!

VBS!

Celebrated the 4th!

Had beach days and water fun!

Attended summer school!

Enjoyed cousin sleepovers and hangouts

Went fishing

Explored our neighborhood

Went camping!

Opened a nonprofit barbershop

Celebrated our 9th year of marriage.

Unsuccessfully attempted to exercise

And spent so much time at home.

Pretty much doing this.

All thing considered, it was a pretty nice summer.

Emerson lost her first two teeth. Landon had his tonsils removed. Abby figured out how to push a high chair to the microwave so she could climb up and push all the buttons. It's been a ride and I am so grateful that my children are little and really weren't hugely impacted by the virus. 

We start the school year with Landon in person and Emerson remote learning. I've got measured expectations and high hopes that we'll be ok. Here's to 2020 teaching us all about flexibility, grace, and seeing that fulfillment can come from nothing except Jesus.