Almost home

I woke up at 1:11 this morning, the morning of my 51st birthday, with the words to a Mercy Me song in my head.

"Almost home
Brother it won't be long
Soon all your burdens will be gone
With all your strength
Sister run wild, run free
Hold up your head
Keep pressing on
We are almost home..."

The words brought me comfort, joy, and peace as I fell back to sleep. It's one of my favorites that is played on Christian radio these days. 

It wasn't until I woke up at 5:00, a more godly hour, with the song still in my head, that I thought of the words in the context of my birthday. 

We live in this middle ground of longing for the beauty, perfection, and forever of Home, but finding joy in the journey of home.  I prayed for the ability to keep this in the right perspective. Some days, some moments, and some assignments find this journey so hard, and that longing for Home is greater. Other moments are sweet, precious, and so filled with joy that it's easy to focus on the here-and-now. 

So Father, with whatever time is left, give me the right perspective. I want to keep my eyes on Home but my feet home. I want to be here for those who need me. Take my burdens and fears so they don't hinder me in helping those you place in my path. Give me strength and perseverance and health. Let me be fully here while knowing I'm "almost home."

Well this road will be hard
But we win in the end
Simply because of Jesus in us
It's not if but when
So take joy in the journey
Even when it feels long
Oh find strength in each step
Knowing heaven is cheering you on

Almost home
Brother it won't be long
Soon all your burdens will be gone
With all your strength
Sister run wild, run free
Hold up your head
Keep pressing on
We are almost home...

Happy birthday, Megan

Continuing the on-going saga of King Family October birthdays - today we celebrate Megan. A talented teacher, welcoming, joyful, brave and strong...

We hope you have an amazing day. It may be dreary outside but as always, let your inner light shine. 

Happy birthday

Happy birthday to the one who never stopped dressing up. You may not have had a normal year of teaching yet, but you make it fun regardless. Have a great day.

Tale of 2 trees

 You know the story, Tale of Three Trees? It is a beautiful and moving story of sacrifice and salvation. 

Well, we have our own story, Tale of Two Trees. Our story, too, has a moral. Just not quite as spiritual as the more popular one.

Our story started in the spring when we had to put our front tree down. She served us well but she was declining and it was getting painful to look at her.

Then ensued the conversation about what would replace her. The majority of us wanted something that would have beautiful pink buds every spring. The Good Doctor wanted something bright red in the fall. And since each of his votes counts as five votes, and even if we had all four votes, we could never have over-ridden his vote for the red tree. And we didn't have all four votes because we had a dissenter who doesn't like anything pink because it's "for girls."

So, in the spring we got a tree named Scarlet when what we really wanted was a tree named Coral. A few members of the family, who choose to remain anonymous, briefly considered ordering a can of pink spray paint off of Amazon so we could enjoy our pink tree but said family members abstained from such actions.

Well, here we are in the fall. Our tree's cousins at the middle school are a beautiful red color. 

Ours is still green. Plain green. Just green. Nothing but green.

It's a good thing we didn't waste our money on that pink spray paint because now we have to buy a can of red spray paint to help our little tree reach its (supposed) full potential.

So what's wrong with our tree, you ask? This summer, when the topic of the tree came up during Mariana and Jake's wedding shower, Jesse suggested that it was struggling because we were so mean to it.

We thought he was joking.

We forgot that he's a science teacher. He knows these things.

Because it appears as if trees are susceptible to bullying and apparently we were the worst kind. 

We're sorry, Coral. We repent of our sinful ways. Please, please turn pink in the spring. 

Or red in the fall. Fine. Red is fine.

Anything. Just do something. 

Please?

Second...

Today's the day! Wish Shoun and Eden a happy birthday!

Eden, so much to say.

Your inner beauty shines through every day. You have shown so much maturity in this crazy insanity we call 2020. You continue to find ways to reach the hurting. You care for those who are different than you. You offer grace to those who don't give it in return. You have goals and you push until you reach them. You have done more as a 16 year old than many adults twice (or more) your age. 

Donuts have already been happy birthday-ed over and eaten, words of encouragement have already been given...

So now as you stand in line (the second line since people in high places just aren't as organized as some of us would be?) at the DMV, know that you are loved. Never let that inner light fade. You are a world changer.

First...

Since he already received his birthday gift in the mail (who can predict these things?), we'll celebrate Shoun first this year. And it is his turn, if that even matters anymore. 

Congratulations on another year lived, staying out of (most) trouble, and not too many speeding tickets. 

You bought the car of your dreams, worked many jobs, had lots of fun, and (hopefully) studied hard. 

In all seriousness, I'm proud of you and who you are becoming. You love your sisters well, are committed to your family, are a dedicated worker, and figuring out this thing called life. 

Happy birthday, Shoun!

Happy anniversary

Just like everyone else, 2020 wasn't anything like you expected which means that this last year of marriage was not like you had expected.

Jobs gained and jobs lost and jobs gained again. Politics a little too up-close-and-personal. 

And it looks like you weren't really into taking photos of yourselves this year because this was all I could find.

But my prayer continues to be that you will grow closer to the Lord and closer to each other, no matter what comes. That you will continue to make your marriage a priority. I'm glad you spent a few days away to celebrate this anniversary. Getting away is good and the timing was perfect.

For 2021 I pray that "the Lord of peace himself [will] give you peace at all times and in every way."        (2 Thess. 3:16)

And let's pray that you get to the Olympics this year!