basset hounds and home

I have funny kids.  Funny, as in "ha ha", not just funny as in "weird".  There is a wee bit of good weird, too.  But mostly they are funny.

And fun.

I like that.  Fun and offbeat.  Themselves.  Comfortable with quirks.

Yesterday while we were driving home from some errands Cooper read a letter out loud to everyone in the car.  Jeb suddenly was massaging his temples with both of his hands.  Sometimes Jeb gets migraines and he rubs his head and eyes when they are coming on.  Thinking that was what was happening, I asked him if he was okay.

His response?

"Oh, no.  I'm fine.  I was just wondering what it would be like if I was a basset hound and had those baggy eyes and ears that flopped down.  What would I see."

Welcome to my world.   Jeb-isms are the best.

The night before, I mentioned at bedtime for the 2 younger ones that if I stayed up past ten I might throw up.  Cooper, not missing a beat, chimes in with, "See you at 11, Mom".

Totally straight faced.  And for some reason, it was REALLY funny.  To us.  He's got a dry, quick wit that keeps me on my toes and laughing.

Being home with them and having time to ATTEND to them is a huge part of my ministry to them as my children.  The bonus is all the silly and fun, goofy and off-beat.  There's lots of it around here.

The Lord recently released me from some things in order to attend more fully to home.  And the release was sweet, and yet terribly sad.  We sent a letter out to the congregation announcing some of that.  I don't want to forget this way that the Lord protected and nurtured, sheltered and cared for our family in this time of bringing Emma Kate home.

Here is the letter:

Dear Colonial Families,


I love ministering to your children.  It is a privilege and an honor to share the truth of Jesus as Savior and Lord with them.  In this past year I have witnessed your children drink in God’s love and receive Him with a joyfulness and faith that is inspiring.  Jesus is moving in power in our Stepping Stones hallway, and He is beautiful and mighty!


God is at work in amazing ways at Colonial, and this also holds true for my family life.  We are soon growing to become a family of seven, and with that change, the Lord has made it clear to Jim and me that I need to step back from work at church.   There are many ways my children need me fully at home right now.  I rejoice that I am able to make the choice to be there with them, even as I am truly sad to move away from this role on staff.  


The team on Children’s Ministry is close-knit and we labor together for the Lord with such joy.  I will deeply miss working with them.  Serving our children isn’t a job to this team.  It is a calling from the Lord to do His work.  I see Anne-Marie, Julie, Joel and Kristin always keeping that first.  Anne-Marie is an incredible person to work for, and her vision and passion for ministry to children and their families and to her staff inspire and humble me. Your Children’s Ministry team is committed, diligent, faithful and honestly, really fun.  It is so hard to leave.


I never imagined my time on staff would be so brief, and yet the Lord ordains times and seasons and I know that if He is calling me back home, He is also preparing what is next for Children’s Ministry.  That makes me excited: for your children and for what God has in store for our church! 


While I am leaving a ministry role as a staff person, in no way am I leaving the ministry that the Lord calls each of us to as His followers.  I look forward to the many ways He already has ordained for me to come alongside your children to love and nurture them in Christ.  Jim and I take very seriously the covenant we took before the Lord as members of the congregation at each of your children’s baptisms, to lead and train them up to know and follow Jesus.


I leave with sadness. I also step back knowing you are in the best of hands, God’s hands.   


See you at church!  
Love in Christ,
Sara Silburn

Day 3, hour .5

8am.  Slept in until 8am.  Seriously vacation time.

Usually Jim and I are true early birds.  For me, it is carrying the Taylor torch.  And Grandpa DeBoer's habits, minus the 6am call to check on the weather! Early birds all over the place on my family tree.

Coffee.  With Cooper.

Luke wearing Pa's Hamline sweatshirt for the second day in a row.  Wearing it because it is Pa's.  And Luke is President of the fan club.  Quote of the day yesterday, "Pa is the the best skiier ever".  Um, it is summer and no one else was even talking about skiing.  For Luke, it all comes back to Pa.

The weather up here in northern Wisconsin is so glorious.  The sky last night over the lake as the sun dropped down over the horizon was breathtaking.  We all agreed it looked like a postcard it was so perfect.  It felt fake!  The sky is a light summer blue in the days with puffy cotton ball clouds that occasionally whiz by.  Quick, cheerful clouds.  The water shimmers in the sun.  It reminds me of 30 years of summer up here.  All I need is my sister, a boom box, a diet coke and some spf 4 with lemon juice in my hair and I'd be 15 again.

I wish my camera would download pictures to this computer.  And somehow I just know the pictures would not do the beauty of this place justice!  Perhaps the fact that this may well be our last summer here has me taking note of each day and treasuring it away in my heart.  Lake Tahkodah has been a sweet gift for our family.  We are grateful for each and every year.

Cooper is now down fishing at the lake.  Jeb is in the bunk house reading in bed (a boy after his mom's heart!).  Luke and Anna are rustling around for breakfast.  And that must mean my post is surely done.

Emma Kate, what are you doing now?  It's night where you are and I imagine you tucking in for the night.  Bless your sleep, in Jesus name, my sweet one.  I can't wait to look at the sky with you, see the morning arrive with you here in our home, and feel the warm weight of you in my arms in the summer sun.

Love from the cabin,
Sara