Big Kids and Pediatrics

     I'm not super big on change, but something happened today which brought to mind the inevitability of it, whether I like it or not.

     Our son is soon to be 18, our daughter just turned 16.  I had them both at the doctor's office today. They have had the same doctor since birth. Tiny babies shared the waiting room with us this afternoon. So sweet, so vulnerable, so stinkin' cute!  Our kids used to be like that, but not anymore. Oh, they're still cute... but strong and very outspoken. They drive themselves around now, and dare to call ME old.

     As we drove the 40 miles or so to the clinic I listened patiently to rap music on the radio. It was really loud and most of the lyrics were just for the sake of a rhyme, certainly not any reason. I said nothing. I was so pleased when they both admitted, before I did, that the booming bass was too much to bear. THEY turned it down. HA! One for me!

     I asked the doctor... "How much longer can we come to pediatrics?"

"I saw a twenty-three-year-old just the other day, the doctor said. I'll see them just as long as they want to see me."

     Sounds like were good through college.

     Change has been taking place since our kids were just little peanuts. There are times when the depth of that change is more obvious, and the next steps, which you cannot see or predict, are both exciting and a little uncertain. One thing is for sure... God is in charge.

Romans 8:15-17 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

     They are ours to love and care for on earth, but ultimately they belong to God.

     Sometimes it seems... our kids are growing up. Who knows, maybe I am too.

Always Amazed!

I am always amazed at what God can accomplish... even through me.

God is good. He is in charge of everything... including me... and the plan that He has for my life. I surrender all. (She said, waiting for lightning to strike.)

I wrote that the other day... then this happened...

I recorded three original Christmas songs. The songs sound great... with harmonica, bass, drums, vocal and guitar. Doing this project has confirmed that we need to get the rest of the new music recorded... sooner than later.

One leap of faith leads to another. Too cool. Thank you God. I am always amazed at your power. By the way... you are really fun to watch. I trust you.  Let's go!

What Do I Do?

My name is Julie Hoy.
As I was designing the poster for my upcoming concert, I began to wonder...
What do I do?
I'm a wife and a mom. I sing. I play guitar. I write. I tell stories. I create. I help where I can. I make good soup. I clean house. I raise my voice sometimes. I've been known to swear on occasion.
I laugh a lot. I cry. I worry.
I live with my eyes open and my heart on my sleeve.
I pray.
I trust... God.
I have hope.
I dream.
I seek to do as I was born to do.
I encourage others to do the same.
My list might grow longer... or perhaps you know me and wish to add something.

My Two Brothers

How Can I Be Sure?

"How can I be sure... In a world that's constantly changing." Don't know why that song is in my head this morning. Good thing God is for sure.

Darts For Beer!

     "Darts for beer?!" I exclaimed.

     I had never seen anything like it.  It was the first booth I came to at the fair in Juchitan, Oaxaca, Mexico. Wanting to support the local economy, I had to try. My dear friend Josefina and I did very well. We each walked away with a six pack!

     Mexico is just different. Darts for beer would never happen at a county fair in the United States of America. But then a lot of things that happen in Mexico would never happen here. Thank goodness. There is so much to pray for in Mexico and other developing countries. Please join me in prayer and remember that there are many more good people than bad ones.

     Taking the good with the bad, beer as a prize may not be the best idea, but it sure made the bumper cars fun!

Relatively Miner or Minor?

     I remember the smell of dirt and the fear that no one would ever find me.

     One time, when I was a little girl, my brother thought it would be a great idea for me to hide in a posthole for a game of hide and seek. Arms down at my sides, he put grass over my head so no one would find me. At the end of the game he told the other hide-and-seekers I had gone in the house for the night. My brother was right, nobody found me. When he thought I'd had enough, he came back to set me free.

     Almost 40 years later, I still don't like it when I feel trapped. I don't like the feeling of not being able to move freely. I realize we can all be trapped at any moment, past or present. We can be trapped in something or by something, the impact is the same. When I can't seem to find my way out of the uncomfortable place I'm in, I want to scream and run. I want to fix it, to change it, or make it better. Waiting for God to bring me out of the place where I am stuck can require a great deal of patience and faith. I must do my part to help, but sometimes I have no choice but to wait.

     The Chilean miners trapped underground for over two months have inspired me. I realize that my "trapped moments" are relatively minor compared to their ordeal. They have proven that if we can remain calm in any given situation, organize ourselves, keep our faith and find joy, we can survive anything.

     Dear God, please help me to... remain calm no matter where I am, to organize myself and my thoughts, to keep my faith and find the joy in each and every circumstance. 

Help me Lord to be free!

      Some would say I should find a posthole, get inside and break through the fear. Just so you know, that's is not going to happen. These days, it would be hard to find a posthole big enough anyway.