A Big Ask

This weekend I drove down south with my dad to visit the Shooks and my brother and his family. This was a first for my dad...first time traveling without his wife who passed away last month. Before we left the house, I told him I wanted to acknowledge that because I am fully aware that this next 12 months will be full of "firsts". 

I also experienced a "first" this weekend. As a native Texan, I know that the bluebonnet is Texas' state flower, but we generally do not see these in our dusty, dry West Texas landscape. However, down near my brother and the Shooks, these flowers are in season and very noticeable in patches and clumps along the highway. Coming back home this weekend, we deliberately traveled down some backroads so I could stop and take pictures to share. Aren't they sweet?

As you know, I try to write in this space about lessons we've learned. Lots and LOTS of lessons! God has done big things in our life so far and I know He has the ability and the will to do much more than we can ask or imagine.

With God's leading, I have worked hard to provide the boys with a firm faith foundation, a peace-filled home and a sense of dependence on the Lord for their security. As evidenced by the pictures and stories I've shared in this space, we have had a ton of fun along the way! I think they've turned into very decent young men. Not because of me, but because of God through me and all of the friends and family who've helped us over the years. 

Today I am again asking for help. In the 15 years I've been writing this blog, I have asked for financial help a few other times. Friends and family helped us pay for Eric's cancer treatments and for two different mission trips to Guatemala for me. Outside of the blog, many donations over the years have helped me survive life as a single parent. It has been a battle some days but a huge blessing too. Is it even possible to call the battles a blessing? I think so. For one thing, like I mentioned at the outset, I am so much more AWARE of the pain in the loss of a loved one and am (hopefully) able to encourage others with that sensitivity. In addition, I've LEARNED so much about my tendency toward pride and self-sufficiency. For most of my life, I thought I could 100% control the direction of life. Not so. That was eye-opening for me. The battles have also TAUGHT me how to overcome my fear of inadequacy and anxiety over the future of my family with thanksgiving and praise. I always want to push the praise back to the Lord for seeing us through.

So I've got another big ask.

Keaton's desire to finish up his college degree in Animation at Lipscomb University in Nashville is very close to becoming a reality. Now we are looking for strategic partners to help him fund this dream. It is admittedly an expensive endeavor. He needs 2-3 years at this school. Even with his generous academic scholarship, it will still cost us about $50,000 per year. I do not have the means to cash flow this alone. I'm hoping someone reading this will feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit to help us in this time of need. 5 people giving $10,000 each. 50 people giving $1,000 each. I really believe God can do this! We have been praying for this exact thing.

So why animation and why THIS particular school? I asked Keaton to put it in his own words:

WHY ANIMATION?

Keaton: "Growing up, I loved watching cartoons and reading comic books. My mom can probably tell you that I was a very easily stimulated and observant child that tended to pick up and imitate what he consumed on tv, meaning it was imperative to both my homeschool parents' sanity that I had a productive outlet. Around a similar time in my early development, I must have gained the motor control to correctly hold a pencil and make that pencil produce a line on paper, and like that, I guess I just kept doing that for 21 years. In a weird sense, coming up with stupid ideas in my head and putting them on paper was something I never pushed to the side only to move onto something else just to pass time. I just always wanted to create.

Throughout my youth I had an on-and-off relationship with my dream to make cartoons, and I had a thought in the back of my mind that I should probably have a more conventional and adult job, like a retail manager or something. Growing up in the Church, I knew I was different from the other kids (as cliche as that sounds). I had interests and talents that weren't conventional in a Church environment, and while I knew the other kids certainly liked me, I felt like something about me was broken. When I eventually gave my life to Christ, I came to realize what having faith in Jesus really meant, and that comparing your own spiritual journey to others will get you nowhere. And as I've gotten older I've learned to trust that God made me the way I am for a reason, and that's when I really started to lock in on pursuing animation. I'm still on a journey of fully understanding what God wants me to use my gifts for, but the big thing I desire to bring to light (that I learned so far) is that everybody has the potential to make something. Whenever anybody tells me they aren't a creative person, I don't believe them. God, the ultimate creator, made man in his own image, so to say that you aren't creative is to deny your own God-given gifts and humanity. Man's relationship with God through creativity and appreciation of good and beautiful things is a type of faith I don't hear talked about much. What I believe I do by doing the things I love and creating art is to be a witness to the miracle of creation, humanity, and art itself. The amount of potential in that idea alone is what gets me going and wanting to create, and that's the big reason why I want to get into animation."

WHY THIS SCHOOL?

Keaton: "This whole school and program were kind of a jackpot of things I was looking for that I knew I would be crazy to pass up on. The notable and talented alumni who have actually been places around the industry in which they are still currently working in, combined with the faith-based environment where I can build community with other talented people who share my goals and values really attracts me to this school in particular. I've been blessed to be able to attend South Plains College and it was certainly a great experience in my personal growth as a person and as a creative. What I'm hoping for is that Lipscomb will be a positive next step in the direction of being able to be a positive witness to God's kingdom."

So, if you feel the urge to assist us, please reach out to me (Lisa) personally. You can send me a private message directly through the section at top right on the blog that looks like this:

We will tally the pledges by April 30th and let the school know the outcome. They have offered to create a portal for giving directly to them but only after we are sure Keaton is going to attend. We're not seeking a go-fund-me type fundraiser here. Instead we really want partners in this who believe in Keaton, and believe in the power of prayer. If you do not feel led to give, can you please pray for us (as I know many of you already do!) And if none of this resonates with you, but you can think of someone else that might be inspired or inclined to help, feel free to pass this on to them.

THANK you!

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen!

In Memoriam

Well it's been awhile. Sorry about that. Thanks to those of you who checked in with me personally (as you are wont to do when I am absent for too long.) Reminds me that we are deeply loved. This past couple of months we've had several highs and lows...

Most recently we've had to say our goodbyes (for now) to Nonna, Sharon, my stepmom. Link to her obituary.

Her memorial service was last week. I really like it when the service is a Celebration of Life and that is exactly what this service was. Sure we were all sad at our great loss, but I had a friend remark to me that it was the sweetest service they'd ever been to. Sharon was an amazing mom, grandma, and great-grandma, friend, wife and sister. We will definitely miss her. She was a helper. And though my kids did not know her well, we all walked away from her service determined to leave a legacy of love and concern for others just as she has done. 

The night before the funeral, we captured some amazing family photos. Everyone looked really sharp. Even more so on funeral day, though we were not snapping pics that day. 

Cousins

Cousins and Grandpa Cook aka Doodad aka Papa Grande aka Big Pop

me and my brothers

Exactly a week prior to Sharon's passing, Mr. Keaton turned 21. He actually had to work that day. I told my brothers that they should ask his boss (whom we all know from childhood) to serve him a mocktail from his uncles to celebrate the occasion of his being "legal". And so.... a video. It's terrible quality, but quite hilarious. Keaton didn't even blink, just chugged it back in one swig! He said it tasted like Sprite, and was definitely not alcoholic, strictly symbolic.

When he got home that night, we had a small party, complete with cupcakes (sans frosting, just the way he likes them) and gifts. He's been saving up his money for an iPad. So rather than carrying a variety of sketchbooks from room to room in the house, you'll now find him with a stylus and his iPad. About a week before his birthday, he found out that he'd been accepted to his dream school in Nashville. We are still working on the details, but he really wants to finish up his degree at Lipscomb University. They have a prestigious group of professors in the animation program and he is honored to be considered. They already offered him a scholarship solely based on his grades. But the financial end of things is still a bit complicated for us. We are praying big bold prayers about this. Perhaps more on that in a subsequent post. 

When I was down in the basement at my dad's house that week, I found a photo we took on or right after Keaton's actual birth date as well. He is hooked up to a variety of leads, monitoring his heart and oxygen levels, with an IV for fluids as well. Quite a traumatic birth - he was in NICU for 10 days - but he has grown strong, tall, and is a very talented graphic artist. 

He is really diligent with his homework - I found this on his desk (a discarded, incomplete version of a homework project). It is a visual resume. Very cool, I thought. 

Also in February, I got notice from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy that I must cease using the name of my business because it implies that I am an accountant. Well, yes, um, I am an accountant. I've been doing accounting work for 30 years. And I have a master's degree in accountancy. BUUUUuuuuut, the state of Texas has a law that says I cannot call myself an accountant unless I am a Certified Public Accountant. I am not that. Don't want to be that. And never purported to be that. So for a few days there I was spun up and completely thrown off guard by this. I talked to the Board, I talked to a lawyer, and then I talked to one of my clients, whom I've known for 20+ years. He promptly talked me off the ledge and built me a new website that does not use the word accountant anywhere. He did this through texts with me, all while I was taking a walk through my neighborhood trying to shake off my stress. (Thank you Bill.) I amended my name at the state and federal level, and redirected my old website to the new one: lnbizservices.com And I think I'm able to move forward now. It's been kind of a whirlwind of emotions. I was feeling sucker-punched by a government agency telling me I cannot call myself an accountant. My identity questioned!! And then the lawyer told me that fixing the mess I've made "will be like untangling Christmas lights". An error of massive proportion!! 

My client Bill told me, "Lis- you are feeling so horrible about this because you rarely make mistakes. And you rarely make mistakes because you are always very careful and conservative in how you approach life. That's all this is. A mistake. On a scale from one to ten, this is like a two." And then he artfully said, "Do you want me to give you ideas on how to fix it? Or do you just want me to listen?" Very grateful for friends and family who come alongside me in moments of crisis (even if it was only a 2...on a scale of 1-10.) Sigh.

In January, we had a couple of days of snow. Walkers were dispatched..haha!..Cole's having fun there. I actually drove Keaton to work the first day it snowed, as I don't think he's ever driven in snow and my car was parked in the garage. But as is typical here, it did not last long. He was able to drive himself to work on Day 2.

Keaton's car was covered

birds enjoying the frozen pool surface

Mourning doves huddling in the trees, braving the cold. We did find one on the neighbor's roof line - frozen to death. Actually found several birds frozen in the yard. Kind of sad....

One more significant coming of age detail. Cole has been researching guns for awhile now. Finally, he and Chris went to a gun show in January. So I know there are some who are actively FREAKING out right now. I was initially in your camp. AND I also know there are some of you who are thinking, yep, sounds like Texas. Keep in mind we discussed this decision ad nauseum. He now legally owns a handgun that he bought from a private party. Cole and Chris have been to safety training and go to the gun range together as a hobby. There is a gun safe in our house and Cole is very diligent with all of this. I'm actually very proud of him in how he has shown responsibility with this privilege. He knows how to take the gun apart and reassemble it. 

Speaking of responsibility, Cole also took apart the leaking faucet in their bathroom and replaced it with a new faucet. He is actually very handy around the house. 

Okay, almost done. We need to back up a few more weeks and show you some photos from Christmas. At our house, we were visited by Gandalf who delivered presents for the boys. It is actually their friend Chris...amazing costume! I made some cookies, with gluten and without. And I almost finished the boys' patchwork quilts before Christmas that I began circa 2010. (Almost, not quite.) On Christmas Eve, we drove south to spend time with the Shooks. As per usual, gingerbread houses, food, fun, and Christmas Eve services. Plus time at my brother's house on Christmas Day. This...is our traditional Christmas.

On that final note, we hope that all of you are warm and well. Some of you, we will be seeing in coming months on our various trips planned for May, June and August. I promise I'll have more interesting things to post from those trips (compared to dying doves.) 

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

Thankful for? Refrigeration

 

new lights this year

Well, I don't really know what happened to the months of October and November. Sorry about that. We did enjoy a quiet Thanksgiving with family here. The boys presented my dad with some digital footage of video reels from his childhood that Cole found in a box of family treasures. He converted the video into something Dad could watch on the computer. It was great to hear my dad laugh watching the videos of he and his brother growing up. My brother Dusty and his family did most all of the yummy cooking for the T-Day meal + pies from Trish. But I did contribute this tray of goodies...thought it was a jazzy way to lay out the fresh veggies.

Truth be told, our lives are not quite as exciting without homeschooling adventures and little boy antics. So there's sort of a lull in the blog posting. Rest assured, there are still young-adult-men antics, but now I guess I feel less inclined to tell everyone so many details, as those stories are theirs to tell. About two weeks ago we had a small mishap with our fridge that I WILL tell because it was mostly my fault.

remains of the day

Our refrigerator had stopped making ice on a regular basis. Oh, it was making ice occasionally, but of course when I wanted a glass of ice water, the ice bin was always empty. This has been going on for about a year. We bought some ice trays. But it's just not as convenient as the automatic ice maker! We even bought bags of ice on occasion. Still, this is the only freezer space we had, (left side of the fridge), which is not a lot of real estate with 2 young men over 6 feet tall who tend to grab frozen things and warm them in the air fryer or the oven. So, one night about 2 weeks ago I looked in the back of the freezer and noticed a big chunk of ice. It was actually pushing the shelves in the freezer section forward. My theory was if I could juuuuust get rid of the ice, then the water would flow better and ice maker would work again. This has worked before. I was making progress. Little by little. 

But then my young men came into the kitchen and asked what I was doing. And well, they approached the situation with verve and gusto. They dismantled the top and back panels on the freezer and were using a chisel to hack away at the ice block. Until....phffffffffffffff.....the coil with the freon gas sprung a leak. Yikes! So we essentially destroyed it. I almost cried. (But didn't!!) I texted one brother who basically couldn't stop laughing. And I called the other one, who came over and helped us move the broken fridge out into the garage. (Is freon toxic??) I texted my neighbor who brought me an ice chest. Sent Cole to the store for ice. My brother also brought us a big ice chest. Dusty offered to be on the hunt for a 2nd hand fridge as a temporary solution until we could get a new one. Determination is that despite filters on the water system in the fridge, the water from our public tap here is so full of minerals, it just corrodes everything long-term. At the same time the fridge died, the bathroom faucet in the guys' bedroom also gave up the ghost. Cole is in the process of "fixing" this. 

Fortunately, God provided some extra funds this month to purchase a fridge. Or two. After spending about 10 days eating out of 4 ice chests, we ended up getting a new fridge for the house, and a used one for the garage. Needless to say, we are foregoing any future water hookups.

See? That was really a lame story about us getting a new refrigerator. It's just not all that interesting around here! We all work and Keaton goes to school and that's about it. I read a lot of books. They listen to a bunch of podcasts & watch movies. We generally make it to church once/week and spend a little time with friends and family. We did have a nice family birthday party for my brother at a restaurant I'd never been to. That was definitely a fun time. All the while, my stepmom is suffering from gall bladder cancer and homebound. She is on hospice, staying with my stepsister. And my heart breaks for my Dad and all of my stepfamily. It is just a "hard" that cannot be explained. One can try. But if you've read this blog from Feb 2013- Sep 2013 (and beyond) you know that I did. Try. Please pray for my Dad and stepmom.

All of the turmoil and stress has been rough, but when this stuff threatens to take me down emotionally, I really try to hone in on thankfulness. Once in awhile I see some beauty in this town and I have to share. Simply look up. It is there. 

Also, I'm still reading. And I recently started a book by Dr. Casey Means that is very, very interesting. She says out loud the stuff that I've thought for years about the medical establishment. Truth is, the industry makes more money if we (Americans) are sick. So it's kind of counter-intuitive for typical doctors to want to seek out the root cause to disease rather than prescribe multiple medications to treat various symptoms of separate diseases. I'm only a few chapters in, but my curiosity has been sufficiently piqued. 

If you're a finance nerd like me, you might be interested in a podcast I came across that delves into small business tax hacks. I geek out on this stuff. I've shared it with various clients. He is very succinct and explains things in a way I can understand and utilize with clients. 

Speaking of clients, my best friends love to hear my wacky or interesting client stories. Today, for example, I helped a roofer from New York City clean up his QuickBooks. When I received initial contact from him I thought it might be a scam. But he's legit. Asked me for 3 references before he agreed to let me work on his books. I've got such a varied client list: realtors, physical therapists, a fish broker, painter, carpenter, fence contractor, flooring contractor, dance studios, day spas, various not-for profit organizations, retail stores and virtual website stores. Anyway, with all of that variety, I'm having a lot of fun with work. There is so much to be thankful for!

Random stuff you might have missed --

Perdy and me hanging out one night in October

Cole's jack-o-lantern for our church's pumpkin trail

Cole & a Co-worker on Oct 31

a rare selfie

Cole's stormtrooper costume on display

Beignets I made from a mix given to me by next door neighbor after trip to New Orleans

Cousins both working at Texas Roadhouse

Enjoy your families and friends this month. Knowing me, I probably won't post Christmas footage until January. haha! 

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'" Matthew 2:1-2