Como Zoo Field Trip Photos

Remember that our "Mom Thing" went on a Field Trip to the Zoo?  Well, I forgot to post the pictures!  So, here they are.  (I apologize that the inside photos aren't the greatest, because the lighting wasn't very good.)

It was such a fun day, but it was pretty chilly! Who would have known that if we'd have waited until October to go, it would've been a lot warmer!!

Giraffes fascinate me.

5-week-old baby giraffe!

Isn't he cute?

About a 13-foot-tall baby!

It's a ways up there, and I didn't zoom in, but he's really sprawled, and boy, is he massive.

Can you see him camouflaged up there? BIG GUY! Look at that hand!!

All baby animals are cute, it seems, even baby orangutans.

We had so many kids under about 3-years-old! Aren't they cute?

Like human children, the orangutans liked to play more with the cardboard box.
They had ripped it up and put it on their heads!

Even mama orangutan had fun with the rope.

See the measurements on the wall? Pretty big baby,
and even bigger mama.

I love the majestic beauty of a tiger.

Those that stayed longer heard this big guy ROAR!

It was the first Zoo experience for some of the kids.
He looks pretty far up there, doesn't he!
We missed the seal show--Next time!

Zoos are so fun.

Field Trip to Como Zoo

I thought I'd update you on the "Mom Thing" Field Trip:  we had a really good time!  The weather was really cool in the morning. But it warmed up a little and was comfortable, with the proper clothing.  It had rained 2" here the night before. In fact, our electricity had been out for a couple of hours. (I don't mind because I love getting out my antique kerosene lanterns and using them, though we don't use kerosene.)  In the morning it was 49 degrees F. and still wet.  I thought, "Oh, no, there'll be tons of huge puddles, and all the little boys will just want to jump in them, and be muddy messes and not care about the zoo!" But that was no problem.  Kelsey and Jeanie (her friend who also loves little kids and is the special favorite of one of the mom's little boys) came along for crowd control.

Kelsey, Jeanie and I got there early to scope things out, which was good, since the new Visitor Center isn't labeled very well, and we kind of drove around trying to make sure we were in the right place.  After about a half an hour we started out with 4 moms and 3 "helpers" and 10 kids under 3-years-old (oh, that's right: Cole was our Man. He's 8). Later 3 other moms arrived and their 6 kids!  It really was fun! We saw a tiger, a lion, a mama giraffe and her 5-week-old baby (how is it that even a baby giraffe is "oh look how cute he is!")  We marveled at that. Baby animals are always cute!  We saw a baby orangutan with its mother, playing with, well, basically, garbage:  cardboard that they'd ripped apart! But, you know how when you give your toddler a gift, and they take it out of the box, set it aside and play very happily with the box? It was kind of like that.

We watched a polar bear being trained.  What would you think would really be a treat for a polar bear?  Well, it's lard. Yep. Lard.  A big huge piece of...lard.  Who woulda thunk?  After a couple of hours, the kids (and we) were getting hungry, so some who had had time to prepare lunches beforehand went across the road to the lovely park and ate at the picnic tables by the playground!  It's really a nice park.  The kids had a great time playing at the playground, even little Jebadiah, who had one week ago broken his arm.  He's 3.  I love being with these young moms, so experienced and mature, so laid back.  Most of the kids there were boys.  The prevailing attitude when anybody falls or anything happens is: "No blood? Ok, you're fine."  Raising Tough Boys. All the children were really well-behaved, and I got to hold lots of babies and little people--in other words, I had a great time!  It seemed like everybody did. Thank you, Lord, for that answer to prayer.

What Do You Do When You Think God's Speaking To You?

This is the story of one time when I thought I heard God telling me to do something.  This is how it turned out when I just did what I thought He was telling me to do. (Reprinted from an earlier post, but with an update at the end:)

 Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."  It's Thankful Thursday today. Click on the link to go over and participate or read more thankful posts.  Thanks, Iris, for hosting this month!

I'm so thankful that the Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, the Savior of the world, and the Holy Spirit who resides within me is not limited by my ability in any way.

Young moms were gathering in my Family Room Tuesday night.  Some I had met, others I was meeting for the first time. Lively chatter filled the room.  I had been very nervous beforehand, and still felt a bit discombobulated, but knew that I would thoroughly enjoy the evening once we got going.  I was out on a limb again, in obedience to the Lord.  I had invited almost a dozen young moms to my home for the purpose of encouraging them, because the Lord laid it on my heart to do so. Secondary purposes were to share, in answer to their questions, about Homeschooling, and to introduce one particular mom who was new to the area, to other moms of little boys, like herself.  Encouraging young moms is a real passion of mine.  But earlier in the day I wondered what I had been thinking!  What did I have to say that could possibly help these women?!  I prayed fervently that God would encourage them, that He'd lead me to whatever He wanted me to do or say during the evening, and that they'd leave encouraged and refreshed--strengthened for the work God has for them in their roles as moms.  I calmed my own heart by reminding myself that whenever God has called me to do something like this, not only has it been fun for everyone, but I have been the one blessed the most!

Well, this was no exception. But, as the evening progressed, it became very clear that God had done something so much bigger than I had ever imagined or thought of, in bringing each of the women to my home. As the women began sharing, one woman in particular opened up, encouraged by the prompting of her kind friend sitting next to her, and she shared so sweetly from the depth of her heart. A tear or two was shed. The women's hearts were knit together as encouragement was given and love was shown.  God was working in a powerful way!

It blessed my heart so much so see the interaction:  the exchange of encouragement among them, as well as practical tips and suggestions on parenting, discipline, and everyday life as a mom.  The sharing was deep and real.  Eyes and hearts were opened to new possibilities, and strengthened to believe that God was powerful enough to meet them in their need. With teary eyes and a full heart a mom confided, "I know God brought me here tonight."

I know that God brought all of us together that night. It was agreed that we would continue meeting. "What should we call ourselves?" they eagerly asked..."Well, I said I was going to "a Mom Thing," came the answer.  So, "A Mom Thing" was born.  His ways are so far above my ways, and His thoughts so gloriously above anything I could ask or think, in answer to my prayers. Sometimes all I can do is stand back and be in awe, and say, "Thank you, Lord."

Over the summer, everyone has been very busy, and we didn't meet again until August, but we are starting back up!  In fact, we're going on a Field Trip to the Como Zoo today!  We have about 7 moms, 3 helpers (including my daughter and me), and potentially about 17 kids, ages 0-8 going!  Pray for us:)  Seriously, it should be a lot of fun!  I will keep you posted! (Hopefully some photos, too.)
God has continued to be at work in all of our lives through this, and it's so exciting to see what He's doing, as we all learn to yield to Him and trust Him in different areas of our lives!
Is God speaking to you?