Coats. Simple, most people own more than one. Kids outgrow them as quickly as you can buy them. In the summer months they are pushed the back of your closet, smushed together in order to make room for the breezy and easy pieces of the warmer months. But, in the middle of a cold snap, we’re all glad to have one. To snuggle into, to brace ourselves against the harsh wind. What if you were caught without?
This week’s mission/adventure has been an incredible way to kick off the new year. My plan to have a unique adventure each week has already proven to be fruitful in more ways than one.
My days feel filled with purpose. I wake with a plan each morning–a plan that extends past the fragments of time that normally delineate my days (breakfast, play, nap, play, dinner, play, bed). The boys and I went on mini-missions each day in order to accomplish the big mission of the week. Noah seems to be becoming conditioned to this way of purpose.
My sons have had experiences doing things that we hadn’t done yet in their short years of life. Noah now has a concrete example of someone who has less than he does–which is useful when talking about things like living simply and not need a bazillion toys and not wasting his food at dinner. He is a repeat offender in both of these areas. (typical American kid, huh? all matchbox cars and mac and cheese)
I had such a fun time shopping for other people, and then getting to see those people shop through the items themselves! It was heartbreaking the speed at which those coats were devoured. I found from talking with Chastity that motherhood is a shared experience, one that may differ in circumstance but has no difference at the heart level. We all want to provide our children with the most and best life they can have.
I think more than anything, this mission has accomplished what I hoped it would in the depths of my heart. I had hoped that these missions would broaden my experience and change me…and in week one I have already been effected. Amazing. I can’t wait to see what the coming weeks hold in store.