I have been clicking on “track order” too often than I care to admit. With anticipation like it was Christmas morning, my new Bible arrived. All 4 1/2 lbs. of new Bible. It’s pretty mammoth.

Mark’s all into his ESV app. Not me. There’s something to be said about holding the 4 1/2 lbs. of crisp linen paper bound in soft brown leather that just engages the senses and draws me in. I can’t help but hold it and breathe in that new Bible smell and start reading.

Now, let’s all hope I spend more time actually in this book than the time I spent deciding on it. You know I overthought this one like crazy.

I actually was one of those annoying callers. Back in the 90s when there was no technology for automated calls besides dialing the number and pushing play on a cassette tape, political parties actually used real people to make those calls. Apparently when high schoolers with initiative called the county party headquarters saying we wanted to enlist, paid people breathed a big sigh of relief because they just were handed new callers. I likely sported my red, white, and blue those nights in the Republican office headquarters where I sat in a conference room and proudly served my country by making annoying phone calls.

Times have changed, and I have changed. Back then, I’d get all worked up over all the hot topics and roll my eyes at the adults around me who did not. Now, I’m the old lady on the other side of those calls, hanging up before the automated voice even starts up and wondering why some people are all worked up anyway.

Have the years made me lose my idealism? Am I that jaded adult now who replaced my rose-colored glasses with reading glasses?

Despite the chaos of the day yesterday with my mom who now has a diagnosis of Epstein-Barr being treated like Patient 0, I got over to the library to do my part and show my appreciation for the freedom we have. I voted–and took this I’m-a-frazzled-mom-voting picture to prove it. Then I went back to my house and continued to go about checking things off my to-do list. Soliciting voters to get out there and support the candidate I had deemed the better one wasn’t on that list.

When we put the kids to bed last night and prayed with them, Ashlyn thanked God for our good day, prayed for Nanma in the hospital, and then said these words:

“I pray about the election. If the person we voted for wins, let us be happy. And, if the person we didn’t vote for wins, help us to be happy anyway.” 

Amen, my little girlie with a big ole heart and rose-colored glasses.

Help us be happy regardless.

The reality is that I’m more idealistic than ever because I now see God as bigger than all this. There’s no authority over Him, and He manages to set up kings and rulers in their positions of authority whether or not they know who He is. No president can supersede His platform. Glad to be a small part of His campaign.

We’re safe and sound. The only water in the house is the pitchers we filled in preparation. And, as far as we can tell, the fierce winds we heard around us last night didn’t damage anything. We never lost power, though flashlights have been the toy of choice around here. Mark even made it out to the office today, though he had to take some detours due to down trees and wires.

Just in case you hadn’t heard, there’s a little storm headed our way. We’ve done our part in preparing for it too–we’ve been stocking up on snacks (because there might be some serious issues if we run out of lime flavored tortilla chips), eating ice cream (we wouldn’t want to lose it), and charging all the necessary equipment (the iPad, DS units, iPods, etc.).