Last week was just crazy. An earthquake near us that measure 5.8, and the hurricane that blew through in the dark of night aren’t sights we see here in Virginia every day.

I can tell that these little bumps in the road had an impact on my stress level and most certainly have left impressions on the kids. Mini Mister’s eyes were as wide as pancakes when we vacated our home as the earth shook under our feet. A few days later, he was playing with a covered plastic bin with his toy cars on top. He shook the bin and yelled to his four-wheeled friends, “there is a world crake! Everyone get out of the house, it is going to fall down! It is a world crake!” Just yesterday he asked me if the earth was going to shake again. Thank goodness, my relieved answer was probably not.

The hurricane only left my husband and I up at 3 AM Sunday morning. Luckily, the kids slept through the howling winds and the creaking trees. We were left safe, warm, and dry inside our home. God’s grace was certainly around us last week.

Also adding to my stress is the back-to-school notion I am sure is on the minds of most parents right now. I am a worrier. And I make lists and plan to try to control some of the uncontrollable in life.

I worry about how I am going to feel about a quiet house. Most days this summer, I am just trying to get through the day with all the noise, clatter, and chaos that goes on from the time we rise until the time we rest. This summer, when Mini Mister tried out a full-day summer camp at his Montessori school, I missed his banter, his endless humming, and even some of the bickering he picks up with his sister. I felt sad for Little Miss that she didn’t have a playmate most of the day. And I felt a little hole peek through in my daily life where I could see that I really missed his “little-man-of-the-house” antics.

And then I worry about the logistics. Will the driving around be okay for little Pie-Pie? How will I accomplish anything the days I am on the road for 3 1/2 hours. (I could visit relatives in Philly driving that far.) Will I really be able to continue crafting, knitting, and sewing while fulfilling our co-operative family obligations at two schools? Will I be able to cook a homemade meal again? Or will I forever be tied to my crock-pot? Will I simply be able to keep my head on straight?

I’ve mostly decided to leave it in God’s hands. That is really all I can do. I can put in my 100% and beyond that, there isn’t any more that is humanly possible. I don’t know which way things will turn. I don’t know what is around the corner. I don’t even really know how to let go of it all. (That is why I’ve “mostly” decided to leave it God.) But I know that when I do invite Him into my life that I have someone on my side, and really wonderful things can happen. Things I could have never imagened solve problems. Things I never dreamed could exist come to fruition through means I never thought could be. It is amazing how God works with us, and for us. Now I just hope I can hold up my end of the bargain and be the greaceful receiver of His gifts that He needs.