How to do it ALL…
I have NO idea, but I am open for suggestions…..I have six children, and countless spiritual children, a girls’ bible study, a home church, an intense international traveling schedule, and a really hot and relatively high maintenance husband. On any given week I have fourteen football practices, four football games, three taekwondo practices, and 4 dance classes. As well as an 
average of 2 to 4 houseguests, and sometimes 12 or 14! I change the sheets on seven beds, and do an average of twenty loads of laundry, and wipe disgusting things off of sinks and toilets.
I cook a home cooked meal EVERY night, 
except Sundays, I am taking the Sabbath very literally these days! I visit Wal-Mart no less than 4 or five times a week, and strangely, someone will still leave me a note about something they absolutely HAVE to have by tomorrow or their academic or social life (if not both) will come to an end. I read and comment on hundreds of blogs and emails from past, present and future World Racers and kids all over the world. I have friends, family and projects in Africa that keep me awake at night. I workout 6 days a week, and run tons of miles and lift obscene amounts of weight by weeks end.
It takes me at LEAST an hour to pray for all my children, it takes DAYS to pray for Gary (high-maintenance, but so worth it!) I have to prepare teachings, and continue to write. I try to spend time with each child individually, and look sexy for dates with my husband. I have parents and in-laws that are wonderful people and make no demands, and are in many ways neglected by me; yet never make me feel bad. Every night before I turn off my lamp ( or 1 or 2 in the morning most of the time) I make myself a to-do list for the next day, every morning I look at it and think ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
Meanwhile, I have young wives watching me, living with me, and studying me. I have many young women observing my life, at a very close range. I spend hours with the next generation everyday, whether it is my children’s’ friends or kids that we are mentoring or counseling, I am being watched. Everyday I fail, everyday I let someone down because I can’t
give them the time or energy they need from me.
I do not do it all perfect, but I have no intention of changing any of it right now. I love my life, I love my family, I love my marriage. I have my share of critics, and I bless them and move on. (don’t have time to worry about that, I have to pray while I am folding laundry!)
I have a great deal to learn, and no doubt I could do and be better in every area of my life. I KNOW there are areas where I need more brokenness, more depth, and more humility. I could be a better mother, a better wife, a better daughter and friend. I don’t have all the answers, I don’t have it all figured out, and there is NO ONE that knows me intimately and would describe me as “perfect”…..but hopefully, I am described as REAL. With all my stuff, my scars, my failures, and a few accomplishments….all I really want to be is real, to be true, to have grace and bring the Kingdom in my own rushed and crazy way…..
My list for tomorrow, “do what is mine to do!” That’s all, nothing less, nothing more…and that is good enough for now!
Gary,
One day, in Sunday School, I was reading Proverbs 31 instead of listening to the lesson (I’m sorry already). As I went through the list, I realized that it was describing my Carla.
Then, God showed me that Proverbs 31 wasn’t a list that WOMEN could use to make themselves feel better or worse, whatever the case may be; instead, it was a way for MEN to affirm their wives.
So, I took her to her favorite restaurant and read her the list, all the while telling her that I believed those things about her. It was powerful stuff.
Sounds like Lisa is a true Proverbs 31 woman and that the Father has blessed you far beyond what you deserve. Praise God for His infinite mercy and grace!!
Mark,
You are right on, read this – http://garyblack.myadventures.org/?filename=can-i-tell-you-about-my-wife
She is and more…thanks!
Gary this is what I shared with Lisa this morning…
Please help me make this happen…esp with the meal making…ecourage her to do it!
t
Lisa I agree with Seth…are you kidding…you cleaning your house…making beds…doing bathrooms? These are grown adults…if they don’t help they don’t stay..or eat…or use the potty…no kidding!
Adult accountability is essential for mentorship!
Second…(and you already know all of this…however let me continue…)…YOU are only one woman…your first call is to God…then Gary and then your kids. Period. The world will have to just wait Lisa…really…and so might some of the football games…walmart runs…ideals of what you think you should do and be…
We need to set up a cooking day…where several of these girls (ours included)…come over and we make 30 meals for you…and freeze them. That alone would change the dread of the dinner hour with all those people there…When can you do this next week…I will make any day work.
There is a lot God has put on your plate honey…but there was a lot of extra stuff others are placing there.
Part of being a woman of courage is saying…I can’t do more…actually I have not been called to do more. I do what I am letting God make up the difference.
Ask for help. Get the help. Receive the help.
Now you know me…I struggle with all of this as well…but the reality is we must walk in the truth of what we have really been called to do and be…
If satan can not get us off course he will press the gas peddle of our lives down so fast we miss what God is really showing us.
I love and adore you.
Let’s get those kids working to clean your house…and help with your kids…and then let’s lets get some meals made.
I love you tons…
Your ever loven girlfriend.
tam
Wow, so when are you and Lisa coming back to Indiana? Impart to us!
Wow you always were amazing lisa. All I can say is let me know when you need help with a few loads of laundry 🙂 I am just up the road. I love you guys!
Lisa,
Thanks for your blog! Your honesty, transparency, and willingness to admit your weakness spurs me on. It seems like the theme of your life is “dying to self” which has to be very glorifying to God and spurs me on to die to myself as I follow Jesus. I appreciate how you continue to keep your eyes on Jesus. He certainly is the author and perfecter of our faith. It is evident that as you are surrendering all of what God has placed before you, He is accomplishing his will in your lives. I used to feel like I had to be everything to everybody as a Christian wife, mom, friend,disciple, minister, daughter, volunteer, etc. This last year God has literally broken me of that and helped me realize that it is better for me to just admit that I am weak, imperfect, flawed, broken, surrendered, and sometimes overwhelmed. I think, like you were indicating in your blog, that when we “come clean” with what is before us His power accomplishes more than we ever could do in our own human strength. God has been teaching me how to balance being a Proverbs 31 wife, yet accept His grace when I fall and fail(which, depending on the day or week can be often). I am thankful that God is enough regardless of what I am or do. I love it that God is teaching me about boasting and delighting in my weakness like Paul did, and then, and only then I experience “His grace is sufficient for me and power made perfect in my weakness.” Thanks for being an inspiration and encouragment through your blogs! Your honesty is refreshing!
Blessing Friend!
Wendy