My grandma used to tell me that I had the spiritual gifts of giving and mercy. It never occurred to me to ask her how she knew this. She was one of those people who seemed knowledgeable and spiritual so I just trusted her. Later I figured out she must have at one point been exposed to and become familiar with one of those spiritual gifts tests that people sometimes work through in church as a study or a group activity. For a long time I wondered why Lutherans don’t do those things.

I know some of them do, but in general it isn’t really a thing. I don’t really wonder that anymore either. But today in church the Epistle reading was from Romans 12 and the part where it talks about the body of Christ and the different functions that we have as members. I thought of my grandma again when we got to the part where it says, “…the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:8).” That’s not the first time I’ve thought of her there.

After church we stopped by County Market to get food. We’re still doing our diet but have still been having some cheat times. The afternoon was spent with everyone doing their own thing and enjoying the beautiful day with the windows open. I’ve been meeting with each of the kids to have a “state of your life” meeting, for wanting to know what is going on and discussing things. Elianna told one of her former teachers in church this morning that she quit school when the teacher asked how school was going.

I told her that was good. She might as well just rip the bandaid off and say it. I haven’t had her meeting yet but the boys are all done. The biggest thing for me seems to be making sure there is food in the house for breakfast and lunch and also keeping up with supper. Elianna went to the store again and got food for the week so that was nice. Because it was so nice, the kids played baseball outside while Dad and I walked and sat on the picnic table waiting for Ethan and Laura.

We had made plans to talk in the evening. So then we went back inside and called them. Realistically it could still be a week and a half before the baby comes. I can’t even fathom that long of a wait. She wasn’t going to go to school in person but since the baby isn’t here she is going to go for the first few days. She said she’s cleaned the house for the last time she doesn’t know how many times. I told them I would text them a first day of school text tomorrow so that will keep me busy for a short while.