He's in Kindergarten Because he's too young for prison...

Wow! Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It is a difficult, and glorious calling. Nothing melts my heart more than the sweet snuggles of my three wild, wonderful, and crazy boys. And nothing makes my blood simmer more than the whining of said children when we spend an entire day enjoying life together, and then they declare it as “THE WORST DAY EVER” because they haven’t eaten in 45 minutes…they are STARVING…and apparently, very near death.

This happened recently with our youngest child. And by recently, I mean 3 hours ago.
We had the most wonderful day together as a family. All of us were in the water playing. Yes, even me, the mom! My ponytail even got wet!!!! I can’t even…
Upon coming home I started making dinner. I was already preparing for the nightly, “No offense mommy, but I really don’t like this food.” Or, “Stop gagging at the food in front of mommy.” Or, watching my mom with tears pouring out of her eyes from laughter, watching my boys choke down any food really that isn’t a noodle. It is a recurring sequel in our home. Different meal, same outcome every. single. night.
So tonight was no different. I was expecting the complaining as soon as I put the chicken in front of them. But because tonight was an extra special night for me, my 6 year old decided to start writhing around the kitchen floor, at my feet like a daggoned cat, whining because he was starving and couldn’t wait 19 minutes for dinner to come out of the oven.
The whining continued for, well, 19 minutes.
At one point though he was silently laying on the family room floor and so I went over to lay with him. He immediately turned his back to me. 

I asked, “Are you purposefully turning your back to me because you’re upset?” 

He simply nodded yes. 

So I replied with a hug to his back, “It’s ok. You can turn your back on me. I’ll still love you.”

It was a moment where I thought, I am NOT a perfect parent, but I showed the love of the TRUE perfect parent, our Father in heaven. It is exactly what he said to us, ‘You can turn your back on me, but I will still love you.’ 

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8

And just as I waited for my surly 6 year old to come back to me for love and comfort; God waits for you to turn back to Him and allow Him to love you and comfort you all the days of your life.

It all started with Poo....

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.” -Jeremiah 29:13

The other morning I was taking our two, un-groomed, but well loved, shipoos for their morning walk. In the past when I would walk our dogs, if they went to the rest room, and I could leave it before someone saw us…I confess, I would walk away. I know! It’s ok to judge me. I judge me too.

Recently though I have been growing in respecting other’s property when it comes to my dog’s “business” if you will. However, there is this one home in our neighborhood with feral cats running around, with a yard that isn’t as well maintained as everyone else’s, and well, if I am honest, the thought crossed my mind when our littlest puppy went to the restroom in their yard, I kinda told myself it would be ok to leave her mess there. They wouldn’t notice. We could always blame it on their cats. And more than that, they are disrespecting everyone else by allowing their cats to have the run of the neighborhood with no respect for anyone else’s wishes.

Well wouldn’t you know it, as God usually does in the stillness, He revealed a mighty truth: it doesn’t matter what those people do. It is my job as a representative of Him to show the same dignity and respect to this family and their property as I would show someone I found more “deserving” in my mind. 

Sometimes the ugliness is too much. But as we get to know one another you will find that I am nothing if not honest. Transparent to a fault at times. But a sinner loved by Jesus-and for that I will forever celebrate. 

Anyway, after I allowed that truth to resonate in my mind for a moment I went to the area our dog had gone to the bathroom. I very casually glanced around the area I thought she had gone, didn’t see anything, so I walked away. And then…

WHAM!

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.”

Say what Lord? 

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.” 

Now I know that God was not teaching me about my dogs bowel movement. But in that moment something crazy occurred to me! Had I really cared I could have done a thorough search of the area to find where my dog had gone to the restroom and cleaned up the mess. But I didn’t seek it out…not really. I glanced around half heartedly. Didn’t see anything. And so I moved on and continued with my walk. 

And I believe that is what so many of us have done, or do, with God. We wonder where He is. We say we want to learn about him. Discover what this whole faith thing is about. What following Jesus really means in this life. 

So we take a quick glance around for God. If we don’t see him in that brief moment of glancing, we move on away from Him.

So my encouragement to you would be this: Seek Him! Don’t glance around for God. SEEK HIM!

He is a promise KEEPER, and He says if we seek Him with our whole hearts, we will find Him. 

In Light of so Much Hate-A Picture of Love

I have been wrestling all day today with anger. With sadness. With a broken heart for those that have senselessly lost their lives on every side. For the injustice experienced by more hurting people than I can possibly wrap my mind around.

My heart aches.

My mind is spinning.

And I am mad.

And so tonight, while I remember that God  is weeping with His creation...I am going to take comfort in the truth that there is still beauty in the midst of the ugliness of this world.  And I will cherish and be thankful that my sweet child shows love, and compassion, and mercy to the hurting, to the broken hearted, to the down trodden...without judgement. Without reservation. Without hesitation. 

This is our sweet Drew, 8 years old, on vacation in Washington DC.

He saw this gentleman on our first day there. Came back the following day in front of the Natural History Museum searching for him again because he wanted to give him a goody bag he had made while at church full of: water, crackers, granola bars, tissues, hand sanitizer...and $20 of his birthday money he had been saving.  He wanted this man to have it all.

He loves in tangible ways. He didn't tweet his support.  He didn't hashtag his support. He actively showed his love and care to another human being and made this man feel valued. Made him feel as though he weren't invisible. 

So in light of the pain.  In light of the injustice.  In light of the hate.  I show you a very real picture and tangible expression of LOVE from the next generation. 

There is hope. 

Christmas Letter 2015

Allen Christmas Letter 2015

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Or Happy Valentine’sday, Easter, Labor day, or Election Day…depending when we finish this letter and you finally receive it.  The Allen family has had so many changes this year the Chinese have actually recognized 2015 as “the year of the Chameleon” in our honor.  So let’s start with the “catching up on our year” section, then some fun stuff.

The first change and one of the biggest to mention right out the gate is that we moved.  We left our home in Powell and moved in with Lindsey’s parents in Dublin.  Long story short, we wanted a different life for our family and selling our house to save for a new one was our choice.  An easy one, no way. The best one, definitely.  Lindsey’s parents were gracious enough to take us in: 2 more adults, 3 kids under 10 and 2 dogs to join their house of 2 adults and 2 dogs.  So doing to math, 4 adults, 3 kids and 4 dogs.  They went from empty nesters to “there is no more room in the inn.”  The move went great and the transition even better.  The boys now get to see their grandparents every dayand have cable and Lindsey and I get to sleep on 2 twin beds pushed together.  I do enjoy sleeping in Lindsey’s old bedroom with Rainbow Bright and my little Pony and next to posters of Joey McIntyre and JTT (Johnathan Taylor Thomas.)  

I started a new job this year and now work in Delaware as a Therapy Manager at a skilled nursing facility.  I manage an enormous team of therapists, actually just 1, but I manage him well.  I also lead worship at our church playing guitar and singing for Jesus.

After 10 years, Lindsey re-entered the corporate world and got herself a job this year.  Because Lindsey’s mom retired and could watch the boys, she was able to start her new career as an optometric technician.  What does she do?  I believe she plays with eye balls.  It’s all very gross to me so I don’t ask.  She says she gets to take pictures of eyes and order contacts and “cool stuff” like that.  The other day she said she got to take a contact out of someone’s eye and how awesome it was.  I gagged in my mouth a little and I wipe people for a living.  But she loves it and the people she works with.  She also loves to walk and spend time with boys.

Zachary is now 10 years old and in 4th grade.  He is our expert reader, never stopping until he runs out of book, which is often.  The library is officially running out of books for him to read and he will soon turn to pamphlets and restaurant menus to get his reading fix.  He also loves to swim and has taken to it like a… fish to water.  

Drew is 8 years old and in 2nd grade.  He loves arts and crafts.  He also loves to read but only about factual topics like history and animals.  He loves sharks and hopes to one day resurrect a Megalodon and raise it like a pet, no joke.  He wants to be that scientist from Jurassic Park, the one not eaten.  

Nate is trying to kill us.  I could tell you he is 6 years old but we only represent that time as the number of years he has allowed us to live.  He is in kindergarten because he is too young for prison.  The boy has his moments of utter and complete cuteness, when he is a perfect, sweet cherub of a boy who can do no wrong and loves you unconditionally.  And then the rest of the time, he is awake.   And that is a different story.  If you have ever seen Family Guy, Nate is the real life Stewie Griffin.  We think he is secretly always plotting to destroy Mommy.  But seriously (since he will read this when he is older) Nate is a sweet boy and so funny.  He loves to wrestle, play with his brothers and cousins and loves school.  So there is still hope.  I see good in him. -Luke Skywalker

As far as activities this year, we kept busy.  And what I mean by that is “we killed time.”   We went on a family trip with all 11 boy cousins to Hocking Hills, the 3 boys were all involved in swim team this summer, and Lindsey and I went with her parents and brother and sister-in-law to Nashville Tennessee this December.   It’s been a great year even with all the changes but that’s just a testament to how good our God is and how much He loves us.  So here’s wishing you that same love, grace and mercy He pours out on us daily to you and yours this Christmas season.  

​​​​​​​Merry Christmas,

​​​​​​​Mark, Lindsey, Zachary, Drew, and Darth Nate

Playing Beat the Parents with the boys, their question was “where did Adam and Eve live?”

Zachary: “Bethlehem” Drew: “Jerusalem.” Nate “Cincinnati?  No.”

Zachary: Mommy, which stuffed animal should I bring tomorrow for our pajama and movie day? Lindsey: I don’t know it’s up to you.

Zachary: Ok, well lets solve this the scientific way; Eenie Meenie Minie Mo….

“Teamwork is the best power to have.  Well, besides God and Jesus.”  -Drew

Drew left a plate outside his door. “So people can leave me an offering if they want.” -Drew

“Hey Mommy, guess what. I let Lilly (our dog) lick me in the mouth. Here, watch. Now you do it!” –Drew

“Can we bring this to church because Jesus loves it?” –Nate (Scooby Doo Wrestle Mania Mystery)

Nate started freestyle rapping at bedtime. “Read your bible! Or I’m gonna punch you in the faaaaaace!”

“Mommy and Daddy. I’m going to read and don’t tell me if I am wrong. Just let me do it.  Ok...this is Batman and he has a sidekick, Robin, who doesn’t really do anything. It makes Batman mad because he has to do, like, everything.” - Nate