I'm ALIVE yet half as wise!

I'm a worry wort. I have some crazy childhood fears that like to come back and haunt me every once in a while. It all came to a head Friday morning. Kevin is driving me to the dentist (AGAIN!). Only this time it is the real deal...surgery! Do I even have to tell you I am scared to death?! Since the drive over there is over an hour and then I get there early, well I've had plenty of time to think about it too. I'm really trying to be a big girl...

They call me back, you will be proud to know I went back by myself, Kevin didn't have to hold my hand! The nurses put me in the chair and start to work, getting me ready for the dentist. Now, because of my fear of needles, one of my worries has been the IV. God had a plan to help me out...the other nurse put the blood pressure cuff on so tight that it HURT every time it went to read my blood pressure. My arm has a bruise from it! Anyway, I didn't even realize the other nurse had stuck me until it was a done deal. God has a sense of humor!

I really don't know much else, for after that I just remember Kevin helping me to the car...and I barely remember that!!! However, once the pain meds started wearing off, I HAVE FELT IT! So, I know they did something. I had one wisdom tooth taken out, yet besides pain, my main problem so far has been reactions to the medications. One makes me itch, one makes me feel like I could throw up and the gargling with salt water just plain tastes bad! How is a person suppose to rest with all that going on?

I'm on day three and still have some pain, but my faithful friend Tylenol is now helping me out. I look like a chipmunk with a very swollen cheek. ( No, I didn't take a picture, so you will just have to take my word on it.)

I did learn a few things about myself and my family during this experience... I can be a Big girl when I set my mind to it. Mom and Dad, I didn't make them chase me around the room!

My God is the God of peace. He provides it when we need it most!

My husband can take care of me. The man who runs for the hills when someone is sick, came through for me and has not fussed once about getting me something or helping his wobbly woman make it to the bathroom in time. He even cleaned house and washed clothes all day Friday since he had to stay at home with me. Gotta love him!

I also learned that kids are going to fight whether you are sick or not! I guess not everything makes itself perfect while mom is down and out! Jordan did make his mom gargle her salt water and cooked me some easy mac for dinner, since daddy had to be gone last night for a few hours. It does a Mother good to know that she is raising a nurturing son...

So, after great worry and stress, I'm ALIVE! However, I am still a little worried...after all, I am now down to two wisdom teeth. Does that mean I am only half as wise? I'm going to have to pray about that one, for this blond mom needs every ounce of wisdom she can get!

The Disciple Now Experience

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I am still very much alive and kickin'...well just barely. I am exhausted! I got off work at 5:15p.m. on Friday and went home, changed clothes and was at the church by 6:00. It was a big weekend for my family and for our church. As the wife of the Student minister, well this was a big one. I spent most of my time away from home this weekend, helping with our Disciple Now. I am tired...yet I have to say it was worth it.

God is AWESOME! We had a great weekend of studying God's word, growing together as a group and just plain having a good 'ol time! By the time the event was finished on Sunday afternoon, I was worn out physically, mentally and SPIRITUALLY! I took a 4 hour nap Sunday afternoon!!! And yes, I still slept that night.

Anyway, to family and friends, I wasn't trying to ignore you. I was just plain busy! Thank you for your prayers...

Oh, by the way, I have a little minor surgery scheduled on a tooth on Friday. Please say a prayer for me...I am just not very good with this medical stuff. I'm trying to be a "Big Girl" about it all...if you know me at all, then I know you understand what I mean by this statement.

Disciple Now '09

And we are off... Last night our first BIG youth event of the year took off and running. Disciple Now. If you have ever been a part of one you know that it is a mini camp that most times has a great impact on those young hearts attending.

Last night went great! Everything went smoothly. We had over fifty kids sign up (we would have had more, but there was a baseball tournament, quiz bowl and mock trial all planned this weekend too!!!) There was great music, an awesome speaker and hopefully many opened hearts.

Keep us in your prayers and I will try and keep you posted!

Yesterday seemed a day for drama. Whether it was due to working environments, school or even the illnesses or deaths of friends and loved ones. It was just a hard day.

I've tried to find a way to focus on the blessings, remembering the peace of God, when the stormy days come around. Yet it is so hard sometimes, when you are caught up in the roaring winds of hurt and you feel like you are drowning in floods of frustration.

However, last week I started doing something new. Due to conviction over the need to pray more, in other words praying throughout my day "without ceasing" and not just when I need something, I started a Praise Book. It is not a new concept. In fact I have journals and journals of prayers. Yet this one is different. It is full of PRAISE! Even if it is the fact that I am still breathing, there is ALWAYS something I can be thankful for.

I decided to write a praise in my book when I start my day. I write something as I turn in for the night. And I fill in the time in between with thankful thoughts too. You know what? It really does help. Not only am I praising my Lord as I write, the words are there and I can go over them over and over again, every time I need a little pick me up...like yesterday.

Yesterday. I truly believe God allows us those days to test the waters, to see how far we are willing to get out of the boat and walk to him in faith. How much will it take before we sink under the pressure and get swallowed by waves of unbelief? Just when I think, I can't take the burden of something else... that I'm drowning, I see the hand of Christ lifting me back up.

So many people have no faith. Like the young girl that works with me. Yes, when asked she believes there is a God, yet her Mom has never taken her to church. She is so quiet and shy. I wonder what, if anything does she truly believe? I'm sad.

And then I am thankful. THANKFUL??? Yes, for someone else's lack of faith always makes me more thankful for my own faith. For I have the silver lining in the storm clouds that come my way. I see the hand reaching for me and know the Savior to whom it belongs. So, when the issues of life take their tole. When I want to have another one of those big pity parties. When I get easily frustrated and think "this is the worst day ever!!!" I remind myself of my Lord who cares. I remember that I have strength and peace that comes from my Heavenly Father...I can't imagine how I would get through the day to day without it. I am lifted back on top of the waves to walk hand in hand with my Lord. And that is PEACE.

By the way, when I started my praise book, the first thing I wrote down was a scripture;

I read it over and over yesterday. "Thank you, Lord for seeing me through the day. I will praise you in the storms of my life."

"And I will praise you in this storm

And I will lift my hands

for you are who you are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise you in the storm."

Casting Crowns

I

WHAT"S THE BIG DEAL?!!

When I was a young girl one of my favorite things to do was cut up my mom's magazines and catalogs. I would draw floor plans on paper and cut out furniture and people to go in my imaginary home.


When I was in high school I would cut out my favorite movie titles, pictures of cute guys and just little sayings that I read and liked and then plaster them all over my binders.

Today, although I'm finding it hard to find the time, I love to scrapbook. Who would have ever realized what I use to do with my old pictures and magazine clippings would one day turn in to a big booming hobby?!


Well, I guess the kid is still in me. I know this is the age of digital scrapbooks and I am not above getting one, but I still have to say I love the work and creativeness that goes in each handmade scrapbook page. I like being the creator. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment with each finished page. I like the papers, ribbons, brads and stickers. Well, I guess you get the idea...

Anyway, I have scrapbooks for both my kids. From birth to present I have creations with updated pictures of my two babies. Well, actually that is sorta of a little white lie...I have pages and pages of them up till a year ago. You see, I'm just a little behind. Since going back to work, I haven't had as much extra time as I use to. I have a scrap booking club I go to once a month, but we only do one page and it is a set theme. So, as you can imagine that gets me no where fast!

The truth is I have stacks of pictures, certificates, newspaper clippings ready for each child, just sitting there ready to be put on a page. A years worth of pictures and I still had a meltdown tonight! One of those moments when your husband just simply looks at you, as if to say: "WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL?!!" It is a big deal, isn't it?

You see, I missed the note that said my son was having class pictures last Wednesday. I find out tonight that it was LAST WEDNESDAY! And on the picture envelope it states, pictures must be ordered and paid for on the day of the picture taking. Which means we do not have a 4Th grade class picture for my son! BOYS!!!

Now, I know some of you are thinking, like my husband: "WHAT 'S THE BIG DEAL?!!" But if you are a scrapper, then I know you understand... Now I will have one less page in his scrapbook. All the other grade's pages will have class pictures. (That is if I ever find time to scrap again!)

Truth. I did have a five minute meltdown, but I will recover, don't worry. I know in the scheme of things that it is only a picture. The silver lining is that since I didn't realize it was picture day and therefore I am not sure what my son was wearing that day, if his long hair was combed down or if he even had a bath the night before... well I probably wouldn't have wanted the picture anyway! At least that is what this scrapper is telling herself...

Oh, but if you are reading this and by chance have a child in my son's class...could I maybe scan your class picture some time???

A little PRAYER to start the day...

I will start this post with an explanation as to why I am at home blogging and not at work this morning...I had a rough Sunday. I was teaching Sunday School, Sunday morning when I started seeing the spots. I struggled to get through my class and not alarm the little five year olds that I teach. I've had them before and also know that usually a HUGE migraine will follow soon. Sure enough, while sitting in church, the headache hits. It is probably one of the few times that it HURT to hear my husband's beautiful voice in song!!! I also have absolutely no clue what my pastor's words were either. I hope people thought I was praying and not sleeping, for I honestly did have my eyes shut for most of the service, off and on...

It let up a little right after church and I struggled to choke down my lunch, but as soon as I got home I hit the sheets. I stayed there until this morning at about 2:20a.m. My back started hurting...I'm afraid one of these days we will have to break down and get a new mattress! If I stay in bed too long, my bad back starts crying out in pain. Which basically means NO SLEEP! Oh, but I am not finished... at about 4:00 I start having a pain in my stomach. I've also had these before, usually after I eat something that doesn't agree with me (probably the beginning of gallbladder problems) and the pain will not go away until I literally get rid of the food attacking my body! I finally went to sleep in Kev's big comfy chair at 5:00a.m.! So, I did what any other "weakling" would do...I called in sick! I am doing much better now, but decided to rest after my disturbing night.

Since I am home and the phone will not let me sleep, I decided to check my email. I have received a few big prayer requests and would like to pass them on. I sometimes think God uses the yucky stuff in our lives (like not feeling well) to slow us down and allow us time with Him in prayer. Here are a few requests that I hope you will add to your own prayer lists today...

1. Amy and her family. This young mom has just discovered that the baby she is carrying has Trisomy9 a fatal chromosome disorder. She will carry the baby as long as she can, for she is a believer in Christ and believes in His miracles. However, she and her family must also prepare their hearts in case God decides to carry her baby boy on HOME to be with Him. Please wrap this family in your prayers.

2. Young Hannah. She is the niece of some friends of ours and is battling cancer. She doesn't have much more time... Her family has great faith and needs our prayers as they wait on the Lord. Again, we believe in the God of the Bible who speaks and it is done. Whether the miracle is a cure and a fantastic testimony on earth or the miracle is a young believer meeting her Savior and leaving a great testimony behind, this family needs our prayers. Please pray that the PEACE of Christ will surround this young lady and her family as they wait on God's timing.

3. We have some friends that have felt the calling of the mission field. They are in the process of getting ready for the day at the end of the summer when they will say goodbye to loved ones here and board a plane for a great adventure for Christ! Keep them in your prayers as they continue to adjust and get ready to the idea of living and serving on the mission field. For privacy and safety reasons I will not give their names or where they are going, but for my blogs sake I will call them the "Faithful Footsteps." As a former missionary kid, myself, I know first hand what is asked of those who go. Please honor them with your prayers as they faithfully follow in the footsteps of our Lord.

4. My husband is a student minister, so anything "youth" is very near and dear to our hearts. This coming weekend, my husband has his big Disciple Now planned. Please pray for the 50 something kids signed up to come. We also have "host homes, young adult leaders, a speaker and a band coming for the event. I ask that you pray for safety in travel, and that there will be an attitude of worship in our group. This could be a very big chance for some of our kids to turn their lives around! I also would ask prayer for the 50 something kids in our group that didn't sign up to come for whatever reasons...we live in a busy world today, kids have all kinds of choices to make daily...unfortunately other activities often win over church events. I pray that those kids unable to attend will still find ways this weekend to grow in their relationships with Christ.

5. As I have said before, my husband has been gifted with great musical talent. Right now our church is without a music leader. My husband is filling in for right now. I know once upon a time the music minister and youth minister were usually the same person, however in today's world, at a church of our size, leading the music is not just a matter of opening a Hymnal and singing and youth...well you just have to come up with bigger and bigger things to "entertain" and keep their interest for them to keep coming. I say this to say, that although Kev loves music and loves leading, with only two ministers serving at our church, he is staying VERY busy! Please keep him in your prayers. May he continue to have an attitude of service as he works hard to meet the needs of the church family he loves.
Also I would like to ask for prayer for the man that may come. The music committee has found a man they like who plans to come this spring in view of a call. Please pray for him and his family for moving is never an easy decision! Also give our church family peace over having this man follow what he thinks is God's will for his life. Worship is an important aspect of church. This is no small decision.

Well, those are just a few of the prayer requests that have touched my heart today. There is nothing better than starting the day out with prayer...and with friends.