There are a lot of changes happening in our student ministries right now. In the midst of the crazy summer so many other components are moving in different directions. Many of the changes are great, and needed. And it will be exciting to see how God will unfold all that we have been praying for.
But there are a few changes that I (as the wife) do not like so much and don’t understand. It is these changes that I don’t know what to say, and not say, and just what to do. My pride wants to shout at my husband, “Hey, did ya think it all through? Are ya real, REAL sure about that one?!” And my favorite, “Listen to me, listen to me, just listen to me!” BUT…..I know I shouldn’t.

I don’t know if I’m alone on this one, or what?? Anyone else fear change as much as me? I totally trust my husband and his call to this ministry. I do believe he is brilliant and gifted and a wonderful leader. Buuutttttt, what do you do when you don’t agree with it all??
Nothing?
Pray?
Vent, and visit this site?

I did take a big step (for me) this weekend. Our Pastor asked us to choose one area in which we would come to God daily for the summer and ask his guidance. I was certain that I was going to ask for wisdom concerning all these changes happening for us [...]

Continue Reading “Cha-cha-cha-Changes”

I think I added some pictures onto the last post! The Oscar meyer wienermobile came to our house last week! It was hilarious! We even got to take a ride. So I think that’s what got posted??
I think I figured out at least how to post pictures that I take with my phone. I am WAY smarter than I give myself credit for. Wish I could see what I did

Now, I just added this wordpress ap to my phone so I can try to post from it. We will see how this works. I am a horrible texter and hate, passionately typing from this tiny little keyboards. Sobthis will definitely keep my babbling to a minimum. And if there are typos let’s just pretend it’s our little game that you have to guess what I am meaning to say cuz if I have to keep pressing the delete button…I’m screwed. And when I post from my phone I don’t know how to add any cute little pictures. Anyone smart enough to explain that to me??
But what I have been really curious about and want to hear from you is what does this summer look like for you and your family? What is your husbands schedule? Usually this is “our” (youth ministry) biggest busiest season. Our husband are gone and coo coo and the rest I’d the church is just that – resting!
It’s hard to find some support and sympathy
I would love to hear all abou it!

Do you believe that God can resurrect a computer from the dead?
I’m writing really fast without really any purpose because, I can!
About a month ago (obviously) my computer totally crashed and its been sitting out on the kitchen table and I would try to “fiddle” with it , if you will. I mean what the heck do I know about computers! But in the mean time my husband has tried to fix ANYTHING else besides this computer. I think he is scared to face the truth that I need a new one.
Anyway, I came down from taking a shower just now and my kid was playing a game on this computer! My 6 year old fixed it?? (Or the Lord??)
I miss you guys
So much has been happening, just as I am sure your house-holds are crazy busy with summertime here, no school for the kiddos, husbands leaving and gone more. Sooooo much to talk about it.

What are you guys thinking about as summer is here?

Jeff recently has been traveling quite a bit. From conferences to camps. And this last trip just really threw me for a loop. It was a last minute trip that took him away for a week. I know its hard to be a single parent and away from our husbands for any period of time. But this trip I was really mad about. To put it bluntly, I was pissed. I couldn’t get excited for him to go, I couldn’t send him off well, and I couldn’t talk to him the entire time he was gone. He texted me and I responded a few times, but I even asked for him not to call because it was too hard to talk to him on the phone. I was obviously really emotional about him being gone.  I had to really think about why it bothered me so much. And I figured it out!….

He didn’t INCLUDE me. Not that I wasn’t invited to go with him (I wasn’t, but I couldn’t have gone anyway. That didn’t hurt my feelings.), but most of the time I get a “say” in when trip and even camps happen. At least a discussion or notice about it. Jeff respectfully comes to me and we match up our calendars and I can have a “say” in some of his scheduling of events. Not all, and sometimes if I say “no” he needs to say “yes”, and we discuss each [...]

Continue Reading “Just ask me, ask me, ask me….”

If you know someone who doesn’t know God, give them one of these babies and they will know there is a God who loves them.

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 350

bring 2 cups brown sugar and 2 sticks butter to a boil for 5 minutes, stirring the whole time.

Spread out saltine crackers salty side down over a cookie sheet (preferably one with sides.)

Pour brown sugar/butter mixture over crackers and spread around evenly.

Sprinkle about 1-2 cups of chocolate chips (depending on how chocolatey you like it) on the top.

Put in oven for about 5 minutes.

Take out spread smushy chocolate around, lick the spoon!

They are really good warm, but your suppose to put them in the fridge until they harden and then crack them up and eat with a tall glass of milk.

You will probably start to sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty…” as you eat them.

(I’m sure there are lots of different versions of this recipe out there.)

Just something else I’ve been up to

My husband chooses fruits, I choose chocolates. He eats spinach, I eat cookies. He loves fresh fish, I love pizza….. But I ran a half marathon (kicked some bootey), and he didn’t. I don’t want to brag or anything… (maybe a little) .

Just something I’ve been up to lately.

I’m telling you, if the cacao bean or coffee bean was considered a true “protein”. I would be the perfect picture of health.

Thinking this morning about how God loves me. Just me. As a mom, and a wife, a pastor’s wife, a church volunteer, and a friend. Its hard not to think of “others” when reading, or praying, or singing about God’s love for us. But this morning (and recently, since Good Friday to be exact) I have really been trying to think selfishly of God’s love. Of a picture in my mind of just me and the love of Christ. Only me. A lone me. No one else in that picture except me. Just like my own kids, sometimes they want to be the only child. They want to have “alone time” not having to share space with another sibling. I need that too, I guess. Time in my soul not having to be thankful for God loving anyone else but me. Sounds so selfish doesn’t it, a little immature?? Don’t get me wrong I am thrilled to my core for God’s love for my children, husband, students, and friends!! I am bursting to know when I look at my kids faces that someone loves them more deeply and intimately than I do! But I also thrive on the thought and feel overwhelmed that if it were just me, only me, a lone me, Jesus would still save me, and no matter how old I get or how many children I have My God still holds me like a child. So when I sing [...]

Continue Reading “Just Me.”

We (I say “we” loosely) are taking care of a fish, not mine a neighbors. And my feelings towards this fish are not loving, or caring, they are barely nice. What does it say about me? My lack of loving feelings towards animals (sorry it goes beyond fish). Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to hurt them or anything creepy, I just don’t like animals. Yuck. Should I explore this feeling? But I don’t want a pet and don’t want to want one. If they didn’t shed, smell, lick, drool, poop, pee, smell your crotch, mess up stuff, or eat. Maybe….. but probably not.

Just what I’m thinking about right now.

Reading these statements in a new way…
Not just “believing” these verses to be true… But learning to read them as facts about who God has created me to be. Because for me, a fact can’t be changed depending on how I feel, it just IS no matter what.

I am created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).

I am created with a desire and an ability to connect with God and others in love (Psalms 40:8; John 13:34-35).

I am created to communicate verbally, physically, and emotionally (Genesis 3:8-9; Luke 2:52).

I am created to be thankful to God for all he has done (Colossians 3:15; Hebrews 12:28).

I am created to praise God (Luke 5:26; Psalms 40:3).

I am created to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15).

I am created to give and to receive (Acts 20:35).

I am created to be generous (Psalms112:4-5; Proverbs 11:25).

I am created with the ability to make decisions and choices (Joshua 24:15).

I am created to fully enjoy every aspect of life in God’s creation and will (Ephesians 6:2-3; John 10:10).

I am created to grow physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually (Luke 2:52).

I am created to be creative and productive, using the gifts and skills God has given me (Genesis 2:15; Matthew 25:14-30).

I am created with an intelligent mind (James 1:5; Ephesians 1:7-8).

I am created with a mind that desires to learn and grow (Psalms 119:73; Isaiah 1:17).

I am created physically attractive to myself, God and others (Genesis 1:31).

I [...]

Continue Reading “I AM…”