Huge Accomplishment for My Hubby!

This week brings my family….well mainly my husband (James) and I…..on the brink of the final miles of a journey that he (we) have been on for the length of our relationship so far.  (About 5 or 6 years).

It is stressful and exciting at the same time. We can see the destination point. We are at the top of the mountain and now just need to dodge a few pot holes and drop-offs on our way to get there while going about 90 miles an hour  :)  Now don't get me wrong....OBVIOUSLY James is the hard worker here with multi-page papers, late nights, cramming for tests etc but I have tried to be his cheerleader and help encourage him along.

James is going to be graduating from college!! This is such a huge accomplishment for him! He has gone to college full time for much of this journey as well as worked full time, led the teen ministry at our church, coached teams, was a referee, and most important of all a 24/7 husband and dad etc. God only knows how he made it through without skidding off the deep end and I praise God for keeping him safe through all the stress and procrastination.

This journey, to be honest, has sometimes seemed like we were on a scavenger hunt. There are so many things that he is interested in and so many things that he is good at that the final say had to be very CLEAR from God on which path to take and the key also was WHEN.  I learned very quickly that James is a very ambitious man and he has goals and dreams. He doesn’t just dream them in his head….he speaks them out and talks through them.   I used to mistake some of this as him actually doing all the things he was saying ….all at the same time……and I thought to myself….”there is just no way”….”I am going to lose my mind!” Then God showed me that this is the way He made my husband and that NO he is not going to do all of these things RIGHT NOW but in God’s timing and that I should trust Him!

I am soooo thankful that I listened to God! Though this journey has not always been easy to watch James go through, it has been such a pleasure to be able to watch him grow and change as God moves in his life. Had I stayed fearful and overwhelmed I would have missed all that God has done throughout these years! Not only has God worked in James’ life but He has worked in my life as well. As each obstacle came up not only did my husband have to learn to navigate accordingly and fall down and get back up….I did as well. When you are “one” with someone you struggle when they struggle and hurt when they hurt and cheer when they cheer! You learn and grow in knowing how to support and encourage them the way that God would have you. There are so many times when God would use me to speak into my husband’s life at a crucial time when he was struggling and I praise God that He did! 

I just want to say that I am so very proud of James!  He has really worked hard and persevered through the rough times relying on God and learning what it takes to move into an even deeper relationship with Christ.  He has fasted and prayed throughout and God has always been there to pull him through and teach him a lesson or two when needed.  I have such a respect for James and the gifts that he has.  I am so very blessed to have been given such a wonderful Godly man.  I can't even begin to express how much I love and respect him.  (stay tuned for our anniversary blog and you can say "oh puke" then LOL) 

Even as I wrote this the enemy tried to step in and cause issues and James and I prayed and asked God to step in and take over and He did and we give him all the glory and praise!!  Father we thank you for walking with us every step of the way.  We could not have made it without you!!

(I will be having a Graduation reception for James at Foster Arend Park.  The date is still TBD)

My Identity is in Christ

Now being a good Christian I don't ever wish that I could have certain things right?  I don't look at something that someone else has and wish that I could have it too right?  Or....maybe wish that circumstances were different and that I could have a bigger selection of different outfits so that it wouldn't seem like I am wearing the same things every week or the same shoes all the time etc.  I don't do any of that right?  WRONG!

I do have to admit that I am human and I have days here and there where I do struggle with wanting certain material things.  On the other days these things really don't matter so much to me.  Just because I do not have the new style of jewelry or shoes or clothes that seem to be "hot" right now does not mean that I don't look good or that I should be looked down upon.  Just because the car I drive does not and IS NOT new doesn't mean that I am not okay.

Just recently I went through a bout of this struggle.  I went to a purse party with my girlfriends (you know who you are) and I was very excited!  There were tons of purses and wallets and sunglasses galore!  Being that my husband and I had just spent some extra money within a few days before that on a new (new to us) car, I was hesitant to spend very much money.  My husband told me that I should go ahead and get something if I wanted to so I had a $ amount in mind.  When I looked at the price of the purses and wallets I was a bit deflated because I just didn't feel good spending that kind of money on a purse for me when I knew that I had other things I should probably use that money for at this particular time so I did not buy anything. 

Did this hinder me having a good time?  Not at all.  I was still able to use this time to fellowship with the girls and help them to find what they wanted and what looked good and razz them a bit etc. 

On the drive home I started to remember the last party that I went to with these girls was a jewelry party and I didn't buy anything there either.  I started to think about how they are able to compare their new jewelry and now they will all have new purses to talk about and I won't.  At that point, I called my mom and asked her what is wrong with me.  Why can't I just buy some things for myself and NOT feel like I am doing something wrong.  My husband is forever telling me to buy some things for myself and I just don't do it very often.  I ended up teasing my mom and telling her that I am ruined because of how I was raised to always make sure that there was money for everyone else and to put myself last.  It is true that my parents very rarely bought anything for themselves while I was growing up and I think as a parent I have started to model that.  I am going to work on treating myself once in a while (in moderation of course) and give myself a break on feeling bad about it.  Lord help me :)

As I went through this struggle with how I would like to be able to dress and what I would like to be able to feel free to do as far as getting my hair done and my nails and having a nice car etc.  This song came to mind and I started playing it over and over.  God uses music many many times to speak to me.  Each time I have had an opportunity since then I have played this song to remind myself. 

The song is "Identity" by Lecrae and part of what God was showing me is exactly what the chorus says:

I'm not the shoes I wear, I'm not the clothes I buy
I'm am not the house I live in, I'm not the car I drive
I'm not the job I work, You can't define my worth
By nothing on God's green earth, my identity is found in Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74a32jFEDP4 click to hear the music and see the lyrics.  It really makes you think!

Material things are not important.  We should all be thankful that we have cars and clothes etc.  The more important thing is who we are in Christ and how He sees us.  It doesn't matter what other people think. 

We are to set our minds on the things above and not on things on the earth (Col. 3:2). God will supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).

So WHY do I admit this and put this out there for people to read?  Because for ONE it helps me to admit that I struggle rather than just push it to the back burner and not deal with it and TWO there just might be someone out there that God will use this message to reach. 

We ALL have things that we struggle with.........the question is do we admit it and ask God to help us to deal with it...........

One True Friend

When I was younger I used to dream of having a friend that I would do everything with. We would go to the pool together, have sleep overs, talk on the phone, tell each other about the boys that we like, and be able to grow up together and count on one another. This friend would want to spend time with me as much as I wanted to spend time with them and we would be like two peas in a pod.

Insert reality……I did have friends here and there. We did things together but I always felt like I had to chase them to spend time with them. Maybe it is that whole female thing where I want to be pursued LOL I don’t know. Anyway….I never felt like I ever had a best friend. I tried to be a good friend to many people and did get along with all different clicks and groups. I was the Dear Abby person that people could talk to about boyfriend/girlfriend issues etc. This is a gift that God has given me and He uses me in this way still 20 + years later!

A few years ago when the movie “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” came out I asked my husband to go to the movie with me. Little did I know how deeply this movie would affect me. I loved the movie but the emotions that God brought forth in me didn’t feel so good. God used this movie to help me start to deal with this longing that I have in having a good female friend that I can count on. I could not even talk when we left the theatre. When we arrived at the restaurant my husband asked me what was wrong and I asked him if I could have 10 min. I didn’t want him to say anything because I couldn’t talk. I just had him hold me in the parking lot of Applebee’s while I cried and cried and cried for 10 minutes straight. Talk about a release. I had held all these emotions in for so long and God had brought them to the forefront so that I could start to deal with them. My husband was very supportive and I felt safe and so very loved! He has been my very best friend since I met him and I poured out my heart to him about the situation. I felt a little better after that.

It has been a few years since that night and every once in a while I still feel that longing. God showed me after that night that He wants me to have that longing for Him! I need to put that focus and time toward my relationship with Him. Sure it is nice to have friends and I do have a good group of friends that I love dearly and we spend time together when we can. Families and activities prevent us from getting together very often but I see them at church twice a week etc. I don’t get to talk to them as often as I would like but I try to be content with that. I trust God and when there are times that I need to spend time with one or many of them….God provides the opportunity and place for that to happen. In the other moments that maybe my husband is busy and I would really like a female perspective….I do reach out once in a while.

Do I have one that I talk to on the phone every day? No. Do we do many of the things on my dream list? Not necessarily but we do pray for each other and have a girls night out now and then. I know that if I really need them….I can call and they will be there. God is still working in this area……He is fixing this place in my heart that feels like I am missing something on some days. When I feel that longing…..He steps right into that place and reminds me that He is my all in all! He is the one that is smitten with me. He is ALWAYS with me whenever I need a friend or feel insecure about a situation or maybe I need some advise. I don’t even have to pick up the phone……He is there and I am never alone. He speaks to me in ways that reach me so deeply that no one else could ever touch!

There is a song by Nicole Nordeman that I heard years ago that made me cry as God reminded me just WHO He is. It is called “I AM.” Here is a couple verses……I bawled like a baby at the concert when I heard this for the first time. God spoke to this longing that night in a way that deeply touched me.

Pencil marks on a wall
I wasn't always this tall,
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed,
You watched my team win,
You watched my team lose,
You watched when my bicycle went down again,


CHORUS:
And When I was weak unable to speak,
still I could call You by name,
and I said “Elbow healer, Superhero,
come if You can,” and You said “I am”


Only 16, life is so mean, what kind of curfew is at ten PM
You saw my mistakes, You watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I’d never love again

CHORUS:
When I was weak, unable to speak,
still I could call You by name,
and I said “Heart-ache Healer, Secret-keeper,
be my Best Friend” and You said “I am”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXCXEb1Qupg (listen to the song)

Do you ever feel that longing and you don't quite know what you are longing for?  In those moments....try reaching out to God.  He is drawing you to Him.  He is the missing piece....the love that you have always wanted....the friend you can always trust.  He is our everything!  Try Him.....He is the best friend you could ever have!

Riding the Bus

I ride the busy on a regular basis. We have been down to one car for the last couple of weeks and so I get to be blessed with being the one to ride the bus. Some days I don’t mind it and other days I am truly aggravated about it.


In the morning…..I can tolerate riding the bus if I have gotten up early enough and I am ready without having to rush. Actually I like the fact that two of my boys ride the bus with me and I can talk with them on the way and give them a little send off when it is their stop. I also get an opportunity to read my email, Facebook, and blogs that I follow. I tend to be in a better mood these days because I get to work early and I can take my time going to my desk, maybe pick up a coffee on the way, or sit and read or write.


In the afternoon….I just happen to ride the bus that has a waiting line that starts at about 5:05. Our bus does not arrive until about 5:15 which is when we need to be leaving. It is over crowded and on several occasions, don’t ask my why, I have started to not feel so great on the way home and when I arrived home I needed to lay down for a bit till I felt better. I am not sure if it is the people that ride at that time or not enough circulation etc. I am a bit claustrophobic and I start to feel that way on that particular bus or it could be spiritual.


Why the difference? Why such a drastic difference? Is it maybe the fact that I am one of the last ones to have someone sit with me in the morning? (I don’t smell so I don’t understand why). I have a fresh outlook on the day in the morning and in the afternoon I tend to be anxious to get home because I may have somewhere else I need to be?


Bottom line….I know there is a reason that I have had to ride the bus for this season. It could be for one particular person on one specific day that God is going to touch. It could be the guy that sat with me a couple of weeks ago in the afternoon and struck up a conversation. He was only here for a few weeks. It could be the woman that I talked to while I was waiting at the bus stop. No matter what the situation….God can be using you to reach someone else. You may be uncomfortable or inconvenienced. Are you willing to do it for God? Are you willing to sacrifice your time?

People are always observing you whether you see them doing it or not. They are watching your reaction or your response to what others say. They may watch your facial expression as you watch someone sit down in your seat and maybe that person didn’t put any deodorant on that day. It could be the girl that looks over your shoulder to see what artist you are listening to on your Ipod. It could be the woman that you give up your seat to so she doesn’t have to stand in the aisle.

People are watching……what are they seeing in you?

  

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” - Matthew 5:16

My Son's Birthday

It is my son's birthday today.  He is 14 and I can't hardly believe it.  It seems like just yesterday he was inside kicking me or having the hiccups that would make my belly jump and make me laugh.  I think back to that day with fond memories believe it or not.  I had gone in to be induced and spent the day at the hospital waiting to get the party started with some progess in labor.  After they sent me home I sat on the couch and decided to have a couple pieces of chocolate cake and low and behold....my water broke and we had to go back to the hospital.  About 10 hours later.....Jared Michael was born.  I still love that name! 

I am truly blessed to be the one that God chose to be his mother!  He is such a treasure and I love him more than I can even express!  To think that God loves him so much more than we can fathom is almost overwhelming.  As much as I pray and ask God to help him in different areas of his life and to be WITH him and shine THROUGH him I have been blessed to watch this happen as he grows up more and more every day.  He still has struggles just as we all do but I can truly see that God's hand is on him.  To see him grow in his faith has been one of the best experiences that I could ever be allowed to see! 

Teens always tend to struggle with what is cool whether it be in how they dress or how they talk or walk and who they hang out with.  Jared has not been exempt from this.  As much as he begged to be homeschooled as he grew up he did admit to me the other day that he is glad that he ended up in public school.  He is glad that he is getting experience in how to deal with different situations.  Does he always make the right decision? No.  Is he always protected from the other kids who want to razz him....no.  I truly believe that God is working through Jared to reach some of these other kids.  Jared may not even realize it yet but has he becomes stronger and stronger in his walk.....the other kids will see it and some of them will want to know what sets him apart and some will walk away from him.  I know this will be a tough thing for him as I know, like every teen, he wants to be accepted but I continue to pray that God gives Jared the strength to be set apart for Christ no matter what his friends say or do.  Jared has a bold faith....I have seen it and I have heard from people that he has talked to about his faith and I am so proud of him for being willing to step out and communicate what he believes.

I am sure this whole thing will probably be a little embarrassing for Jared if he were to read it but I just really needed to talk about how proud I am of him.  Of course I let him know this on a regular basis but I also know that sometimes when we get in trouble or make a mistake we forget the good things that have been said and tend to dwell on the negative things.  I just want to make sure that Jared knows that no matter what.....I will always love him!  I will always be there for him to help to guide him and I pray that he continues to grow in his walk with God.  That is the most important thing and I truly believe that he is realizing this!  I sooo look forward to watching Jared continue to grow!  It is going to be a fantastic journey and I am so blessed to be along for the ride!!  I love you bud!  Happy Birthday!!

-Mom

Stirred Up

I have many things that have been swirling around in my head and my spirit lately. Do you ever feel like you are just stirred up and you just don’t quite know what to do with yourself? I so badly want to have some significant time to just dive into the Word and yet….when I do have some time…I don’t always feel like I am getting what I am aching for? I can’t put my finger on it. It kind of reminds of when you are craving a certain food and you try eating all these other things and you just don’t feel satisfied until you get the food you were craving. You are better off just having what you are craving and save yourself the extra calories right?


I have been seriously feeling as if there is something that I am supposed to be doing or someone I am supposed to be talking to or something. I feel like it is on the verge of bursting out of me and I am not quite sure what that even is? I do know that I have had this extra yearning to talk about things whether it be about things that happen throughout the day or what I have read in the Word or in an article etc. I feel this need to be able to talk to someone about it. I was hoping that blogging would help with this and sometimes it does but there are times when I would like feedback and since I don’t have many followers and I am not even sure if anyone is reading my blogs. God let me know when I started this blogging journey that it wasn’t about how many or who read them….it was an outlet for me to express the things that I am experiencing etc and that He would lead the people to the blog that needed to read it. I guess I just need to continue to be obedient and let God take care of the rest of it. I guess I might need to write more often and not worry about what people will think or if I put in enough scripture etc. I just need to write what I feel led to write.  I need to keep my focus on God and not let myself get distrated.....even just by the fact that I feel something stirring in me. 

God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you! I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you. I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises! If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post.  - Psalm 63:1-5 MSG

Exercise High

Okay...so I just got done going for a walk on my lunch.  I can't even think of the last time I have done that.  A friend of mine suggested it and I thought .....I probably should.  Now that I am done..I feel good.  Why is it that I cannot remember this feeling so that I can be motivated to do it again?  What happens to us to bring us to a point where even if we do remember that it feels good when we are done....we still don't want to do it?  Is there a mental lapse?  Am I just lazy?  Maybe I don't want to hear the answer to this. 

I have decided to take this moment of feeling good and try to build on it.  I am not going to think about all that I have done wrong.....or all I ate yesterday....or even how much weight I need to lose etc.  I am going to take this as a step in the right direction and I am going to encourage myself to keep moving in that direction.  This is such an emotional .......Game ......basically.  I realize that there are times that we need to be tough on ourselves and then there are times when you just need to encourage.  I realize that no matter what...I cannot do this on my own.  If I do not seek God's help I cannot do it.  I definately learned that a year ago.  I need to take this as a good starting point and keep my eyes on God and press....and press.....and keep pressing on.  When I get tired....I can lean on Him.  No one can do this for me.....as much as that would be nice what would I actually learn?  I just need to stop my complaining (as I read in someone's blog this morning) and realize that I have to make the decision to do this if I want the end result.  As my husband would say....I need to suck it up and drive on.  :)

Sometimes Sunday Makes Me Sad

This morning it was tough to get out of bed.  Mondays are sometimes rough....especially when my husband says he has to go in early.  We have this wonderful weekend and then it is back to the work week. 

Am I grateful that we both have jobs?  Yes!  Is it wonderful that I have an ambitious husband?  Yes!  Do I like my job?  Yes!  For some reason though on Monday mornings when we all leave the house and go in separate directions it just makes me feel alone!  I am very much a family person.  Saturdays and Sundays are the highlight of my week!  I love spending that family time together.  When the kids are at their dad's my hubby and I take time for us.  He is my best friend and I love spending time with him!  Is it selfish to want to have that all the time?  I know I know....life just doesn't work that way.

Last summer my husband was feeling like this (and I know he still does) and he wrote a poem about it.   

SOMETIMES SUNDAY MAKES ME SAD


Sometimes I wish Saturday lasted all year
Because on Sunday morning I wouldn't just stare
I think "Will it be the last time I get to watch you this way?"
As I watch you sleep peacefully as softly you lay
As my hand smoothes gently across your skin
(You smile gently and I watch you and grin)
Peace settles on you and you never open your eyes
You know it's just me when I'm touching your thighs

You open up to me knowing we’re connected
Never opening your eyes because the day becomes hectic
I think to myself many will try to tear us apart
Wanting my time from your time and away from our hearts
I'd flirt across the room and you'd know my thoughts
I am not listening to them and then we engage our plot
You smile "Will you rescue me and take me away?"
"Take me back to when it was a night called Saturday?"
"Even though we had a fight when we were nestled in our bed"
I'd rather listen to you snore than to hear them instead

Sometimes Sunday makes me sad
Cause I have to share you with the world
Wanting to tuck you away and hide my beautiful pearl
Wanting to be selfish and keep your warmth all to myself
As selfish as that is they don't know the kind of love we've felt
As we slowly move forward to what will become Monday
We take a nap during the day to make Sunday try to stay

But sometimes Sunday makes me sad
Because it becomes a day closer to being without you
And the night is further lost to another day of going through
Moments I could have had if I were with you

Sunday's are great when there is no one at home
But I'd rather have my Sunday's with you
Than to be without you ...Alone

By James W. Robertson, II (June 16, 2009)


So what am I going to do about today?  I am going to get my attitude in check and I am going to look forward to what God has planned for me!  I know there is a reason why I work at the job that I have and I know that God is using me to touch others as I go throughout my day. 

Lord, thank you for giving me this day!  It is another opportunity for me to share YOU with others.  Help me to walk the path you have set for me.  Help me to be sensitive to those that are needing a touch or a word from you Lord.  Help me to shine YOUR light wherever I go!  In Jesus Name.  Amen!

Hidden in Him,

Hidden in Him, 
(click on Hidden in Him for a wonderful article)


There are so many of us that are struggling with different things today.  How we choose to deal with it can vary depending on what the storm in our life entails.  I know that many times I stuff it and eat to deal with my emotions!  I can very easily get overwhelmed and just want to crawl into my bed and sleep....that seems to be a coaping mechanism for me as well.  This is NOT what God would have us do!  The enemy loves it when we run away and hide from a situation.  He loves it when we separate ourselves from church and from our Godly friends.  It is at these moments....when we are alone that the enemy brings thoughts to our minds that are against the word of God.  We need run TO God and press in!  He is our protection.  He is our comfort.  When we are weak....He is strong.

There are times when the struggle we are having causes us to want to fight back.  We want to defend ourselves and show the person that is hurting us that we are stronger.  In the particular case that I am thinking of in my life....the fight is not flesh and blood....it is spiritual.  As much as we want to protect our loved ones and go tell this person they better stop messing with this person we love.....we need to let God handle the situation.  We need to let Him fight the battle.  He is able to do this AND lead the person to salvation in the process if they will submit.   I don't think this person that is causing the problem realizes they are messing with a child of God!   

God is using this scripture for the situation.........Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.

And So the Day Begins......

Why can I not seem to get up in the morning? I was still blowing my hair dry when my husband was ready to walk out the door. For some reason I feel disconnected when that happens. When he is leaving and I didn't even get a chance to talk with him. In fact...I think I nipped at him this morning when he was almost ready to leave I still got my kisses (he cannot leave the house without kissing me ...it's a rule) and he made sure that I heard him tell me that he loves me. Yet I was out of sorts when he left. I didn't know if I should run after him and try to make things better or if it was just me being grumpy in the morning. I hate that feeling.

I was off schedule after that and missed the first bus that I normally ride with my boys in the morning. That felt weird. My routine was messed up. Yes...you guessed it...I like a bit of routine. My husband is Mr. Spontaneous so we balance each other. Once I got on the bus and put my headphones on...I was good to go. The first song was Kari Jobe.."You Are For Me" and it changed my attitude instantly. As I continued to listen to more good music and read some of the blogs that I follow I started to brighten up and look forward to the day. Is there a way to just get out of bed this way? I will have to think on that one. If I find the key...I will let you know. Some people are just happy when they wake up and they get out of bed looking forward to the day. Why can't I do that? Just another thing I need to add to my list of things to "get myself together."

Music Speaks to the Heart

Music....I love music! Do I have the biggest collection? No. Can I name every tune that one would play for me? No. But in my heart of hearts I know that music has the power to move me. It can take me from one mood to another....in just 3 minutes.

Have you ever had a rough day and you get into your car and a song from one summer back when you were in high school comes on the radio. You smile to yourself and then look to see if anyone saw you. You try to go back to being frustrated about your day and yet you find yourself quietly humming with the song. Then the words and the feelings from that time in your life come back to you and you start to sing along. By the end of the song your mood is lifted and you have a different perspective on the day.

Music...whether it be the words or the melody can alter how you feel about a situation, a person, an activity, or even a product. Look at the commercials that are on TV. One of the key factors that goes in to making a commercial is the right music...the catchy jingle. When you see the trailer for a movie....what captures you first? You may not even be looking at the TV but when the music comes on you are instantly intrigued. The movie may not even look very good but because they backed it with the right music....you may go see it anyway. It might have a good soundtrack :) That crucial moment in the movie when the hero gets the girl and they kiss....if they don't have the right music...it can blow the whole movie!

In church....music can be used to praise and worship God! He loves it when we sing to Him and when we dance for Him. God can use music to soften your heart and to help you to feel His presence. He can use the music to touch you to the point that you break down and let out the feelings you have been keeping bottled inside. God uses music to speak to us. I know that is a primary way that He reaches me. I have even gone so far as to say that He gives me a song for a particular day, week, or season. He has given me a gift to make CDs of music for people that He can use to minister to them each time they listen to it.

Music can tell you a lot about a person. Ask your friends what playlist they listen to the most right now? You might be surprised. It can tell you how they are feeling. It may let you know they need encouragement or have some stress they need to release etc.

Bottom line....God gave us music not just for our selfish enjoyment. He gave us music so that we can give back to Him in praise and worship and so that He can work through it to touch us and to move us.

What is on your recent playlist and what does it say about you?

The Power of a Thank You

I don't know about you but I am very much a card person. I probably don't send enough of them. I think about it but then I get caught up in the every day distractions and the thought gets lost.

I truly believe that a simple card or even a simple statement....nothing fancy....just something that says thank you can be a powerful connection between people. If you read my last blog I talked about our Easter production and how stressful it was etc. The night before I received a thank you card that really made me feel appreciated. It really turned some things around for me because I knew that someone saw what I had done and appreciated it. The morning of Easter I received another card and flowers and was called up in front of the audience with my fellow organizers and we were all thanked again. That really helped me to realize that what we all did touched people. Then this morning when I got to work I received a card from my boss (that isn't even working with me quite yet because she is doing a fellowship) and it was a simple card that thanked me for going to lunch with her recently and for helping her stay organized. This made my morning and started my week off on the right foot with the right attitude of wanting to do for others. I don't do it to get cards but when I do get a thank you.....here and there.....it makes me feel good.

So all of this made me think about the one who gave me my life. The one who paid the ultimate price that I might live. The one who painted the sunrise in the morning and made the birds to sing their beautiful songs to me. The one who is always there when I am upset and need to vent or need to cry because my heart is hurting. When was the last time that we thanked God? Does He do all that He does for thank yous? No....not at all. He does it because He is smitten with us. He has an unconditional love for us that no one can even fathem. He loves us so much that He gave His only son to die......for US! When His son was on the cross God even turned His back on Him for a moment as Jesus took on all the past, present, and future sins of this world. To be separated from God....even for a moment had to be the loneliest feeling. I hope I never have to feel that! Yet, He did that for us!

Take some time today and think about all the big and the little things that God does for you every day. Take time to thank Him when you pray! I know that there is power in the words that we speak and I know that God would smile if you gave Him a thank you....even a simple one.

Easter

Easter is here! Whew! Why is it that the weeks leading up to Easter become overwhelming and almost to the point that I don't even enjoy Holy Week when it gets here? Do we forget WHY we are doing all the practicing? Do we forget WHO we are doing this for and get caught up in how we feel and how much time we have to spend practicing etc. I get to the point where I want to just cry out and say....have we forgotten what Jesus went through for us? He paid the ultimate price and that is what we should remember every day....not just at Easter right? So we need to stop whining and complaining and pouting because we didn't get our way or we are uncomfortable. We need to get over ourselves! Lord forgive me for any bad attitude, complaining, eye rolling, gossiping, and any other sins I have committed. I am so sorry!

We try to do some type of performance or production at church each year and my husband and I are always involved in whatever is being done. We normally start this process around about January and yet it seems that we are running behind still when we are only two weeks out from the big performance! I am one of those people that does NOT like to work under pressure. I like to have things done ahead of time and have good communication...dance routines already taught and then it is just practice practice practice the last two weeks! This would be a dream for me and has it happened yet.....NO. Again this year everything got down to the last minute and the stress seems to overshadow the reason WHY we are doing the production in the first place. People get short with each other and everyone is easily irritated....ever been there? Is this all my fault....no...but could we have gotten our parts done sooner? Yes...could we have had better attitudes on a few occasions? Yes....

The night of our last dress rehearsal one of our Pastors spoke to all of those involved in the production and addressed all these issues. It stung. I realize that the things he said did not all pertain to me but I have to say I did run them all through my mind a few hundred times just to make sure that I was listening to what God was checking ME on!

Again....we made it to Easter! We did a performance Saturday night and the stress was finally gone. Our performance today went well also and for both performances it felt so good to sing and dance for the Lord and not really worry what the people thought. We trusted that God was there and He was softening the hearts of those that were watching and touching them each right where they were. I sooo love that about Him. I know that when we do the right things and with our hearts turned toward God that He smiles and is pleased and isn't that what we want....is to have God pleased with us?

Change to the Routine

My husband went in to have a sleep study done last night to see if he has sleep apnea. Did I like having our whole bed to myself?.......maybe for a few minutes but I truly do not like sleeping alone. I love the comfort of knowing my man is next to me. I sleep better.

Bottom line is that he does not need the CPAP machine....Praise God! They decided that he needs to learn how to basically mellow out before he goes to bed. We already had a feeling this was the problem but we wanted to rule out anything else. We talked about the things that he likes to do in the evening such as writing last minute 3 to 5 page papers for college, watching suspensful TV programs, playing video games, eating, falling asleep with the TV on to have the background noise, etc. He has known that these are not ideal and I have told him this over the years that we have been together. Well today.....his doctor told him. I felt like doing a cartwheel!! I think now that he has had the confirmation from the doctor he will start to change the routine for bedtime.

I am really looking forward to what this new routine could look like. I have not even seen the list of suggestions and information he received from the nurse but I am a huge advocate for mellowing out before bed. I even mentioned to him that our whole family should take this on and let it help all of us together!

I could see some quiet time reading to each other, talking about some things we want to talk about (not heated discussions with anger), listening to some music, and just spending some "quality" time together. I am excited! I think this is going to be a plus for him as well as all of us.