Pack-A-Thon

Toward the beginning of September our church took a group of children to pack meals for hungry children. I was so very excited about this ministry opportunity for my children.

We headed out bright and early on the church bus.

The one thing our children's pastor did not tell us was that we were going to have to wear hair nets. She didn't want to discourage anyone from coming . . . ha!ha!

Hanna isn't too sure about the hair net.

Ashley loves anything that will get her attention. . . hair net or not!

I literally felt like a lunchroom lady!

I learned so many neat things!

For example, did you know that most of the world is vegetarian. Meat is too expensive or not available.

Rice is known as the universal food. Any mother, anywhere in the world can receive rice and know how to cook it.

The room was so full of excitement. This was not a job for slackers. We all had a goal to meet!

Another thing I never realized is how corrupt some governments can be. . . after we finished packing the food we all corporately prayed over it. They said that only 3 shipments of food have ever been returned to their ministry .. . where the government refused to accept it. This is only the power of God that it hasn't been more boxes.

The girl in pink is literally like my 4th or 5th child. I love this girl so.very.much! She and I talked so much about all the places in the world we want to go to share the Gospel. She's really trying to convince me to go to the Ukraine with her next year. . .

The girls had to miss their first soccer game. Miss "Super Star" was quite upset. I used this to teach her life is not about her. When we left she said, "Mom that was so.much.fun. I'm so glad I didn't go to my soccer game."

Me too, sweetie. Me too!

106. For children who are being fed both physically and spiritually.

107. For the opportunity to help feed the poor.

108. For a God-given desire to help those in need.

109. For where God has placed us.

110. For children who served joyfully.

111. For my spiritual children.

112. For a wonderful children's minister.

113. For an organization that is legit.

Lessons Learned

Just ask my mom. . . or my sisters. . . or Jon. . . you might even want to ask my closest friends . . . or my children.



They would all pretty much agree . . . I can be kinda hard-headed at times.



I tend to be the type of person who always sees the good in people.



Doesn't matter how they treat me.



Doesn't matter what kind of relationships they've had in the past.



Doesn't matter what behavior or patterns of behavior they have or currently have in their life.



I think I tend to like the wool pulled over my eyes. I've always said I'm not a very good discerner of people. . . now my mom, Jon, and Melissa. . . can nail a person DEAD ON within just minutes of talking to someone. IF I'd only listen.


Oh no, not me. . . I want to be everyone's friend. . . more importantly. . . I've come to discover recently. . . I want everyone to want to be MY friend!!! (sad truth, huh?)



I've learned some pretty hard lessons lately. Hopefully these will stick.



**Trust your gut. . . no matter how much you want someone to like you, don't just fall hook line and sinker for words people say. Anyone can flatter you. . . . not everyone is sincere though. . . no matter how sincere they try to be. . . if you've seen a pattern of relationships in their life. . . LEARN from that. It will save so much in the end!



**I really, really, really don't like rejection. . . I recently had a situation in my life that I was talking to my sister about. She told me my problem was not the situation. My problem was that I felt rejected and THAT is why this situation bothered me so badly. That girl hit the nail on the head! Problem was, I was sharing the truth and it made this person very angry. If I'm going to bold for Christ and follow Him NO MATTER WHAT THE COST, then I've got to get over this fear of rejection. . . because people WILL reject truth! Maybe through this situation the LORD is preparing me so I will get over this fear. . . I sure hope so!



**Sometimes when there is a lot of adversity in your life. . . it doesn't necessarily mean you're doing the wrong thing. Many times it means you're doing the RIGHT thing. You must simply persevere!



**I think I'm more of a discerner than I give myself credit for. Things that have happened in the last 4 months or so really confirm what I knew all along. . . just wasn't willing to admit.



**Sometimes it's best to just be silent. . . to not feel the need to defend no matter how badly you want to explain things from your perspective. People are going to believe what they believe. In the end, God knows the heart and THAT is what counts!!! There are situations in life where the fewer the words the better. . . HARD, HARD lesson for this wordy, chatty girl :) and for a girl who ALWAYS feels the need to defend herself.



**Sometimes life throws you hard blows, but after you come through the knockdown, you'll be grateful and see the purpose behind it.



**When I stop to reflect on things I can see times where God was trying to weed things out of my life. Again, I'm hard headed. If I would just let go and let God and not try to hold on so tightly, then it really all is for the better. . . for everyone involved!



Hopefully and prayerfully I can hammer the gavel down and say loudly, "Lessons Learned".

Dear Hanna

Dear Hanna,

Where has the time gone, my sweet love? I just cannot believe that 7 years ago I was holding this little baby in my arms. Now, there is nothing of a baby left in you. I keep telling you that tomorrow morning you're going to wake up and be 5 years old. . . I'm just trying to hold onto to the baby in you. . . because I know the next 7 years will probably fly by even faster than these past 7.

You are such a joy and delight. I just enjoy you so very much. I love how you come and talk to me about whatever is on your little heart and mind as I put on my makeup and fix my hair. Your questions are just precious. Or, how when I am cooking dinner you come alongside me. . . and we just talk . . . or you help me. . . not because you have to, but because you want to. Or, how when we get out of the car and walk in a parking lot to the store, you still automatically grab my hand . . . and we walk hand-in-hand. I just love how easygoing you are.

To hear you pray is one of my favorite sounds in the world. Your pure, sincere heart and your tone of voice makes me smile so big. . . I just can't imagine how our God feels . . . I know how moved I am by it. Serve Him, Love Him, Live for Him my sweet girl!!! When life gets hard and one day it probably will. . . always look to Christ first.

Keep your heart pure. You will have to be very careful to do this. The world will scream at you to forsake your purity of heart. DON'T!!! If your heart is pure, then your actions will resemble that.

I love how you look at your Daddy.. . . how you just have a brightness in your eyes looking at him. I love the excitement in your voice when he walks through the doors coming home from work. I know you will hope to fall in love one day, to be wife, to be a mother . . . but, sweetie, let Jesus be the first love of your life. . . then your husband.

You teach me so very much about being a servant. Whenever I ask you to do anything, you always respond, "Yes m'am" and you immediately go and do it. It doesn't matter what you are doing. . . you stop it and go do what was asked of you. This is a true servant's heart. . . oh, only if your mother could get that down. You teach me, sweet girl. . . so very much, you teach me. I love how you don't complain or grumble because something was interrupted that you wanted to do. You just have this humility about you that I know is from the LORD.

And your gratefulness. . . oh precious child. . . every meal I fix you. . . whether it is a bowl of cereal, a meal you dislike terribly, or a meal that you just gobble up. . . you always thank me for it. You always will go out of your way to find me and say, "Thank you for dinner (breakfast, lunch)." What a sweet, precious heart you have.

Girl, you keep us laughing so much. I'm so very thankful for the gift of laughter. . . and you definitely deliver.

Why in the world God would choose someone like me to have the honor of being your mother I don't know? Grace. . . His grace is the only answer I can come up with. I know it certainly isn't anything I've ever done. I don't deserve you or your brother or sister or your Daddy. . . but I'm so very grateful God has allowed me to have all of you. I love you precious girl. I'm so proud of you! I hope you have a very Happy, Happy 7th Birthday!!!!

With all my love,

Mom

Dear Ashley

Dear Ashley,

Just think 10 years ago today I was holding you in my arms!!! I just can't believe how quickly time flies. It seemed like only yesterday you were sucking your thumb with your finger wrapped around your nose . . . like yesterday we were shaving your head because you were eating carpet. . . like yesterday that I was rocking you to sleep every.single.night. Your room was my favorite room in the house. It was the cleanest, and there was just something so special about that time I had with you sitting and rocking you. . . praying so many prayers over your sweet life.

And now, here we are. . . you're a beautiful girl, with a beautiful smile, and your personality just lights up a room. You are not in a room very long until everyone knows you are there. You are just a lovable young woman.

Ash, you have no idea how much you mean to me. I remember walking the track in Williamson praying that God would give me a girl. I wanted a little girl so badly. I can even remember praying, "Lord, and if you give me a girl, I'm going to name her after Faye" . . . and that I did, Miss Ashley Faye. I never would have imagined in my best dreams that God would give me a girl as special as you.

You teach me so much my sweet love. Mostly you teach me about loving and giving. . . loving unconditionally without restraints on your heart. You love to the fullest. In fact, you do everything to the fullest. We tease around here and say your philosophy is "Go Big or Go Home" and that is what sums you up, my love. I love how much you love me. I love your Mama's girl heart and how you are always my biggest encourager. No matter what I do you always see me in the best light. I need that. I need you. I need your love. And giving. . . wow what a giver you are. You have no idea how much you teach me about giving. In fact, I would have to say you would have to be the person God has used most in my life to teach me about giving.

And, your heart. . . your heart for the LORD. . . oh, it just makes me say, "Lord, I don't deserve this precious child." To hear you pray is one of the things I love most. To see you bring your Bible with us when we go on vacation makes me more proud than just about anything else you could do. You are a blessing to both your Dad and I.

And, I can't forget your zeal, zest, and love for life. . . truly contagious my love.

And your laugh. . . just makes me giggle like crazy. I don't even have to know what you are laughing about. It's truly one of my favorite sounds.

And your feist. . . girl, although it can exhaust me at times. . . I know this is a gift. . . it is up to you how you use it. Be a peacemaker. Aim for unity. But use that feist for the LORD and the work of his kingdom. He put it in you for a reason, so use it for his glory, my love.

And, sweetie, remain pure. Purity starts in your heart. Don't let the world choke it out of you. You will have to guard purity very carefully. Everything in this world screams for you to give it away. DON'T!!!! Please, please DON'T. It will be one of the most dreadful things you could ever do.

I'm so thankful that you still love your dolls, you can run the soccer field like nobody's business, you have such a warmth about you that makes everyone you meet just smitten over you. I just love how God has formed you and fashioned you. You are a special gift, and I'm so thankful God thought enough of me to allow me to be your mother.

Happy 10th birthday, my love!!! I love you!

With all my love,

Mom

To the Mother of a Fallen Hero

You were on my heart and mind all day today. I just had a hard time getting you off my heart. . . my heavy heart.


There are so many things I've wondered about you . . .



Where were you when you heard the news?



Did you feel as if you were in a bad dream? Did you feel afraid, as if you weren't going to wake up and wishing at every moment this wasn't as real as it was?



Who told you?


Who was with you when you heard?



What were your first thoughts?



What was your last moment with him like?



Do you remember his smell?



Were you afraid when he said he wanted to be a Marine? Did you try to talk him out of enlisting? Did you want to try to talk him out of enlisting?



Do you remember the days when he started to outgrow you?



What do you feel for the man who shot him? Sorrow? Anger? Hatred? Bitterness? Have you prayed for him?For his family?



Do you wake up each day wondering how in the world will you make it the next hour?



Do you know how many tears splattered the black asphalt today for you . . . from people who do not know you. . . from people who did not know your son?



What were your thoughts when you realized our town stopped ticking to honor your son? when the envoy paraded the streets of our town in his honor? when you saw our beloved American flags waving in his honor? I felt so much hope for our country.

As tears flowed uncontrollably down my cheeks, I wondered what my son. . . my son who is outgrowing me. . . what he thought of his mother's tears. He wants to serve his country one day. Although this is very honorable, there is a part of me that really hopes he'll serve his country in another way. . . a way that may not possibly demand his life. . . so very selfish of me. . . yet that is where my heart stands at this moment.

As my children and I got into our car I told them, "We get to go back to our lives as normal. This poor mother will not have a "normal" for a long time, as her son is no longer with her. She will have to develop a "normal" knowing that she see her son again this side of heaven."

Fallen Hero Mom, I have to confess to you. . . I almost missed it. I almost didn't go. I don't know you. I don't know your son. I am a working mom (working 30 hours a week). I am a teaching mom (homeschooling my children), and I've had to handle things for my husband's business. To describe me as "busy" is an understatement. I almost let my schedule dictate my day. I almost let my excuses to not go and honor your son win. I'm so very thankful I didn't!!!

The images of the motorcade will stay filed away in my memory bank. It is truly like something I've never experienced. The tears I have cried for you. . . from one mother's heart to another. . . is something that will stay filed in my heart.

I salute you, mother of a fallen hero, because I know not only did you lose your son, but you lost a part of yourself. . . a part of you died when he died. You are in my thoughts. You are in my prayers. I thank you for raising a young man who wanted to serve his country!

Mama in High Heels, just WHAT have you been doing and WHERE have you been?

Well, well, well now. . . before anyone out there thinks I've totally left blog world and traded her in for Facebook, Twitter, another blog, a good bunch of movies (although the kids and I have watched the entire series of "Anne of Green Gables"), or good books (although I've been up to my ears reading like crazy too). . . I haven't. I've just been . . . well. . . really wanna know?

Okay, okay since you've been on pins and needles wondering everyday where in the world I've been, I'll tell you. . . you know I'm kidding. . . about the being on pins and needles part . . not about telling.

Well, country certainly came to the city when the kids and I decided to go and have lunch with Jon.

First of all I was a nervous wreck driving downtown. Not only that it took me 1-1/2 hours to get 3 miles. . . not because of traffic either. . . just because I'm a dodo brain. . . and yes, I do have a GPS. . . and, yes, it was on. . . and, yes, I do know how to use it. I'm telling ya. . . I'm just a dodo brain!

It took me nearly 20 minutes to park my big ol' car into the tiny parking spaces provided in this parking garage. . . also it cost me $7.50 to park that big 'ol car of mine. The kids and I could have had Taco Bell for that amount!!! That's why I'm a small-town girl, folks!

At one point poor Alec was so tired of me driving around, he told me, "Mom, you're going to have to brave up if we're ever going to park this thing." I was so afraid of hitting someone else's car.

We then entered this big swankified building that my hubby is working in . . .

Check out those gold doors, would ya?

Of course the kids loved the rotating doors. . . Ash kept going around and around. I think the lady at the front desk though we may have been terrorists disguised as rednecks. . .she gave us very suspicious looks when we entered the building.

We met the hubby's boss and those that surrounded his work space, had lunch, then headed to . . .

The Atlanta History Center. . .

The kids' favorite part was learning about the 1996 Olympics and doing some interactive games the reinforced what they were learning.

The little one and I had a rowing competition. That little thing beat me!

Unfortunately, we didn't have time to see everything. . . so a trip will be planned to go back very soon.

Well, Mama in High Heels, is that all you've been doing. . . having lunch in big cities and going to museums?

No sir re. . . I've been strictly enforcing these rules. . .

So much so that on the 1st day of school only Ash could participate in our annual school supply scavenger hunt. .. Alec and Hanna wanted to show themselves. . . so they had to miss out. I was really glad I was the mean teacher/mom . . . because we're in our 3rd week of school now and things are running smoothly.

Now, now, before you go to thinking. . . that's all fine and dandy, but to neglect the blog for those couple of things. . .

Just hold your horses. . . . I'm not finished.

I've been digging through soccer cleats. . . yes, we're one of those soccer families. Thuuu baby is playing this year, so I needed to find her some of her sister's old cleats. Opening day is this Saturday! Whoo-to-the-hoo-to-the-hootie-hoo-hoo. We love soccer around here!

Oh, and another thing . . . I've been meeting my dear friend, Faith, in the mornings to walk and/or run. . . sometimes we get to talking too much and we just walk. . . good with me. . . I enjoy her company and our talks more than I do my running. Look what running has done for her!!!

Just kidding. The girl is a skinnie minnie and doesn't need to shed pounds. She was just being her silly self and I got such a giggle out of her I just had to post this on here.

Bored to tears yet? Well, would you still be bored if I told you we'd been playing on playgrounds at Boy Scout Camps .. .

And. . . hanging out with a whole bunch of river rats. . .

Do these dudes look like a bunch of Templeton's (Charlotte's Web) or what?

These ladies aren't rats or anywhere close to it. . . they are some of my very dearest and closest friends. . . very much God sent.. . and I'm so thankful for them.

We all got together and decided to go tubing down the river one day. SO MUCH FUN!!!! In fact, so much fun afterwards on the spur of the moment we decided to go and have Mexican. Miss Mama in High Heels. . . the one who puts the priss in pot. . . didn't have a change of clothes. . . so I went in my cover up (that I used as a long skirt) and one of Lisa's husbands' T-shirts. . . you know a prisspot loves her friends and enjoys their company if she goes out to eat in the getup I had on that night. I was going to have Jon take a picture. . . but changed my mind!!! I thought someone may try to use it as blackmail . . . hee!hee!

And, of course, I've been listening to some music. . . great music. . . music played by our youth band that Alec plays guitar for. They all played a couple of Sunday nights ago at church. I'm so very thankful for the man who works with them.

Okay, Mama in High Heels, I don't have as much time as this post takes to read, will you please hurry up?!? You know you're pretty long-winded, right?

Yeah, yeah I know. . . well, I've been celebrating the life of this new little one. He happened to be born on the same day my Papa passed away. His mom happens to be a very dear friend of mine. I told her the night of his birth, "A year ago today the LORD took my Papa home. And, today, He breathed breath into a new life." This child will be so special to me just because of the day he was born. Well, and he was born into a family that is super special to me and has been very much God-sent to both Jon and I.

End of the summer pool party. Last week our pool was closing down for the summer. We've had so much fun out there this summer. . . . sometimes we'd have a "Moose schedule" put out on who was going what days, that way we could coordinate. There were only 2 people missing - Faith and Jennifer G!!!! We got some pool time with Faith this summer too. . . but her MIL has a pool, so she didn't feel the need to join another one. We missed her being with us! Jennifer G. has a pool, so she had no need for a pool either.

S-P-L-A-S-H!!!!

Moose Mamas!!!!!

You know one of the things I love so much about these ladies (Faith and Jennifer included) . . . SO MUCH of our conversations center around the LORD. Before this picture was even taken we were talking about things of God. One friend said, "I just praise God we are talking about Him more so than all the things we could be talking about."

Even friends that I've had for a gazillion years (like Lisa) He is what our conversations center around.

We don't really talk about the latest fashions . . .

. . . or the latest weight loss tips. . .

. . . or the latest Hollywood scandal.. . .

. . . or the latest movie playing at the theater. . .

. . . or the latest reality show on TV . . .

Our conversations have substance. Funny thing is I've gotten to a point where when I have "surfacy" conversations with people I walk away feeling very empty. I'm just so very thankful for these ladies and for their walks with Christ. . . and that they choose to share their lives with me and my family.

My Kind of Girl

So Alec and his military lovin' self convinced the girls to go out for a Rucksak (not sure if I even spelled that right?) adventure. They had to pack up their backpacks and adventure with him around the yard.

As they were loading up their sacks I heard Alec tell Hanna she could take 3 things. A moment of silence went by. . .

"Okay, my pillow, my lip gloss, and my Bible."

Now, if that girl isn't a chip of the ole' block, I don't know who is.

98. For kids with big imaginations.

99. For kids that all got along well enough for a few hours to play outside.

100. For a yard to play in.

101. For getting to put my final touches on homeschool stuff.

102. For having some time of quiet to listen to "Trinitarianism" for my Wed. night class.

103. For my boy.

104. For the one who looks like me.

105. For the one who wants to be me.

"You Look Like a Homeschooling Mom"

This summer when we were in SSI, we'd heard news that George Bush (apparently SSI is a favorite vacation spot of his) was eating lunch at "4th of May". This is right down the road from Jon's parents' condo. We all quickly changed from our swimsuits into our clothes. Therefore, I just put on a sundress and brushed my hair. No time for makeup or hair products or even. . . high heels!!!

As we patrolled The Village, we had no luck. Couldn't find our former president anywhere. Oh well. . . . guess while we were there we may as well take the kids to the park.

I head over to the see-saw with Hanna. This really nice lady comes up to me and says.

"Are you in the homeschool group?"

Now, I'm apart of many homeschool groups, and I immediately started praying, "Lord, please help me remember this lady's name. I don't recognize her at all."

I smile and say, "Yes, I am."

Here I am thinking she's talking about the homeschool group here in G-town. After all SSI is full of vacationers. As she starts talking I realize that she and I are talking about 2 totally different homeschool groups. They were a local homeschool group meeting up for a play date in the park.

I proceed to apologize to her and tell her I'm from G-town and I thought she was talking about a homeschool group where I'm from. . . blah!blah! blah!

She said, "Well, we were having a play date here at the park and I just started this group. When I saw you I thought you looked like a homeschooling mom."

I told Jon I hope it was not my homely look I had going on (we ALL know the stereotype homeschooling moms have) . . . that it was more the sweet expression on my face. . . . wishful thinking!

That night we were going out either to dinner or the beach (my memory fails me) I had the full get-up on . . . the makeup, hair, accessories galore, a cute outfit, and my heels . . . Jon asked me if I was trying to redeem myself from earlier in the day!!! You betcha!!!!

10 on the 10th

Time for Mer's 10 on the 10th. This month since homeschooling is on my mind, I'm going to tell y'all 10 things that will be new to our homeschooling this year.

First of all let me first say this is our 9th year. Only through God's grace could we all have made it this far without killing one another :) Back in May I decided it was time for a change and BIG TIME change at that. I sold ALL my curricula I have collected over the last 9 years. So, here's what we've got this year.

1. Teaching Textbooks for Math. This is a pretty pricey program, but oh so worth it. The kids do their Math on the computer and the computer grades it!!!! That is the WORST part of homeschooling to me. . . the grading. I'm super-de-dooper excited about this. The computer also teaches the children, so hopefully I'll be very hands off when it comes to Math.

2. Tapestry of Grace. . . wanna talk about getting me organized and keeping me there? This curriculum is going to do all of that and MORE. I'm so very excited about it. My poor printer is probably so tired of ALL the work I've put it through during the last few weeks. There are several other moms who are doing the same curriculum. We're going to get together a couple of times a month and do activities with the children. I'm going to be getting together field trips for all of us. I'm super excited!!!

3. Agendas. I'm not really sure if this is the right word or not. But, on Monday my kiddos will be handed a calender. They will write down what THEY are responsible for doing each day. (this is also part of Tapestry . . . to create independent, self-motivated learners). I know there will be an adjustment period, but right now I am bound and determined not to start school until I have our whole year's worth of lesson plans. Right now I'm on week 18 . . . halfway there!!! I'm like the little engine that could . . ."I think I can, I think I can".

4. Discipleship. This may be the very MOST important thing I'm doing with my children this year. I'm going to disciple them and meet with each one of them individually once a week. Now, we will still have our family devotion at the table during breakfast. We will still do our Bible curriculum of "Firm Foundations". But on Tuesday, I'll meet with Hanna in HER room with no one else. Wednesday the same for Ash. Thursday the same for Alec. If my children are going to be Christ-like, they must know what that looks like. . . how better to teach them than one-on-one discipleship.

5. Tardiness. Yikes that's a pretty scary word for a girl who thinks if you're 15 minutes late, you're still on time. I think it's referred to as fashionably late. Whatever. That won't cut it this school year. The children will have to get themselves up with their own alarm clocks. They will have to be showered, dressed, have already eaten breakfast and cleaned up their mess, and at the kitchen table by 8:00. . . 3 tardies and you get tardy hall. . . which will require a bunch of busy work. I can't take credit for this idea. My friend, Trish, is doing it with her boys this year. I told her I'd be stealin' it.

6. Operation World. Yet another great idea from another great friend, Angela L. I've purchased this book called, "Operation World". In this book there is a country you pray for everyday. You pray for the missionaries. It gives very specific statics . . . like how much a year's salary is worth. We have a big world map in our school room. I bought (well actually Angela bought them for me) some colored push pins. After we pray for our country we will put our pushpin in that country. By the end of the year we will be able to see which countries and how many we prayed for. Feel free to steal. . . I know Angela would love for you to!

7. Grace. I'm a "work before play" kind-of girl. I am pretty disciplined and I think in order to be disciplined you have to somewhat have that attitude. . . otherwise nothing gets done. However, this year, if we're bombarded with school books, screaming at one another (yes, we have those days. . . we don't have the PERFECT homeschool), and we feel like we are going to claw our eyeballs out. . . we're going to take a break and go outside. In fact, I think everyday about mid-morning we will have a small snack and go on a bike ride, take Cookie on a walk, kick around the soccer ball or throw the football. . . just for a little while. . . . that way our day is much.more.enjoyable and our focus is not "let's hurry up and get finished with school".

8. Volunteer work. This has been on my heart for many, many years now. I'm not quite sure what we will be doing, but I want it to be something so my kids see a hurting world out there who desperately needs Jesus.

9. While I've concentrated on memorization every year, this year I'm picking it up a notch. Rather than memorizing scripture or portions of it, my goal is for us to memorize books of the Bible. I'm not fooling myself. I know it is a very high goal. However, I'd rather aim high and shoot low than aim low and shoot lower. . .know what I mean?

10. Less TV. Honestly I really don't like the TV. . . well it is a love/hate relationship. I think it takes away from quality family time. I want us to read more books outloud together, put together more puzzles, take more walks, more bike rides. And, just truly enjoy one another on a much, much deeper level.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

The sunlight is glistening through the trees. Not quite as muggy as it has been. There is a crispness to the air outside.
I am thinking...

That I need to go get a doctor's tape so I can work. I think we may have French toast for breakfast this morning.
I am thankful for...

My walk at the track with Faith this morning. I'm so grateful for her and for the sweetness of our friendship. She is very dear to me.
From the learning rooms...

It's all slowly, but surely coming together. First day of school will either be this Friday or next Friday.
From the kitchen...

It is supposed to be clean!!! It was Alec's night to clean the kitchen and when I got home from core/grow group last night, it was still a mess . . .
I am wearing...

A purple running skirt and shirt to match. . . and my "Run, Girl, Run" hat.
I am creating...

lesson plans for the entire school year. . . bound and determined I am, I tell ya!
I am going...

to go and study 1 John, work out with weights, do my yoga DVD, email Kim, set Cookie's crate out for Lisa, have lunch with Granddaddy, get laundry caught up while watching "Faith like Potatoes", work on more lesson plans, and look forward to Jon getting home so I can hear about his day.
I am reading...

"Radical" by David Platt, my Bible, John MacArthur's commentary on 1 John, "A Lineage of Grace" by Francine Rivers.
I am hoping...

that I will love others as Christ loves me
I am hearing...

PBS Kids computer game on Jon's computer (the girls are playing), Ashley and Hanna's voices, the hum of my computer.
Around the house...

Needs cleaning, as always. . . story of my life **grin**
One of my favorite things...

My morning text from Jon. Since he has been working he texts me every morning around 8:00 a.m. It is one of my very favorite times of the day.
A few plans for the rest of the week:

Try and get all of my lesson plans written out, get the school room more organized, church Wed. night, Friday night youth teacher get together, Saturday Theology at Faith's house, Saturday morning going to help Mama clean out their old house, Sunday's "Radical" study. Try to squeeze some pool time in this week too.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

As I went to water my almost dead ferns yesterday, look what I found

Don't we serve an AMAZING God?

It's 10:10

Here it is 10:10 on a Monday night. I've almost turned into a pumpkin. . . a grumpy one at that. . . naaaahh. . . just kidding.

I did just get home from my core/grow group meeting.

The house is quiet.

My heart is full.

I go to my bedroom. There lies Jon, Ashley, Hanna, and Cookie. No where on the bed for me to lay my head.

I put Cookie in his crate, and wake Ash to go to her bed. I leave Hanna. She was actually in a position where I could get on the bed. Ash was sprawled from here to yonder.

I go check on Alec. His light is on. He is reading. . . . his Bible. Praise you LORD!!!

Tonight my core/grow group started out as normal. . . with gab, food, chattiness, and laughter. GREAT way to start an evening.

We are reading a book called, "What is the Gospel?"

I'm learning alot.

We finish and rather than just one person close in prayer, we took a few requests. Each person was to take just one request and pray over it. Choosing whether or not you would pray out loud was not an option. Each one of us one.by.one shared our hearts before our LORD and before our friends.

Have you ever been in a room and have 8 women pray before our LORD? To stand in the gap for someone? To cry out to our Father on someone else's behalf? To hurt for them? To mourn for them? To rejoice with them?

To say it was a precious time is quite the understatement!!! To say it was humbling doesn't do it justice!!!

To study God's word together will definitely draw you all closer. To pray before Him just brings you all the closer.

I'm so thankful for that group of ladies. I don't deserve to be apart of their core/grow group. I don't deserve their friendships. I don't deserve their investment into my life. But, I'M OH SO VERY THANKFUL!!!

I'm sure there are some in the group I've made mad.

I'm sure there are some I've offended.

I'm sure there are even some who I may have hurt their feelings.

We're women. We are emotional creatures. We can get mad, get our feelings hurt, get offended and sometimes friendships will end right there. Right where the heart got hurt. Even some of the longest, deepest friendships will end over a gnash of the heart. I know personally. I've been there.

God sent EACH of these ladies to me at just the perfect time in my life. He knows I NEED them! I'm learning so much from each one of them individually. I know I am very, very, very far from perfect, and I can't promise I won't make anyone mad, or hurt anyone's feelings, or offend them. However, for this season, I'm thankful they love me. . . warts and all. . .and they take me and accept me just the way I am.

If I can just take those things that I admire in them. . . things that I lack so much in. . . I pray God will plant those seeds in my heart and water them. I pray the iron I see in these ladies will sharpen whatever iron I have . . . even if it is just a dull, blunt, fragment piece of iron. . . that God will use us to sharpen one another and make us more and more like Christ.

91. For Faith's pure sweetness, sweetness in one of the purest forms I've ever seen. . . of her heart.

92. For Lisa's heart of service.

93. For Jennifer G's meekness.

94. For Angela H's knowledge and love for the Word.

95. For Jennifer S's humility and courage.

96. For Angela L's boldness.

97. For Patty's heart of compassion and tenderness.

So This Morning . . .

Jon and I had to meet up with some of our friends. . . I love meeting up with friends, but not this morning.

Jon and I are apart of a team called, "Team Impact". We are organizing a 5K/10K and all the money will go to benefit missions.

Running - Check
Friends - Check
Missions - Check
Teamwork - Check

Trying to get sponsors? Can we uncheck that one?

Neither Jon nor I are salespeople . . . at ALL!!!

Now Doug, on the other hand, could sell ice to an Eskimo.

So, this morning I'm getting ready to meet up with "Team Impact" and I am just D-R-E-A-D-I-N-G this!!!

As I was getting ready I knew I had the wrong attitude. The LORD reminded me that. . .


***I could be getting ready to go and take care of someone who is sick.

***I could be getting ready to go visit someone in the hospital who is dying of cancer.

*** I could be getting ready for a funeral.

So. . . my attitude shifted from one of complaining (inwardly) to one of gratefulness.

Perspective . . .one little word that could totally sum up our outlook on life.

Angela H. and I pair up. Ash and Hanna go with us and, guess what?

WE HAD A GREAT TIME!!!

We did. We decided to kill several birds with one stone.

Like we went to the Sock Shoppe and shopped and asked for sponsorship.

We headed to Plant Emporium for Angela to check out some things for an upcoming wedding and asked for sponsorship.

We went to Chick-fil-A and had breakfast and . . . well, we didn't ask for sponsorship, but had a yummy breakfast.

86. For attitude adjustments.

87. For laughter.

88. For sponsors . . . hopefully.

89. For Chick-fil-A biscuits.

90. For my sweet girls.