Having fun in church!

I saw this video tonight and just laughed. One day...yeah...this will be my kid!

Me & Video Games!!!

I will be the first to say that I am NOT a fan of video games. I don't like them, I don't like my kids playing them, and I think they are a total waste of time and money. I can't stand it when we are at the store, movies, mall, or anywhere else and the kids are begging me for a quarter to play a game. Most of them these days do not operate off of one quarter. With that being said, I can tell you that we do own...not one but two different game systems in our house. We are normally at least 2 years late in getting the most current system as I will not fork over 300.00 for one of these things. I will even bargain on e-bay! I'll say that I don't really like the choice for games that children are given. Most of it is guns and fighting and nothing pure for their heart. Always somebody killing someone else...even if it is just Power Rangers....it is still violent!

But this year while Christmas shopping we came across these neat little Joy Sticks that you just plug right into your T.V. and it can play 5 different games. I thought...what could it hurt right?
So we bought the one that had Ms. Pac Man, Pole Position, Galaxa, Mappy, and something else.

I hate to admit who has been playing it more. ME!!! And even more so...in fierce competition! It brings back a good memory for me. Every Sunday after church my parents would eat out for lunch at Western Sizzlin. They had one of those combo packs of Ms. Packman , Donkey Kong, or Frogger in the box.
My brother and I would hurry to finish our lunch and my dad would always bring out a handful of quarters. I think most of the time it was to get us out of their hair so they could eat in peace, but it was such a memorable moment.
Now, Chad and I sit in our over sized chair in fierce competition after the kids have gone to bed laughing hysterically at how silly we are acting over a little thing on T.V. eating dots and being attacked by ghost. I'm sure there are much better things we can do with our time, but I'll admit...I've had fun!!

God's World Records are in the right book!

Tonight we were watching an episode of the Worlds Tallest Man, Leonid Stadnyk. He is from the UK and if you look him up in the Guinness book of World Records, you will not find him. He does not want to be published and he does not take credit for this world record. He says that he gives all credit to God for giving him his height and that it is God's world record not his.
I was quite impressed by this statment. So I decided to look up and see if they have God or Jesus listed anywhere int he Guinness book and they do not. Seriously, do they not give credit to the man who had the greatest world records ever recorded?? I don't know...maybe they are leaving that stuff in the good book of life. Funny though, nobody has ever beaten those world records huh?

First Corinthians 13 - Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strand of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime: but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, Carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity; but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Live is kind, though harried and tired.
Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.
Love bears all things; believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails!

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust; but giving the gift of God's love to others will endure.

Author Unknown

The Cross

My husband Chad grew up in a Lutheran church. When we were dating he said he really didn't mind where we went to church as long as we were on the same page together and were the to worship God. He was not attached to his denomination. At the time, I didn't go to church at all. I was following in my families footsteps of choosing no church or religion at all. However, I couldn't stay away for long.

The one thing that Chad ask me all the time is this....
"Why aren't there any crosses hanging in the church?"

I don't know how to answer this question as to 'why' we don't have some, we just don't. But this is one of the things he misses greatly from his childhood church growing up.

Last night we were watching a church on TV and many times they panned in on the cross in the church as a reflection to the praises going up. It was nice to just sit and look at this old rugged cross they had placed there.

During this we started talking about how nice it would be to have crosses hanging in our church.

What about a wall of crosses? Or crosses just randomly placed throughout the building. Not necessarily that the church just buys and hangs up....but more so...a cross brought by the families of our congregation. Maybe in honor of someone, Maybe it meant something to them. Wouldn't it be neat to have all different kinds of crosses hanging up? Big ones, little ones, shiny ones, dull ones, old ones, and new ones. The cross is symbolic to everyone in a different way....and it is something I would love to see in our congregation.

It maybe a silly idea...but what a great way to honor my father...by remembering the cross.

Cool!

So this is obviously the thing to do now with your christmas lights. I wouldn't be able to find the time or the energy to create something this spectacular...but it's cool!

Uh Oh!

This month at work they banned all smoking on hospital property. It's been a little rough on some of my co-workers. So I found this video on Roberts blog and I'm sad to say...I did laugh for a moment. Let's hope this was not real...but is was pretty funny.

A day in the woods...

Chad took the kids to Red Bud Drive this weekend for a time of hiking and just being outdoors. They had a blast as you can tell! They love to climb!

A PIERCING DAY!!!!

Oh...I said I would never do this until she was 10!!! But she looked at me with those big brown eyes and said "Please" so cute I couldn't resist! Chad and I will be in so much trouble when she gets older! She was a big brave girl as you can tell and didn't move a muscle. She has been very responsible in taking care of her new toys and well...I just don't like it....she now even looks older! Sheesh! What's a mother to do! They grow up way too fast! But I love the boys behind the glass watching. That was too funny! They refused to come into a store that was mostly PINK!!!

Honoring Logan

It's been a while since I've shared photos...so here we go!
This is the day that the school honored Logan before he left for duty. He went to combat traning for a couple of weeks and will get to come home this weekend for Christmas. Then he will turn right around and leave for one more week of training before he is off to Afghanistan. Here you see Logan, Sarah, and their baby Olivia. Sarah is also expecting again but not sure Logan will be here for the delivery. This is also the school saying goodbye and presenting him with gifts the day he left. It was truly a special day to honor him and we will miss him!!!

How about Love?

Let's talk about Love for a moment.

Is love conditional or unconditional?
Do you choose to give love only to those you know, or do you give it away?

I believe that Jesus gave love away in the most unselfish and compassionate way. It was the unconditional love that most people long for.

Love is such a good, but odd word to me. I love the word love. I love to love those around me. I love to let others know how much I love them. However, I haven't always been comfortable with that.

I didn't grow up in a family where we practice saying 'I Love You' to each other. We don't say it every time we are together and we don't say the usual 'I Love You' at the end of a phone call.
Actually, hearing it from my family is a bit odd. Even saying it back is odd for me. It is uncomfortable. I grew up in a family that showed their love by their actions. Does it make them love me any less? I don't believe so. But I believe we miss out on opportunities to tell each other how much we love one another. Our days are numbered and we won't always have that many opportunities to SHOW love...so why not say it?

I have no problem telling my friends how much I love them. I think Jesus was a man who walked around loving everyone He met. He knew His father had a plan.

So...shouldn't it be the same for us? Shouldn't my actions reflect Jesus' love to everyone around me....to the world that I embrace?

Offering my love to someone is a choice and I can choose to love someone...or I can choose to hold it back. But why would I do that? What is so great about me that I can't or wouldn't share my love?

I want others to know I'm a follower of Jesus by the Love that I show to them. I pray that others see what my Father sees in me.

YAY....I did it again....

I am a person who lacks confindence in a lot of areas. Especially school! I am never confident enough that I can even pass the class. I get so psyched out. Maybe that's a good thing. If I was overly confident in myself, then I might not study and try as hard and then I really wouldn't succeed! Right???

So today...I waited and waited and waited for my grades to be posted. The whole time I'm praying..."God..please let me pass, please let me pass, please let me pass"!! And my heart is pounding out of my chest. I know I didn't do so well because the final just about KILLED me!

Just then...the grades are posted!

Yep! I'm on the honor roll again! Holy Cow! Just when I was waiting for the bad news...the best news came. OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH!!!! And only to top that...I made one of the highest grades on the final too!!!

I'm so excited!!! Here is one of my hardest classes out of the way now and I can move on! YAY!!!! Could this day get any better????

My Brain Hurts!!!

We just wrapped up a two hour session with Ian's doctor and HOLY COW....my brain probably doesn't hurt 1/2 as bad as his does. I am so overwhelmed with information and emotion right now.

They pointed out all the imperfections....all the insecurities and the lack life he really has. It was truly the most depressing two hours I think I have ever been through.
My heart really hurts. I felt bad for Chad as he had to walk out of there early and leave not being able to process this information before going back on the road.

The diagnosis was everything we expected it to be...and then some.

Did it hurt me to hear these things??? Yes!
Do I feel hopeful??? A little
I know it will get better as we educate ourselves. I was given SOOO many resources as a parent and I'm a little excited to go out in search of support.

They assured us of this....

There is no cure....
There is educational opportunites...
There is help out there....
We are NOT alone.....
He can learn to manage and cope and eventually learn to live in society as a normal child.

I have thoughts....I have ideas....I have a little hope for the future.

My goal for next week is to explore Town and Country to see if we can afford for him to go there. The doctor thinks this would be the PERFECT fit for him if we can find the financial means for it. I pray that God will open a door of opportunity for us so we can get him in.

Did Jesus Laugh???

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, to laugh. My best of friends know how much I love to laugh and how much I long for it. There is something so refreshing about a good laugh. Now....I could do without the whole crying while laughing...or the nearly wetting the pants laughing...(yes...I just said that!). But I love to get together with people and have a great time laughing. Sometimes about totally nothing at all.
So after an entire evening of LAUGHING last night....I wanted to know if Jesus had ever laughed as hard as I did? Many scriptures say "Jesus Wept" but none say "Jesus Laughed".

I challange you to help me find places in the Bible where Jesus laughed! Or where you think He may have had a sense of humor.

I know Jesus was sent here and was merely a man....without sin! In Hebrews it is 'For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.' I think he did all the things we do...yet...without sin! So I'm just convinced that he laughed...just as hard as I do! Why would God have created laughter if He hadn't experience the joy of laughter Himself. It's such a great thing.
I think the Lord wants us to be filled with joy and laughter. I love that song..."The Joy of the Lord...will be my strength".

I think joy and laughter is SOOO much better than the alternative! I can imagine a life without depression...but I can't imagine a life without LAUGHTER!!!!

Passion

Do you ever feel passionate about something that you really want to do but the timing just isn't right? Boy...I feel that way all the time.

How about in ministry? Where do you find you are most passionate for the Lord?

I have three places that I feel God truly leads me to serve:
#3: Praise Team - Let me say that I am not the most gifted or talented individual when it comes to singing, but I truly love to be with the team, have fun, and praise God in song. I think I find a lot of passion in just the serventhood of praising Him with my fellow brothers and sisters.

#2: Children's Praise Team - This is an area that I truly LOVE! I love to see children passionate about praising God and it warms my heart to teach them songs and movements. One day, I would love to put on a kids talent show, similar to our adult Christmas Party, so the kids have a time and place to showcase their talents that God gave them. Doesn't have to be singing...there are a wide variety of things children can do to show their passion for the Lord. Sometimes, they just need help finding it.

And my #1 place that makes me feel closer to God when serving is:
Women's Ministry! I feel passion, I feel praise, I feel happy all over and excited to get women toegether for a common goal. A common purpose! A common Love!!!!! I love to plan evenings out, I love to plan parties, I love to plan retreats, I love to do anything that deals with the wonderful women in our church.
One of my biggest problems in this area is that I dream TOO BIG and then I have to modify. That's what's hard for me. And then my other problem is school is holding me back from being able to move forward with a dream for this.
Lea Henley paid me the best compliment last night and she didn't even know it...and guess what it had to deal with???/ Women's Ministry. Go figure!

Where is your passion?

Hearts & Minds

Do you ever wish at times you could find someone else to carry your burdens for you? Especially without having to say anything at all?
Nobody can read minds, but I think we can all read hearts and if they are hurting.
Last night I felt very alone, somewhat like a stranger, but one person read my heart all the way though and stopped me...made eye contact...and knew...I had a burden to lay down. That's a true gift when you can see and feel the hearts of others when they can't bare the pain any longer. Not even enough to speak.

Rough Week

If you haven't heard of Charlie Freeman yet....you should watch this video.
http://www.newsok.com/article/2984128

Our dear friends Charles and Carrie lost Charlie last weekend in a farming accident. I haven't had the heart to even blog about it. Each time I try...I get the biggest lump in my throat and my tears overwhelm me. I'm comforted in knowing that Charlie has gone home to be with our Father but it doesn't make it any easier.
Charlie was a bright young boy full of life and energy. He loved his family, his sisters, his mom and dad, and most of all, it was obvious that Charlie loved God.

Today I celebrate Lukus' birthday on the same day that Charles & Carrie will bury their son and my heart breaks. We will celebrate Christmas with our kids, they will be missing one. We have to turn our thoughts away from this loss and glorify in Heaven's gain. But still...it hurts so much.

I don't ask God why....I know he has a plan. I know our days are numbered before He ever gave us life. Sometimes, it hurts more than one can even imagine.

Please watch the video and remember Charlie....and cover this family in prayer!

My favorite things....

My kids are so silly!!!

About 4 years ago...I sang at a Christmas concert "My Favorite Things"
This music is on one of the CD's in my car. As we were listening to it yesterday, the kids decided to get funny and make up their lyrics. THEY LOVE TO MAKE RHYMES!!!! When you read it...sing it to the tune of my favorite things! I'm sure today they will come up with more!

Ian sang:
Blankets & Doggies & Pumpkin Pie yummy
Wrapped & eat up it's warm in my tummy
Making a mess and my mom cleans it up
These favorite things of mine make her go nuts!

Lukus sang:
Playstation, frustration, my situation.
I want to go up and see a space station. (we laughed really hard on that!!)
Blast off up high in the big great big sky
I don't know why mom keeps on asking me why

Emilie sang:
Baribe and drawing and singing with lady (our dog)
Makes me want to have a big baby (I freaked out on this one)
Christmas trees, lots of leaves, put them on me
Doesn't anyone know I have to pee?

This just made my day fun!!!

Brain Duh???

Okay...if you say it really fast Brain Duh....what does it sound like? This actually came up on a docs orders the other day and we laughed and laughed. There was actually more to the order...but that was just really funny. Now you know what they like to call me at work!

So I only have 2 more weeks of this semester left. I can't be any happier. I'm NOT in the least bit excited for my finals. I have one this Thursday and then next Thursday. This class has been a little harder than I expected in the beginning.

One thing I love to do is give presentations. I love to reserach something and then come back and teach it to others. I find that the research part is so fascinating!!! Today my end of semester presentation was somewhat fun and exciting.
I found out that the final is REALLY hard and I'm not excited about that information!

I have to work the entire weekend up to Christmas but I'm excited I'm going to get off early to go to church on Friday night. I am looking forward to being with the family again.

My family has decided to celebrate Christmas later during the day so I can get some much needed sleep on Christmas morning. But I look forward to watching the kids open their gifts and have a blast. I am also looking forward to playing poker with my brother again.

So...this seems like a random post for the day....well...it is!

It's still cold!

I have to change my blog today becuase I can no longer look at those weather pics I posted! ;o)

I want to say that my friend Chris updated his blog and has a really thought provoking update. Of course...you have to admire his new baby girl, Genesis, when you're scrolling down to see the blog on "Worship & Lament"!!! I encourage you to read it & add your thoughts.
http://www.chrislindsey.blogspot.com/