Mission Possible!

This afternoon we leave for the Memorial/Garnett Elementary Summer Camp.

I have to admit, this is one of the highlights of my year. We have been looking forward to this for a long time.

I'm very excited that Chad is coming along as the game master! He really has some fun things planned and I can't wait to get started with them tonight.

Wednesday is Chad's birthday. Even though we won't be here to go out and celebrate, I can't think of another place that I would rather be with him celebrating his 37th!

We return on Friday afternoon.

Have a blessed week!!!

Friends!

Mikel came to visit and brought Charlee!!! We had a great time! Even though we were both worn out for the day! ;o)

WHAT????

Oh my goodness! Chad....my wonderful husband....post a blog???
Say it ain't so!
And 2 in one day! The world must be ending! ;O)

Go take a look! Link is on the right!
And you gotta leave him a comment to keep it going!

I've seen it all now!!!!

Do you see now??? This is EXACTLY why I don't swim ANYWHERE there are fish! They BITE! THEY EAT THE DEAD SKIN OFF YOUR FEET!!!!
And now.....NOW....they are putting fish in the pedicure bowls to eat away the dead skin???? They have lost their minds!

I have to say that the amount of anxiety that I felt while seeing this report on the news was unreal! For one...I'm terrified of fish! And I surely wouldn't go pay to have them nibble on my feet. I could go to the lake or ocean to do that. But as we all know...that won't be happening.

Actually....I think the story itself if pretty funny. But you will not catch me and my feet in a bowl with fish! Just ain't going to happen. ;o)

Those little signs....are big!

God often gives up little signs in our minds that usually turn into very big ones once you "get it".

I love it when it's a song. At times, I will find myself singing a song and I have no idea why. Have no idea what started it. Sometimes it's for joy and praise, other times, it's for prayer and contemplation. Today I woke with this song in my head:

I need you more;
More than words can say.
I need you more;
More than yesterday.
I need you more;
than ever before.
I need you Lord;
I need you more.

More than the air I breathe;
More than the song I sing.
More than the next heartbeat;
More than anything, and Lord as time goes by;
I'll be by your side.
Cause I never want to go back;
To my old life.

I love how God speaks to me through song!

What song does he speak to you from?

Previewing the week!

I sit here and look at my calendar this week. I like it. It's not overwhelming, but has just enough stuff to keep me occupied. Occupied is GOOD!

Today: I haven't been to work in 10 days! I feel empty when I'm not working. Almost like don't have purpose. So tonight, I'm pulling an allnighter! I go in at 6:30pm and I will come home Tuesday morning about 7:30am. All of you will sleep soundly while I am doing what I do best.

I was suprised to see that my entire day Tuesday is empty! Whatever will I do?

Wednesday Ian visits his doc once again. These are somewhat dreaded appointments. They only come around once every 3 months unless there is something major going on. However, on this day, he doesn't know yet...blood will be drawn. This is not a good thing as he doesn't like needles.

Thursday is Lukus' turn for the doc. A different one. But this is the first dreaded "sports" physical. He starts football in a few weeks. I am very excited for him.
I can't leave out the fact that I get so excited for Thursday evenings. Praise Team rehearsal is the highlight of my week. Sometimes it's fun, sometimes it heavy. But no matter what happens when I'm there, my week is fulfilled by the time I leave. I can't think of a better group of people to be around.

Friday and Saturday night I will again work 2 overnight shifts. Which I am really exicted about. I can't tell you the amount of fun I have at work. It's hard work, but I enjoy the folks I work with and we make the best of bad situations. We laugh and cry together and have become family.

So that's it! How's your week looking? Hopefully it is filled with joyful stuff!

Psalm 119:152-154

Sometimes you find something that just strikes you.....well....not really sure how to explain it.



I call out at the top of my lungs,
"God! Answer! I'll do whatever you say."
I called to you, "Save me
so I can carry out all your instructions."
I was up before sunrise,
crying for help, hoping for a word from you.
I stayed awake all night,
prayerfully pondering your promise.
In your love, listen to me;
in your justice, God, keep me alive.
As those out to get me come closer and closer,
they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal;
But you're the closest of all to me, God,
and all your judgments true.
I've known all along from the evidence of your words
that you meant them to last forever.

Take a good look at my trouble, and help me—
I haven't forgotten your revelation.
Take my side and get me out of this;
give me back my life, just as you promised.
"Salvation" is only gibberish to the wicked
because they've never looked it up in your dictionary.
Your mercies, God, run into the billions;
following your guidelines, revive me.
My antagonists are too many to count,
but I don't swerve from the directions you gave.
I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing;
they walked away from your promises so casually!
Take note of how I love what you tell me;
out of your life of love, prolong my life.
Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth.
Your righteous decisions are eternal.

Vacation

We returned late last night from our vacation to Branson! The kids had a blast! Chad and I, well...we are worn out. I think sometimes, you just need a vacation from your vacation. I won't post them all, but here are a few pics.

Yes, this is one of the guys from a show....but it's my friend Tim Storms. He sings bass in the Pierce Arrow show. We had a great time at the show and even a better time getting to visit with him again.

Chad and Emilie walking down into a cave. We had to walk 400 stairs down into it, and then 150 back up. The rest of the way we rode the tram. It was exhausting but probably one of the neatest things we did in Branson.

Emilie as we are waiting to leave the park. Hot, tired, and worn out.

Chad and Lukus and Ian enjoying their dessert at Hard Luck Diner. Shane suggested we go as the servers would sing to you...and he was right. They did and the kids thought it was the neatest thing. I have to say, this was the best meal eaten by them all weekend.


Emilie loved getting wet in the splash zone!

Bedtime was precious! Well...because the kids WENT TO SLEEP!!! ;o)

Lukus and Emilie having fun at White Water!

Chad and I wating for the Pierce Arrow show to start! And the kids acting goofy while waiting. ;o)



So...there ya go!

What changed me???

The "Path189" in my e-mail address comes from a very dark time in my life 6 years ago. Many ask me where that came from. I went through a traning called "Pathway's" and was in the 189th class. That life changing training changed me forever and saved me and my marriage and most of all, it saved my life. Yes!!! Just 6 short years ago, I was contemplaing things that I would not fathom today!!! I do not think I would be here today if God had not led me to a wonderful group of people that were willing to put everything on hold for me and watch me succeed. I left there with a contract on my life that only God could give me. When I am hurting deeply or rejoicing freely, you may see it come up from time to time.

"I am a strong woman with love and power, resting securely in the arms of God"

Today I remain an active part of this organization and will continue to support it forever. I have amazing friends that held my life in their hands as they watched God work through me. I can tell you that during this time, it was the closest spiritual connection I have had with God. I will never return to what I use to be! Here is a video and just a glimpse of what others are saying about Pathway's. Who knows....one day...you may be asking me to walk this road with you...and I will say, with open arms "Let's go!"

GONE!!!!

We are gone on Vacation to Branson!

Have a blessed week!

Family day today!

Today we celebrated a birthday in our family. I had a really good time with my cousins this afternoon. I like it when I can get together with them and have a "good" time. Today was one of those. You can click on a pic to enlarge...I didn't want to make them big on here.

My niece Asasha was not very happy with me!

My brother....along with everyone else...showing off his OSU flip flops! (he had on OU sunglasses just for the record!!!!)

My Cousin Sarah, My cousin-in-law Yoana, and Me! Yoana is REALLY short! ;o)

Yoana and Me

My Cousin in law Nikki and me

My cousin Kenny and well....me

My Cousin Jeff...and again....me. (They look alike don't they) He is REALLY TALL!!!

My Brother Randy....WITH THE OU GLASSES ON! We won't discuss the shoes!

And of course....ME AND CHAD!


So thre we are! That's not everyone, but let's say....THE FUN ONES!

Question on Leadership

My friend Tim is posting questions on his blog each week. This one is about leadership....check it out! Feel free to comment! I thought it was interesting.

Patience

It's something I don't have a lot of. I guess I would have to say it depends on the situation.

I've been told I'm a very patient mother. I don't freak out of the littlest thing with my kids. I give probably far too many chances, but the fact is, I have good kids.

I've been told I'm a very patient wife. Sometimes I see this, then there are those other times! Probably when I've had a bad day or something.

I'm not a patient cook. Chad laughs at me as I don't set a timer. But yet, I keep getting up many times and trying to gauge is something is done. Then become frustrated when I can't figure out how long it has been in the oven. Guess it would be best to set the timer huh? I'm learning! ;o)

According to my PLACE assessment, I am a D personality. D's are not patient people. They like results...and they want them quick! Many times I catch myself growing inpatient and getting upset and it leads me nowhere! It's very frustrating. I think people who practice good patience are remarkable. These are the quiet ones that can wait on an answer forever without losing any peace, hope, or faith....or their patience! I would like to be one of those!

In Proverbs 19:11 it says: A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Can I overlook an offense? Can I grow in my own wisdom and gain patience?

There is good news.....I think I can.

Encouragement

I really like Paul. He was such a great encourager to his friends. He wanted to make sure that he sent the proper message and proved that Jesus loved them. Sometimes we forget just how much Jesus loves us. It's easy to sing the song, but can we honestly grasp the magnitude of how much love He has for each of us. Paul proves to be the ultimate encourager as he noticed the following things in the Thessalonians.....

You became imitators of us and of the Lord. (1:6)

You welcomed the message with joy. (1:6)

You became a model to all believers. (1:7)

Your faith in God has become known everywhere. (1:8)

You turned to God from idols. (1:9)

You serve the living and true God. (1:9)

You are waiting for His Son, Jesus, to return from heaven. (1:10)

Wow! I would love for my friends to notice these things in me and share them with me. Can we learn from Paul??? I try as much as possible to be a great encourager to everyone I meet and let them know what I see in them. I hope that I have been able to accomplish some of this and by my encouragement to them and I hope they know how much Jesus loves them and what awaits for us in the Kingdom.

Do you need a reminder? Who can you encourage today and remind them of God's love?
I know....I have a list that need encouragement...and I'll start that now.
Have a blessed day!

How time flies!

Ian will be turning 13 on Tuesday. Can't really believe it. We celebrated today with a pool party! We had so much fun!




Theresa came over to party with us!


It took a few moments to get this shot! How do you like Chad's beard?? Hee hee


I've been told I give the "Look of Death" I wonder if Theresa captured it here.


Well...this was just precious. Ethan decided he needed a nap! He played so hard! What you can't see is that I'm texting around him. It was priceless!

Weekend In Nashville = Priceless!

I have so much to say but have no words about our trip to Nashville. AMAZING! Even while there I found myself speechless many times. I believe it was the opportunity to take in the moment and enjoy what God was offering me.

It was a very relaxing trip, but yet....it was a lot of work too. Thursday night leading worship was just truly an awesome experience. There is nothing more that I love than to worship with others who love the Lord so much. To see their faces and hear their voices praising His name brings my heart so much joy. I love that other people love Him like I do.


I am excited to be back home tonight. It's hard getting back to the normal routine when you are so pumped up about Him! Praise God for making all things possible!

Hit the road Jack....

Couldn't think of a more clever title!

Heading to Nashville in the morning. I'm so excited for the trip. Even more than that.....I'm excited to spend time with the people I love so much from church. I love trips like this because it draws you closer together. It must be the 20 hours in a van that does it. ;o)

Pray for our trip, our travels, and that we are like Jesus to everyone we meet.

See ya in a week!