perpetually pregnant pastor's wife

Yes, I'm back. Well, not technically back home, because we are still at the beach, but back to my blog.
Tonight, we wanted seafood (isn't that why you come to the beach?) so we went to a restaurant called The Fish House. We don't really like buffets, but most of the joints here are just that. Of course there are tons of coupons everywhere for those places if you go early, but since we had decided to eat a little later we just picked this place out knowing nothing about it. We had been by it and the parking lot usually had a crowd, so we figured with so many people there it was probably good. We arrived to an almost empty parking lot and I thought, oh boy, hope this is good. We walked in, and there was NOBODY there! Really worried now.......I told the waiter I was a little scared. Let me tell you this about The Fish House................ IT IS DA BOMB!! That food was great. I don't know where everyone else went to eat tonight, but I was glad Steve had picked The Fish House! AND we were pleased as punch that it wasn't a buffet!
I know you are wondering what the heck the title of this post has to do with eating seafood..I'M GETTING TO IT! After eating our fill of fish, shrimp, and deviled crab for me and fish, shrimp and scallops for Steve (Luke didn't go with us and Stevie only wanted clam chowder--weird children I have raised) we were ready for the wheelbarrow to roll out of there. As we got back to our place, I said, "maybe I should buy some maternity clothes and people will just think I'm pregnant" (my belly was really poking out there after that meal) and Steve said, "yeah, you could be the perpetually pregnant pastor's wife".
Now that's what I call supportive, don't you?

vacation

Leaving tomorrow on vacation to Myrtle Beach. Hope to take some much-needed time to just be.

On my reading list for next week?

Dreaming in Black and White by Laura Jensen Walker

Dreaming in Technicolor by LJW

1st to Die by James Patterson

Of course, I will have to do some studying since I have a test to take the Monday after we get back.

Have a glorious week. I am going to TRY to vacate from this blog and give you guys a rest! We'll see since I'm totally addicted.

minister's wives luncheon

Every year on Tuesday of the convention there is a luncheon for the minister's wives. I've only recently started attending, but for the most part I have found them to be entertaining. I, along with all of the other wives, actually go for the loot, not the program!

This year, the luncheon format was different and was suppose to include an expo of what I thought would be useful resources for.........women. But. it. was. not.

Instead we were herded through a line where we were suppose to have this little paper signed at each booth, not actually look through the materials at the booths or speak to anyone. The signed paper had a code on it and that code corresponded with a door prize. Everybody won something so that was positive.

Three ladies won a CRUISE! nope, that wasn't me.
Six ladies won a retreat in the mountains! not me, again.
One lady won a Timothy/Barnabas conference where there is tons of free loot! again, not me.
The majority of the women won something that could be used in women's ministry at their church! nope, nada, not me.

I won.....wait for it.......the Patriot's Bible. Now, I ask you, with my family already owning 60 Bibles who really thought I needed another one? AND one that was not even geared toward a woman! Maybe I can sell it on Half and spend the money on something for the ladies at our church. So disappointing. I appreciate the sentiment, but really?

The best part of the luncheon was the table where I sat. The ladies there were wonderful...all of us sharing our common struggles. Isn't that what the luncheon should be about? There was a forum of mega-church pastors' wives up at the front yammering, but no one back where we were was listening to them. They don't remember the struggles that we have, and we have nothing in common with them. Why not let the luncheon be a "real" place for "real" conversation? I don't need platitudes from the likes of Donna Gaines or Susie Hawkins. They probably have their fan base, but those of us doing the day to day work (and not being paid for it) need encouragers in our lives who are authentic in their love of the Lord and who truly understand the struggles of the "small-church" pastor's family (let's not forget that we make up the vast majority of the SBC).

In the end, we were surprised with a beautiful bag that says The Romans 12:1 Woman on the front and it was filled with stuff (premier designs always gives a piece of jewelry and this year it was pearls-nice). I met some nice ladies, one of whom I hope to keep in contact with, and had a good lunch.

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

Imma Needs

Shea's friend, Amy, often has as her fb status "Imma needs........." and whatever it is she needs at the moment. I laugh every time she does this probably b/c I can just hear her sarcastic wit saying this. So, I have made up my own list of Imma needs for the convention. Some I will provide commentary for, some stand alone. Enjoy!

Al Mohler, Imma needs you to dumb it down when addressing the peasants.
I wonder if his wife is as smart as him or if there are times she says "Huh?"

Rev. ******, Imma needs you to learn how to pronounce President Obama's name.
It is not, Biraq Insane Osama.

Wiley Drake, Imma needs you to stay home again next year.
We actually ran early during each session.

Herschel, the shuttle bus driver, Imma needs you to take a refresher course on which side of the road we drive on over here in America.

Stephen and Alex Kendrick, Imma needs you to get cracking on that new movie (and cast our daughter in it).
Had to add that last part since she thought I should have asked them when I met them.

Sears, Imma needs you to stop selling all of those baby blue/white pinstripe seersucker suits to the young preachers.
There had to have been a sale, tons of men had it on (should've taken a pic).

highlight of the convention

the shuttle

Whew...so we take the shuttle from our hotel to the convention center, and while I have some funny stories about our adventures on it, all I can say for tonight is.....

Herschel, Imma need you to learn how to drive!

I'm going to explain the Imma part later with a funny post to boot, but I am tooooooo tired! Have a great Wednesday!

monday

Yep, it's Monday. We made it last night to Louisville with sanity intact. Why would I say such a thing you ask? Well, all four of us came in Steve's car. WE aren't use to taking trips in a car! However, our van has decided that maybe it is ready....way before we are ready for it to....to go to van heaven. I am still hoping that it can be like Lazarus...and be reawakened! It's not completely gone, actually, but not up for a trip through the mountains.

Today, we all got up to head over to the expo center for the pastor's conference. We waited 45 minutes for the shuttle to pick us up.....outside.....with lightning and thunder and many,many, many raindrops. Finally, we made it!

As we walked around looking at the vendors...the kids were CRABBY! especially Luke. I know, I know, you can't believe that a 13 year old boy would be crabby. Well, he was.

We venture over to the Olan Mills area,(I am not actually aware that is where we are venturing, just following the hubby around), and the salesperson grabs us and asked if it's time to have our yearly picture taken. Now, I generally try to avoid this area, but alas, I am stuck. He says, "Are you having a good hair day?" and then actually looks at our heads to see. Who does that? Like if I let them take this picture, I will actually be displaying it somewhere! Who cares what kind of hair day we are having? Anyway, I digress. They take the picture, and as I am trying to SPRINT away from the offensive area, we are stopped by this little old man (also a salesman) who says, "Don't you want to wait and see it on the big screen?" WHAT??? That just makes me run faster! WHALE ALERT ON THE BIG SCREEN! Good grief!

The highlight of the morning was getting caramel corn...........and the nap that I took while the rest of the fam went to eat gourmet........Waffle House.

Right now, glorious quiet. The kids have gone to register for Centrifuge and I am waiting for Steve to return so that we can go have a quiet dinner.

I love the convention, but today was a bust. Tomorrow will be better!

fathers

When I was a girl, we spent a lot of time at the ball field. Baseball filled spring and summer days and football filled the fall. My dad was always there, never missing a game and sometimes being the coach. I remember one evening when we were at a football game. My dad was doing what he always did--walking the sidelines and cheering on the local team while talking to some of his buddies. I was doing what I always did, running around playing.

I must have needed something because I went up and started tugging on my dad's pant leg or at least I thought it was his leg! Instinctively, I looked up about the same time that the owner of the leg looked down.........and I had the wrong daddy! Whew, boy....was I ever glad to see that my own dad was just on the other side of me, looking down, too, smiling.

As I reminisced about this event today, I thought about how sometimes I tug at the wrong leg when I seek the guidance of my heavenly Father. I think I am asking for His direction only to realize that it was not His answer I was seeking, but my own. However, just like that little girl, am I ever glad that He stands beside me at the ready to rescue me from myself. He knows my every need and desire; He wants what is best for me, and wants me to be my best.......just like my earthly father did.

Isaiah 64:8 MSG
Still, God, you are our Father. We're the clay and you're our potter: All of us are what you made us.


I'm glad that I was given the example of love from my earthly father who is now worshiping at the feet of my heavenly Father. I know that someday I will meet up with him again, and he will be more than willing to show me around his new home.

I am also grateful that my children were given this gift as well. My husband loves our children with a love so deep that it could only have come from God. Thank you, honey, for the sacrifices that you make for them!

talk about rekindling

So, most everyone knows that I got pregnant in high school. Stupid decision on my part, but as always, God brought something beautiful out of it...Mary Shea, of course!!




Well, a few months ago, she messaged me and told me that someone had requested to be her friend on fb and what should she do? That someone was none other than her "uncle" or her biological father's (known here on out as bf) brother. I told her to accept the request and see what he wanted. Well, she did and that led to a plethora of people from that family wanting to be added as "friends". Of course, some of these people she didn't even know!

I knew it was inevitable that her bf would get wind of this and want to be added as well. It happened (actually it was his wife posing as him, but I am sure with his approval). When all of this happened, I really didn't know how to feel or react. Was I jealous? Was I angry? Was I happy? and then it hit me, that I was none of those things because this wasn't about me. It was about her....as a grown-up needing to decide what she wanted these people to mean to her or how involved she wanted to get. She came to me for advice, as a mom, but the relationship between her and these people needed to be hers alone. I didn't want to interfere.

Then, I began to wonder how this would affect Steve. You know, the man who actually raised her and loved her as his own? The man whose "payroll" she had been on for 24 years? How would he feel about all of this? I didn't think it fair that he be hurt or begin to feel replaced. So, I watched and waited to see how this would shake out.

Truth be told, I've known for a long time that this day would come. It had to, she would eventually become curious about this other side of her family whom she knew about but had wanted nothing to do with and who had had nothing to do with her. I always encouraged her to contact them, but I think she wasn't ready for that before like she is now. Cautiously and carefully (for fear of being hurt), she is developing a relationship that is comfortable for her. It's been a wonderful thing to watch. She knows who her dad is (Steve, of course) and she is carving out something as yet undefined with her bf. I hope that for everyone's sake, they will continue to etch out their story. A new story, a new relationship born from a budding friendship. I pray that they will not forget her ever again, but will instead be grateful and appreciative that God has given them another chance to know her.........because if they are, they will see what they've been missing and they'll see it's worth the ride.

Randy, enjoy this gift this Father's Day.......she's one to be cherished.

recap

Once again, I have found someone on my fb that I haven't spoken to in years. We always catch up (these friends and I) and I always point them towards my blog. So, I thought I would do a recap year-by-year since I graduated from college.
1989- graduated from Augusta College, now Augusta State and got my first teaching job
1990- married my soulmate, Steve, and immediately got pregnant; bought our first house, Shea started kindergarten!
1991- had Stevie in June and while in the hospital found out that my mom would have to have a liver transplant; she finally got her liver in September of that year, it was faulty, got another one a week or so later, and it failed too
1992- lost a baby; mom had another transplant
1993- mom died, Steve surrendered to the call of ministry
1994- moved to Atlanta to work at the Georgia Baptist Children's Home; stopped teaching; dad remarried
1995- moved back to Augusta, Steve started working as a youth minister part-time; had my third child, Luke
1996- turned the big 3-0; had a great year! Stevie started kindergarten, Shea started middle school
1997- moved to Shelbyville, TN for Steve's job (his secular one), Steve took his first part-time pastorate position
1998- Shea graduated from 8th grade; had a good year (meaning uneventful!)
1999- started working in the mortgage business; Luke started pre-school; Shea started high school
2000- uneventful!
2001- oh boy!! Luke started kindergarten; went back to teaching (middle school) Steve left the secular workforce and began ministry full-time; Steve started seminary
2002- had the absolute BEST teaching job in the world!! (I taught reading all day long)
2003- moved to Paducah, KY when Steve was called to pastor a church there; Shea graduated from high school; sad, sad, sad day when I had to leave my friends where I worked :( Shea started college at Murray State University
2004- my nephew, Sam was born; my dad died unexpectedly and I slipped into a deep, dark depression, but we did take the kids to Disney and had an amazing time
2005- went back to work in the mortgage business; bought our house in Calvert City, Ky
2006- left the mortgage business again to go back to school to get master's degree; had a hysterectomy (yeah, me!!)
2007- moved to Atlanta, Ga to teach because there wasn't a job to be had in KY; Steve graduated from seminary with a master's and from Mid-Continent with his bachelor's (yes, he did them both at the same time...would NOT recommend!)
2008- moved to Cassatt, SC thereby leaving the second best job I've ever had :( another sad, sad, day, but we must go where God calls and God called us here, of that I am sure! decided to transfer to Georgia Southern to finish my master's
2009- living in the here and now; Stevie graduated...........many, many more events to come, more happy moments to live and share :)

So, where have you been?

the gosselins

Okay, the media has officially lost it with this whole Jon and Kate plus 8 thing. The latest "allegation" is that Kate is losing it and spanking her kids. So what? Children are sometimes spanked by their parents. AND, I know that many people don't believe in that and think it promotes violence and to them I say...........do you have sextuplets? Are you soooooooo perfect that you have never, ever done or said something to your child that you later regretted? (not spanking them, probably!)And an innocent comment about the dogs brought out PETA screaming about abuse. Are you for real? ENOUGH ALREADY!

I know the detractors say that they obviously wanted the attention and now crave the money and attention, but we don't really know. None of us do. I am not a big fan of the show mainly because when it first began,I couldn't stand the way Kate spoke to and treated Jon. The poor man gets NO respect. Is it any wonder he can hardly look at her now? However, regardless of how I feel, they have to do what they think is right for their family.

So, to the media posted day and night outside of their house..........shame on you! Go bother someone who wants that kind of attention--The Lohans, maybe?

Enough of this rant. It is obvious to me that I need that vacation that we have coming up in a few days.......YEAH!!

jack at vbs

sam at vbs

Not Me! Monday

I haven't done a Not me! Monday post in awhile....so I thought I would give it another shot! Remember that this idea comes from MckMama so check her and all of the other blogs posting their Not me's today as well.

I did not regain a renewed appreciation of mothers with preschoolers after having my two beautiful nephews all last week. And on that front, I did not let them sleep in their clothes one night because everyone was exhausted from VBS and just wanted a little peace!

I certainly did not spend countless hours on the internet searching and re-searching for the absolute lowest priced, however resort-like place to stay at the beach, because I am so cheap!

I did not finally give up and tell my hubby that if he wanted to relax at the beach, he better find a place to stay because I was tired of looking!

I certainly did not agree to have a pie thrown in my face at VBS if the boys brought the most canned goods and then when they won, suggest to my hubby that he should take my place at the last minute!

I absolutely, most definitely did not lose my 5 year old nephew one night at VBS only to panic and subsequently find him at home in bed...........asleep!

I did not tell the VBS photographer (a 13 year old boy) to not take a picture of my BIG butt while planting flowers with the preschoolers!

I certainly did not DANCE at VBS at the front of our southern baptist church!


What about you? Any not me's?

pies

So, we did a canned food drive between the boys and the girls for our food pantry. The deal was, if the boys won, Mrs. Trish and I were to have pies thrown in our faces and if the girls won, Steve and Jeffrey would get it. Well, the BOYS won! So here, we sit waiting for the pie, and Steve and Jeffrey in all their chilvarous glory, swooped in and took our place. At that point, Luke and Stevie decided that they wanted to throw the pies. However, you can see from the pics who REALLY got it:O)

Carowinds

Our youth group went to Carowinds recently. Looks like they had a great time!

happy birthday, stevie!

About six weeks after Steve and I got married, I found out I was pregnant. It didn't really come as a surprise since we knew that we wanted to have a baby pretty quickly. It wasn't long after finding out that we KNEW we were in TROUBLE :O) The baby began to do flips inside my belly and this continued for months! She never really slowed down.............

And, on June 13, 1991, we went to the hospital for my scheduled c-section to meet for the first time ever, little miss flippy. She was so small and beautiful...all of my babies had perfectly round heads (no alien-looking babies for me!) and Steve was so proud to show her off! We went knowing the baby was a girl and her name would be...Heather Brooke. We had decided on that name after MUCH deliberation (since everything I liked Steve hated and vice-versa). However, we brought home a baby girl named.......Stevie Dawn, named for both her parents (my middle name is Dawn and if you can't figure out where Stevie came from, then that is just sad!).

She was a booga-boo from day one. Around day seven, she turned over and out of the bassinet she came and into her own crib. She tried everything early, but if she couldn't do it perfectly, she gave up until she could master it.Heck, she was making her own pb&j sandwich in the dark at 2AM when she was 3. She's still kind of like that!

She's had many, many struggles and brought much joy to our lives. I am amazed at the woman she has become. Her thoughts are so deep and her strength to endure so determined. She makes us laugh, A LOT! She also makes us so proud with her accomplishments...if you haven't seen her paintings, you are truly missing something! She is 100% tomboy (much to my chagrin), yet 100% a softy. She loves kids and animals; reading and music; her family and most importantly God. She asks intense questions about God and her faith, and gives simplistic answers to those who need it.

Steve and I have done the best we can.......and let God do the rest. He did a pretty darn good job with this one! So, today, Stevie, in the eyes of the world, you become an adult. In the eyes of your parents, you will always be "our little girl". We love you so much. We are proud of you, and we look forward to what God is going to do with your life from here!

On your 18th birthday, here's 18 reasons why I love you (there are so many more, but let's don't go crazy!!)

1. You are sooooooooooooo FUNNY! I love those fb quotes.
2. You love people in a BIG way.
3. You are very tolerant.
4. You are very giving....sometimes too much so like when you try to give away paintings that I want to keep.
5. Your eyes crinkle when you laugh.
6. Your puffy little cheeks.
7. You take care of others before yourself.
8. You share willingly.
9. You are so good with kids and seasoned adults.....they are a lot alike!
10.You have the ability to make me lose myself in your landscapes.
11.You take care of your brother.....even though he would never in a million years admit it!
12.You are passionate about God.
13.You love loud: your actions speak louder than your words!
14.You think through what you are going to say before you say it.
15.Your writing amazes me....everyone should read your blog...and gain some insight :o) www.steviedawn.blogspot.com
16.You snort when you laugh.....that's a gift, my friend!
17.When you like something you really, really, really, like it (Twilight and Wicked, to name a few)
18.You have embraced who you are and you are making that work for you

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRECIOUS GIRL!

Now, enough of the sweet, sugary stuff........could you go clean your room now?

stevie's cake

So, Shea made Stevie's cake for the BIG party on Saturday. Stevie hasn't seen it yet, and luckily she doesn't make a habit of looking at my blog! haha I think Shea did great especially since she's never made a cake like ths before! Thanks Shea!!

chubby bunny

In recreation last night at VBS, the kids played chubby bunny. Remember that game? You stick as many marshmallows into your mouth as possible and say "chubby bunny" three times. Yuck! This first picture is off the marshmallow goo oozing down Stevie's chin.............GROSS!

how many?

We are having vacation Bible school this week, and I have Sam and Jack (or Jam as Sack as Shea affectionately calls them), plus I have a big assignment due on Friday by 5. So, having said that, I went in search of something to write today b/c I totally want to add some very cute pictures from vbs, but my card reader appears to be messed up!

So, here goes........... taken from www.thedailymeme.com

How many people share your name?
Here's my results..........
There are 65,918 people in the U.S. with the first name Patty.
Statistically the 673rd most popular first name.
More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Patty are female.

There are 11,007 people in the U.S. with the last name Leigh.
Statistically the 3427th most popular last name.

There are 2 people in the U.S. named Patty Leigh.

So how many share your name??

rekindled friendship

I've written here before about Facebook and all of the "friends" that I have reconnected with since joining (and now I am totally addicted--it's ridiculous, really!). BUT, one friend in particular was very special to me when I saw her on FB. I had looked for her on the internet before not really knowing where she had gotten off to, and certainly not thinking that we lived anywhere near closely to each other. BUT, I found her and we do, indeed, live closer than I thought (like 3 hours instead of across the country).

Janet and I attended Augusta State University when it was just "Augusta College". We were unlikely friends~~me, a just-graduated know-it-all kid, and she~ and empty nester back to school unwillingly. However, a friendship blossomed out of that unusual pairing, and it was one that I cherished back then and still do today. I haven't seen Janet in at least 19 years~they moved back to California the year I got married~ and it was difficult to stay in touch. While we did talk a few times right after she moved, we both had lives to live. I had kids to raise, she had traveling to do, and we drifted as happens so many times.

Janet and her husband, Mac, live life to the fullest. They are always doing something fun and exciting, and I told her recently that I was living vicariously through her! LOL She recently started her own blog where she is documenting many of their activities. Her descriptions of her various activities keeps me smiling, especially since I can hear her voice saying those things. Take a moment to check them out (linked over to the left-MacQueblogspot, I’d link it here too but I am just too lazy) and get to know Janet. I think you will like her!

Janet, I know you are reading this……so I’m going to say that I’m glad you’re found!! I hope that one day soon I will make it down there and really see you live and in person instead of just via FB.

a day at the zoo

We took the boys to the zoo today and had a great time. Glad that their new friends, Olivia, Cameran, and William got to go with us!

shea

So, Shea had a little mishap with a coffee mug, and this is what she got for her trouble!

However, she did make these little cuties with her wounded hand. So, all-in-all, I think she's okay!

BEAUTIFUL!

a new product

As you know, I do not like housework. It makes me crabby : ( So, anything to make this job easier is a win-win in my book! Love these new Purex sheets for the laundry. Just throw one in the wash, and you have detergent, fabric softener, and a dryer sheet all in one. No messy liquid to spill or have to wash out of a cup; No dry detergent to spill and have to sweep up. Try these, you might like 'em.

the unseen

We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen (2 Cor. 4:18).

I clicked over on Crosswalk today to look up a reference for a verse that I wanted to use about friends. However, the homepage displayed this verse and it was funny because I had been thinking about this very thing a few days ago.

So many times I am short-sighted when it comes to what God wants for me, my kids, my husband, my church, etc. and I don't remember that He knows what will happen before it happens as well as what will happen as a result.

Let me give an example. I read a blog (suprise, suprise, suprise!) over at MckMama every day. I have various reasons for reading it now, but the original reason was because she had a little man, Stellan, who was sick and they were in the hospital (his is a long story, and you can read it for yourself). I checked up on him to know how to pray and just because I'm nosy. Well, her blog is read by millions of people (how does that happen?) and she has shared her struggles with her life as it looks today in many posts. Who knows how many have been touched by her story? God does. He knew that Stellan was sick; He knew that they would spend many weeks in the hospital; He knows all of the answers!

MckMama didn't. She struggled with frustration, fear, anxiety, loneliness, and at times, I am sure that she asked WHY????? Before God made Stellan He knew of these struggles, He knows how many people will be touched, He knows the outcome, He knows the big, big plans that He has for Stellan. We get so caught up in what we don't know that we forget that He does know!

Does that make sense? I sometimes get caught up in what my children are going to do with their futures. I try to control (I'm sure you are shocked) the decisions that they make. BUT, I have not stopped in a while to consider..............

1. The sheer number of people that Shea touches for Him in her present job because people see His beauty shine through.

2. What good will or has already come from Stevie's art in the people that it has touched.

3. The number of contacts that Stevie has made for the Lord while witnessing to people in her art classes.

4. That there may be a very good reason why Shea has waited to go back to school until now.....He alone holds the future!

5. Why, at this time, it appears as though Luke's dream of becoming a pilot may not come to fruition.

My questions continue..............BUT so do His answers. I cannot see them clearly all of the time (this is where that sky writer comes in handy), but I need to remember that He sees the unseen, and I need to trust Him with that.

guilty pleasures

Since it's summer, that must mean it's time to indulge in some guilty pleasures!

1. watchimg tv shows on DVD
2. going to the movies during the day
3. ice cream and rita's
4. sleeping late
5. vacation!!
6. The Bachelorette (and it's two hours every week) yeah
7. So You Think You Can Dance
8. Facebook ( b/c I am totally addicted....it's ridiculous, really)

What are your guilty pleasures this summer? I might want to add some of yours to mine! LOL

service

Before I even begin this post, I HAVE to get something off my chest..................

MY INTERNET IS WAY TOO SLOW!

THEY CALL THIS HIGH-SPEED

BROADBAND?

TO THAT I SAY.............

PA-SHAW!

Okay, I sorta feel better.

Now onto service. Our vacation Bible school this year has a service "piece" attached to it. The theme is Studio Go! meaning go tell the Good News. I am in charge of the service. Why? Because I believe that is the reason we are here. To Serve........To Obey.........

So, I have been trying to think of ways to teach the kids that we are to serve others and in doing so, we will show God's love and He will shine through us. I am planning on doing three nights of local service, and two nights of service that will involve foreign missions. We have to reach beyond our four walls to the community if we want others to know that we love them.

The Bible says in Act 1:8:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

If we are Christians or Christ-followers, then the Holy Spirit has already come upon us. It's time to stop sitting back and waiting for someone else to do what we are called to do! We MUST show love because God is love. We are to take care of the people in our church, yes, but we are commanded to go out into the community to serve as well as the rest of the world. I want the kids to learn this concept through a variety of ways. Perhaps if the kids learn it and begin to practice it, adults will follow : ) Wouldn't that be something??

got a lot

I've got a lot to say.....................but not today :)

Can't seem to find the words.....................

Had a great weekend, though! Besides Jersey Boys and Luke no longer having braces, I also got to see my AWESome friends at the Swan Coach House where we ate in this room:


Saw this exhibit and some even bought this book:

I think we all had a fabulous time...wish everyone could have been there (Julie!), but we laughed anyway, and I shared all of your man drama for you :)