GEMS Ministry

James: Mercy Triumphs Session Two

2012-01-24T16:04:00.001-05:00

Here are the answers for this week's listening guide...

1. doesn't say, does, slave
2. tribes scattered

diaspora
James, Jacob
Jacobus
Ya'aqov
Jewish Christian, Christian Jew
divorced, Jesus knew

3. first book, written
4. last, admitted

rule, standard

5. teachings
6. live it
7. joy, you

Don't forget to let Beth know if you memorize the book of James by writing her at lproof@lproof.org.

Our service project this week will be to write a minister or other leader in your congregation a thank you note for all that they do. You can mail them yourself or bring them to class next Wednesday night and Kathy will mail them from the office for you.

Finally, we'd love to hear about what you are learning in this Bible study. So feel free to comment on this blog post. Let's have a little conversation on the side as we study throughout the week!

See you next Monday!

Throw a little shrimp on the barbie, mate!

2012-01-19T16:08:00.000-05:00

That's right...our last Girls' Night Out was at Outback! We had a great crowd and especially enjoyed having a number of our young women with us. They make us laugh and keep us young!

Make plans now to join us on March 6 at Olive Garden for the next GNO.

In the meantime, enjoy a few pictures...

First is the requisite picture of my food...didn't want to disappoint any of you who have come to expect such a picture...it was a steak sandwich that was awesome in its yumminess!

Here is the lovely Shannon & Jennifer...yes, I posted the picture even though someone who shall remain nameless told me not to because they didn't like the picture of themselves. No, I don't always follow directions well. And I think they both look smashing!

A good time was had by all and we hope you will join us in March!

James: Mercy Triumphs Session One

2012-01-18T16:36:00.001-05:00

We started our James Bible study this past Monday night with 16 women in attendance! Woo hoo! If you weren't able to join us this week, it's not too late. We'd love to have you come to BOB next Monday night at 7:00.

If you were in class, you heard Beth talk about her sister, Gay. Well earlier that day, she had posted on the LPM blog about her sister and Gay is beginning to write her story. It will be posted on the blog in segments and you can read the first one here. Already, it is a powerful testimony to what God can do in a surrendered life! I can't wait to read the rest of the story.

Here are the blanks for the listening guide from Session One:

Then He appeared to James.
Jesus appeared to those who needed to see Him most.
James enters the scene as an unbeliever.
Jesus radically re-structures the idea of family. (Five blanks under this point are, in order: Natural, Disciples, Family, Spiritual, Resurrected)
By the grace of God, James became what James became.
The power of the resurrection means that nothing but the tomb is meant to be empty.

Also, here is the acrostic for those who are going to work on memorizing James:

John 15:7-8 - ABIDE
Ask God for the ability.
Believe you can do it.
Increase the portion each week.
Determine a set time every day to practice.
Enjoy it!

Beth suggested that you choose the version you want to memorize and then print out one chapter at a time. You can use www.biblegateway.com to do that easily. She also suggested that you laminate your paper. We will bring the office laminator to class next week if anyone wants to use it before or after class.

Other suggestions include memorizing one chapter per month, starting with the first few verses and adding verses each week until you have the whole chapter memorized.

Kathy Bannister, our class facilitator, suggested that as you study each week and learn a new idea or gain some insight, please share it with the rest of the class. You can comment here on the blog and we will all be able to read and comment back to one another. I look forward to reading what each of you is learning!

We are a little excited around here!

2012-01-10T15:28:00.002-05:00

I just love a new year, don't you? Even though some things carry over from the previous year, January always marks a new beginning for me. Maybe it is because I don't have kids at home any more and aren't tied to the school calendar. Or maybe I'm just glad to have gotten through Christmas yet again! Whatever the reason, I like me some January!

And around the office we are just a little bit excited right now! As announced on Sunday, we are looking forward to sharing The Story in the fall with our church family, but especially with our community. It will be a comprehensive look at God's story throughout scripture, from beginning to end, amen. And a great opportunity to reach out to those around us who don't know God's story...or may not know how they fit into God's story...or maybe just got lost along the way.

Our shepherds have also started off the new year with a bang by challenging us to step up our generosity game to accomplish some goals they have set for us for the next couple of years. And that ain't just a resolution that will be forgotten before we even flip the calendar page over to February!

Starting off the new year this way has inspired me. It's kinda like a fresh new notebook with all blank pages that stirs up all kinds of imaginings about what will come this year (yeah, I'm an office supply nerd too!).

A couple of Sundays ago, before praying over communion, I read out of Isaiah 43 where God says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." I love that God is about the new stuff too. He wants to do something new in all of us. Why? So that we "may proclaim His praise."

We already feel His leading in the new things planned for our church family this year. He wants to do new things in each of us as individuals too...which will help us get to the places He is leading us as a church. Funny how it all intertwines like that, huh?

So what new things does God want to do in your life this year? I'm pretty sure I know where He's leading me and hope that you know the same for yourself. Let's look forward to the year, what God will accomplish in each of us and in our church family and then let's proclaim His praise!

So What Are You Reading 2?

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Some of you may remember that I undertook a book reading challenge from Margaret Feinberg last year and while I didn't meet the 75 books in a year challenge, I did read a lot more than I would have otherwise.

This year, I decided to join a book club. I found one on Meetup and have enjoyed getting to know these gals and reading some good books.

And then there are all the books I've been reading for work too.

So maybe I'll hit that 75 book-mark this year.

Here's a list of what I've read so far this year...

Surprised by Worship by Travis Cottrell
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow
Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larson
High Five by Janet Evanovich
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
Room by Emma Donaghue
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larson
The Help by Kathryn Stockton
Holy Conversations by Richard Peace
The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich
Becoming Spiritually Beautiful by Sharon Jaynes
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
The Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
The Pawn by Steven James
And by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay
Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
One Day by David Nicholls
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Gifted to Lead by Nancy Beach
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine's Path to Peace by Rye Barcott
Whispers of the Bayou by Mindy Starnes Clark
The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Radical by David Platt
Radical Together by David Platt
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larson
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larson

Okay, not quite 75 but more than last year! Yes, I re-read a couple of books this year since the movies had come out (The Help, Breaking Dawn, and The Girl trilogy) but if you enjoyed a book once, it can be that much better the second or third time!

And I've just started the next book club book this morning so I'm already on my way to 75 for 2012. It's good to have goals.

What about you? What did you read in 2011?

Do We Know How to Party or What?

2011-12-06T13:51:00.001-05:00

If you were anywhere near the Charlotte last night, you probably heard the raucous laughter emanating from my house! So, yes we do know how to party! About 35 GEMS joined us for our annual Christmas gathering and if you weren't there, we missed you.

Thank you to everyone who came - it wouldn't have been a party without you there. Just so you know, all the GEMS are invited to our gatherings, regardless of age. Last night, we had women who have just started college all the way up to...well, I won't tell you exactly how far we went but suffice it to say that we had a couple of great-grandmothers in attendance!

Thank you to the special sisters who brought a couple of items I had forgotten at the store. I always forget something so just be forewarned that if you are ever invited to my house, I may call you at the last minute and ask you to pick up some ice or something!

Thank you to those who brought me sweet hostess gifts. You really shouldn't have (and I mean that!) but I appreciate your kindness.

Love, love, love having everyone over. So anytime you are in the neighborhood, feel free to stop on by. Or if you need an extra place to house a guest or two, or want to use my house to host your next gathering, feel free to ask! I'm so grateful for my new home and would love to share some time with you there.

Here are some pictures from last night...enjoy these and make plans now to join us for GEMS Christmas 2012!
(Did I really just say that?)

A Sea of Emotions

2011-10-03T10:29:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a day of highs and lows...I guess some days are just like that. We get to experience a swing of emotions so wide that it takes our breath away and then it all has to process through our hearts and minds for hours.

I think endings are the hardest part. Learning of the death of a friend is certainly a low. When that friend is only 8 years older than you, it sends all kinds of questions through your brain, not the least of which is, "Why, God?" Needing to ask God that question feels lower...although I know He welcomes our questions, even the hard ones.

God's timing in our lives is impeccable though. A family in our congregation called me several days ago to ask if I would baptize their daughter after services on Sunday, which I was delighted to do. And as this little girl committed her life to Christ, and came up out of the baptismal waters, I was struck by the collision of life and death on the very same day. One family grieves. One family rejoices.

My friend, John, lived a life dedicated to God, his family, and the church. He wasn't perfect but he was a servant who loved the Lord and wanted to see as many people as possible come to know and love Him too. Which is what my sweet young friend Laura did on Sunday through her baptism. She proclaimed her love for Jesus and committed her life to serving Him.

That is what it is really all about. Loving God and serving Him from the day you commit to Him to the day He calls you home, regardless of how much time passes in between. So I am grateful for the memories that yesterday brought...memories of old friends and lives spent serving our Father. And memories of new friends and the special time we shared together.

Being a witness to lives well spent and decisions well made is a grand privilege.

A Freeing Reality

2011-08-10T09:10:00.003-04:00

I've been wanting to write this post for days now. I mean, what do you say when something you have waited years for finally happens? Besides that, my heart has been so full the last two Sundays that I haven't even had the words to put on paper. I'm not sure I do now. We should know in just a few paragraphs.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says there are many gifts that all come from the same Spirit. The Message says it like this:

God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! ...All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

I don't know the whys and hows and wherefores of the gifting. I know what my gifts are. I can usually see others' gifts pretty readily. But I don't know why God chose certain people to receive certain gifts and others to receive certain other gifts. I just know that He gave us the gifts we have and He gave them to us to strengthen and serve the body of Christ. And I know that He didn't make any mistakes when He gave us our particular gifts.

The blessing behind this is that we can celebrate all gifts. We can celebrate all people using their gifts in the Body. We can honor God by serving well in our areas of giftedness without pridefully comparing our gifts with someone else's. We can honor God by honoring all who serve.

What a precious and freeing reality.

As we step into that reality in our church family, I am grateful to the women who have gone before me...those who served graciously and humbly in their areas of giftedness that matched the limitations placed on women and those who served graciously and humbly outside their areas of giftedness because that is where the limitations allowed them to serve. Both of your paths have opened up doors for women today that we thought might remain shut forever.

I am grateful to the women who serve beside me...those who pour their heart and soul into whatever gift and calling that God has unmistakably laid on them. You are truly servant hearts!

I am grateful to all the men who have taken up the cause of their wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters...especially their sisters in Christ...to recognize and honor all the ways women can serve the body of Christ.

And to the women who come after me, I pray that the door will always be open for you to serve your church family in all the ways God has uniquely gifted each of you.

So What are You Reading?

2011-08-03T06:02:00.000-04:00

Surprised by Worship by Travis Cottrell
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow
Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larson
Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larson
High Five by Janet Evanovich
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
Room by Emma Donaghue
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larson
The Help by Kathryn
Holy Conversations by Richard Peace
The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich
Becoming Spiritually Beautiful by Sharon Jaynes
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
The Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
The Pawn by Steven James
And by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay
Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
One Day by David Nicholls
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Gifted to Lead by Nancy Beach
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

Great Fun at Olive Garden

2011-08-02T15:00:00.000-04:00

Last night was another great Girls Night Out. We met at Olive Garden at 6:30 and had a wonderful meal together. Thanks to everyone who came out and mark your calendars now for September 12th. I don't know where we will go to eat yet but that's the date of our next GNO! You don't want to miss it.

Here's the requisite picture of my yummy meal...and then pictures of those who joined us.

Living Proof Live in Charlotte!

2011-07-25T11:56:00.001-04:00

Oh, what a glorious time we had at Living Proof Live on Fri/Sat of this past week! The worship was awesome and Beth was truly anointed with her message to us to H.O.L.D.F.A.S.T. Here's a few pictures, in case you missed it!

Living Proof Live - Charlotte NC from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

Forgotten

2011-06-23T06:00:00.002-04:00

When I was a first grader (yeah, we didn't have kindergarten back then), I went to a neighborhood school. I don't remember how I got there each day but I do remember that I was to wait on the sidewalk in front of the school each afternoon for my dad to pick me up. Most days he arrived right on time, I jumped in the car, and we went home to my mother and little brother.

Occasionally, it did not go as smoothly. Daddy was a minister and he would get busy studying in his office, or talking with people, or with other ministerial tasks and before you know it, 2:30 had come and gone and I was still standing on the sidewalk waiting. Mother tried an alarm clock in his office, but he would forget to set it. She tried calling him to remind him, but if he wasn't in the office he couldn't get the call (yeah, we didn't have cell phones back then either).

And so I would wait, until the nose of his car was just visible down the street, and I would sigh a huge sigh of relief. Daddy was here and I was not forgotten after all.

One of the scripture readings in our Bible study this week is Matthew 6:1-4, where we are told to do our good deeds in private to receive our reward from the Father who sees all.

At first glance, this doesn't seem to have much to do with the theme of forgotten. Until I went through the 5P's...and really listened to what God was speaking to my heart about my own fears of being forgotten.

On the surface, this scripture speaks to our motives for doing good. Do we do it for the accolades or admiration of others? If so, then we have received our reward. But when we bless others without making a big deal over it, the Father who sees all IS making a big deal over it. He may or may not choose to use it for our public recognition...but you can rest assured that He has seen it and He is preparing the reward.

When I dug a little deeper and really listened for God to speak, what I heard was that sometimes our brokenness makes us feel...my brokenness makes me feel...as if we have been forgotten by everyone, even by the Father. And so we are compelled to do our good deeds in front of others. We may even go to the trouble of writing our own headlines about the good we have done and the people we have helped.

And yet, it occurs to me that the headlines just continue to mask our fear of being forgotten...and so the cycle continues.

I have to remind myself that fear is from the enemy. My Father sees all and knows all. His love for me knows no end. I am His daughter, a princess. His eyes are always on me. So even on the days when I may be left sitting on the sidewalk, He knows.

And I am not forgotten after all.

SEED Bible Study

2011-06-22T15:30:00.000-04:00

Monday night was the first of our six SEED Bible study sessions for this summer. It was an awesome group of women that came together to learn more about God's word...and particularly to begin applying it to our lives.

Many of us have taken other Bible studies where you watch a video and have a fill-in-the-blanks sheet...and then five days of homework before the next session...and a discussion group in the next session before you watch the new video.

This one is different. Priscilla Shirer has set up a format where we are instructed to sit with God's word on a daily basis to learn how He will speak to us all intimately. She has a system (the 5P's) that we are to follow as we position ourselves to hear from God, pore over scripture & paraphrase what we read, pull out the spiritual principals, pose questions to ourselves, and then plan our obedience. Each week has ten scriptures to use...you can do some of them or all of them...but the idea is to use Priscilla's plan with each one...and hear what the Creator of the Universe has to share with you.

So glad that over 20 women have joined this journey together this summer. Can't wait to see what God will reveal as we plant the seeds of His word in our hearts and minds.

GNO - 6/13/11

2011-06-14T12:29:00.000-04:00

This month's Girls' Night Out was on Monday, 6/13 at Chili's...we had a big crowd and two exceptionally good waitresses! Food was good but the company was even better. Make plans to join us on a future GNO, usually held the first Monday evening of every month.

Unless we change the date.

Like we did in June.

But we will always keep you posted so you don't miss a thing!

Summer Bible Study

2011-06-08T16:55:00.000-04:00

Sign up now for Summer Bible Study!

Plant a little seed. Grow a big faith.

There was a sower who planted a seed.

Jesus said that the seed was . . .

His Word. Living. Active. Powerful.

Two Nights in June – 20^th and 27^th

Two Nights in July – 11^th and 25^th

Two Nights in August – 8^th and 22^nd

7:00 pm

BOB (Building Out Back), Room 215

We will be studying SEED, the newest study by Priscilla Shirer. SEED will take us into the word each week as we study the topics of Forgotten, Enough, Control, Armor, Five, and Glory. Each class will consist of a short video by Priscilla and class discussion. Workbooks are $10 each and you can pay for your book at the first class.

You must RSVP emailing or calling Holly Barrett in order to reserve a workbook.

I hope you will join us!

Who's Your Advocate?

2011-05-24T10:57:00.001-04:00

I've been caught up in reading series novels lately. It seems like every novel suggested by my book club or that I just pick up to read has two or three or 18 sequels. And yes, I could not read the sequels, but my curiosity gets the best of me and I just gotta know how the story ends!

I'm currently reading the last of Stieg Larson's trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I'm enjoying this story line, although it has been hard to read and remember all the names and places sometimes since they are all Swedish. Kinda reminds me of Betty White in Golden Girls and all her friends back home whose names ended with "flugen". Anyway, one interesting word that I've noticed throughout this series is "advokat"...I guess that is the Swedish spelling of the word advocate. Or maybe we just got the word from them. I don't know.

(Yes, I have an English degree.)

(No, I don't know the etymology of every word out there.)

(But I do know how to use the word etymology.)

At any rate, I've surmised that the Swedish use this word for lawyer, because every lawyer in the story is given the title Advokat. According to www.dictionary.com, the definition of the English word advocate is "a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc; a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; an intercessor; a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law."

Just as the main character in Larson's novel has an Advokat to plead her case in court, we also have an Advocate to plead ours. Hebrews 7 tells us that "because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." And Romans 8 tells us even when we don't know what to pray for, "the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

So although I don't yet know how things turn out for Larson's character, I do know how things will go for me. I have a Savior who is willing to plead my case before the Father. God has given us His Spirit to intercede for us as well. I don't have to rely on another human being or on my own ability to tell my own story. God already knows it...and He's already got our advocates in place working on our behalf.

Boy, am I glad I didn't have to wait until the end of my story is written to find that out!

Living Proof LIVE

2011-05-10T10:45:00.000-04:00

Living Proof Live and Beth Moore are coming to Time Warner Arena in Charlotte this summer! You don't want to miss it!

Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at through Lifeway. Buy your ticket now and then watch for details for the GEMS gathering to go as a group.

Kitchens and Calendars

2011-05-06T09:08:00.000-04:00

My kitchen is driving me crazy, y'all. There is almost no counter space, which means there's not a lot of cabinet space, so what won't fit in the cabinets has to sit on the counter and uses up what little counter space there is.

Argghhhh...it's a vicious circle!

Of course, I haven't helped the situation lately because for some reason, I haven't been cleaning up after myself very well. There's mail on one counter, groceries that I didn't put away on another counter, and dishes in the sink. And the table, well that's covered with books, purses (yes, it has become the place where I switch out my purses), lightbulbs (no idea why these are here) and various and sundry other items that never made it back to their actual homes.

I'd take a picture but would be too embarrassed to post it!!

I keep telling myself that it only takes a few seconds to put things away when I'm actually finished with them but for some reason, I'm just not listening. Reminds me of my kids when they were teens...maybe I'm just having a second adolescence!

Anyway, this didn't seem to be much of a problem until I was trying to fix something for dinner the other night. I don't cook a lot...there's not much need since I live by myself and eat out a lot. However when one does need to eat at home, it's good to not have to unearth the kitchen counters and stove top to be able to cook. So I seriously found myself trying to perch containers and food on the edge of a counter while trying to prepare it.

I know...it's pitiful!

At any rate, it reminded me of how our lives get so full some days. We keep on filling them up with appointments and activities until we find ourselves having to perch on the edge of our lives to squeeze one more thing in. And heaven forbid that something unexpected come up because then we have to rearrange all the other things to fit this one in.

So I ask myself, is there enough margin in my life to do the things God has called me to do? To be available when others need me? To be able to rest (what a concept!)? Or is every "counter top" in my life filled and I have no place to work?

Gotta run...time to clean off the kitchen counters....

Girls Night Out at Ruby Tuesdays

2011-05-04T13:37:00.000-04:00

If you haven't joined us for a Girls' Night Out yet, you are missing the party! We had a great time on Monday, May 2nd at Ruby Tuesdays. Lots of laughter and fun, combined with good food. What more could we ask for?

Here's a few pictures you might enjoy...

This is a picture of Patty Ray's plate. Normally I take a picture of my own food, but Patty's looked so good this time...quesadillas grilled to perfection!

And Victoria had some of the most beautiful onion rings you have ever seen. She had to hide them from us so we wouldn't grab them off her plate.

Make plans now to join us on Monday, June 6 at Chili's at the Arboretum. You will have fun, I promise!

We Are All Royal

2011-04-29T09:35:00.002-04:00

Okay, I'll admit it...I set my alarm for 4:00 this morning and watched the entire wedding of William & Catherine. Just tell me what girl doesn't love a wedding...royal or otherwise? I loved the pomp and circumstance, the tradition, the pageantry. It was all just beautiful.

And of course, the bride was the most gorgeous of all. Her dress was perfect and her smile was radiant. I have to admit being a little disappointed by the first kiss (and by NBC being so busy showing us the crowd that they almost missed it!) but the second one made up for it. William and Catherine have had their day and my prayer for them is a long and blessed life together.

As I watched it and thought about weddings and the hoopla that surround them, I can't help but be reminded of the wedding feast that we as Christians anticipate. John wrote in Revelation 19,

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
   “Hallelujah!
   For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
   and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
   and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
   was given her to wear.”
   (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Now that's gonna be some hoopla! And I personally can't wait to get there and see it.

But I'm also reminded that we don't have to wait until that day to live like royalty...we "are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (I Peter 2:9)" I'm challenged by the times that I live in defeat, in worry, in doubt...when I should be living in victory every day as a daughter of the King.

After all, I do have a tiara...I just need to remember to put it on every day.

And I'm also challenged by those around me who aren't part of this royal priesthood and how I am reaching out to share my story of being called out of darkness into His light. May I recognize every opportunity He places in front of me to share the light.

I'd even be willing to share my tiara too!

*photo courtesy of aol.com

Easter Wrap-Up

2011-04-25T09:22:00.000-04:00

Festive outfits. Lots of pictures. Children with Easter egg baskets. Eggs filled with candy. Eggs filled with challenges. Eggs filled with money. Two new Christians.

All in all, it was a fabulous Easter Sunday. I'm not sure how the rest of your day went but mine included a home-cooked lunch with great friends, talking with both of my children and my parents on the phone, and a movie with another friend. The perfect ending to a perfect day.

And if all that wasn't enough, today is a holiday for our church staff. Ahhhh...sleeping in. Love it!

I've seen many pictures of you sweet GEMS and your families on Facebook. All just entirely too cute for words. So I thought I'd share a picture of my favorite Easter bunny...

I just don't think it gets any cuter than this! Oh, how I love that boy!

So I hope that your Easter weekend was filled with blessings from above, and that you are re-energized for the week ahead. I can't wait to hear about the Easter challenges you received and how God leads you to bless someone's life.

Have a marvelous Monday...I'll just be on my couch, resting!

That's My King

2011-04-22T10:54:00.000-04:00

You + uR Girl

2011-03-21T12:42:00.000-04:00

Inviting all Mothers and Daughters to join us for this special day:

On the Border

2011-02-08T15:40:00.000-05:00

We had a fabulous Girls' Night Out at On The Border on Monday, February 7, 2011. The table was full - of women, of laughter, and of food! Enjoy these pictures and make plans to join us for the next Girls' Night Out coming soon!

Yep, it's a picture of my food...because that is just what I do!

The debut of Victoria's new red do!

Brandi and Sandy in some serious conversation!

So are Crystal, Pam and Jo Ann!

Tammi and Carla enjoyed getting to know one another.

Wonder what Sarah is saying to Karen?

Whatever it was left them all smiles!

Michelle is enraptured with the conversation!

We were excited to welcome Tammy, a newcomer to PR!

Yes, this week really is Tammi's birthday, so we

had to sing...and she had to wear the hat!

The wait staff joined in the singing!

Looks like a good time was had by all!

Today is the Day

2011-02-01T07:26:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you have a dream and you don't have to wait too long for it to be fulfilled. Sometimes you have a dream and you have to wait, oh let's say 12 years or so, to see it come true!

It's been just over 12 years since God's call to full-time ministry fell on me. It happened in the kitchen of my best friend's home, who at the time lived in North Augusta, SC. Doesn't seem like a very audacious beginning, does it? Amy and I were discussing the divorce recovery ministry I had been leading in the six months since she had left Greensboro. And there it was. The dream of full-time ministry was born and Amy and I could see it just as clearly as if God had taken a snapshot and shown it to us.

In the ensuing years, God has borne my impatience with love, compassion and great grace. He has been merciful to give me places in ministry to work. He has been gracious to correct, guide, and train me with far more patience than I would have offered me. I am grateful that His graciousness will continue to work those things in my life.

It's not been a very straight road...but they often aren't. Looking back though, I can see reasons for every detour, every turn, every surprise along the way. Even the last few months of relative silence in my life (no blogging, no reading blogs, eliminating things that had run their course in my life, etc) have proven to help me prepare for this new place in life. God never wastes anything.

So, I've spent the last few days moving into my office...getting my nest made. Today starts off with meetings! I am excited about the door God has opened for me at PR and appreciate the encouragement and support of the elders, staff, and members.

Feel free to stop by my office anytime you are at the building. And please don't hesitate to give me a call if I can help you in anyway.

Let the journey begin...

2010 Book Challenge

2010-12-31T06:00:00.023-05:00

When Margaret Feinberg challenged her blog readers to join her in reading 75 books in a year, I gladly jumped at another excuse to read! So here's how things went:

January
...started off kinda slow...well, not really slow in terms of my schedule but slow in terms of the number of books I was actually able to finish. So I started several but didn't finish any until early February....see below!

Clearly I am going to have to pick up the pace to reach 75 by 12/31/10. It'll be here before I know it!!

February (3)

The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg

Essential Virtues by Jim Berg

You Might be Too Busy If... by Gary Holloway

March (2)

The Feast by Joshua Graves

Character Makes a Difference by Mike Huckabee

April (1)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

May (3)
Obviously, I'm no where near my 75 books by the end of the year...and I love to read. What is up with that?!! (sigh) I think I need to go back to February and re-read You Might Be Too Busy If... which I might do if I didn't have so much else that I want to read!!

OH well, I'll just keep on reading and we'll see what happens. Here's what I read in May:

Fresh Brewed Life by Nicole Johnson
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

June (4)
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen

When Life and Beliefs Collide by Carolyn Custis James
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

July (2)

True Compass by Edward M. Kennedy
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

August (3)
Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden
Tough Love, Tender Mercies by Lisa Harper
Hosea to Malachi: Twelve Timeless Voices by Barry Cram

September (3)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Time Traveler's Wife by Scott William Carter
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson

October (2)
Billy Boyle (A WW2 Mystery) by James Benn
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne

November (2)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
Surprised by Worship by Travis Cottrell

December (1)
Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

So it looks like I actually read 26 books...not anywhere near 75 books. But it is 26 more books than I probably would have made the time to read if I had not taken Margaret up on her challenge. And it is more than 2 books per month on average, which is not bad!

So what's the goal for 2011? I think I'll leave it at 75 and see if I can get there. It's fun to read...come on and join me!

Innocent by Association

2010-12-06T07:44:00.000-05:00

As I was driving to work yesterday morning, a car irresponsibly and dangerously pulled out from a side street and continued down the road right in front of me.

I slammed my foot against the brake and as the other car straightened out in front of me, my brain registered recognition of a familiar sticker on its rear windshield. It was an Auburn University interlocking AU sticker almost exactly like the one I have on my own car. We continued down the road.

It was about five seconds before I went back and processed the event. The spiritual revelation is the greater lesson.

A car pulled out in front of me, nearly causing an accident. I slammed on my brakes, continued on my journey and nothing happened.

I didn’t get mad. I didn’t think, “You MORON!” I didn’t yell inside my car, “Watch where you’re going!” I didn’t blow the horn. I didn’t tailgate the car to the next light. My heart rate did not increase. I didn’t remind myself that I needed to forgive the driver. I didn’t feel guilty because I harbored anger at a stranger for an obvious miscalculation. I didn’t justify my anger against an intentional offense. I did nothing but continue driving my car.

I’m not all that noble. Normally, I would have done at least two or three of those things. I thought about it for a minute, and I realized why I had not. It was the sticker. I never put stickers on my car prior to Josh’s entrance into high school. During high school, I had an MP (Myers Park) sticker on the car. When he went to Auburn, I put an AU MOM sticker on the car because I miss my son. I am proud of my son. I love my son. I want to be connected to my son. And I think of him every time I see the sticker. Whenever I see another AU sticker I feel immediate affinity. I am reminded of my son. I identify that sticker with my beloved son.

When I saw the car straighten out in front of me, I saw my son and credited no infraction against the driver. There was immediate forgiveness without even going through anger prior to the forgiveness process.

I finally got the point in a way I never had before. That’s what it means when it says that the blood of Jesus Christ continually cleanses me of my sin. God doesn’t get mad at me, take a while to get over being mad or having his feelings hurt, then wash me clean. I am continually clean. Not dirty and clean and dirty and clean.

When he sees me, he sees his son, and credits no infraction against me.

- Andrea Eller

A GEMS Christmas

2010-12-05T06:00:00.003-05:00

We had a wonderful time at Kathy Bannister's home on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Thanks to all who came...and enjoy the pictures!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2010-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

So you don't want

to miss our

GEMS Christmas

Fellowship

December 4^th, 2010

2:30-4:30pm

at the home of Kathy Bannister

Call Kathy in the church office if you need directions!

Fresh Brewed Life is Here!

2010-11-05T08:16:00.000-04:00

The long-awaited Fresh Brewed Life weekend is upon us!

Some of the leadership team arrived at Litchfield last night and will be making last minute preparations today. We are praying for safe travel for all those who will be headed down today. The location is beautiful. The weather is supposed to be sunny and cool all three days.

And more importantly, it's going to be a weekend orchestrated by God for his purposes. What more can we ask for than that?

Check back for updates and pictures throughout the weekend!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2010-10-21T15:58:00.000-04:00

See what I mean? I didn't have to say anything, just post this picture and I've got you ooh-ing and ah-ing already! Isn't he just the most precious thing you have ever seen?

I know everyone says that about their children or their grandchildren...and that is as it should be.

But it got me to thinking about how God looks at us. And no matter what we think of ourselves, or what others say about us, or whether any of it is true or not...he still thinks we are the most precious thing he has ever seen.

And all I know how to do is be grateful. Grateful for His love...grateful for children who grow up and have beautiful babies...and grateful that I can be precious in His sight.

Welcome to the world, Cohen!

The Shoe on the Other Foot

2010-10-19T09:46:00.000-04:00

Sunday dawned bright and beautiful in Colorado...and since I couldn't be at PR, it was a pleasure to visit with the church family of Sunnyside Christian Church here in Colorado Springs. Sunnyside had a busy morning with a baptism from their student ministry, a wonderful testimony about prayer and the value of marriage by a member couple, and their minister, Eric Batteiger, had become a grandfather for the first time earlier that morning. We met a woman at the visitors' desk who invited my daughter to her LifeGroup and offered to bring some meals when Cohen is born.

I felt right at home.

But I also felt challenged. It was the first time in several years that I was the "visitor" at a church. It was the first time in a long time that I was also visiting with an eye towards whether or not this place could become a church home for part of my family. And so with the shoe being on the other foot, I began to think about how I respond to new folks and visitors at PR.

Being the new face on the pew that morning made me ask if I search for and reach out to the new faces I see at PR? Or do I just let the folks in Guest Services handle that?

Not knowing about all that Sunnyside had to offer made me ask if I am willing to step out and invite someone to my LifeGroup? Or do I just let the LifeGroup ministry handle that?

Wondering what to do with the visitor card I completed made me ask if I notice new folks sitting around me at PR who might have questions about the way we do things? Or do I just assume that they will figure it out?

The folks at Sunnyside were gracious to us and probably did as well as any other large congregation that you might walk into on any given Sunday morning. But if asked by their leadership, I'd tell them they could do better. More importantly, as I've asked myself these questions, I've realized I could do better too.

If we are really going to fill that empty chair that Jeff has been challenging us about, we are all going to have to do better. Let me encourage you to look at your own practices on Sunday mornings...consider if you could do better...consider helping out in a formal way with Guest Services...either way, you can be a blessing to our visitors and may help them in their decision to follow Jesus or to become part of our church family.

It's Official!

2010-10-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

We recently started talking about possessive jewelry in my family. You know, the jewelry that says I am loved by and belong to another person. All of this conversation was because my son and his girlfriend were talking about getting married.

And as of last night, it is official! Possessive jewelry has been offered and accepted and Neil and Gracie will marry next May.

Gracie is a lovely young woman, and has a wonderful family that we have enjoyed getting to know over the last couple of years. I think it is an amazing thing to see how God strengthens Christian families when they are joined by the mutual love of their children.

Neil and Gracie are quirky and fun-loving. They have the same sense of humor and love to laugh. I think this will serve them well in marriage.

We are thrilled for both of them and can't wait for the festivities to begin!

As the Mountains Surround Jerusalem

2010-10-12T08:54:00.000-04:00

For a place that I have only been to twice, Colorado is fast becoming my favorite place to go! And not just because my kids are here.

Have you seen these mountains? They are incredible. This is the view as you drive into my daughter's neighborhood.

And this is the view when you drive out of her neighborhood onto one of the main roads.

I keep telling her that I can't believe she lives here. As much as I love NC, I think I could live here too!

The stunning vistas as we have driven around Colorado Springs brought to mind Psalm 125...

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,

which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the LORD surrounds his people

both now and forevermore.

The scepter of the wicked will not remain

over the land allotted to the righteous,

for then the righteous might use

their hands to do evil.

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,

to those who are upright in heart.

But those who turn to crooked ways

the LORD will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be upon Israel.

Being surrounded by these mountains brings new meaning to how God surrounds his people...how he protects and provides...how we can trust him...how we can stand firm in our faith as he endures forever.

Norm and Melissa Wilson wrote about this Psalm in our Summer in the Psalms blog and you can read their thoughts here.

But you know, we don't have to live in a place with this particular visual reminder of God's presence. Thankfully he reminds us every day in many ways, no matter where we are, that he is with us and that he endures forever. I see it in the faces of my church family. I see it in beautiful sunsets. I feel it in the air and see it in the leaves as summer turns to fall. Let me encourage you to take a look around you to see where you can find God's presence every day.

Bulk Trash Pick-up

2010-10-01T08:21:00.000-04:00

I've recently found a helpful service here in Charlotte. You might already know about it but it was kinda new to me - bulk trash pick up.

See in Greensboro, I lived in apartments, a condo, and finally a townhome community...all of which had big blue dumpsters and big green recycling bins. If there was something you wanted to get rid of that didn't fit into either one of those receptacles, you just left it near the dumpster and it magically disappeared.

Even better, if there was some household good you no longer needed, you could sit it at the edge of the road and in just a matter of hours (sometimes, minutes), someone would drive by who needed that item and would load it up into their vehicle and drive off. Of course, you could always take your bulky items directly to the dump but it always seemed much easier to sit them at the road and let someone else help themselves - instant recycling!

So here I find out that you can go online or call 311 and arrange a specific date for your unwanted or broken items to be picked up from your curbside. I've utilized this service twice recently and love it.

I know...my kids would call me a dork...

Anyway, when I took some large packing boxes and an old wicker sofa to the curb this week for pick up, I was struck by how easy it is to get rid of unwanted things in my house.

On the other hand, it's often seems much harder to get rid of unwanted things in my heart, mind, or life. But as I looked at that pile on the curb, God reminded me that taking the trash out of my life can indeed be just as easy. I don't need an appointment. I don't need to carry it all to the curb for others to see or to pick through. I simply need to give it all up to him.

"God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him. When I cleaned up my act, He gave me a fresh start. Indeed, I've kept alert to God's ways; I haven't taken God for granted. Every day I review the ways He works, I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." 2 Samuel 22:21 (MSG)

Oh how I pray for the courage to take out the trash every day.

Fresh Brewed Life

2010-10-01T01:37:00.000-04:00

You don't want to miss our 2010 retreat to be held on November 5-7 at Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort in Pawley's Island, SC. Register today online or at the table in the lobby on Sunday!

Those King's Kids and Grandma Hormones

2010-09-24T09:08:00.000-04:00

I hope you all got to see the King's Kids Choir perform on Sunday morning - it was awesome! Who knew we had such talented singers under 3' tall at PR?

I really wanted to embed the video here but couldn't get it to work - you can see it on my Facebook page, as well as several other folks' pages. It is adorable.

So the hardest part about watching those King's Kids is the crying...not them, mind you, but me. Every time they get up on stage, I end up in a puddle of tears. They just slay me!! And all I can think about is the little fellow who is ready to burst on the scene in just a few weeks and who will be standing on a stage singing about Jesus one day.

Oh, where are the tissues? And why didn't somebody tell me about the grandma hormones????

It is an amazing process watching your child become an adult, much less a parent. Yeah, there are mistakes to be made, but seeing them learn from the mistakes and make better and wiser decisions along the way is so satisfying. Seeing how some of what you said when they were growing up may have actually stuck in their heads and their hearts certainly makes all the difficulties in raising them worth it!

Brings a whole new meaning to Moses' words in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - some of which may sound very familiar:

      Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the
     LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
     with all your strength. These commandments that I give you
     today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your
     children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when
     you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you
     get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them
    on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your
    houses and on your gates.

So I applaud you moms (and dads) sitting on the front row trying to hold the video camera still and take a few snapshots as well...keep those cuties engaged with each other, the church family, and Jesus. You are already seeing the benefits and will continue to reap those for years to come.

And then it will be your turn to sit on the pew with a box of tissues!

Simulcast Commission

2010-09-21T23:20:00.000-04:00

If you have attended any Beth Moore events in the last couple of years, you know what a commission is and have participated in them. At the end of the event, Beth has us group up by two's and three's, hold hands, and look into each other's faces (quite a feat if you are in a group of three!). And then we repeat a commission to one another about what we will do with what we've learned.

Here's the commission from this past weekend...

My Dear Sister,
Your God has called you
To use that mouth of yours
For His great glory.

Don't just add to the noise.
Become a real woman
Who opens her mouth with wisdom.

God wants the Law of Kindness
On your tongue
And the love of Christ
In your heart.

Never forget:
Kindness is not a weakness!
When you're wearing down
Head to Christ and His people
And let them build you back up.

Always remember:
His yoke is KIND.
Make sure
It's the only yoke you wear.

It's time to go our separate ways
But we'll all meet up again
At the glorious epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Until then,
Let the One who led you here
Lead you on with cords of kindness.

Now, get out there
And build a welcoming fire
In a cold world.

Live by the Law of Kindness!

Pretty Woman, Walking Down the Street

2010-09-20T07:57:00.000-04:00

If you are not in Founder's Hall on Sunday morning, you are missing some great fun...not the least of which is watching me figure out how to get the DVD player to actually go to the spot in the DVD that I want to show!

Our class material is coming from Tough Love, Tender Mercies by Lisa Harper and is walking us through three of the Minor Prophets as we make parallels to our world today. The first prophet we are studying is Hosea and we are getting to use one of my favorite movies, Pretty Woman, to help illustrate what we are learning from Hosea.

Yesterday we considered how God named two of Gomer's children (No Mercy and Nobody), then came back to redeem those children and out of his great grace and mercy, gave them new names (Mercy and Somebody). I don't know what baby name book those first names came out of, but was so relieved when we got to the part where the renaming took place! As we looked at Gomer's adulterous behavior in chapter 2, we also considered the implications of our own spiritual adultery in our relationships with God. We discovered that there isn't much difference between physical and spiritual adultery - at least on the emotional side - and the consequences can be equally harmful to us.

The application for us is that no matter what name we've been saddled with - whether it is a name someone else has given us or a name we have appropriated ourselves - God has given us a new name. Where once we were called adulterer, we are now called Beloved. Where once we were called sinners, we are now called Daughter. Where once we were called prostitute (metaphorically speaking), we are now called Princess.

I don't know about you but the names I've called myself or allowed others to call me have often run closer to No Mercy and Nobody's unfortunate monikers, than to Beloved or Princess. But by turning to God and allowing Him to heal those wounds, I am redeemed and able to wear the name of Christ - the name above all names.

Princess Holly, Daughter of the King. Now where did I put that tiara?

Follow-Up to the Blast

2010-09-19T21:29:00.000-04:00

Okay, several of you have asked about the picture with Santa Claus from this post. So Caroline scanned and emailed it to me...and here you have it...

Words fail me. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Bonnie says that we had also planned to have our picture made at Easter too....but the chicken at the mall had a run in his/her tights and I refused to participate under such conditions. I claimed to have no such memory but in reality, it has begun to sound a little familiar.

And might I just ask...an Easter chicken? But that is beside the point, I guess. I'm just thankful now that there are no other pictures that defy explanation.

I think maybe God was just sparing us further embarrassment in the future.

Living Proof Live Simulcast - The Law of Kindness

2010-09-18T21:11:00.000-04:00

Today's simulcast was wonderful! I don't know if you got a word from the Lord today but I sure did as Beth taught us about the Law of Kindness.

Here are the 8 Tastes of Kindness...

Kindness is not weakness.
Kindness is not an action; it's a disposition.
Kindness wears down when we do.
Kindness looks pain in the face.
Kindness is a Savior.
Kindness has a good memory.
Kindness craves an outlet.
Kindness leaves a legacy.

Memory verse:She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:26

Enjoy these pictures from a fabulous day! After watching the pictures, leave a comment about your favorite part of the day or what you felt God was speaking to you today.

Bible Study Opportunities

2010-09-14T11:00:00.000-04:00

This fall, you are invited to join one of the fall Bible study opportunities we are offering at PR.

Tuesday morning's Bible study is Breaking Free by Beth Moore. This class is led by Gretchen Dowdy and Sally Loftis and meets in the lobby. Childcare is also offered.

Wednesday evening's study is He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer. This class is led by Kathy Bannister and meets in Room 25.

Sunday morning finds us in Founders Hall studying three of the minor prophets in Tough Love, Tender Mercies. This class is led by Holly Barrett.

And finally, our single moms' class has relocated to Room 24 just off the main lobby. They are led by Kathleen Tatro and Kathy Acuff, and the class offers Bible study, encouragement and prayer for women who are separated, divorced or widowed who have reared or are currently rearing children.

We hope you will take the opportunity to join one of these studies. You will learn alot and you just might make a friend or two!

A Blast from the Past

2010-09-13T23:14:00.001-04:00

This past weekend was my 30 year high school reunion. Yes, I know it is hard to believe...but I have been out of high school for 30 years.

Where has the time gone?

Various class activities were planned for the weekend including the Friday night football game at Western Guilford, a prayer breakfast on Saturday morning, and a cocktail party-type event for Saturday evening. I was also able to spend some time at dinner on Friday night with a couple of friends and then again on Saturday at lunch with my four best friends from high school.

Bonnie, Donna, Caroline, Carol and I were basically inseparable during our last two years of school. We were the Five Musketeers. We spent hours together, some of us worked together, we went on our graduation beach trip together...and four of us even had our picture made with Santa Claus during Christmas of our senior year. (What were we thinking? I don't know!)

On Saturday when we all arrived at the restaurant and had hugs all around, we sat down and Caroline announced that she had a present for all of us. She pulled out an envelope and gave us all copies of our beach trip picture and the infamous Santa Claus picture! What a hoot!

Here we are in June of 1980...Carol is squatting in front, and l to r standing is Caroline, Donna, me and Bonnie.

We were quite the fashion plates, don't you think?

Naturally at lunch, we prevailed upon our sweet little waitress to take another picture of us...l to r is Bonnie, me, Caroline, Donna and Carol...

Finally once we were all dressed up for the evening, Bonnie's husband Pat and Donna's husband John graciously juggled several cameras each and snapped a few more for us...Carol squatted again to replicate the original picture!

So you may be wondering why I've taken you on a trip down memory lane...and it's because I wanted to tell you about these remarkable women who played such an important role in my life. Bonnie and I have been friends since we were 10 and in the 4th grade. We attended the same church as well. We lived in the same neighborhood for a couple of years, which was the same neighborhood that Donna lived in. I don't really remember when Donna and Carol came on the scene but it was sometime in middle school. Carol and I played and coached basketball together. Then Caroline arrived in high school and the circle was complete.

These women listened to me, encouraged me, loved me, laughed with me, and kept all my secrets as we spent nearly all our waking hours together. After the graduation trip, we went our separate ways to college - five different colleges in fact. We got together at Christmas during our freshman year and then we were only in touch sporadically. I was Bonnie's maid of honor when she married, visited with Caroline when we both had young babies, and heard from Donna and Carol through the grapevine mostly. But I found out this weekend that we all still held our relationships and memories close to our hearts.

I'm so grateful to say these women are my friends. They are accomplished and beautiful. It was amazing to hear some of the stories we shared at lunch...and amazing to hear how God has worked in all our lives. I will be forever grateful for what these women have taught and continue to teach me about the friendships of women.

My prayer for you is that you have such close relationships with other women. God specifically molded the hearts of women to reach out to one another and to bond closely together. So if you have those relationships, thank God now for them. If you don't, pray for God to guide you to such relationships. They will enrich your lives beyond belief.

And one day you too might have a faded photograph and lots of memories to share. If you are real lucky, Santa Claus might be in one of your photos too!

It just makes me happy!

2010-08-26T10:37:00.000-04:00

You know some days just need some happy!

This week I have felt crummy every day - summer head colds are the absolute worst! I finally started feeling better yesterday and was able to work the whole day, but then ran a few errands and went home to the sofa again. And today I am feeling almost back to normal, except for the occasional coughing jag. Hopefully that will only last a few more hours...or days...

Anyway, you may remember my post about my leaving a trail of broken things behind me in recent weeks and that my blender succumbed to the trail a couple of weeks ago. I've been missing my homemade smoothies more than I knew was possible. So one of my errands last night was to go to Target and find me a new blender. And I did...it's a blending marvel, all 12-speeds, and nice heavy glass container. I can make smoothies to my heart's content now!

However, that's not even the best part. The best part is that the blender I found is red. Yes, R-E-D. I love it! I use a lot of red in my house (well, just in every room) and when I saw this blender on the shelf I knew I had to have it. Forget that I don't know what I'll use all 12 of those speeds for - it was red!!

And more than that, it was on sale! So I bought that blender, took it home and put it right on my counter. Now you have to understand that I have a small kitchen with not much counter space. Not to mention that I've never liked my counters cluttered with small appliances anyway. It used to drive my kids crazy that I kept the toaster under the sink. But this little red blender made me so happy last night that I gave up precious counter space for it to sit out all the time.

You know, it's the little things in life, right? What has made you happy recently?

It's that Time of Year Again!

2010-08-19T16:44:00.000-04:00

The yellow school buses are rolling and if your kids haven't started school yet, they will over the next week or so. Lots of my friends are entering new seasons of life...

The first child goes off to kindergarten...or the last child does...

The first child enters high school...or the last child does...

The first child is a senior this year...or the last child is...

The first child enters college...or the last child does...

All important rites of passage in any family...all reminders, sometimes tearful, that our babies won't be babies forever...

I remember the days when Neil and Rachel were excited about new school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, and school shoes. We had a tradition in our family - Nana and Poppy would take us all out to the mall one Saturday just before school started and buy the kids new shoes. Then we went to lunch together...it was an all-morning affair! At first they got to pick out one pair of shoes each. As they got older and more discerning, the grandparents set a budget for each of them and they could get whatever that amount of money could buy. It taught them to choose wisely and to think about one really expensive pair of shoes versus two nice but less expensive pairs and a new package of socks! Smart people, those grandparents!

I remember the days of taking pictures as we left home for the bus stop - one picture that is etched in my mind is the one in 1993. Neil was beginning 3rd grade - all blond hair, glasses, and high top basketball shoes. Rachel was starting kindergarten - all pixie hair cut, pink backpack, and cute shorts. I'll spare them the embarrassment of the pictures (only because I don't have them scanned into my computer!), but you would think they were really cute if you could see the pics! We had lived in our apartment for just a few months and the kids had already made friends with Ashlee and Paige. I met their mother, Lisa, that morning at the bus stop, where we continued to meet every morning and became fast friends.

Now 17 years later, we are still friends. Kids are grown or growing up, finishing school, working jobs, marrying off, and having kids of their own. Lisa went on to have three more kids, so we still have a couple more graduations to get through...but they will be here before we know it.

The writer of Ecclesiastes says there is a season for everything under the sun. And this time of year always reminds me of those seasons. My life is not bound by the school calendar anymore and I kinda like it that way! But many of your lives still ebb and flow with the school years and you may think my current season will never come in your life. But it will.

You may also dread those seasons of change and wish that they wouldn't come. How often do we joke about putting a brick on our kids' heads so they can't grow any taller? But dreading it won't ward off the season, and the bricks don't work too well either!

Let me just encourage you to embrace whatever season you are in...whether it seems like it will never end or you fear that it will be over all too soon. There is so much to enjoy about each season. And you can be sure that God is working in each one as well. One day you will enter a more quiet season and after some adjusting, you will enjoy it.

So for now as you buy the supplies and the clothes and the shoes...and you make the lunches...and you take the pictures, enjoy it! Milk every ounce you can out of each season...make some precious memories...laugh and cry...have fun...don't worry too much about the housework...and take pictures to help you remember.

Because before you know it, the blond headed 3rd grader will be sportin' a military hair cut and the kindergartener who loves pink will be having a baby of her own. What a great season!!

Friday the 13th Randomness

2010-08-13T07:35:00.000-04:00

Do I have to exercise?

I've thought several times this week about sharing my misery blogging about my new torture elliptical machine, complete with pictures. I purchased said machine so that I could do some exercise that would not irritate the carpal tunnel syndrome in both of my arms and do it in the comfort of my own home.

So I did a little research, made an online purchase and in just a few days it arrived. Those nice people at walmart.com even shipped the very large and very heavy box and the nice people at UPS even delivered it right to my back porch while I was at work one day. Unfortunately they didn't leave the person who heaved it up on the back porch in the first place, which would have come in very handy when I tried to figure out a way to push, pull or magically levitate the box actually into my house. It was so heavy that I ended up opening the box and taking it out piece by piece to bring it inside. And there it sat in the dining room, mocking me anytime I even thought about trying to get all the parts and pieces put together in anything that even resembled the picture on the box.

That is until my son-in-law was at my house and I gave him the instructions. Of course, he had it put together in about an hour and there were no leftover parts.

And so this week, I began a new routine of exercising at home. Right now, it's kinda kickin' my butt so give me a few weeks before you ask for a progress report! Oh and the above picture is not my actual machine in my own house...I was too tired from the exercising to actually get out the camera and take a picture.

Just call me Meanie

So I read a lot of blogs and this morning I was reading one that referenced an inability to catch typos before blog posts or emails or other electronic communications are sent. Another reader named Melanie commented to the blog about her own misspelling adventure...it seems that she wrote a rather serious email at work and typo'd her own name, rendering it "Meanie" rather than Melanie.

I laughed until I cried. Seriously, isn't that just the most hilarious thing?

Friday the 13th?

I'm not a superstitious person in the least so I hadn't even really paid attention to the fact that today is Friday the 13th until I saw it on Facebook this morning. But perhaps that explains the last couple days at work when it seems that everyone on the planet wants something right now...but they don't like the art we produce...or the stock is not available from the vendor after I've already checked stock and quoted the customer...or the customer wants to pay nothing for their complicated rush order...or....you get the picture. Really people, I am a woman who just may be on the edge from all the exercising, so just be careful when you feel compelled to place an order for 347 zillion t-shirts, reject the art, question the pricing, and then ask if we can deliver the order tomorrow!

But since I'm not superstitious, I am choosing to believe that today will be the reverse of a regular Friday the 13th and will go swimmingly.

If not, I can always start signing my emails as "Meanie".

A Fitting Tribute

2010-08-12T06:19:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wondered how you would face the end of your life...if you knew it was coming? Would you be frightened? Sad to leave family and friends? Unsure of what's on the other side? Excited and ready to find out? I'm not sure any of us truly know unless we actually have to face such a passing.

Terre Conner is a beautiful woman who has been staring at the end of her life for a long time. She has been a breast cancer survivor for over 11 years and has undergone many treatments as the cancer has relapsed and spread. And now the end is nearing.

Throughout their lives and ministry together, Terre and her husband Dennis have taught us all that no matter what life brings, we need to...we have to...trust God. And we have to keep on praising Him. Psalm 9 says in part,

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonders.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Just a few days ago, the Brooks Avenue praise teams gathered at Terre and Dennis' home for an evening of worship. They say it is a wonder to watch Terre praise Him with all of her soul and all of her strength. This video is a fitting tribute to Terre who even in facing death is able to inspire us with her love for the Father...challenge us with her trust that all is well with Him...and show us the true meaning of worship.

There's a Hole in the Bucket...

2010-08-10T09:29:00.000-04:00

I don't know what it is but lately I've been on a kick of having things break down around me. Not that I can control most of that but it does make me wonder what I've done to have multiple equipment failures so close together!

First it was the washing machine and the little lever that stops the machine from spinning when you open the lid while it is running. That lever also lets the machine start spinning at the appropriate time, otherwise all you end up with is sopping wet clothes and gallons of water to bail out of the tub. Yeah, fun.

Next it was my car's radiator. For over a year the temperature gauge would run hot but the car never boiled over. The mechanic looked at it several times and much like a temperamental toddler, the temperature gauge never hit hot when the mechanic was around. Driving around in 5:00 traffic trying to get down to south Charlotte was a whole 'nother story. Anyway. My master technician and the Nissan service guy both agreed that the only thing to do was to replace the radiator, both hoses and the thermostat-thingy. Too bad they couldn't agree to pay for it themselves!

Then just the other day I pulled out my blender to make a smoothie...it was delicious by the way. Washed the container and went to put it all back under the sink (because I don't like small appliances sitting on my kitchen counters...call me weird) and dropped the container right on the tile floor. It might have even bounced a time or two, but it didn't shatter and being that it was plastic, I just put it back in the cabinet for the next time.

A day or so later and I got a hankerin' for another smoothie and pulled the blender out again. Got it all set up, ingredients poured in, lid secure, and turned it on. All of a sudden everything that was liquid in the smoothie mix was running all over my countertop. Where was it coming from you ask? Why, the big hole next to the handle from having bounced on the tile floor a few days prior! What a mess! Thankfully it won't cost as much to replace the blender as it did to replace the radiator...or fix the washer for that matter.

It did get me to thinking though about the unseen holes that sometimes form in our lives. We are skipping merrily along through life (well maybe you don't skip, merrily or otherwise, but you get the point)...we might bump into a few things or get bounced around by life, but we still feel pretty good. We pick ourselves up, look for the obvious signs of bleeding, and move on.

Then the day comes when we are just blending a smoothie, and all of a sudden there is stuff just pouring out all over the floor around us...coming out of a big ole hole that we didn't even know was there. That's why it is important to take stock on a regular basis of all that is going into our hearts and minds...all the good and the bad...all the highs and the hurts. We need to be constantly asking God, "Where is a new leak springing up and how are we gonna fix it?"

Because you see, that's His job. Fixing the leaks. Plugging the holes. Healing the hurts. So that it doesn't just start pouring out all over ourselves and everyone around us.

It's important to ask this question when we get knocked down by a big bump in the road...but equally important to ask it on a regular basis when life seems fine with a few minor annoyances. We all experience small hurts, slights, and disappointments that don't seem like a big deal at the time. But sometimes they hit us at just the right vulnerable spot and become a big deal rather quickly.

If we don't, the small hole in the blender may become the big problem with the radiator before we know it.

A Cord of Three Strands

2010-08-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands in not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV)

The Message puts it this way:

By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.

I'm not sure we have much experience these days with the analogy the Ecclesiastes writer is using here. I can't tell you the last time I used a rope - I don't jump rope, mountain climb, water ski, or any other things that one might use ropes for these days. My grandfather had an old suitcase once that he used to tie closed with a rope (think Beverly Hillbillies) but I guess I don't tie things up very often myself.

And as more and more of our life's conveniences become wireless, we don't often have to think about cords either.

That's why I like The Message paraphrase of these verses. Because we all have felt vulnerable and unprotected at some time...and hopefully we've all had a friend who has helped us out in some way.

In the last few months, I've been privileged to encourage someone who is fighting the demons in her life. As sometimes happens, there are ups and downs in this type of journey and this week was pretty down for my friend. It's hard to watch a friend struggle with difficult choices. You want to make it all right for them but that's just not possible. Our responsibility is simply to love, listen, and encourage in the right direction.

These experiences often ask us to call on our own experiences and struggles to help others. And this week I was reminded of my own recovery experiences and the people who were there to love me, challenge me, hold me up and hold me accountable. I was reminded of the difficulty of my own situation and the three women who walked through it with me most closely. I winced at the memories of the backsliding, smiled at the memories of certain progression, and thanked God again for the day the clouds broke open over my head and understanding poured in like the brightest sun you have ever seen.

It also occurred to me to wonder where I would be now had it not been for the three women who walked that road with me. I'm afraid it might not be very pretty. They were my very own cord of three strands. I'm not sure that I've ever thanked them adequately enough...if that's even possible. How do you thank someone for helping to right your life?

I guess the only way to do that is to move forward in the direction that we all worked so hard to gain, and then share the things they taught me with others. How wonderful that God doesn't waste any of our pain, our hurts, our lessons...but rather calls on us to look back on those with deeper clarity and then turn around and use those to encourage others.

So thank you to my sweet friends - you were part of my life at a pivotal time, a time I wouldn't have made it through without you. I'm grateful that you will always be a part of my life too...even though we don't get to see one another nearly often enough these days. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers often and that I am a better person for having been part of your cord.

Now who do you need to encourage with your own story?

It's Simulcast Time!

2010-08-06T09:35:00.000-04:00

Oh, yes it is! Time for the Living Proof Live Simulcast on September 18, 2010!

Beth Moore will be speaking from Chicago, IL and Travis Cottrell will be leading worship...all broadcast live right into our own auditorium. This year's event is a one-day only event and since the event is actually in the central time zone, we don't even have to get up too early! Check out the schedule and further details below.

So, invite a friend, neighbor or co-worker...or the sister who sits on the pew next to you on Sundays. Tickets are available in the lobby on Sundays, from the church office during the week, or online.

Date: September 18, 2010
Doors Open: 9:30 AM
Event Begins: 10:30 AM
Lunch: 12:00 PM
Event Concludes: 5:00 PM

Ticket price - $25 - includes lunch

No childcare is available; nursing babies are welcome!

You will be blessed by being there...as well as being a blessing to those you meet there!

It was a whirlwind weekend!

2010-08-02T19:39:00.000-04:00

To say that the weekend was cram-packed would be quite an understatement.

A week ago this past Saturday, my son, Neil, flew in from NM for a two-week vacation. Then, on this past Wednesday, my parents, brother and sister-in-law, and my niece's boyfriend drove to Montgomery, AL to see my niece, Ashley, graduate from officer's training school. On Friday, my daughter, Rachel and her husband, Daniel, flew in from Colorado Springs for a short weekend visit.

We all landed at my parents' house by early afternoon on Saturday - finally the whole family in one place for the first time since 2007! It's been a long time!

Here's a few of the Hello pictures...

Rachel and Daniel arriving at the airport

Poppy gets the first hug

Nana is next!

My sister-in-law, Edie, welcoming Daniel to the family

SrA Rachel DeMars & 2LT Ashley Solomon

Brother and sister - who hadn't seen each other in 2 years!

Family friends, Dean & Sandy Malsom, surprised us with a visit from Indiana

We enjoyed good food and good friends all weekend. Saturday night was a family dinner cooked by me and my daughter and our family friends, Dean and Sandy Malsom, joined us all the way from Indiana. It was a great surprise and we had a wonderful time catching up. They are just best friends with my parents, second parents to me, and extra grandparents to my kiddos. We couldn't ask for better additions to our family. Here's some family pictures that my brother took before dinner.

Everybody gathered around the table

The whole gang!

Sunday, the whole family worshipped together at Friendly Avenue. Mother had to reserve an entire pew to hold us all! During the afternoon, we had a lovely reception/shower for Rachel and Daniel. We so appreciated everyone's love and attention! Here's a few pictures from the afternoon...

It was an incredible weekend...far too short, as you might imagine. As our family grows and spreads out across several states, we are grateful for each and every moment we have to spend together. We are blessed beyond measure with friends who are like family, who love and support us, and whose generosity is legendary! We often ask ourselves how people who do not have a church family make it through life as we cannot imagine living our lives without a Christian family to bear our burdens and celebrate our joys with us. What a blessing indeed.

So it was a whirlwind weekend that ended about 5:00 on Monday afternoon when I left Rachel and Daniel as they went through security at the airport. Neil has a few more days on leave...my niece has already headed to MD to report for duty on Tuesday morning...and my brother and sister-in-law expect to pull out for their next trip within the next couple of weeks. My folks will enjoy some much needed rest when we all finally clear out.

But we are all counting the days until we can be together again.

GNO

2010-07-28T07:23:00.000-04:00

Girls' Night Out (or GNO as I've come to abbreviate it on my calendar) is a must for all women on occasion. We all have so much pulling at our attention every day that it is a great relief to get out for an evening with just the girls....clearly this past Monday, many of us needed just such a night!!

Witness the tear-inducing laughter, the desperate need for chocolate (ahem, I'll not name names but her initials are Wendy Hines!), and the non-stop talking that began when we walked in the door and continued right out into the parking lot!

I, of course, took a picture of my food. Because that is just what I do. Thankfully I learned at the table that I am not the only one who does that - ask Sara Travis!

As you can see, the meal was delicious....but the company was even more delightful! We had a great group - 18 women in all - single; married, engaged; with no kids, little kids, teens, and grown kids; two grandmas and two soon-to-be grandmas; teachers, nurses, students, admins, stay-at-homes, and a chef; new to PR and some who've been here all their lives (or so it seems!); and four mother-daughter teams!! Believe me when I say there was no lack of things to discuss and share.

Here's a few picture from 'round the table - even one of our fabulous waiter who was lots of fun and did a great job taking care of us all...

Now, aren't you sorry you missed the fun? Thanks to Debbie Buinicky and Kathy Bannister for making the plans. Keep an eye out for the next GNO...you won't want to miss it!

The One Where Fear Takes Over

2010-07-26T06:00:00.002-04:00

What is your first response in an emergency? Or when something happens that just totally takes your breath away. The thing you didn't imagine happening happened. Or threatened to happen. You are just living your life and the crisis arrives. What is your first response?

I've always been in good in an emergency. For some reason, when something blows up around me (figuratively speaking, as I've never been around an actual explosion and am not sure how I would handle that!), I become reasonably calm, am able to see what needs to happen next, and am able to make that happen. I may fall apart after it is over, but during the crisis, rationality rules.

Unless of course, the crisis involves one of my children. Somehow or another my rationality is selective!

Recently receiving a phone call that had crisis potential...and before I go any further, let me say that all is well...made me really think about how I handle such situations. For some very good reasons, this phone call nearly knocked me flat. And for about an hour and a half, I really wasn't sure what the next phone call would bring. Or how I would handle it.

Proverbs 24:10 (NIV) says, "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" Or as The Message puts it, "If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place."

I don't know about you, but I don't want to have a small strength. And the truth of the matter is that in Christ, none of us have a small strength. But it is up to us to access his strength.

Thankful for friends who were present in my time of need, I'm still left with the question of why I did not respond in Christ's strength. Of course, we are all a little rattled when something is going on with those we love...but I know the Jesus loves my loved ones more than I ever will. I know that he is in control and all of my worry won't change anything. I know that the outcome is better left in his hands than in my own.

So, I am grateful for a positive outcome and challenged too. Challenged to remember where my strength comes from in times of crisis. Challenged to go there first before my mind goes to all the possible bad outcomes. Challenged to trust him, no matter what.

The human side of me requests that I not get tested on this again. I probably will. Join my prayer that we will all grow beyond a small strength.

A Little Slice of Heaven

2010-07-24T10:01:00.000-04:00

Just driving through the gates makes me smile and breathe a sigh of relief...it's a little like going home. And for many summer weeks for many years of my life, it has been home for a week or two at a time. Carolina Bible Camp - there's no place like it on earth!

I often say that God lives there...and I really mean it.

It's rare that I get to unplug from the rest of the world for a week. Yes, we've joined the technology age at camp...some of us have to check in periodically with our email and the staff keeps their cell phones around for safety's sake. But for many of us that is as unplugged as we are likely to get! It is a highlight of my year to go there for a week, spend time with many people I've known for a very long time, get to know some new folks, and just concentrate on my relationship with our Father.

This year I did not go to camp - gotta save some vacation for when that sweet grandson arrives! But I really missed being there. So last night, I rode up to CBC with my sweet friend, Barbara. We had a great time and talked the whole way there and the whole way back. Hopefully I didn't talk her ears off and she won't need too much recovery time today!

Friday night is a special time during 6th week of CBC. That's the night of the big singing. Evening worship is more singing than anything else...and after a short break, we just sing some more! It's goose-bump inducing and clearly just a little picture of what heaven is going to be like.

It was so fun getting to see old friends and hug some folks that I dearly love. Keeping in touch with these guys and gals is easier these days with Facebook and email, but since most of us are spread out across NC and beyond, it sure is good to see them face to face at least once a year. The best part is hearing about their lives, their ministries, and how God is working in all of that. I'm so proud of the young people I've seen grow up at camp who are now working hard in the Kingdom. They often say nice things about those of us who have been around long enough to have been their counselors and teachers and now are privileged to work alongside them...but the truth of the matter is that we are encouraged by their growth and inspired by the lives they daily choose to lead.

So I'm a little tired this morning...but it was totally worth it. There are not many moments in life that you can compare to what heaven may be like. CBC, 6th week, Friday night is one of those moments.

I'm already counting the days to next year!

Recipes, Anyone?

2010-07-22T21:18:00.000-04:00

It is just too danged hot to be doing any cooking...don't you agree?

During the summer, or at least on the days when it is 137 degrees outside, cooking is my least favorite sport. I'm not particularly domesticated since I live by myself and don't have to be unless I choose to! Plus since I only have to feed myself, it is sure nice to come home after a long day at work, and pull something out of the fridge that is cool and quick to fix...easy is an added bonus too.

When you were a child, did your mom have certain recipes that she used over and over again? My mom did and my family has great memories of some of those special dishes. One that she used to make a lot (but quit making for some reason that no one can remember) was applesauce 7-UP jello. I don't know who first came up with this delightfully simple recipe, but it is yummy!

Recently my mom remembered it, looked online for the recipe and made some for a family dinner. It was so good that we all wondered why we had ever stopped having it! I even came home and ordered a jello mold from my favorite Tupperware lady (thanks, Ingrid!).

This picture is not my mom's jello or of my jello mold....so why am I showing it to you? Well, I like pictures on my posts and I thought this looked pretty! I can assure you that as soon as I have that mold in my hand, I'll be making some and taking a picture!!!

Okay, just so you don't have to search for the recipe, here it is...

2 cups of applesauce
1 large box of jello (any flavor will work)
2 cups of 7-Up

Heat the applesauce in a saucepan and add the jello; stir until dissolved. Add 2 cups of 7-Up. Place in a bowl or gelatin mold and refrigerate.

Simple enough even for me!

Does anyone else have any easy, cool summer recipes to share?

What's Up for You This Week?

2010-07-19T11:08:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine recently started a discussion on an email list we are both on about our favorite things to do in the summer when we were children and our favorite things to do now. That discussion brought me back to the long lazy days of playing in the yard, running in the sprinkler, staying outside until the street lights came on, making homemade ice cream at my grandparents', helping my grandmother string beans, shuck corn and hull peas. One of my favorite memories was riding off on my bike with my best friend for the whole day!

Now as an adult, I find that summer is pretty much like any other time of the year...except it's hotter. With no children at home, my life does not ebb and flow with the school calendar and so summer just comes on like any other day, week or month.

When each week begins, I like to check my calendar and see what is on the schedule for the week. If you are like me, you like a nicely filled in calendar when the week is beginning. I want to know what every day is going to bring, where I have to be and when...and frankly, I'm not too keen on changes either!

But what I'm learning is that when I hold to such a rigid schedule, I often don't give God room to work. With every minute of every day jam-packed full, there is no place for Him to wiggle in and show me something I need to see, or cross my paths with someone He wants me to know, or just bless me with a little slice of His presence.

So as we start out this week, let's encourage each other to not cram the day full. Let's slow down, take a deep breath, and look for places in our day-to-day life where we can meet God.

I expect He is waiting for us.

Let Your Yes Be Yes

2010-07-12T12:32:00.002-04:00

This past weekend was the big move. Finally the almost-two-year ordeal is coming to an end. The packers/loaders were to arrive on Wednesday morning to pack my parents' belongings and load them on the truck. By Friday morning, they were to be at the new house, unloading and unpacking.

Has anyone every heard the phrase, "best laid plans"? Yeah...those were the best laid plans. Although nothing is easy about moving, they sure made it sound easy. Mom and Daddy took the animals to the new house to secure them there, set up their bedrooms in the new house so they could sleep for the next couple of days, and waited for the moving to begin.

And waited.

And waited.

To keep this long story short, suffice it to say that rather than the packing/loading taking 2 days and the unloading/unpacking taking 2 days with all being finished by Saturday evening, that's not what happened!

I'll spare you the details...just remember the phrase, "best laid plans"!

The end-all is that by the time we fell into bed on Saturday night, all the furniture had been placed, some of the boxes unpacked, the kitchen was functional, and everyone had a bed to sleep in and a TV to watch. Not as far along as we would have liked to have been...and at considerable exhaustion on the part of my parents, my brother & sister-in-law, and myself...but at least we weren't still waiting on the truck to arrive!!

Now to give them their due, the men who were actually doing the work were wonderful...and were as frustrated with their supervisor as we were. The moving guys did exactly what we asked them to do, they were polite and especially kind to my parents, and they were appreciative of our help. I wish I had taken pictures of several of them in coveralls unwrapping some of my mother's delicate curio cabinet pieces and helping us to place them where she wanted them. But I was too tired to take pictures!

By Saturday evening, my mom had summed it all up best when she told us that she didn't mind there being delays. It's expected that moves won't get exactly as planned. The real sticking point is that almost nothing we were told would happen, actually did. I'm not sure how businesses expect to keep business when they can't fulfill contracted responsibilities...but that's a whole different post.

Ok, so what is my point (if you are still reading, I'm sure you are begging me to get to the point!)?

The whole situation reminded me of Jesus' words from what we call the sermon on the Mount when he told the disciples to not make oaths by anything, rather "simply let your 'yes' be 'yes,' and your 'no,' 'no'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5). It has made me examine my own promises, my own words to determine if I am guilty of not following through, not communicating well, and frustrating those who are depending on me. Do I let my yes be yes and my no be no? Or am I undecided and lacking follow-through?

God himself has given us the ultimate example as a promise-maker and a promise-keeper. And I believe he calls us to follow that example. This weekend was a great reminder to me to do what I say I am going to do...and failing that (because we are all human, after all), let someone know up front and be humble enough to apologize rather than make excuses.

And not make any plans to move any time soon!

An Unintentional Break

2010-07-08T22:52:00.000-04:00

Without really meaning to, it seems I've been on a break from blogging. It's like I woke up one morning and didn't really have anything to say (yeah, I know, everyone is surprised by that!), and so here I am two weeks later with nary a blog post in sight recently.

Of course, taking a break can be a good thing. We all need some time to reflect on occasion. Here's a few things I've been reflecting on...

July 1 was the one-year anniversary of the GEMS ministry at PR. It's been a wonderful year. We have reorganized the ministry structure, rolled out a few new programs, and made some memories along the way. Remember those blankets at last year's simulcast? How about the lovely Christmas brunch? Not to mention the dead cat monologue at the Winter Retreat!! It's been a fabulous year and I'm grateful to each and every one of you for your encouragement, your hard work, and your smiling faces. I am blessed indeed to be surrounded by so many wonderful and godly women.

Would it be stating the obvious to say it's hot in Charlotte? Oh well, it's hot in Charlotte!

This past week my washing machine stopped working. Just quit in mid-cycle with the tub full of water. So I had to hand-wring a load of laundry and run it through like two or 32 dryer cycles to get the load dry. But I was headed out of town for the weekend and didn't have much time to think about it until I returned home. Decided to take a look at that machine because after all, you know, I am known for my mechanical abilities! Ha! Thought I was all kinda cool when I got it to run again...until tonight when it stopped yet again halfway through the third load of laundry. Yes, it is 10:43 and I'm still drying sopping wet clothes. Anybody know a good repairman?

Luke 15. Has anyone memorized the story of the lost son yet? I'm still reading it and am amazed every time that something new jumps out at me. How is that possible? Makes me think I need to spend more time in the Word.

Summertime TV leaves a lot to be desired. Except for Friday Night Lights. Love it!

Tuesday nights with the Summer Siesta Bible Study girls has been great. In our first two lessons we made it about halfway through Ruth 2. It's so wonderful to take a leisurely look at scripture and get to wring absolutely everything out of each verse (unlike my washer which isn't wringing anything right now!). Ruth's story is so rich and we are having a great time learning about her and about ourselves in the process.

I guess that's all I have been pondering...or maybe it's just all the ponderings I want to share right now! Either way, I'm blogging again and hope to not take such a long break again.

Ya'll stay outta this heat now!

A Total ECLIPSE of the Sun

2010-06-25T10:07:00.000-04:00

Yes, I admit it, I'm a Twilight fan. I've read the whole series twice (which in my defense is fewer times than some people I know) and have seen the first two movies more than once.

This week Twilight fever is rising again as ECLIPSE opens on Tuesday night. The cast is making the talk show and early morning show rounds and we've all seen lots of clips by now.

Much to the chagrin of my son who thinks I'm a little crazy, I have a ticket for the midnight showing on Tuesday!! I bought my ticket some weeks ago and will be at the Arboretum at 12:01 on Tuesday night with Sally and Amy...anyone else care to join us? If you haven't bought a ticket, do so now and meet us at the theater on Tuesday...it's gonna be a blast!

In case you didn't get it the first time...

2010-06-23T10:56:00.000-04:00

"To illustrate the point further..." is how Luke 15:11 begins in the New Living Translation. It's a phrase that we skip right over to get to the "meat" of the story. But today when I started reading, I wondered what was the point that Jesus was trying to illustrate further.

So I go back up to the beginning of the chapter and read the first two stories in this passage - the story of the lost sheep and the story of the lost coin. Do I get extra credit for additional reading today?

Anyway, the stories of all the lost things made me think about being lost and then found. In all three stories, the owner of the lost article did all they could to find said article.

The shepherd left his other sheep and went out into the wilderness to search for the lost sheep.

The women who lost her coin, cleaned her entire house and searched it carefully until she found the coin.

While we have no evidence that the father went out to actually look for his son, we know that he waited and watched for the son's return...which frankly might have exhibited more courage from the father than him trying to fix the situation on his own.

Jesus often had to illustrate his points more than once for the Pharisees...and sometimes we need to be told more than once too. In case we didn't get it the first time, Jesus tells three stories to show that all people are important...important enough to go look for, important enough to wait for, and important enough to celebrate when found.

We just need to believe it about ourselves. BELIEVE that God loves us and doesn't want to lose us. After all Jesus told us three times!

Let's Get the Party Started!

2010-06-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

This week I'm reading Luke 15 in the New Living Translation. It's not significantly different from the NIV but I've enjoyed reading different translations of these verses so my reading doesn't become stale and rote.

No matter which version I've read though, verse 22 seems to express the same thought from the father. When the son returns home and gives his prepared speech, the father tells the servants, "Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him..." and so on. It's the word "quick" that jumped out at me today.

Nearly every version I looked at used some form of the word quick, quickly or hurry. One version even said swiftly. Clearly there was not a moment to lose. The lost son was found and the father didn't want to wait even an extra minute to hear the explanation...he was ready for the party to begin.

Isn't our Father the same? He so longs for us to be in His presence that He wants us to return quickly and then He will hurriedly begin the celebration. There is no time for recriminations...no time for sorrow...no time for explanations. Just pure and lavish joy.

Yes, there will be consequences to our choices and our behavior, make no mistake about that. But God's joy at our return will so far outweigh the stuff we have to deal with that is entirely worth it to make the trip home. Then God in his infinite love will walk alongside us to bring healing and help us to deal with the clean-up.

So wherever we are coming from, it is time to begin walking home. The Father is anxiously waiting...the party will begin quickly...

New York, New York

2010-06-21T18:18:00.000-04:00

I really meant to get this posted last night but can any of you spell

e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d?

On our last morning in New York, we slept in a little bit and then took a cab down to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

We didn't go in but enjoyed a lovely stroll down Central Park West admiring all the high rise apartment buildings with the wide awnings and uniformed doormen. I'm thinkin' if you are going to live in NY, this might be the place to live!

We stopped to look at a number of the art booths on the sidewalk outside The Met. And yes, I couldn't resist one more purchase to frame and hang in my house. They were such a good deal that I would have bought several until I realized I had to get them all home and shall we say that my suitcase was filled to overflowing! Really, I thought I was going to have to get Charlotte to sit on it so it would close.

We turned off into Central Park for a little while and walked around until we found a bench to sit on for a bit. It was so quiet there...we were surprised that you couldn't really hear the traffic. It was like stepping off the sidewalk into another whole world right there in the city! There were plenty of bike riders, joggers, roller bladers, scooters - you name it and just about any mode of transportation was seen in the park. Lots of families out and about too.

We found a nice area with benches and a pond where folks were sailing miniature sailboats.

All too soon it was time to leave so we could head to the airport. We grabbed a cab back to the hotel, checked out, and took one last cab ride to the airport. I mentioned to Charlotte that I could probably get used to the door-to-door service of being driven every where I wanted to go!

Our flight was on time and we had a smooth landing back at Charlotte Douglas - welcome home!

It was a fabulous trip! I continue to be amazed at the number of sights and sounds and people and lights and buildings there. And I'm still sorting through all that you go through mentally when you finally get to go somewhere you have always dreamed of going....I'm sure I'll have more to say about that in the next few days.

In the meantime, I'm grateful for the opportunity to go, for shared time with a good friend, and to come home safe and sound.

The only other question left is when can I go again?

The Greatest City in the World

2010-06-20T00:36:00.000-04:00

Today's agenda included a trip to the Empire State Building and shopping. We were concerned about the long lines at the Empire State Building but didn't really want to pay like twice the normal ticket price just to jump the line. Another thought we had for today was that we would take a few cab rides since we had walked so much yesterday. We weren't exactly sure how either of these things were going to pan out as we had visions of not being able to hail a cab correctly and then facing long lines at Empire but we decided to take our chances anyway.

And I believe that today we were just a little bit God's favorite.

Charlotte snagged a cab the moment she stepped off the curb and raised her arm. And the longest line we waited in at Empire was in the gift shop.

Seeing the city from 86 stories up is a indescribable...

We prevailed upon a nice stranger to take our picture...

From there we went to the East Village and had lunch at S'Mac...a macaroni and cheese restaurant. Now I don't know who thought up such a restaurant but it was pure genius! I told Charlotte that if things didn't work out for us in corporate careers and ministerial careers, we should just open a S'Mac in Charlotte!

Once again, I'm going to post a picture of my food because, well it was just that good. This is the cheeseburger macaroni and cheese...

Hamburger Helper ain't got nothin' on S'Mac!

Next it was my turn to hail the cab...and once again, we snagged one as soon as we stepped off the curb! And we were off to FAO Schwarz. Of course, I've gotta go there because I'm certain that my grandon is going to need something that they sell there!

As I mentioned yesterday, we have prided ourselves on not looking too much like tourists - no fanny packs, no foam Statue of Liberty crowns on our heads, no real tourist-y moments. Until we arrive at FAO Schwarz and I'm so busy paying for the cab that I totally forget to grab my bag of souvenirs from Empire. Thankfully I realized it just after slamming the door and hollered out, "Wait! wait!" The driver heard me and stopped and I was able to retrieve my bag.

Charlotte just looked at me, laughing, and said, "Total tourist moment." Oh well, I guess my cover is blown now...

Three floors of toys, games, and stuffed animals later we were on our way out when stopped by a guy with a mohawk. Actually we asked him where the restroom was and he made us promise to come back and see his demonstration in exchange for the directions. Which of course we did. He had a new toy similar to a hackey-sack and he tossed it around for us quite a bit. Then he asked Charlotte to hold her hand with her palm facing the floor and to catch it on the back of her hand. I won't tell you how many times she tried unsuccessfully but I do have the photographic evidence that she finally got the hang of it...

This is the guy who gave us the directions and demonstrated his toy for us and who will forever be known by us as Mohawk Boy - but I cut his mohawk off in the picture so you'll just have to take my word for it.

We scoped out a few more stores, walked through the street bazaar in Times Square (that's the equivalent of a flea market for us North Carolinians) and came back to the hotel with a few choice packages. After a short rest, we headed back uptown for some window shopping and stopped in at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, an fabulously beautiful old church. From there we went to Blue Smoke in Gramercy for dinner. No pictures of my food this time but the filet mignon and goat cheese potato cake were amazing. If you are ever there, ask for Casey the waiter - he was great!

Interestingly the two Southern gals surprised both Mohawk Boy and Casey the Waiter when they found out that we weren't from around here. They both commented on our lack of accents (were they really listening?). Perhaps we are just hip enough to appear as locals!!

So what thoughts did today's events bring to mind?

I mentioned to Charlotte this morning as we stood mesmerized by the city laid out below us, that New York truly is the greatest city in the world. It is a melting pot of languages, customs, and people from all over the world. You can get anything and everything you have ever imagined here...some things that you haven't even thought of yet.

But I am particularly struck by the thought that this world is not my home. No matter what city we live in or visit...no matter how amazing it may be or what it offers...the fact is that we were not made for this world. As the prodigal found out in Luke 15, home isn't so bad when compared to the dangers and temptations of the temporal world. As grand as New York is, it ain't got nothing on the home that Jesus has prepared for us in heaven.

And as much as I want to visit New York again, I can't wait to see that home even more!

Bright Lights, Big City

2010-06-19T23:07:00.005-04:00

It was interesting to me to learn this afternoon that I could cross visting New York off my bucket list. After my earlier post about how long I've wanted to come to New York, Jane Shaeffer informed me via email that I could now cross this off my bucket list...you know that list of things that you want to do before you die. And I guess I could do that but since I know I want to come back again, I think I'll leave it on the list a little while longer!

After a little rest on Friday afternoon, we struck out again to see what awaited us on a Friday night in the city. We rode the subway over to Greenwich Village and ate dinner at a place called Risoterria. It's a small, out of the way place that specializes in gluten-free meals. I've never eaten risotto before...but let me tell you that I will again and soon! Just so you know, the following picture may cause you to get in your car and drive to New York just to have the risotto with chicken, feta cheese and zucchini!

Didn't I tell you that looked tasty? I would have taken a picture of the finished product but didn't want to be embarrased by the fact that I nearly licked the bowl clean! Charlotte loved her meal too but believe me when I say I was far too engrossed in my risoto to even think about taking a picture of her panini...although I'm sure it was equally delightful.

We rode back to Times Square on the subway and let me just say I have never seen anything like it. So many people, so many buildings, so many signs...it was mind-boggling for this little ole southern gal!

We also continued our adventures on the subway with Charlotte still encouraging me to look for wildlife on the tracks - here I am trepidatiously peering over the platform...

And we got to hear a street performer in one of the subway stations...this young woman was singing opera...quite high caliber entertainment for a subway station, I thought.

We finally fell into bed, exhausted and happy...and looking forward to tomorrow.

As I continue to process through all the sights and sounds, here are just a few observations...

1 - New York may be the fashion capital of the world, but a poor fashion choice wherever you live is still a poor fashion choice in New York.

2 - everyone in New York (resident and tourist alike) must carry a bag.

3 - Southern politeness should be a requirement everywhere and not just in the South.

And finally,

4 - life's adventures should be shared with good friends. So whatever is on your bucket list, grab a friend and make plans to do it now. Maybe you will enjoy it so much that you'll decide to leave it on your list too!

The Big Apple

2010-06-18T17:27:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am in New York. I have wanted dreamed of longed to come here for years. And I finally made it Thursday night at 9:50 pm. I'd say yee haw but that would totally give me away as a tourist!

Anyway...today was about getting out on the street to see as much as we could. This morning when we got up the first thing I did was throw open the curtains and start taking pictures...this is the view from our hotel room....

Love it!

So we (that's Charlotte and me) had decided to start out day in Rockefeller Plaza...and if you read this blog even semi-regularly you could guess we went there because that is where The Today Show is!

We got up at the insanely odd hour of 5:15 and made it down there by 6:30. Alas we could not get close to the stage but some good photo ops were ours anyway. Of course, I had to take a picture of the orange barricades and the building flying the American flags.

Since it is Friday, and summertime, the Summer Concert Series hosted James Taylor and Carole King this morning. When we arrived they were warming up and we could barely see Sweet Baby James' head above the crowd. Once the show started at 7:00 am, we just stood at the barricades and listened to the live feed...and then all of a sudden we noticed a commotion up the sidewalk from where we were standing.

Yep, James Taylor was workin' the crowd! Signing autographs, shaking hands, and taking pictures. We couldn't get one of our cameras handed off fast enough to get a picture with JT, but we did get some good closeups. In fact, in reaching back behind Charlotte to get someone's paper to autograph, he nearly autographed her face with his Sharpie. Now wouldn't that have been an interesting story???

Before the concert began, we noticed none other than Hoda Kotbe working the crowd too.

And then it was Matt and Natalie's turn. They came down to the small stage at the end of the plaza and did a little spot just so we could see them up close and personal.

Matt and Natalie were anchoring the show today as Meredith was on vacation and Al and Ann were reporting from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. Don't you love how I refer to them all by first name as if they were really my friends?

Anyway...

After the concert, we walked back around the block to start seeing the sights and we ran into our old friend Hoda again!

My first ride on the subway was just slightly more confusing than I imagined it would be. Oh, who am I kidding? All four rides on the subway today were confusing! Thankfully Charlotte is the "smartest person on the planet" and can read a map like nobody's business and so we always ended up where we wanted to be!

She kept wanting me to look over the edge of the subway platform to see if I could see anything "interesting"! I was hoping to not see anything interesting at all! So we hopped on the subway and rode to the World Trade Center. Not much to see there except for the cranes and machines...

...and lots of blue sky where two buildings once stood.

Next stop was the Staten Island Ferry and a reasonably good view of the Statue of Liberty.

And in between there was a fair amount of people watching, shopping, and some looking up at all the tall buildings. Yep we totally looked like tourists but we didn't care! And since neither of us were sporting a fanny pack, I'm pretty sure we at least looked like hip tourists!

My initial impressions are that I don't have words yet...although I realize I have used a number of words already in this crazy-long post. But there is so much to see and do here and so much to think about it all, that it just hasn't sunk in yet. I'm sure there will be lessons to be learned and words to share...but right now I'm just soaking it all in.

More later....

Home is Where the Father Is

2010-06-17T15:44:00.000-04:00

Home is such a lovely word. Regardless of our backgrounds and what our homes may have been in the past or are today, we all have a vision of what home should be. It's a place of warmth and love and acceptance. And often smells like Mama's home cooking!

I've thought of home a lot recently. My parents currently live in my grandparents' home. Built in 1954 (waaayyy before I was born!), it has been a grounding force for me and my family. Unfortunately DOT is not particularly interested in how much you love your house when they want to widen the road in front of said house. And so my folks are moving. The old homestead will be sold by DOT and moved to another lot somewhere and my parents will be moving on to a new house in the next week or ten days. It is lovely, has more room for our growing family, and will quickly become home to all of us.

But it's odd to think that my grandmother will never have stood in that kitchen and cooked a meal. The driveway is not the place where my grandmother set out the wading pool and my brother, our cousin and I played in the water in our skivvies on hot NC days. The screened porch is not the breezeway where we sat and shelled peas, stringed beans, and shucked corn summer after summer after summer. And the yard doesn't hold the beautiful fruit trees that were a source of great pride for my grandfather.

That being said, my family is not a family to look back, except with love and nostalgia. We will move forward together with lovely memories of the family home and will still share the same funny stories like the time my mother mowed down one of my grandfather's fruit trees on the riding tractor. That one always makes us laugh!

As I read Luke 15 in The Message today, I noticed in verse 20 that when the prodigal was thinking of how to improve his poor situation, the first place he thought of was home. At the end of verse 20, it says that he practiced his speech and then "he got right up and went home to his father." He didn't have any idea what would await him when he arrived. And I doubt that he even began to think of being restored as a son. But he knew his father well enough to know that even though there were consequences to face, he could go home again.

And that is what he did.

How blessed we are to know the Father who will welcome us home, love us, offer us healing, and prepare a feast for us. All we have to do is get right up and go home to our father. He stands waiting and there is nothing too big for him to forgive...even running over a prized fruit tree!

All Out

2010-06-16T06:00:00.002-04:00

Luke 15:30 shows us the older son in the Parable of the Lost Son in a full-blown temper tantrum. His long-lost brother has returned home, albeit broke and destitute, and his father is preparing a big feast. And Son #1 is decidedly unhappy about it.

He tells his father in verse 30, "...this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!" (MSG). Can't you just see the fit he is throwin'?

But what really stood out to me was the words "all out". The father is going "all out" for this son. He's killed the fattened calf, put the best robe and jewelry on the boy, struck up the band and invited all the neighbors. It's party time!

Isn't that what God does for us? I don't think anyone can deny that He went "all out" when He sent Jesus to die for our sins. We didn't deserve it...we couldn't earn it...we had squandered a relationship with Him on more than one occasion. And yet, in one final move, He goes "all out" and sends His only Son to make restitution for what we could not repay.

Thank you hardly seems like enough for such a sacrifice.

All This Time

2010-06-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, our Luke 15 passage was read from The Message during morning worship services. I was so struck by a couple of phrases that are different than the NIV that I normally read and right away knew I needed to give this some more thought.

Don't you just love it when God lets you see something differently than you have in the past?!

In The Message, verse 25 says, "All this time his older son was out in the field..." So the younger son has gone away, squandered his fortune and now returned home and his dad is preparing a celebration feast. I wondered what amount of time "all this time" referred to. We don't know how far out in the field the older son was or what time of day the younger son came home or how long it may have taken them to prepare this great feast. But whatever the time frame, the older son was out in the field "all this time."

And he seems genuinely surprised at the celebration when he arrives back home. Was he not aware that his father had been waiting on his younger brother? Could he not have surmised at the one thing that the father would have thrown a celebration for?

It seemed so curious to me. And then it hit me...maybe he just wasn't paying attention. Maybe the younger brother was long gone from the older brother's thoughts and he hadn't noticed his father waiting expectantly for the prodigal to return home. I wondered if the older son was so far out in the field that a servant couldn't have been sent to notify him of his brother's return...or maybe he was working closer to the home and just didn't notice that a bunch of preparations had begun. I don't know all the circumstances but it seems to me that this son wasn't paying enough attention to what was going on around him.

Let me encourage you, as I encourage myself, to pay attention to what our Father is doing...where He is working and how are we being called into that work...what He is saying to our hearts that we need to really hear. Let's not be guilty of not paying attention to things that are important to the Father. We wouldn't want to miss the party, would we?

In A Land Far Far Away

2010-06-12T06:38:00.000-04:00

Today as I was reading Luke 15 for the sixth time now, I was struck by the phrase, "but when he was a long way off" from verse 20. The younger son has now realized the error of his ways and decided to come back home and beg for mercy and a place in his father's household as a servant.

"But when he was a long way off" his father saw him and ran to him. How far was a long way? How good was his dad's eyesight? And how did the father know it was his son even if he was a long way off?

In the last several years, I've spent a number of occasions waiting in airports for my children to come home. In Greensboro, you can stand at the end of the concourse, and watch as the arrivals walk up the ramp to meet their loved ones. In Charlotte, you have to wait at the bottom of the escalator in baggage claim or at the end of the international arrival hallway, peering around the corner to see who's coming. I've stood and craned my neck and squinted my eyes over and over again anxious for my kids' appearance. And when they are a long way off, I recognize them. I know them by the way they walk or the type of clothes they are liable to be wearing. Even at a distance I recognize the sunglasses on top of Rachel's head or the earphones in Neil's ears.

I can pick them outta just about any crowd.

So could the father in Luke 15. The longest I've waited at an airport is an hour and a half or so. I wonder how long this father waited for his son to return. Did he sit out at the gatepost every day? Maybe he had a chair and a sunshade to protect him while he waited. Maybe he went about his daily routine, always with an ear tuned for the tiniest sound that would indicate his son's return.

"But when he was a long way off" also gives me confidence that my Father never takes His eyes off me. He doesn't have to stand at the gate post or the end of a concourse and try to pick me out of a crowd. I am His and He never takes His eye off of me. No matter how far I wander, no matter what shape I'm in, no matter how long it takes, I'm always in His line of vision.

And He will always run to meet me.

Sense and Sensibility

2010-06-11T09:53:00.000-04:00

I've been on a Jane Austen kick recently. I've read a couple of her books and watched a couple of the movies. It's such a different time and place that it is part fascinating and part agonizing to peer into a world of English high society when there was nothing more important than marrying well and carrying on the family name and estate.

I recently watched "Sense and Sensibility" which is one of my favorite movies. But oh I feel for these women who have nothing more important to do each day than gossip about the newest man in town and who he will choose to marry. In this story, Miss Marianne becomes absolutely besotted (quite the English term, don't you think?) with Willoughby and is convinced that he loves her and will make a proposal soon. When he does not (and I'll leave you to your own determination of his character and reasons for not proposing), she is so highly distraught that she runs out of her home, gets caught in a drenching rain and becomes quite ill. What she can't see is the love of a true gentleman right in front of her and it is only when he comes to her rescue that she comes to her senses and finally accepts his proposal.

Coming to his senses is the phrase that jumped out at me in our daily reading of Luke 15. Verse 17 begins with, "When he had come to his senses..." This is the turning point for the prodigal as he is feeding the pigs and realizing the mess he has made of his life. He must have thought over his foolish choices, his wasteful squandering, and longed for the safety and comfort of his home. The comparison jolted him into reality and, like Miss Marianne, he found his senses once again.

Makes me think about the things I have at times allowed to drive out my own sense or sensibility. Whether it is foolish choices, worry, busy-ness, distractions...or whatever...sometimes we all need a wake up call to bring us back to our senses.

Let us pray that our hearts are tendered towards the Father so that it doesn't take a driving rainstorm or a pig sty to bring us back to our senses!

Longings

2010-06-10T07:18:00.000-04:00

As I read our 40 Days with the Father passage again this morning, I was struck by the phrase "he longed to fill his stomach." As we know in our story, the younger son has taken his inheritance, got together all he had, and set out for a distant country. There he squandered his wealth and had to hire himself out to feed the pigs. And there he finds himself - in a pig sty with nothing to eat.

And he longs to fill his stomach. Isn't it ironic that when he hit rock bottom and could only think about his own hunger, he he ended up feeding hungry pigs and still had nothing to eat himself? How often have we found ourselves in a similar situation? We run outside our Father's sphere of influence to try to meet a legitimate need, fail miserably on our own, and then find ourselves mired in the muck of our own mistakes, with the original longing still resonating in our hearts.

Not too pretty...or fun...or filling after all.

Thankfully, we have a Father willing to run to us when we are ready to return home. No questions, no recriminations, no punishments...just love and celebration at our return. Jenna wrote a great post on God's love on the 40 Days blog. She reminds us that God loves us "deeply and recklessly." What a great word picture of think of God loving us recklessly. But He does. It's reckless because we may not return His love. It's reckless because we may choose to get our stuff together and strike off from home again. It's reckless because He may experience pain over our choices again. And yet He does it anyway.

How great is the love the Father lavishes on us...how precious the reckless love of the Father...

A Year is a Long Time - Take 2

2010-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Some of you may remember my post from last year about my daughter coming home and my excitement because I had not seen her in a year.

Well, now it is my son's turn. This time it has been a year since I've seen him...which still seems bizarre to me! But I guess when your kids are all grown up, sometimes you can go a year without seeing them. I have to say though that I have missed my boy and all his craziness!

Neil flew into Greensboro last Friday night. He's been staying at my parents' home and spending time with his girl and old friends. This Friday is my turn to get to see him...finally...after another long year. Since I last saw him, Neil has moved off base into a house with some roommates, been awarded Airman of the Quarter, and promoted to Senior Airman. I'm more proud of him than I could ever say.

And so on Friday night when I pull into the driveway of our family homestead, I'll be looking for the familiar blue eyes and handsome face of my oldest kiddo. I'll hug him for all he's worth and breathe in the scent of my firstborn...assuming he has showered that day! I'll look at his face and see more growth and maturity than I saw the last time.

A year is a long time. A year that comes to a close once again on Friday. A year in which God has kept my boy safe, provided for him, and brought him home again, even if it's just for a visit. A year that is almost over...

40 Days with the Father

2010-06-07T22:51:00.000-04:00

I hope you are planning to join with other members of PR for our 40 Days with the Father. Join in reading the parable of the lost son, or the prodigal son as we often call him for the next 40 days. This will be different from 99 Days Through the New Testament, as each day we will read the same 21 verses: Luke 15:11-32.

Begin each day by praying for God to open your eyes and heart to what He may want you to see in this passage. Then read the passage (out loud if possible) and meditate on the passage. Look for words or phrases that may jump out at you. Listen for a lesson that may be resonating in your spirit. Take a few minutes to write down what God is saying.

Then go over to the 40 Days with the Father blog (click here) and see what the staff is writing about this story. Join the conversation by posting a comment. The conversation has already started, so head over there and jump on in.

Any Day Above Ground is a Good Day

2010-06-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today is my father's 71st birthday. If you are reading this after Friday, June 4, that's my fault as I was late in posting this today...just barely making it before the clock struck midnight.

Ask Daddy how it feels to be however old he is on a given birthday and he is likely to tell you, "Any day above ground is a good day." He also usually throws in that he doesn't feel any different than he did the day before his birthday!

Daddy is the patriarch of our family. He was the first one of his generation to graduate from college, with not one, but two bachelor degrees. He is the last one of his family of origin as his parents and brother have all passed. Daddy was a full-time preacher for many years, and so he has married or buried much of our family. He continues his ministry to this day as an elder, and he and Mother have traveled on a number of foreign mission trips.

He has a much-loved golden retriever named Hero that he loves to take for a ride in his golf cart or his pickup truck. I've always thought it ironic that Daddy decided to name his dog Hero. The truth of the matter is that Daddy is our hero. He is loyal to a fault and generous enough to actually give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He is a great communicator whose ability to mediate difficult situations has served him and the church well over many years. Daddy is the one everyone calls when something goes wrong or they need a helping hand.

And I have to say that you have never met a man more crazy about his grandchildren than my father. Poppy is smitten with all of them and will brag on them if you give him even half a second!

So Happy Birthday, Daddy. Thanks for loving us and for being our hero.

We hope you have many more days above ground!

A Family Legacy

2010-05-31T10:56:00.000-04:00

People often ask me how we ended up as a military family since both of my kids are in the Air Force. The truth is that we were always a military family in ways that we may not have recognized.

Both of my grandfathers served in World War II. My dad's father was in the US Navy. He was often gone for long periods of time during the war leaving my grandmother to work and raise two young sons. Although I don't know much about his military days, there is one story that has been passed down and repeated often. It was my grandfather's turn at watch on the ship he served. Sometime during his shift something in the distance caught his attention and he sounded the alarm. A formation of enemy planes was headed straight for his ship. As battle stations were manned and breaths were held for what seemed an eternity, finally a flock of birds flew over the ship in perfect formation. The order was given to stand down and my grandfather was awarded a commendation for doing his job well. It wasn't an enemy attack but he didn't know that when all he could see was a formation in the distance. So rather than second guess what he was seeing, he sounded the alarm. Had it been a formation of enemy planes his swift action would have his shipmates prepared for the attack.

From Grandpa Solomon's service, I think we all learned that it is best to be prepared for whatever comes our way. Even if it turns out to just be a flock of birds.

My mother's stepfather was in the US Army. Life many men, he went to the local recruiting office and joined up the day after Pearl Harbor. He served his time in Europe, mostly in Italy. One day his unit ran into some German troops and a battle ensued. The Germans overpowered the unit and shot everyone in sight. My grandfather was wounded and lying on the ground as the Germans walked through the field shooting every American soldier in the head to make sure they were all dead. Laying still as the German approached and hearing the sound of gunfire aimed at his head must have been heart stopping. Imagine my grandfather's surprise when that bullet pierced his helmet, traveled around the inside of his helmet and fell out on the ground without hurting him at all. He laid still feigning death until the enemy had left and he was able to go for help.

From Grandpa Jones' service, I think we all learned that God may have a bigger plan even when the odds seem stacked against us. And in that moment, the bullet may just drop out without harming us.

Although neither of my grandfathers continued in the service after the war, I'm convinced that their heroism and patriotism were passed down to the ensuing generations of our family. Lessons can be taught without a formal recognition of the "lesson"...just in the way that you live your life and the things you value and hold dear. Both of my grandfathers valued this country enough to fight for our freedom. Both of them valued their families enough to care and provide for us to the best of their abilities. Both of them loved us enough to pass along lessons from their own lives that have affected us for generations.

I am convinced that their legacies are at least partly responsible for my father's service as a civilian chaplain in two military towns during Vietnam, my brother's service in the Air Force during the 1980's, and my children's current service in the Air Force, along with their cousin who is preparing to leave for officer training school. As we ponder a new generation that will soon enter our family, I am certain that we will continue to pass these and other lessons down to all who will come along in the future...but I am equally certain that we may choose to be more intentional in the passing so that our family legacy will continue.

Memorial Day

2010-05-28T09:08:00.000-04:00

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day? There are a number of stories about its origin but all agree that it began as a day to remember those who gave their life in service to our country and to decorate their graves. There have been various ways of celebrating this holiday down through the years from the wearing of red poppies to parades to an official moment of silence at 3 pm local time. Today it seems that Memorial Day is a wonderful three-day weekend to begin summer and is often filled with picnics and other outdoor activities, along with sales and shopping.

However you plan to spend your Memorial Day, let me encourage you to find some time during the holiday to remember those who have guarded our country, and especially those who have given their lives for it. The sacrifices made by our military families cannot be overstated, and the ultimate sacrifice of a life should never be forgotten.

As Christians, we also have a memorial day every Sunday as we remember our Savior's death and resurrection. His life was given in service to all mankind and His death was an earth-shattering event that re-opened the doors of heaven to all who will call on His name.

I pray that we will never take the events of Jesus' life lightly and that our lives will honor His memory every day.

Random Twelve - 5/26/10

2010-05-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

Here are this week's questions from 2nd Cup of Coffee...

1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party?
Attend the party!

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.
Hmmmm....so many parties, so little time! Ha! Actually it was probably my parents' 35th anniversary party which was a complete surprise to them. It was a blast!

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?
Just to see Jesus.

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?
Warmth

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?
I'd rather chip in for a bridal gift. I enjoy crocheting baby blankets for baby showers but due to time and carpal tunnel, I don't get to do this much any more. I will be doing at least one before my grandson is born though!

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?
Well since I live alone and don't cook much, definitely a free week of house cleaning!

7. What song describes your mood today?
I am so not good at naming songs!!!

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)
A punch bowl. That was a common gift way back when I got married and yes, I have used it and still do on occasion.

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?
Chocolate chip cookie dough!

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"
Currently.

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."
M&M's - does that count as a food?

12. "-----" is the best motivation.
Love.

Girls' Night Out

2010-05-24T22:38:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Debbie Buinicky for organizing our Girls' Night Out fellowship tonight. We met at Hillbilly's BBQ & Steaks on Tyvola Road and it was a blast!! Here's some pictures...'cause we want you to know how much fun you missed!

And this was our waitress, Dawn - she did a superb job handling all us crazy gals!

Okay, so now you know you don't want to miss the next Girls' Night Out! Watch the blog, emails and the Celebrate for the next outing!

Her Worth is Far Above Rubies

2010-05-20T23:52:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned in several emails that we would have a box placed out in the lobby soon for the notes of encouragement and appreciation that get published in Sister-to-Sister each month. Well the box is here!!

Several months ago, Karen Wright made this lovely box for us and now it is available in the lobby. Karen did a beautiful job, don't you think? There are slips of paper for you to write a note and then just slip it in the slot on the back of the box. Your Ruby note will be published in the next newsletter. It couldn't be any simpler!

These notes are a highlight in our newsletter, so take a moment to write one today. There's a sister out there who needs to hear from you!

Summer Bible Study

2010-05-19T22:32:00.000-04:00

Do you struggle with Bible study over the summer? I know I do and have looked for something to keep me in the word this year. Today Beth Moore announced a summer Bible study being hosted on the Living Proof Ministries blog. Basically, small groups all over the country will be studying the same material, supplemented by some discussion questions written by Beth. Doesn't that sound like fun?? She has done this for the last two summers and from the things I've read on the LPM blog, it works really well!

This summer's study is Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy by Kelly Minter. Ruth is "a women's Bible study of Ruth's journey of unbearable loss, redeeming love, and divine legacy. The second in Kelly's Living Room Series, this 6-week study delves in the virtuous character of Ruth, her unique relationship with her mother-in-law Naomi, and her blossoming love with Boaz. If you've ever felt devastated, struggled as a stranger, longed to be loved, or wept along the way, you'll find a loyal sister in Ruth."

This is how the study will work:

we will have our first meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2010. A meeting place will be determined once we know how many people can join us....we may meet at my home or in a local coffee shop!
we will spend the following two weeks completing lessons one and two and meet again on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
we will spend the following two weeks completing lessons three and four and meet again on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.
finally, we will spend the last two weeks completing lessons five and six and meet for our last discussion time on Tuesday, August 3, 2010.

Each week, Beth will post an informal video message for us to watch prior to our discussion.

How do you get involved? Contact me as soon as possible to sign up. You will be responsible for getting your workbook which you can purchase at Lifeway or through Lifeway's website or on Kelly Minter's website. The price is the same on both sites.

So call, text, Facebook, email, or grab me in the aisle on Sunday to let me know you want to join in. It's gonna be a fabulous summer for study!!

Random Twelve - 5/19/10

2010-05-19T06:00:00.002-04:00

Here's this week's Random Dozen questions from 2nd Cup of Coffee. Enjoy!

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?
Spaghetti...but that is assuming that I cook on a regular basis. Which I don't.

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)
Are you kidding? My cell phone!

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?
Home. Mountains. Beach. I couldn't pick just one.

4. Share one factoid of your family's history.
I was a preacher's kid and we moved a lot.

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."
...haven't a clue how to answer this one!

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?
Money?

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."
I used to race cars in autocross races.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?
Not much of anything.

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."
My kids - they are both hilarious!

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?
Exercise.

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?
Pray for them.

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?
My son's visit in June and my daughter and son-in-law's return to the States.

Pomp and Circumstance

2010-05-17T09:22:00.000-04:00

Saturday was a great day of celebration for our family as my niece, Ashley Solomon graduated from NCSU. She has worked hard for the last four years and we are all so proud of her. What's NEXT for her is Officer's Training School with the Air Force this summer and then off to medical school in the fall.

(A friend of mine recently asked me if we are required to capitalize NEXT each time we write it since that is our theme this year at Providence Road. I told her I thought we probably were!!)

Oh, and in case you are counting, Ashley is the third grandchild to enter the Air Force. Not to mention a new son-in-law who is in the Army. Yes, I'd say we are really a military family!

My cousin, Shawn, is in town from CA so we had a great family trip to Raleigh, stopping off at Smithfield BBQ for lunch. This NC girl loves me some NC barbecue!!

Then we arrived at Reynolds Coliseum for the ceremony. It was just a small sea of red as we were actually attending a departmental graduation which meant it also wasn't as formal as some graduation ceremonies are. The nice thing about that is that we got to hear Ashley's name called and see her walk across the stage. Of course, we whooped and hollered!!

Today was Ashley's day and we appreciated her sharing it with all of us!

Today also made me think about our eternal graduation. What will that scene be like when we all get to heaven? I don't know but I'm pretty sure it is going to rival any earthly graduation we might have ever attended.

And I expect there will be lots of whooping and hollerin' going on. There might even be some NC barbecue to aid in the celebration!

LPL Simulcast 2010

2010-05-14T09:55:00.000-04:00

It's time to start planning for the 2010 Living Proof Live simulcast with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell!

Mark your calendars now for Saturday, September 18, 2010 for this year's ONE DAY simulcast. Beth will be speaking in Chicago and the entire event, including praise and worship, will be broadcast live right into our own auditorium. You don't want to miss this!

Tickets are $25, which includes lunch. No childcare is available but nursing babies are welcome. Online registration will be available soon, but if you want to purchase your tickets now, call Kathy in the office or see Holly Barrett.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Random Twelve - 5/12/10

2010-05-12T10:40:00.000-04:00

Here's this week's Random Dozen questions from 2nd Cup of Coffee....and my very own answers!

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!

Searching through the crowd to find my best friend, Bonnie. Pictures - oh no! Not on your life!!

2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?

An umbrella. The problem is that it is often in the car while I am inside when it starts raining. Or it is in the very back of my SUV when I want to get out of the car in the rain. But at least I'm prepared!

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?

No to graduation open houses. But tons of bridal showers have been attended in the last two months. And I get to plan a reception/shower for my daughter and her new husband when they return to the States this summer!

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.

Never wake a sleeping child...not for medicine, not to pick them up off the floor and put them back into their bed, not for anything!! :-) Well, okay, one time I woke one of my kids up around the clock for medicine...but he was really, really sick!!

5. What was the last thing you broke?

A fingernail...man, I hate it when that happens!

6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?

Three.

7. Do you like to shop by catalog?

Not by catalog so much, but definitely online. Does that count?

8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?

Oh, that's the landlord's job! Yippee!

9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?

None...I'm pretty happy with the decorating. Now remodeling would be a different answer. But that of course would have been a different question, too.

10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?

Online or on the TODAY show.

11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

For God's reasons.

12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Doing the right things.

Generations

2010-05-07T09:01:00.000-04:00

Most of my life has been lived in a four-generation family. I had a great-grandmother who lived until I was in middle school or early high school. My first child was born when I was 23 and my last grandparent passed away in 2007 when he was 22. And now the circle of life is coming back around as my first grandchild and my parents' first great-grandchild is due in October, and we will be a four-generation family yet again. I always say that's what happens when every one in your family marries young and has children young!!

Some of our favorite family pictures are the four-generation pictures taken when a new baby is born. There is one of me, my dad, my grandmother, and her mother. There is one of my son, me, my dad, and his mom. There is one of my daughter, me, my mom, and her mom. I can hardly wait to take one of the little pumpkin that is on the way, my daughter, me and my parents. I'm thinkin' all those four-generation shots might need to be framed together when I have a moment to spare!!

The physical traits that are passed down in families are often astonishing. I have a brother and a cousin who shared the exact same gray spots in their beards for a time...of course now they are just all gray so who can tell? My son and my dad share a similar head shape and walk. My mother and I can hardly deny being related and my daughter is joining that crowd too. It makes me wonder as I look at pictures of my daughter and son-in-law, what will their baby look like...what traits will be passed down...and who will we recognize in a face that we can't wait to see?

There are other blessings that come from this four-generation-ness. We have a legacy that grounds us and bonds us to one another. We see things that are duplicated through the generations which are, sometimes, unbelievable. We share a family history and a whole series of inside jokes that no one else understands.

One of our greatest legacies is to be a family of faith...and when I think about that new grandbaby, I just know that this child will grow up to love Jesus. He or she (because it will be a few more weeks until we know for sure) will be taught how much God loves him or her...what Jesus did to set us right again...and the power that holds for our lives today. Psalm 102 says,

¹⁸ Let this be written for a future generation,
       that a people not yet created may praise the LORD :
¹⁹ "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
       from heaven he viewed the earth,
²⁰ to hear the groans of the prisoners
       and release those condemned to death."
²¹ So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion
       and his praise in Jerusalem
²² when the peoples and the kingdoms
       assemble to worship the LORD.

Praise your name, Father, that our future generation, a person not yet fully created, will live to declare your name!

And if you do not have that kind of family...and not all of us do...know that this kind of family is available to all of us as children of the King. John wrote in I John 3:1, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

We couldn't ask for any better legacy or family tree. We are way beyond blessed to be daughters of the King...to share our faith....to share our salvation....and to share a heritage that we can pass down to future generations, a people not yet created.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

2010-04-30T10:02:00.000-04:00

Spring has sprung and it's time to start thinking about summer softball season!!

Coach Valerie Shuler sends the following message to all PR women:

Hi Ladies. It is time to see if there are enough players to have a softball team this year. Last year we “borrowed players” almost every week. This practice will not be allowed in the league this year. In order to have a team we need FIRM commitments from at least 15 or more players. Season will start sometime in early June. Games will be on Tuesday evenings. The season will run all summer till early August. Everyone will need to start practicing soon. Players must be 14 or older.

The cost will be $40 to $50 per player. This will cover the cost of the league fee and possibly new shirts. We will need someone to be in charge of getting new shirts. We really need someone to step up and be the coach or assistant coach. Let me know what you can do to make softball happen for the women at PR. Please send emails to valshuler@gmail.com.

I don't play softball myself (and you should be very glad of that) but I really enjoyed the games last year and got to see some great gals in action! Click here to see some pictures from last season.

If you are interested, please contact Valerie as soon as possible. It'll be a great summer and ya'll will look cute in your new jerseys, I promise!!

Random Twelve - 4/28/10

2010-04-28T06:00:00.009-04:00

This week's Random Dozen questions tip their hat to LOST...thanks to 2nd Cup of Coffee for the questions.

Oh how I love LOST...four more episodes left. Will all my questions really be answered???? If you are a Lostie or are just interested, come join us on Wednesday night at 7:00 at Providence Road Church of Christ for The Gospel According to LOST. We are having a great time!

1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?

Yes, lost in Memphis once, had a panic attack, and it took my then 17-year old son to get me back to the highway before I totally hyperventilated!

2. Have you ever been to an island?

Yes, Jamaica on a mission trip in 1999. And do the barrier islands of NC count?

3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?

50/50. I wear my heart on my sleeve but I spend alot of time thinking about it.

4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?

Depends on the situation. Sin is totally black and white. Other situations have all shades of gray.

5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.)

But I wanted to say the Bible! But besides that, there is no way I could pick just one. So I'm gonna hope I'm never stranded on an island and have to choose!

6. What are you most afraid of?

Being disobedient.

7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?

I'd rather not be able to make new memories.

8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?

1 - picture of my kids because they are my greatest accomplishment
2 - picture of my parents because where would I be without them
3 - picture of the prayer partners (both formal and informal) who have prayed for and with me because my life would be totally different without ya'll!

9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)

Not elope.

10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.

It is mine for the asking...and God is just waiting for me to ask.

11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?

Reading.

12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better?

I would hope that she is as passionate as I am...and I would hope she is more organized than I am at home!

Well, that was a close one!

2010-04-24T13:26:00.000-04:00

Thank you all so much for your prayers, calls, comments, and kind words over the last two days as I ran up to Greensboro to be with my folks while Mother had a heart catheterization. Thankfully, there was no damage to her heart and no blockages found. She will need to reduce her stress, adjust her meds, and make some lifestyle changes, but all in all, she is none the worse for wear.

Hopefully after a few days rest at home...because you know there is no such thing as rest in the hospital...she will be feeling much better! And she plans to be back at her table sharing her wisdom in some new Gray Hair Talking videos over the next week or so.

We are all greatly relieved and appreciative of your kind attention over the last couple of days.

This episode combined with a couple of recent conversations made me wonder what I would do without the avenue of prayer.  Surely prayer gives us comfort...ushers us into the presence of the Father...and makes us verbalize our hearts to Him. But I know that even with as much praying as I do there is still so much to learn.

I know I take prayer for granted sometimes. As if having the ear of the Creator the universe is just an everyday occurrence. Yes, I know He is willing to listen any time we ask. But I need to be astounded at the gift that prayer really is.

And I don't always take prayer seriously.  It's easy to say that I'll pray for something or someone and then forget to do it or only do it half-heartedly when if I do remember. Yet, bringing my thoughts before the throne is very serious indeed.

While we are talking about prayer, let's not even discuss the gratitude or lack thereof that I exhibit for the answers I receive. Not that there is some certain level of thanksgiving that I have to display when God answers my prayers in the way I prayed...or in any way at all. But I wonder about the times that I don't stop to express my thanks and instead just move on to the next prayer request at hand.

God continues to remind me that the privilege of prayer is not about being able to make requests and see some answers. Rather, it is about seeking His face and not just seeking what He will do in a given situation.  It is about knowing Him and enjoying His presence. It is about openly sharing the tenderest things on my heart with the One who knows it already but still longs to hear my voice. May that be my greatest desire every day.

The Others

2010-04-22T11:25:00.001-04:00

He came into my office the other day to pick up an order of shirts. We had only emailed or talked on the phone and never had the opportunity to meet face to face until that day. As he arrived, I got up from behind my desk, strode confidently over to the door, introduced myself and stuck out my hand for the requisite business hand shake.

At which point, he stepped back a bit and said that he didn't shake...for religious reasons.

Wha-a-at? So okay, I dropped my hand and launched into the business discussion at...er, hand.

Anyway, in just a moment, another gentlemen who often uses space in our office came down the hall, greeted my customer, and roundly shook hands with him.

Wha-a-at?

Now I will grant you that the two men were both, well men obviously. And I happen to know that they are both of the same religious persuasion. And I'm sure that is the reason for the obvious disparity in greetings. But I must tell you that I don't think I've been quite so taken aback in a very long time.

I am absolutely all about everyone sticking to their religious principles. I have plenty of my own and do my best to honor those on a daily basis. So this post is not about the right or wrong of those particular principles. It is about how this incident made me feel.

Insignificant...untouchable...unaccepted...a member of some sort of other-world that I didn't even know existed, let alone that I was a part of.

In our Wednesday night class, The Gospel According to LOST, we've been talking about others. Who are the others in our lives and how do we treat them? I think God may well have willed this event in my life to give me an insight that perhaps I had never known before or if I did, had long forgotten.

The question for us to ponder is how do we treat people that are different than we are? What is our responsibility in those situations? Clearly Jesus set the bar with his willingness to associate with, love, heal, and forgive anyone who was willing to open up to him. He loved nothing more than a good dinner table conversation with all the "others" that were outcast, unloved, and untouchable.

How do we treat other people is often a rhetorical question we will ask ourselves. That's no longer a rhetorical question for me. I know how baffling it feels to be rejected...even if it is for a religious reason. Lord, help me not to do that to those people you put in my path each day. Give me your eyes to see them and your heart to love them. Let me joyously greet them and wrap your arms of compassion around them.

Random Twelve - 4/21/10

2010-04-21T06:00:00.004-04:00

Great questions from 2nd Cup of Coffee this week. Read below to see my answers.

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?"

No I haven't...I have however had overdue library books.

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts?

I have a hanging thing-y in my linen closet that holds a small amount of supplies and I love it. I haven't felt this organized in ages!

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster?

No, thankfully.

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song?

Mandy

5. What's the best costume you've ever worn?

I honestly don't recall...that's how long it has been since I wore a costume!

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

Thesaurus.

7. What's your favorite breakfast food?

Bacon!

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial?

Yes, I have...and that's all I'll say about that!

9. Have you ever crawled through a window?

No.

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Not really.

11. How man pairs of jeans do you own?

Two.

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.")

A stack of books.

Spring fever?

2010-04-16T08:44:00.005-04:00

All has been kinda quiet in my head lately (I know that is hard for many of you to believe) so it's made it kinda quiet here on the blog. Maybe it is just spring fever!

So how was your week? Here's what's been going on in my world:

Tuesday night's Breaking Free class had its last session this week! What a wonderful group of gals we had spend 11 weeks together studying liberty in Christ. Thank you all so much for participating and being open and honest as we learn to do this thing together. Have you completed your envelope challenge yet? To be honest, I haven't. But it is on my list for this weekend. If any of you have not done the Breaking Free study, let me encourage you to do so. The materials are available for check out through Kathy in the office.

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Our LOST class started on Wednesday night. We missed Jack Van Curen but prayed for him to get well soon! Our discussion was about how we can successfully engage culture, just as Jesus did and as He prayed for us to do. We need to become the influencers rather than the influenced. Come join us on Wednesday nights at 7:00 for this great series.

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Last night, one of our sweet sisters called me for a chat. We had a specific item to discuss and I was grateful to hear about the time and prayer she had put into the question I had posed to her a couple of weeks ago. I thought our conversation was wrapping up until she said she had something else to tell me. Uh oh! Sometimes those are not the words you want to hear! But this time, this sweet sister revealed that she was praying for me...and praying in a very specific way about a desire of my heart. She was so encouraging to me as she exhorted me to continue to have faith and to continue to wait expectantly for God's answer. Thank you, my sister, for that word...I receive it and will act on it!

What about you? Has anyone ever told you they were praying for you in a way that was very meaningful to you, but was not a way that you were even aware that they were praying? It is a humbling experience! Or maybe God has laid someone on your heart to pray for. Either way, those are promptings of the Holy Spirit that we cannot afford to ignore. To find out that God has gone before me and placed the desires of my heart on the heart of someone else to pray for me...it's about more than I can stand! How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we are called the children of God!! Whew! I get goose bumps just thinking about it!

And I know this sister is not the only one who prays for me, for my children, my ministry. Know that I appreciate your prayers more than I can ever say. And keep them comin'!!

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So, what's up for your weekend? I've got some stuff to do around the house (is there ever a time when that's not true?). Plus there's some paperwork to finish. And I have a couple of lovely gatherings to attend. Whatever your weekend holds, I hope that you make time for family and friends, rest and relaxation, and worship of our Father.

See you all on Sunday!

Girls just wanna have fun!

2010-04-15T00:22:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you, but I love to play games. My family are big game players and we always have some kind of tournament going when we are all together. Rummikub, Phase 10, Rook, Dominoes, Pegs 'n Jokers, Scrabble, Sorry and the list goes on.

Well, except for Monopoly. My mom loves Monopoly but no one in the family will play with her anymore. Of course, that is because she is absolutely ruthless! She plays to win, has no mercy on anyone who owes her money, and obliterates everyone else on the board. Every time. I am not kidding.

Two phrases you will often hear when our family is together are, "Let's play something!" and "I hate this game!" The first one means grab a drink and a snack, the game is on! The second one is uttered by anyone who is losing...particularly my father!

This past weekend when I was the only one home with my folks, we played an afternoon of Rummikub and I must tell you that I won! Not that I would rub that in or anything!

We can be pretty competitive so we've even had to institute the use of a timer because no one ever wants their turn to end!

My mom recently posted a video blog on Gray Hair Talking about having fun and she talks about our family's love of games.

I hope you have something that brings you and your family closer as you have fun together!

Random Twelve - 4/14/10

2010-04-14T06:00:00.006-04:00

Here's my answers to this week's Random Dozen hosted by 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?

Mostly a nay. But I've seen a couple of pair that were cute. On other people, not on me!

2. What is your favorite pizza?

Pepperoni.

3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]

The couch from Friends.

4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.

Hmmmm....I don't know about famous, but Carpe Diem is one of my favorite places in Charlotte!

5. What is your current favorite snack?

Craisins.

6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")

A. Dancing with the Stars
B. Biggest Loser
C. Survivor

It's gotta be Biggest Loser, if only because I ain't eating no bugs and well, let's just say my kids tell me not to dance!

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?

6 - actually it's clean, it just has a lot of stuff in it because I spend a lot of time in the car and because I haven't finished unloading it from the weekend!

8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.

I am wearing sandals or open-toed shoes!

9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.

Playing games with my folks on Saturday...which I won, by the way. I'm just sayin'.

10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.

Becoming physically healthier.

11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.

To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are. (Seen on a Facebook status today.)

12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.

Send them money! Nah, just kidding...they are both fully independent, self-supporting adults in the military. But they do appreciate the occasional folding bill!!