Focus on the Fall

I am VERY excited about school starting back and all the stuff that goes along with it - ballgames, new church classes, the kids being gone all day - did I say that?

We have finally gotten semi-organized for the Fall! Believe it or not, I am only going to focus on one volunteer project this Fall and that is helping with our new 6th grade ministry at church. It should be exciting. I love the age of these children - they are so much fun. I am going to try not to overcommit to anything this year and just keep up with the evergrowing faster pace of my children and their activities. It is becoming more evident to me that these days are going to go by very quickly and I sure hope I can enjoy them while they are here!

Challenge: Pray for your kids today. Pray for their safety, salvation and and that they will sense the presence of God in their lives.

First Day of School

Well, they are off to their first day of school and to be honest, I will have to admit that I am glad. Glad to be back on a routine and glad not to hear "I'm bored" for awhile!

Hanging with Old Friends

We went on the boat Sunday with Beth and Herschel and the kids. It was a LOT of fun, but can I just say HOT! Mason and Garrett stayed with us overnight and here is a pic of them at a friends' house the next day......too busy right now to blog much, but I have some stuff swirling around in this crazy brain of mine to put on here next week when the kids are back in school!!!!!

Another One Off to Middle School

Well, I am officially feeling older and older and older:

Dropped another one off for Middle School Day Camp today. I was so impressed with the way the school had things set up. With our new principal Mrs. Stewart in charge, I believe that Abby is going to have a much better experience than Jacob did 2 years ago. And boy am I glad of that!

Also, my 20th year reunion from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee is this weekend! No comment.......

Gearing up for a busy weekend - yard sale, football scrimmage, soccer scrimmage, boat-riding with dear friends, etc. Hope everyone has a great one!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Well people, we are living proof that God does have a plan and that He also still performs miracles. As we prayed this morning before work, Chris said "thank you Lord for giving us the tenacity to stick this thing out." HA, that is SO true! Sometimes that is really all there is, just hanging in there and sticking it out. (Very hard for a romantic drama queen like myself. I want a fairy tale all the time.) Oh well, if marriage teaches you anything, it is that life is NOT a fairy tale. I will say, however, that it does get better with time.

Happy Anniversary Chris! 14 years married and 19 years putting up with me. Wow! Love you, Boo

Randy Pausch 1960-2008

If you never have had the opportunity to watch The Last Lecture, then please do right now. So sad to hear about his passing and I am sending up prayers for his wife and three small children.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

SO glad it's Friday......

I was thinking this morning about what a rough week this has been for me. From Sunday on it seems like I have been under constant attack and haven't done such a good job standing firm against it. Honestly, I have just given in to it. I have allowed myself to be selfish and critical this week and I hate that! I have found myself falling into old patterns during the past week and I really hate that! Sometimes it seems that we are alone - without a prayer partner in the world or without anyone to talk to about our problems, but I really do believe that this is when God can be at most work in our lives. If we recognize our complete need for Him during these times and cry out to Him, then He WILL answer. So, I am dusting myself off this morning and getting back on the horse. Pity party is over. For those of you who have had the unfortunate opportunity to be around me this week, I am sorry. I have not been a good witness nor a good friend to be around. With that said, this is the devotional I had this morning in my inbox:

". . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16 NIV).

Last fall my husband and I were traveling in the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Frequently, we would see a lake with a beautiful reflection of the rugged snow covered mountains. It was an awesome scene. I could not help but think, "Does God's love reflect from my life? Do others see Jesus in me?" As I was considering these questions and the possible answer, the thought came to me that in order for God's love to reflect from my life, the love of God's Son, Jesus, must shine in my heart. Just as it is the shining sun that causes a reflection to appear on the lake, so also without the sun shining on the water, there is not reflection. I live in Oregon where we have many days of cloudy, rainy weather. It is easy to allow these dreary days to depress my spirits and weary my soul. However, the clouds and rain cannot obscure the love of Jesus when I remind myself that it is God's Son who shines in my heart. God's love will reflect from my heart when I read and meditate on God's Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart. When our hearts are overflowing with God's love, our lives will reflect the love of Jesus. He will help us as we:

Show concern for others.

Be a good listener.

Reach out to others, not waiting for them to reach out first.

Be cheerful and positive.

Be hospitable.

Be generous.

Be their prayer warrior.

Our New Little Addition

Thanks to our friend Tammy and Darryl and Tammy's sweet sister Jennifer, we got a new puppy last night. She is tiny and sweet and the kids are in love. Chris and I are both a little stand-offish at this point due to our recent broken hearts.......I long for the heart of a child.

We have no idea what type of mix she is, but we shall find out soon when we take her to the vet. We still have not decided on a name, so if you have any ideas, please post them!!!!

Just Hilarious - Watch These

http://www.godtube.com/view_video?viewkey=2275da59ba352aa5070c


http://www.godtube.com/view_video?viewkey=2c8d6d5f61d0ddb88acd

Consider it Joy!

James 1:2-5

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

I love this verse. I think because I have been through so many trials in my life (like all of you I am sure). It is so interesting to me to know that when I am enduring trials in my life, whether it be financial, dealing with kids, my career (or lack thereof), etc. that God loves me enough to put me through it. He loves me enough to test my faith. He loves me enough to develop my perserverance. He also loves me enough to give me generous amounts of wisdom if I only ask.

So trust God with your trials. Trust Him that he is doing a work in your life and that He loves you enough to do so! Basically, hang in there. God is good. He means only good for your life - not harm.