Christmas...

Have I mentioned that Christmas is my favorite time of year?  The lights, the decorations, the music...I LOVE Christmas!  Christmas is such a mile marker for families.  I measure the years based on how old my children were this Christmas or which relatives visited that Christmas.  All Christmases are important- past, present and future.

I have been thinking about the things I loved most about the Christmas' I have experienced in the past.  I love the movies- both old and new.  I love the candlelight service we have at church, I love the traveling to MawMaw and PawPaw's house...and there is no way to describe my love for ham, cranberry salad and homemade yeast rolls.  These are some of my best memories of Christmases past.

Christmas present will look a little different this year.  This year, we will have  decorations, music and lights.  We will have a candlelight service at church and then we will be traveling to Mawmaw and PawPaw's house.  I will likely watch my favorite movies (Elf, Rudolph,  and It's a Wonderful Life) too, and there should be no shortage of my favorite foods.  After the usual things occur,  then a lot of things will change.  Instead of leaving for Anderson after Christmas, we will travel to another destination on December 26th...we will go to Birmingham for Ryan and Courtney's wedding!! The normal short visit with our family will then blossom into a much larger event with everyone we love there.   So excited about this- so ready for their new lives to begin!

Christmas  future is just absolutely exciting!!!  Only 14 months from now, December 2013- Ryan and Courtney will be married almost a year already.  They should have another puppy by then (they tell me they want another one for Macks to play with) and who knows what else!   Hannah will be down to only 3 semesters of high school left.  She will be driving, choosing a college, and wearing her own class ring.   K'Lynn will be in her 3rd year at Waco High School.  She will most likely be living in a different house, and will be even more invested in hew community and church.  There is no way to guess the real details of any of their lives in a year, but I know one thing- God is in charge of all of it!! Years to follow there will be weddings and spouses for the girls, grandchildren, new homes to visit, new situations to be proud of.  So many details...all in God's time.

I suspect that my favorite time of year will only become more precious to me as years go by.  Celebrating the birth of Christ is so very important, and I love that aspect  of it.  Also important, though, is the evolution of our family.  From our house only holding Kyle and I only  so many years ago, to three young kiddos all enjoying their gifts and Santa, to an almost empty nest right now with only one young woman left at home, and then eventually someday to a house full of grandbabies...God has had such a rich design for my life.  I look forward to each step.  I love Christmas and all of the  things that come with it.

Be Blessed!!

The visits...

We had a visit this weekend.  Well, we had several, actually.  Some visits were short, others were longer.  Some brought joy, some brought laughter.  Some ended with hugs and some ended with promises of return.  Visits with friends, visits with family, visits with church members, visits with neighbors...so much community!

I have lived in places where I was rarely visited.  Places where I knew people, but did not have 'come over to the house' kind of friends.  We have often lived such fast lives that we rarely visited in the homes of others.   In turn, we rarely invited others into ours.  How sad!  Since coming to Anderson and moving into the parsonage, we have invited numerous families into our home for a meal or a movie.  Sometimes it is a scheduled thing, other times it is very impromptu.  Sometimes we have people over for Sunday lunch,  other times we have groups over for a celebration.  Don't need a formal reason to celebrate.   Recently, we had more than 20 people in our home just because Ryan and Courtney came home to get their dog Macks!

Opening your home can be uncomfortable sometimes.  At our house, it takes a real effort to make sure the house is "clean enough" to have others over.  My sweet husband doesn't ever mind having company over- it just means the place will get spruced up a little more!  I try to remember that "clean enough" is a relative term.  My idea of that is very different than someone else's idea would be.  I get worried about keeping doors closed to the rooms that are not company ready.  I worry about how guests will react to my puppies.  I worry that my idea of clutter on my cabinets will appear messy to someone else.  I wonder if people will look at the display of photo frames I have and notice just how much dust actually covers the glass....I worry more about all of these things than I concentrate on the ministry that is actually being done.

Ministry can happen over a meal.  Investing in another family's life is always a good idea.  Build this into your calendar and into your budget.  In reality, cooking for 8 is not that different than cooking for your usual 4 or 6.  No leftovers, but lots of memories!  The relationships that I have and treasure most have been nurtured by nights  of fellowship.

Jump in...buy an extra chicken and fry it up!  Approach that new family at church on Sunday or Wednesday and ask them what they are doing for lunch next Sunday.  Everyone eats- let them know you will feed them and that you are interested in their lives.  I challenge you...just watch what a difference it will make in the relationship you have with them.  Our church (global) needs to have more visits.  Be the change you want to see.  So....what are you doing for lunch on Sunday???

Gosh, I hope this isn't too personal...

I must confess something.  I have been married for 27 years.  I have a husband that loves me and we work through lots of issues to remain happy and successfully married.  We do struggle in one main area...our sox life.  There, I said it.  We have a major incompatibility when it comes to sox.  I know...it is very personal, but I have to share this.

Grandma does most of the laundry here now days.  I do some, but she is the main washer, dryer and folder of all things cloth.  She places the laundry on the living room table and it is up to each of us to take them to our rooms and put them away.  It is a huge help, but there is one flaw- sox.  She stacks them all neatly and many times even matches them up.  It is here where the problem begins.  I take them to my room and put them away...sometimes...and only if they are matched and folded together.  All of the rest I put into the big striped laundry bag.  This is a bag we have had for a while.  From time to time, I work to match up all of the sox.  We go from a very large bag of assorted sox to a basket full of matched and folded together sox.  If all of the laundry is done and those are all sorted, then what is left should be  thrown away, right?  Well, that is Kyle's theory anyway.  I do not subscribe to this, though, and they stay.  Almost empty bag to an increasingly full bag...this is our pattern again and again.  Now, we get to the real problem...

Morning after morning, Kyle asks where the matched sox are.  There are always some in his drawer, but these are never the brand, style, color or texture that he is looking for.  If there are black short ones, he needs white tall ones.  If there are white tall ones handy,  then he "needs" brown thin dress ones.  His needs and what is available never match up.  Today this was the conversation.  He needed white short ones, but there were none to be found.  Once again, the big striped laundry bag got dumped onto the bed so that we could sort through them and find a pair.  If I had a nickel for every time that I dumped that bag out...I could likely go on a nice vacation or something.  Kyle said "I am really struggling in one area of my life right now...my sox life".  It was so comical that we both began to laugh!  I wondered how I could share the funny joke and thought of this format.  I hope I didn't shock anyone with these intimate details...just being real, I guess!

Be blessed!!

The dance...



Life is full of weights and counter weights,good times and bad times, balances and dances.  A spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine go down, a dose of honey to catch the flies with rather than vinegar... We spend so much time saying the right things to balance out the harder things that must be said.  It is a skill set really.  My father in law says that you need the ability to pat someone on the back and kick them in the butt at the same time.  Here is where I am today...

In my life, I feel that I spend a lot of time appologizing or aggonizing over how I said something, when I said it, that I said it at all... In other words, I find myself in trouble due to my tongue a lot. Do I share this detail?  Was that spoken in confidence?  What would it mean to this person if I told them this informion?  Harmful?  Helpful?  How will this sound?  Will this be mis-interrpreted?  Get the idea??

I find this to be true in work, church and family life.  Guess I could worry about this less if I cared less about what people thought.  Designed by God with an overdose of empathy, though, would prohibit this.  As you are reading this, you might wonder if I really am being honest.  If you know me and have been on the other end of my sharp tongue or poor judgement, you may find it hard to believe that I worry about this.  I do, but I know it doesn't keep me from 'shooting off my mouth'.  I sent Hannah a text message yesterday that Siri typed for me.  I was busy, it is true, but it was way too abrupt.  I would normally 'balance' my short answer and lack of time with a smiley face or something to soften the message.  Siri does not.  Hannah asked me last night if Siri typed that message for me. I asked why?  She said "Because it came across much harsher than you probably meant for it to."  Ouch...this is exactly why I :-) and ;-) my way through text messages and emails!  Winkies and smiles are a little juvenille, but they soften our very black and white email/texting world. 

So, I guess I will continue to dance...sure hope I don't step on any toes!

Be blessed!

A very full heart

God has allowed me to totally feel the fullness of a happy heart lately.  No, I am not just super excited every minute of every day over every detail of my life, but I am appreciating it all so much more.  I find myself wanting to just smile for no particular reason...just full of the joy God has placed in my little corner of this world.

My joy comes from many places.  First, it would have to be traced back to my personal relationship with Christ.  To think that the God of the universe knew me before the foundation of the world...mind boggling.    Knowing that He works out the details of my life for my good...so thankful for this!

My husband has to be the best thing that God allowed me to experience.  The love we have shared over the past almost 30 years is more than anyone deserves. Neither of us is perfect, but together we are both so much better.  From the first time I met him, I knew I would love him forever.  Sounds a little overwhelming for a 14 year old, but I just knew.  He has grown into the most amazing man.  I am so very thankful.

My children...where would I even start to explain how they fit in?  Each with a very unique set of personality traits and skills, they are such a wonderful contribution to the world.  They are the best of each of their parents, plus so much more that they bring to the table all on their own.  K'Lynn, a confident and yet tender spirit, so willing to be obedient to God's calling on  her life.  She invests daily in the lives of her students and (semi) patiently waits for the rest of His plan to be revealed in her life.  Ryan, a Godly young man that has already given his life to the service of the Kingdom,  is about to embark on the next phase of his life.  He and Courtney will begin their married life on December 28th.  I am so anxious to see how God will use this amazing couple in the world.  He has come a long way from the little boy that cried  all the time and would only let me hold him.  He doesn't need me like that anymore...  And then there is Hannah.  Where do I begin?  The baby I prayed for has grown into an amazing, thoughtful and smart young lady.  The world is her oyster and the sky is the limit.  She has been a pleasure to raise.  I look forward to seeing how the rest of our family will develop.  Partners for the girls, grandchildren from all...this is really only the beginning!

My church family is just amazing.  So many different people brought together in three buildings that could not possibly truly hold the awesomeness that we represent.  People to worship with, pray with, share with, and to bear burdens together with...God really knew what He was doing when He placed each one of them there.  The wisdom of those that are older, the vibrance of those that are younger, the enthusiasm of the new believers, the steadiness of the seasoned Christians- all working together to  further God's Kingdom.  What a special group!

My circle of friends has grown over the years.  Some have come into the circle while others left.  The true friends that God has given me are priceless.  Some I see often, some I barely ever see.  All play a part in my life and fill a particular need.  I won't name names...if you are in the circle you know it!  I would hate to mention one and forget another, but you are so dear to me.  Texting, laughing, sharing meals together, cruising (!)...I love my friends and the way they add to my world.

I know I am missing things that I will want to add later, but for this morning this is the top of the list. Proverbs 15:13 says  A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.   We have all had times of joy and times of sadness. I am thankful for this happy season.

Be blessed!

16 years ago...

16 years ago, Hannah McKay was born.  For so long, we hadn't had any babies.  Ryan was 8, K'Lynn was 10.  They were elementary school students that were independent.  Suddenly, our days became once again filled with diapers and pacifiers, bottles and baby wipes, blankies and  carseats.  We became a new family, the one that God always knew we would be.


16 years ago, God began to make it clear to Kyle that it was His plan for Kyle to go into the ministry. I have heard him tell the story many times.  He says that he had fought the calling, making excuses for why he couldn't do it.  He always said God hadn't shown him how he could make it work financially.  During this  time, he had been doing volunteer work as the youth leader in our home church. He was just plain good at it...God had a plan for him in that area of ministry.  He attended an evangelism conference in a church in Arkansas and finally surrendered.  He told God, "OK, I will just do it and trust you to show me how it will work"...and God did.


16 years ago, God had taken a church with a long history and placed in it the desire to hold on.  The desire to hold together, despite the fact that the numbers were dwindling.  By this time, the number in attendance was only 7.  7 widow women that met each Sunday.  They asked for a pastor nearby to come in the afternoons, after he preached at his regular church.  They asked him to help them keep the doors open, knowing that the good work God started in that place could not be finished yet.  So they continued...

16 years ago, God put into place all of the pieces necessary to bring our family to where we are today.  God knew long ago that one day 4 years ago, Kyle and that baby would drive up to the church that He had protected and prepared for our family to join.  God knew that He would put into place a complicated series of events that would allow Kyle to be in the state of Texas in the first place.  God knew Hannah would take a trip to see her Mawmaw and Pawpaw, would become ill, and her Daddy would have to jump into his Mustang and make his way quickly to care for her, from New Mexico all the way to Texas.  This trip would coincide with a search committee that had come across one more resume...after reviewing more than 80 of them.  God knew....

So, today, we celebrate the life of a baby born 16 years ago.  I also reflect on the things God put into place back then for the life He has given us today.  I look at the number of families God has allowed us to interact with, to touch, and to come to love- people we knew nothing of back then.  So much has changed, over these past 16 years. So thankful for a God with a plan!!

Be blessed...

Legacy...

In Sunday School yesterday, we were reading in Psalm 145.  In verse 13, David writes "Your kingdom is an everlasting kindgom and your dominion endures through all generations."  This made me think of how God's presence in a family, in the hearts of it's members, changes the way that family looks generation after generation.  Although no family is perfect, I wonder just how ours would look without the influence of Christ and our church family on it all these years.  This would surely shape the way our children, then, started and raised their own families and so on, and so on, and so on...

Remember the movie "It's a  Wonderful Life"?  My family and friends know that this is my all time favorite movie.  I even talked Kyle into showing it at a big church get together once.  It is a classic!  In it, George Bailey is a main character.  He gets to find out what his hometown of Bedford Falls would have been like if he hadn't ever been born.  It was a much darker place with Mr. Potter having no opposition  and no one to encourage the people to rise up and make a better life for themselves.  Christ is a lot like this in our own world.    His example is  what allows us to know of the hope we have (or can have) for a future.  The Bible is a piece of this also.  It's words can encourage us to live better lives.  It is the opposition to the darkness that Satan (or Mr. Potter) provides in our world.  Without Christ...without the Gospel... this world would be a very dark place.  Back to the movie illustration,  because of George Bailey's influence on the world (in Bedford Falls, anyway), generations were changed.

Are you being a George Bailey?  If your influence on your spouse, your children, your family, in your workplace and your community one that makes a positive difference?  Are you doing Kingdom work that will touch others with Christ's love and bring other closer to a saving knowlege of Him?  It is not too late to start!  Begin today.  Leave a legacy...be George Bailey....be Christ's hands and feet in our world.

Be blessed....

A new season...

This morning I was awakened to the nagging  sounds of a puppy that wanted to go outside.  I had the alarm set for 6:45, but it was only 5:48. Lucy knows my usual schedule and felt that I had overslept, I guess.  When I got moving a minute or so later (because she was not giving up on this idea!), I decided she also knew something I hadn't discovered yet...we had just hit a new season.  The air outside was crisp and the wind was blowing.  She loves this time of year!  49*...soooo nice!!  Lucy and Cooper ran, jumped, played, chased and rolled all over each other in the dark yard.  The air seemed to energize them both.  So far this morning she had asked to go outside twice already in just under an hour.  Cooper is just a baby, and never has experienced this time of year before.  He sure seems to like it too.

Made me think about other new seasons I am in also.

Last Sunday morning, I woke up excited too.  It was the day that my son Ryan had planned to propose to his precious girlfiend (now fiance!) Courtney.  There were lots of fun moments that day, all resulting in Courtney agreeing to marry him.  On December 28th, they will become man and wife.  A new season...

Last Monday afternoon, the call came in letting me know that my dad had been rushed to the hospital with a heart attack.  This whole week God has led my family into a place none of us has ever been before.  A world of ICU visits, DNR orders, talks of memorial services.  Thankfully today, my dad is alive and doing fairly well.  We are all much more prepared to handle the days that come now.  We have a plan for the day that he leaves us.  A new season...

Yesterday, I attended the wedding of a couple that attends our church.  As Kyle performed the ceremony, I watched as two families with children all joined hands and committed their new marraige to the Lord.  Two seperate households becoming one.  Two twin brothers now have a new sister.  Children from one parent households now have both a Mom and  a Dad in their home.  For them it is definitely a new season...

My oldest daughter K'Lynn starts her rehearsals for their musical this week.  She is the theater arts teacher at Waco High School.  It is her second year there.  She has taken on the job of  producer, director, counselor, mother, life coach, and mentor to each of the students she works with each day.  For that whole group, this is a new season...

Finally, this week, my baby girl Hannah will turn 16.  I remember the bright eyed baby that she was.  The youth minister's kid that was at every youth event from day one is now actually a valid member of her own youth group.  Not just a member, a leader.  I look into the beautiful eyes of a young woman when I see her now.  She is driving, dating, living, loving, learning, and evolving.  A new season...

There are so many more seasons that I anticipate in the coming days.  Seasons that include weddings and funerals,  new in-laws and grandchildren, loss and joy, new beginings and goodbyes.  I know that God has wonderful plans for my life and the lives of my family.  We will trust Him as we enter each of these.  I will claim Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  I will not fear new seasons, for God brings them for my good.  For today...I am going to make a pot of chili, enjoy the cooler temperatures and look ahead at all God has for me.

 
Be blessed....

The roller coaster...part 2

Monday morning...awake early and off to a 6 am breakfast with Ryan and Courtney. On the road by 7:30, making good time. I am not sure when the call came in...maybe 2 or 3 in the afternoon. My dad had a major heart attack. He was being coded and taken to the hospital. High....to low....all in a matter of minutes. Dad has been sick since July 6th when he broke his hip. Such a long story, but he has just really had a hard time ever since then. This was his worst episode yet. He coded 3 times that afternoon. We notified Ryan. Mom said that he was on life suppport. We continued home and got there around 8. Upon my arrival, Mom was packing. She was going to leave to go check on dad. I lost it. It was too late for her to be driving. He was teetering on the edge of death already. I could not handle the idea of her wrecking because it was too late to be driving and losing them both in one day. I begged her to wait until the morning. She saw how fragile I was, I guess. She agreed to wait. Around 10 that night, we talked with Adam ( my brother) who was at the hosptial. We were all in agreement that Dad would not want to be kept alive on the respirator. Adam was going to go in and have them turn off the machines. After talking to Mom, though, we agreed that we should wait until Mom got there on Tuesday.






Tuesday morning. I knew Mom was leaving soon. I knew we hadn't gotten any word about Dad all night. I decided to call the hospital and get an update on his status. "He was discharged sometime yesterday" was what I was told. Well, let's think about this. He was there last night at 10 and was on the ventilator. Doubt he got sent home...this must mean he passed away. I asked to be transferred to the house supervisor to get a time of death. He had no record of him passing. OK...I guess I could call the funeral home. "No ma'am, I have not picked up anyone by that name tonight." was the response. One more call to the hosptial...Could you please check again and let me know where my dad is???? No idea. I decided to call the other hospital in town after Mom suggested maybe he could be there. One call..less than a minute...talking to a nurse that said "Your dad is here and is doing really well...".




For over 40 minutes, call after call, I was more and more sure that my dad had passed away. Now, I hear that he is not. I did not even know how to process the emotions I was feeling. I had already told my sister...she had cried....now I have to call her back. This is exhausting! It was really more than I could handle. I went to bed.  I emailed my wonderful boss and co-worker to explain.  I cried myself to sleep and slept for 5 hours.  I know I was exhausted, but the emotions were a bigger issue.  Kyle allowed me to sleep, but then came in and said "If you are ready to get up, I will take you to town and get you some lunch".  I was ready pretty quick and we went to Bryan.  I so needed that time with him.  We shopped,  hung out, went to Hannah's ball game, and I did a little bit of healing.   That afternoon, Mom had arrived at the hospital.  We fully expected her to get there and begin to say goodbye.  To get there and tell the staff that she was ready for them to turn off his life support.  For her to get there and for my dad to pass away.  When she did get there, though, he was awake.  He was on life support (the ventilator) which was breathing for him 100% of the time, but he was alert and could communicate with his eyes and hand gestures.  He was not a man that was ready to have any plugs pulled!

On Wednesday, he was a little better.  Still on the vent, but more alert and able to appreciate the fact that my mom was there.  Thursday came, and he was extubated.  He was placed on oxygen by nasal canula only.   On Friday, he was moved to the pulmonary floor and put into a private room.  He and my mom talked alot during this time.  They resolved a lot of issues that  had been lingering, unspoken.  They made peace...they talked about what would happen when he coded the next time.  He decided to be made a "DNR (do not recussitate) and DNI (do not intubate)".  He decided where he wanted his ashes spread.  They had already decided he would be creamated, but more specifics were identified.  He told my mom that he wants a memorial to be held in Anderson.  This is where the people are that have loved and supported mom for the past year and a half.    My sister is with mom and dad now.  They are enjoying the time he has left together.

I did not go.  I started to, but I decided against it.  I saw him a few months ago, when he was still at home.  I think that for me, I prefer to remember him that way for now.  I have spoken with him on the phone, he knows about Ryan and Courtney's engagement. He knows how great things are going at the church.  He knows about how Hannah is doing in school and about her Sweet 16 party.  He is so very proud of my family.   I may go soon, but feel peace about my decision for now.  I am thakful for this rollercoaster, in a way.  I am so glad that they had time to resolve so many things.  I dont think she is angry anymore.  It feels to me like that peace that passeth understanding.  You aren't sure why you are ok (because many people wouldn't be), but you just are.  When it happens...today or in 10 years...I will be at peace with it.

So, with all of that said....be intentional with your actions and live everyday to it's fullest.  Life can change in an instant.  We are not promised tomorrow.  Blessings....

The roller coaster....part one

The last 7 days have been a ride.  Last Friday, we left after Hannah's volleyball game for McLeod.  We left late and arrived there just before 1 am.  Kyle, Hannah, K'Lynn and I all grabbed a couple of hours of sleep and then off we went to Birmingham!  Why were we going?  Because our son, Ryan, was going to propose to his beautiful girlfriend Courtney.   We have grown to love her like our own daughter over the past almost 2 years.  She is everything I have prayed that God would package into the woman he would marry someday.

Saturday, we arrived in Birmingham in the afternoon.  We were able to spend the evening with Ryan, seeing where he lives, where he works, having dinner and preparing ourselves for the next day's events.  Church the next morning was like a secret service mission with Ryan's friends trying to make sure we were no where near Courtney.  We have kept this quiet so well- we couldn't blow it at the last minute!!  Lunch with Ryan, then the girls and I went to gather all the things we were going to use to set up the engagement site.  Flowers, Sparkling cider,  chocolate dipped strawberries, and an umbrella.  Why?  It was raining- had been raining all day- and the site he chose was outside.  Back to the hotel, a quick nap, and then rushing to get ready.  Out the door on time, but then we got lost on the way to the restaraunt to get the supper we ordered.  We finally found the place, with the rain building.  Just as we drove up, the text we got from Ryan was, "I need  a tarp".  What?  I don't keep one in my purse!  We jumped out of the truck with all of our gear and began to run up the hill to the pavillion.  Wait....K'Lynn says Ryan says we are going to plan B.  Wait?  I am standing in the rain with tissue wrapped roses.  I am dripping wet already!

OK...plan B.  We drove quickly to his house and set up the dinner in his living room.  We made it look beautiful!  We went to find some dinner of our own...5 Guys.  As we ate, we watched the live Twitter feed that Ryan had a friend doing of the whole scene.  Just enough detail to totally get the idea of what was happening.  I cried right there in the restaraunt...so happy for my son.  Once dinner was over, we went  to Courtney's aunt's house for a post-proposal party with lots of family and friends.  This was also the moment when we got to meet the folks I will share grandbabies with someday!  Susan and Bill are wonderful people!  This is going to be fun!

The engagement party was amazing!  They told us just how Ryan proposed.  Courtney told us that she was so proud of him for finally proposing!  One of the pictures that Ryan's friend took showed that moment perfectly- her arms raised in celebration!  Speaking of pictures....times certainly have changed.  I doubt anyone used to prepare with a photographer prior to proposing when Kyle and I got married.  Now, though...it is pretty common.  Ryan prepared very well and had his roommate in a rain poncho and hiding in the bushes with a long-range lens.  He took wonderful pictures that allowed us all totally have the experience with them, after the fact.  We celebrated with everyone and talked about the wonderful wedding that is coming in only 3 months!  Late that night we made it back to the hotel, preparing to return to real life the next day.

So, the boys wanted a pop up camper...

Have you ever heard how the Childress' came to be a family of 5?  It wasn't always the plan, for us to be a group of 5.  For a while, 4 seemed sufficient.  Kyle and I married so early- I was 16, he was 19. We had babies right away...22 months apart.  By the time I was 20,  I had a 3 year old and a 1 year old.  We lived across the street from Kyle's parents and had a nice little life.  I worked a little, went to school (college) a little, raised babies, and was a wife.  It was a lot of responsibility for a young gal, but God always gave me what I needed to get it all done.  Kyle was a great husband and father.  We were getting used to this little group of 4...everyone was happy.

At 24, I decided that with a 7 year old and a 5 year old, I was done having babies.  I didn't see a time in the future that I would think differently, so I made an appointment to see my favorite doctor, Dr. O'Kelley.  He had delivered both of my kids, he was a Christian, and I trusted him.  I went in, explained my situation, and asked if he would tie my tubes.  I told him that I had gotten off to an early start and that I was finished having children.  He listened, but at the end of our appointment, he told me no.  He said that he didn't feel right about being the doctor that took away my opportunity to have more children at such a young age.  He said that I was in a stable family and a stable marriage- someday I might change my mind about all of this.  I was young and non-confrontational.  I just said "Well, ok...." and went home.  I told Kyle what he said.  I told him, 'You know, I respect him.  I guess for now we will wait.".  So, we waited....

I went on to go to nursing school the next year.  I was 25, and I was still working at Atlanta Memorial as a CNA.  When I finished school, I changed shifts, became a medicaiton nurse (I was an LVN), and I was busy.  Raising older babies, working lots of hours on the night shift, riding horses, rodeos with the kiddos, church work....we were busy folks! 

One morning, I woke up with a new thought.  I had never had this thought before and had to really think about it before I spoke it out loud.  I knew in my heart what it was,though.. 

I   had    to    have    a     baby.
I had to...just like I had to breathe. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

I told Kyle finally what I was thinking.  The look of disbelief was evident on his face.  I had never asked a question  like this before.  Although it shouldn't have, becoming pregnant with K'Lynn was a complete surprise.  Ryan's pregnancy was not any more planned, but at least we were a little more settled by the time he came along.  I had never even teased about becoming pregnant in the past.  The few times my period was a little bit late, we were nervous.  No more babies....right?
Well, not exactly...

Kyle had been thinking about the next "big" purchase we would make as a family.  He had even mentioned it to me- a pop-up camper.  With a 8 year old and a 6 year old by this time, that would be a reasonable purchase.  Lots of fun hours to be spent at our favorite spots in Arkansas,  Albert Pike or Shady Lake...lots of fun period!  The idea of a new baby would really mess up that idea, I guess.  We reached a compromise...ask the kids.

The family meeting was held one evening.  No TV on (this was a serious discussion!), just the four of us sitting there talking.  Kyle presented his case first.  "What would you kids think about getting a new POP UP CAMPER???!!!  We could go to Albert Pike or the Blue Hole...we could take the 4 wheelers and have so much fun!" (to be fair...I have no idea the exact words he used, but this was close I am sure!).  Ryan was very excited about this idea.  He LOVED camping and 4 wheeling....Kyle was speaking his love language!  I could see how this was going to go.  I was up next.  I do not remember what I said either, except that I told them that I really wanted to have another baby.  I wanted to give them a baby brother or sister to love.  Simple, but heartfelt...  K'Lynn, a nurturing soul, fell in love with the idea right away.  She loved babies and this was right up her alley! 

Time to vote....
"All for the Pop Up Camper, raise your hand"

Kyle and Ryan both enthusiastically raised their hands.

"All for a new baby, raise you hand"

K'Lynn and I raised our hands....we had a tie. 

I made an executive decision.  Since I would potentially carry this baby, I thought I should vote on his or her behalf.  What would the baby want?  A pop up camper is a great idea, but if I didn't vote to have the baby it would never get to go camping anyway!  Two votes for Becky...one for K'Lynn- the girls WIN!!!

I stopped taking my birth control pills and gave Kyle a warning of the amended vote.  He wasn't a sore loser...  I think he really always wanted another baby, but wouldn't say so.  It wasn't long at all...maybe 3 months?  I found out that I was pregnant with the baby that we would come to know and love as Hannah.

We learned of her coming in March with a due date of October 8th, so it was a long and hot summer.  Even though I had delivered two babies before, Hannah fooled me with false labor several times.  My co-workers at the hospital began to think it funny how often I showed up in the ER.  She has always had a flair for the dramatic!  October 8th, I took a generous dose of castor oil about 10 pm.  Put the kids to bed and went to bed myself.  By 3 am, the kids were dropped off at MawMaw's house and Kyle and I were on our way to the hospital.

 At 8:03 am, she arrived.   Much smaller than a pop up camper, not necessarily any cheaper, and so much more rewarding.  The girls won the vote, but the family won in the long run.  I have remembered Dr. O'Kelly fondly many times over the years for standing strong in his decision not to allow me to have a tubal.  He knew, somehow, that there was another baby out there for our family.  Once I held her, I knew I was then finished having babies.  Less than an hour later, I did get that tubal.  Best decision ever.  God had completed our family with Hannah. And God has such a sense of humor....4 years later, we purchased a 32 ft bumper pull travel trailer that we enjoyed WITH Hannah for many years.   Better than any old pop up camper for sure!!

 

How many hats can I put on my head at one time???.

Wife, mother, employee, preacher's wife, cook, Sunday school teacher, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, sister-in-law, neighbor, Child of God, nurse,chauffer, computer expert,banker, dog owner, citizen, voter, blogger, driver, stock-holder, shopper, patient, and friend.  They are NOT in order of importance and  I am probably forgetting some of the hats I wear, but that is the main grouping.  How can I juggle all of these identities?  It gets tricky!!  Here is a sampling:

5:30- dog owner-up and out- potty trip with the two puppies
5:45-mother- woke Hannah up for See You at the Pole
6:00 computer "expert"- transferred Hannah's pics from the memory card to the computer before returning it to it's owner.
6:40- chauffer- drove Hannah to school
6:50- employee- worked on files for work
8:00- wife- helped Kyle get ready for work, got myself ready too
8:45- employee-  leave house and begin work
9:50- mother- get call from Hannah saying she is sick at school- have to take her to the doctor
10:20- employee- work from home on patient files for a while before MD appt
11:15 mother- take Hannah to the doctor
12:20- employee- to Hobby Lobby to get materials for work project
1:00- mother- take Hannah to get lunch
2:15- nurse- pick up  meds at pharmacy
2:40- mother/chauffer- take Hannah  back to school in time for volleyball practice
2:55- blogger- felt overwhelmed by the day....blogging about it now...
3:10- employee- new evaluation on patient for tomorrow.  Follow up phone calls to other work contacts.
6:15- preacher's wife- to the church for supper and then for See You At The School
8:30- mother/wife- who knows what is going to come up....

Tired yet?  Me too...  Truth is, I love this juggle.  God created me with some version of ADD (not diagnosed...just an expression!) and this keeps me entertained.  Not complaining...just reporting how my day has been.  Thankful for so much to do and so many people to love. 


Be blessed...

Looking up from below

If you have ever been in Sunday School with me, then you already know about this.  Just go ahead and  move on to the next blog, because you alreay know this illustration.  Won't hurt my feelings- I have already imparted my wisdom on you at some previous point in time.  :)

Did you ever do needlepoint?  Embroidery?  From the top, the finished product can be quite lovely.  Colors woven together, little by little, to make a scene from nature or of a house or a seaside picture.  You can truly do most anyting you can imagine on fabric with the right amount of talent and thread.  That is from the top...

From the bottom, though, it looks very different.  Same colors, same area on the  fabric, but it doesn't look the same at all.   The areas where the thread is knotted off or where the thread changed color are not as pretty.  If we only looked at the bottom, no one would appreciate needlepoint or embroidery.  It would be backwards, disjointed, and hard to understand.  Actually...that does sound a little bit like our lives at times, doesn't it?

God sees things differently than we do.  From His vantage point, our lives have order, reasoning, and a design.  From our view, however, things seem pretty messed up sometimes.  When things like death, illness,  and disappointments begin to weigh on us, we cannot understand why.  In those areas where our "thread colors change", there is a transition that isn't smooth.  This could be a tragedy, a change in job, a move...anything that makes life stop seeing normal and changes completely.  Many times we get bogged down in the details of why something happened, or how it happened.  It is easier to focus on those things, than to face the reality that life doesn't seem fair sometimes and that we don't want bad things to happen in our lives.   The only question to ask is this:  "Do you trust God?".  Do you trust the God of the universe to handle the details of your life?  From the top or from the bottom, God has a reason for all of those bad things, uncomfortable things, or impossible to explain things.  He has a reason for 'changing our thread color' through a loss or a change.  He is using all of these things to form the more complete picture visible from the top.  His plan, His design, His choice.  Our response to these things is what the world will see.    How we are viewed by others will determine if Matthew 5:16 will be true in our lives our not.  "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  

God, give me eyes to imagine the view from the top- Your view of my life.  Help me to be patient when I don't understand.  Help me to be woven into the lives of others in such a way that You are glorified.  Help me not to get bogged down in the details that I see from 'down here' and to understand that You are in control.  

Be blessed....

The building blocks of a new life

My mother has been creating a new life for herself.  Piece by piece, moment by moment, and soon board by board.  She is putting things in place to begin again.

She came to live with me last June.  She had just left the hospital and was pretty fragile.  She needed to be accepted.  She needed encouragement.  She needed to realize that she mattered in the world.  The family at Anderson Baptist Church embraced her, loved on her, asked about how she was doing, and gave her a purpose thought her job at the dayschool.  She became known as Grandma, not only to the children, but to everyone.  There is something endearing about that name.  Makes one feel automatically loved just a little more than if they used your given name only.  If I go to the trouble of calling someone a name like that, it is because I care.  I think she realized that and somehow drew strength from it.  She began to teach Sunday School again, which filled a hole that we had at the church, but also filled a hole that she had in her soul.  She has been a teacher her whole life.  She is the best Sunday School teacher a kid could have in so many ways.  It is an outlet for her, a way to pass along her love for the bible and for our God.  She is not affectionate or 'touchy-feely' by nature, but in this way she connects.  She also began working with the after school kids at the dayschool.  Challenging at times, but it gave her a purpose.  She had more pseudo-grandchildren through this and that felt good.  God was begining to put the pieces in place for her to find purpose and community.

A few weeks ago, an empty lot became available around the corner from our house.  Closed, sealed bids were submitted.  A total of 4 were received.  Each of the close by neighbors put in bids, hoping to keep the land from being used by someone that would just 'stick a trailer house on it'.  That doesn't really fit with the historic feel of our town, so I would agree on that point.  Mom's bid was the highest, and we were all so excited to have a new land-owner in our home.  She was initally excited at first also, but then then I think she became nervous.  Living here in my house has been temporary, but to own land of her own was much more permanent.  She had to go back to Queen City because my dad got worse.  I know it was confusing for her to be there, in her home that she had worked so hard to maintain for the past 39 years.  She called one day and told me that this was  her kitchen, her living room, her home...in her voice I heard such conflict.  She needed to have release from that place.  She was able to live there by herself, sure, but was this the right and best thing for her to do?  Out the window would go those that called her Grandma.  No place for her to serve at her old church...those spots had been filled in her 15 month absence.  A house filled with memories that were often painful, just to live there alone?  I was so worried that she would decide to stay.  I struggled with allowing her to be the adult that she is, to give her the room to choose on her own, to respect the position she had earned in life from 68 years of living it.  I tried not to push to hard, but I know that I failed at times.  It was the most odd position I have found myself in to date.  Child, but directing the parent...no fun at all.

She called me after being there for several days with my dad to say "I am coming home...I am just tired of being here".   This was music to my ears.  I felt that God had given her some type of release.  Kyle had begun to work with Travis on her lot. Mom had already spent hours there, cleaning, sweating and planning.  With Travis' bulldozer, her plans moved more quickly.  They cleared and burned the lot.  The visions of  what could be became more clear.  The ideas of how it would look and where things would go were flowing.  Excitement began to build again!

Yesterday, we went to Warrenton.  We had already shopped for a while when I rounded a corner and found it.  The cutest gas stove (1920's) that I had seen in a while...a great price and in great shape.  I tried to think about where I might be able to use it...no, no need for it really.  I called Kyle to tell him about it.  He agreed that there was no place or need for it.  He did say, "But your mom might consider it for her house..."  I called Mom over, she saw it and began to think about it.  We asked the man about it and he dropped the price by $75 right away.  More discussion...and then a purchase!!  It will be the focal point of the kitchen.  It will actually be the thing that it all gets built around.  Exciting!!

On the way home, we made another stop and she found a metal cabinet that might go with it.  Later, we got the idea to possibly include an old fridge as a cabinet.  The boards and nails will come soon, but until then- planning.  So many ideas, so much hope!

What are the building blocks that can form a new life?  I have found in this case that they are a church that loves you, children, a dayschool, a plot of land, and an antique stove.  God can use anything He would like to to rebuild.   So thankful for a God with a plan like that.  Jeremiah 29:11 says " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  My mom is living proof of this!

Of friends and family...

Friends and family- the two things that I am convinced God created to complete us (other than our relationship with Him).  Family, some very close, some painfully distant.  Friends, people that God sent to interact with us for seasons.  No one knows why someone suddenly comes into another's life.  Chance meetings that are anything but form the foundation for a lifetime of friendship.  Intersections that God ordained are seeminly innocent at the time, neither party realizing what the future holds.  Family is different.  God clearly lines up children with parents.  Birth is a real intersection, visible to the world.

After saying this, I reflect back to when I met Kyle.  A hot July night in  1983 that seemed different from the start.  From the time I saw him walk into the skating rink, I knew he was special.  When I met him later that night, I knew after talking to him for only a few minutes that he was everything I thought I wanted at 14.  So, while I mention intersections that seem innocent and neither party realizes their gravity, I must admit that this wasn't true for me.  I remember saying to friends at the time that I was going to marry that guy.  I was right.

I have friends that I know God sent me for a reason at a particular point in my life when I would need them.  Not all have remained in my life, but I know that for that time, I was supposed to be there.  I think back to high school friends- so important at the time, so invisible to me now other than Facebook.  People from our early married life that have taken such different paths, now no longer a part of my life in any real way.  Work friends that I became close with through circumstance...so many of them whose names I struggle to remember.  And friends collected over the years from the different churches we have served in or attended...I do remember more of these, but still don't stay in contact  very well with them.  The people I would count as true friends...lifelong friends- they come from a variety of places.  They have the common tie of our faith in Christ- that is foundational.  Proverbs 18:24 says, "Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family".  I think that explains why those are still in our lives.  True friends...with whom you have connections that don't make sense to others and that is ok.  These are also those friends that you don't keep score with-  who called last, who texted first, who had the other one over for supper, who invited the other to the movies or shopping last...you get the idea.  I have a couple of these friends, but only a couple.  Friends  that you can call or email or visit once a day, once a week, or even once a year and the quality of the relationship doesn't suffer.  This is special.  This is rare...

If you are reading this and think you are one of those speical friends, you most likely are.  You  know me well enough be reading my blog, you care enough to read it, and  you know we are close.  I appreciate and value this friendship so much!!  If you know this isn't you (because you stumbled upon this blog and don't know me at all, perhaps!), then think to those that  you are friends with.  Be that true  friend.  You are valuable in the life of those that love you.  Be that close and true friend.  Someone out there loves  you and needs you.  Thinking of friends and family....some of God's greatest gifts to us here on earth.  

Be blessed....

The class...

So, I mentioned that I was going to teach a women's Sunday School class.  Today was the first day.  I made 9 copies of our material.  I wondered if I would be throwing away 6 of them.  I thought, 'Maybe 3 or 4...that would be a good number to start with."  I underestimated God...as usual.

The early service was full.  I was hopeful that a few of the ladies would come to my class, but I wasn't sure.  I was overwhelmed by how God  brought 4 new members into our body.  I always cry when people come forward.  It's that empathy thing I have described before.  I was so happy for a couple that had made the decision to follow Christ and to nail down the decision today publicly.  I was also happy for a young lady that works in our daycare who came forward along with her mother. Both were coming from another Baptist church.  We were very blessed by their decisions.

I made my way to the room we were to have Sunday School in.  The youth were not finished in the room we were to meet in yet, so I sat across the hall in a larger room the youth meet in for opening assembly.  One lady came in and we talked until the youth left the "purple" room.  We walked across the hall, and within minutes there were a lot of ladies there!  Total by the end was 14!!  Not all of them will be there weekly, but most should be.

We talked about so many things that were relevant to life.  The ladies shared, laughed and even cried a little bit.  I promised that next week we would have Kleenex, because I think the sharing will continue.  So thankful for the ladies that came, so excited about the bonds being formed.  God is working here...Proud to be a small part of His plans!!

Sibling rivalry

Think siblings have to be born from the same womb to have a rivalry?  I assure you this is not a requirement.  Let me explain...

Lucy has lived here for the past 22 months or so.  She has slept in my bed almost every night in those almost two years.  She eats from my plate, kisses me on the face, and protects me no matter what.  She has had one brother in her life and one sister.  Lucky was her 'brother' and Ryan's dog Macks is her 'sister'.  With Lucky's passing in June and Mack's departure earlier this week,  Lucy was alone.  I detailed this history in my last entry, so I won't totally rehash it.  God provided a partener for her yesterday named Cooper.  This is where the rivalry begins...

The first few hours, they got along well.  Last night, Cooper slept in Hannah's room- in her bed actually.  Lucy maintained her usual place in my bed and life was pretty normal.  This morning at 4:30, she could wait no longer.  She got me up and led me straight to Hannah's door.  She wanted to see Cooper.

They played together today, inside the house and out in the yard.  They ran, they fought, they rolled, they wrestled.  They had a great day.  When I got home tonight, the rivalry was more apparent.  Cooper couldn't get near me without Lucy sticking her body in the middle of it.  Cooper couldn't go to sit with Grandma unless Lucy did.  Cooper wanted to be somewhere, but Lucy decided she needed to be there more.  Such a typical little sister!!  Funny thing is, she is not a little sister.   She is older and has been here longer.  She could ease his transition and make him feel at home, but she will not.  It is  in her nature to not allow him to take any postition that she might have ever had or might ever want.  Selfish!

You know, we are all a little like Lucy if we are honest.   A little jealous of the new puppy, worried someone else might take our place in the world.   This rivalry between us and other sometimes leads to problems.   If Lucy were more confident in her relationship with me, she would come to realize that she will always be my first born (bought) puppy.   She will always be my puppy girl!  She has nothing to be intimidated by!  I love Cooper too, but not more.  Hope we can work out this thing between these two soon!! Until then, I am glad to play referee between the two.  Thankful they are both here!

God totally knew...

If there was ever any doubt that God knew me completely and totally, He erased that doubt for me tonight.

This has been a tough summer for dogs in my house.  Ryan's dog  Macks left on Monday.  Returned to Alabama, back home with her ""Daddy" Ryan.  Our sweet 10 year old Jack Russell Lucky, of course, passed away in June.  This left our little cockapoo Lucy- she has been so lonely.  She has moped around and has been very clingy.  I have prayed about how I could afford to get another dog for her.  I did not know  how I would be able to justify the expense of another animal, but I knew Lucy needed a partner. I did not know how, but God did.

I went to Hannah's ballgame tonight in Burton.  Before the game started, I got into the stands and thought, "I wonder if there are any cockapoo puppies on Craigslist??"  My cell signal was horrible there, but I was able to pull up the page.  There were only 7 cockapoos listed.  4 of them were acutally people looking for cockapoos, 3 were puppies looking for a home.  The first one was a new entry- a cute dog, but too far away.  The second dog was from earlier in the week, so I wondered if it would even be available.  When I opened the ad, there was a picture.  It looked EXACTLY like LUCY!!  I read the ad, seemed legitimate, so I emailed the lady.  I told her why I was looking for a new one and asked if hers was still available.  Within 10 minutes, I got a call from an unknown number.  I answered and it was the owner.  We talked for a while about her dog and why she was having to let him go.  Bad news was that she had already probably found a home for him.  She said that she was supposed to go meet an prospective buyer and her daughter in an hour.  The lady's daugther was "wishy-washy" about what type of dog she wanted and if she even wanted one at all.  If it didn't work out, she promised that she would call me. 

I decided that I wanted this dog.  Crazy thought, since I knew almost nothing about him, but I still felt that was.   I decided to make her want to sell me her dog.  I was not even sure how much he cost, but I felt drawn to him.  I had her cell number, so I texted her a picture of my Lucy.  "Here is our Lucy- hope to get to meet your little boy someday soon!"  Apparently, that did it!  She began to text me back, sending an updated pic of her dog.  She said his name was Cooper and he was 7 months old. He is potty trained, he sleeps in their bed, etc...``` Within an hour, she texted back "We can meet you tomorrow in Hempstead if you would like to.  Wait!  This is moving very fast!  What about the other buyer?  Well, ok- if we are meeting, tonight actually works out better...they agreed!   We evenually agreed to meet in Hempstead later that night. 

All the way there, we talked about this new dog.  Hannah was very skeptical.  She has never liked Lucy and has not lied about that.  She didn't want me to get her and has resented her ever since.  When Molly died (Lucy's half sister, we had her first and she was run over by a car), Hannah  took it very hard.  I had hopes that the next dog would be 'hers'.  It is a wonderful thing, to love an animal.  Not everyone can do this.  Not everyone wants to. 

We waited for the family to arrive at the arranged location.  They were a little late.  Kyle joked that they weren't coming at all, that they were actually at our house robbing us.  Eventually they arrived , though and we all got out of the cars.  The mom's name was Sherry.  She was in the front seat with Cooper.  He looked so much like Lucy it was amazing!  Exact same coloring, almost identical in size, just like siblings!  She got out of the truck and Cooper came right to me.  He laid on the ground as I began to rub his belly.  He loved that, just like Lucy does!  He was so friendly.  He was excited to see us, as though he knew who we were.  We talked with the owners, Sherry and Patrick for almost half an hour.  They were unable to keep him because they both work so much.  Their daughter just left for college, and no one was at home with Cooper at all during the day or most of the evenings.  They knew that this social little puppy needed friends- exactly Lucy's problem!  It seemed like such a God thing that I would find her ad and we would meet within a couple of hours of that!  When Patrick was talking to us about Cooper, he got all misty eyed and had to excuse himself to the back of the truck for a few minutes.  They loved this dog, and were sad to leave it with us.  I had wondered how much they wanted for this sweet dog.  Most Craigslist folks ask for a 'rehoming' fee, so I expected one.  Her ad even said the dog was 'for sale', but no price was listed.  Near the end of our time together, I said "Well, I couldn't figure out from the ad how much you were asking for Cooper?"  Patrick said  "Just that he goes to a good home".  I almost cried!  I told Sherry that I had been praying about how I could get Lucy a partner without breaking our budget.  I explained FPU and how we were trying to become debt free.  I told her that they were an answer to prayer.  They seemed happy to be used by God this way.   I asked "What about the lady you were supposed to have met with Cooper earlier tonight?"  She told me that when her husband got home and she explained the situation, he immediately said, "No, we will go meet the family with Lucy.  Cooper needs a friend."  God interveined for us and kept her from meeting the other lady.  This seemed ordained!  Having nothing left to discuss,  we said our good byes and left. 

Cooper rode home with us.  He was delightful.  He sat in Hannah's lap most of the way.  We got home and he met Lucy.  Grandma had just gotten home from a trip, so Cooper was a surprise to her too.  They were playful, and figured out that they liked each other- a lot!!  They played in the house for almost an hour before Hannah went to bed.  Cooper went with her.  I put him in her bed and he snuggled right up to her.  He laid his head down and went right to sleep.  So sweet!!

God totally knew how He was going to work this all out.  I feel so honored that He loves me enough to know that I needed Cooper- that WE needed Cooper.  Welcome to the family Cooper- we love you  already!!

The Kids List- a note from my FB page....

God has entrusted Kyle and I with 3 birth children. K'Lynn, Ryan and Hannah are the three that Kyle and I acutally went to the hosptial, paid the bill for, and brought home in little blankets. They are the ones that rode in our cars as babies in carseats, the ones that we changed the diapers of, and the ones that look just like us. We are honored that they are ours, proud of their accomplishments, thankful for their health and excited about their futures. Three is a good number...but not the whole number though.




Over the years, there were others added to the Kids List. Some were just in our home for an evening or two. Others stayed for months or even years. A few were (are!) there faithfully after school, maybe after practice or until Mom got off work. Many were youth goup members from OHBC, GEBC or Hempstead. Some were actually family, but others have become family. Not all of them came to actually live in our house, but we interacted wtih them the same. I grew to think of them as my own children. More kids than we gave birth to, but exactly the number God had for us. The feelings we have for those "kids" lingers even to today. Their children seem like our grands. Their spouses seem like extentions of the family even more.



Today, we are still adding to the Kids List. Friends of our children, kids from church, kids from the school...the list grows. In the future, the list will include those that our children will marry and then they will start their own lists. Tagged here are only a few of the 'kids' (I am sure I forgot some...I am old and can't remember as well as I used to be able to!). If you are tagged, you are one of our other 'kids'. Not the original 3, but included. It's kind of like the saying "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as soon as I could". You weren't born to us, but we added you to the list as soon as we met you. Even if we don't see each other,we think of you and pray for you and your families. Love you all...welcome to the family!!

I am chosen...

Sunday marks a new chapter in my life as a preacher's wife.  I will be teaching a women's Sunday School class.  Women of all ages have been invited to join this newly formed class.  It goes along with the new "flip-flop" service schedule.  I am acually pretty excited about the whole thing.

The first chapter of the study we are doing (http://www.lifeway.com/Product/duty-or-delight-knowing-where-you-stand-with-god-member-book-P005429354) talks about how we, as women, listen to the lies of Satan.   Those lies we have all heard, such as "you aren't good enough", "You will always really be alone",  "You aren't pretty enough, smart enough, ________enough".  We have heard them, and we have fallen for them.  

The take away from this very first section is "I AM CHOSEN".  It is based on Ephesians 1:4, where we read "For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.".  He chose me.

The study says that in the next few weeks we will learn how to put our feet down and stop putting up with what we've been putting up with.  It's time for the condenmation to stop.  It's time for the guilt to stop.  It's time for the prayerlessness to stop.  It's time for the fear to stop.  It's time for all those false expectations to stop.  It's time you enjoyed your God.  I could sure use some of that!!

I feel nervous about teaching this class, but I am convicted in the very begining of the study NOT to feel that way!  So, since I am chosen...I will teach.  Join me if you want to...11 am on Sundays.  It should be a lot of fun!!